As the full warmth of the summer season arrives, we find ourselves being uplifted with the sunshine and it is a time of rejoicing. This is the time of the year when we are out socializing and meeting friends. The days are filled with blue sky to fill up our hearts and balmy summer evenings to watch the stars. The energy is upward and outward. Summer is a wonderful time to see produce in its maturity and fullness.

The cooking styles become lighter and faster. Stir-fries are prevalent at this time of the year as we are always out socializing and moving quickly. So we need to match it with the energy of our cooking.

Less time spent in the kitchen and more time being active.

Summer is the time of heart energy and the bitter flavors of large green leafy vegetables like rocket, watercress, chicory, some lettuces and bok choy. Most of the large green leafy vegetables are from the family of bitter flavors.

Other foods that are of the bitter flavor are sesame seeds, which can be eaten in the form of gomashio, which is a sea salt and sesame seed condiment. Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds.

Our bodies need to remain cool at this time of the year, and it is important not to over heat the body with foods that have been baked or deep-fried.

Cooling foods that you may think of are mint teas; sprouting foods, fresh summer fruits and desserts made from agar agar. Agar agar is a sea vegetable that sets like jelly. Grains that are used most often in summer are cous cous, polenta and long grain brown rice. The taste and texture of these grains are lighter and will blend with a lighter energy for us.

During summer and with all seasons it is learning the balance and maintenance between grains and vegetables, leaves and root vegetables, liquids and minerals, raw and cooked foods. Fish and noodles are wonderful fare in summer. Living on just salad or fruit in summer is not enough to maintain the busy lifestyle. We must also be mindful at the end of the season that the cool weather is coming and we do not want to freeze our internal body. Then we have no resistance to withstand the cold weather when it approaches.