With spring in full swing, you need recipes that make you feel lighter. Like we always say, it’s never too early to start getting your body ready for summer. Before you know it, summer will be over and those 15 pounds you wanted to lose haven’t gone anywhere. Get started on your summer health journey while it’s still spring! There is no better way to do that than with this kale, apple, and pomegranate salad.

Kale is somewhat bitter and offers a slightly peppery flavor, making it a great salad green to pair with tangy, sweet, and even zesty ingredients. In this recipe, you get to enjoy an assortment of flavors and textures. Offering creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, crisp apples, and pomegranate arils that burst with tartness, this salad is unbeatable. The key is to thinly slice the kale, which makes for a more enjoyable eating experience. It also helps to take some of that bitter intensity away. A pro tip: you can use larger pieces of kale and massage them with a little olive oil and lemon juice to break down the fibers and intensify the flavors.

Do you want to know the best part of this salad? If you don’t have all of the ingredients, you can customize it and use the ingredients you do have. Don’t have raw pecans? Swap them out for raw walnuts or almonds. Thought you had an apple, when you really have a pear? Use the pear instead! You can even swap the pomegranate arils for little mandarin segments. Be creative and follow your taste buds, but make sure those substitutions are raw vegan if you are cleansing!

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How can you make fresh fruit more delicious? Put some chili powder on it and experience flavor like never before. Trust us when we tell you that the spice complements the sweetness of each fruit in this fruit salad. If you live in a place where fruit carts are on various streets and street corners, you know how special the spicy sweet fruit assembly is. If you don’t have access to such a fruit cart, get ready for this fruit salad to blow your taste buds away.

The beautiful thing about this spicy fruit salad is that it requires less than 10 ingredients and just 15 minutes of your time. Once you cut up the fruit, which can take a while or no time at all (depending on your knife skills), you combine them with the other ingredients. The chili powder gives just a subtle kick, so as not to overpower the natural fruit flavor. Plus, you get a little extra sweetness from the raw agave nectar. The fresh lime juice helps to wake up the natural sugars in the fruit, giving you a great balance of tart, spicy, and sweet.

This fruit salad is meant for warmer days, making the spring and summer months the best times to enjoy this recipe. Additionally, you can customize the ingredients and use what is available based on the season. For example, you can use melons or stone fruit in the summer when they are in season. Whenever possible, shop seasonally for optimum flavor and freshness. We hope you enjoy the recipe!

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It’s easy to say that a nutritious bowl of raw vegetables is nutritious. How do you turn a bunch of raw vegetables into a delicious dish, though? Some people say that it’s easier said than done, but say, “No problem.” If you have some vegetables and don’t want to eat another salad on the raw vegan diet, a great alternative is a raw soup. Additionally, this soup is a great alternative if you have extra zucchini don’t want to eat zoodle dishes any more.

Just like making a smoothie, all you have to do is cut up your vegetables and blend them together. Unlike a smoothie, you will add a few things that would not taste great slurping through a straw. For example, this raw soup contains fresh dill, garlic cloves, coconut aminos, and sea salt. The best advice we can give you is to use the fresh dill, not dried dill. The soup will be much less aromatic and flavorful without that fresh herb. We promise you that it is 100% worth it to seek out fresh dill, even if you have the dried version in your spice rack.

One piece of advice that we have for you is that you may want to wait to make this soup until the weather is a little warmer. It can be very refreshing when the sun is out. A pro raw vegan tip is to blend the soup for a few minutes on high to naturally warm it up. Don’t worry, this does not cook the vegetables; rather, the high-speed revolutions can naturally warm up the blended mixture. This is just something to consider if you take a liking to raw soups like this one.

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Cold soup, or gazpacho, is a typical summer dish. Now, we understand that summer is long gone, but a season of heavy and unhealthy eating is right around the corner. We don’t expect everyone to avoid the classically unhealthy and hardy holiday dishes. This chilled soup, however, may help balance those unhealthy dishes. It is light, refreshing, and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Just make sure to let it chill in the fridge before you devour it.

If you need a dish to help cleanse your digestive system after a day or weekend of heavy eating, this may be the dish you seek. This chilled soup is fantastic, if we do say so ourselves! In fact, a chilled soup such as this is a popular dish in the Mediterranean diet, which many health experts consider to be the best for heart health. Cold soup contains a high concentration of vegetables with the occasional fruit. Because you do not cook the ingredients, they retain their nutritional compounds, which can break down during the cooking process.

Chilled soups, such as this recipe, do a great job at keeping the body hydrated. Most of the ingredients, especially the cucumbers, contain a high concentration of water and electrolytes, which are necessary for optimal hydration. You can easily dehydrate during the winter, believe it or not, so this will help you up your water intake. It also contains essential vitamins, such as A, E, and C, which work to keep your immune system strong during winter cold and flu season.

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What is gazpacho? Well, gazpacho is a chilled soup that originated in Andalucía, Spain, and traditional recipes call for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, and more. You enjoy the soup cold, so there is no cooking involved, making it a great summer dish or light beginning to a multi-course meal. Although this avocado gazpacho is not entirely authentic, it does exhibit incredible depth of flavor and it’s almost like liquid guacamole.

This recipe is not only raw vegan, but it is also low-carb, paleo-friendly, keto-friendly, and replete with healthy fats. Slurp it out of a spoon or pour it into a cup so that you can drink it. We are not responsible if this refreshingly cold soup with powerful flavors kicks you into a pleasure-induced food coma. The great thing about this recipe is that you can tweak it until it is just right for your palate. Adjust the amount of onion, lime juice, chile, sea salt, and pepper to taste and then enjoy immediately.

This avocado gazpacho serves about four people, but you can divide it into much smaller portions as a party appetizer. Consider making a big batch and pouring it into shot glasses for a healthy swig of deliciousness. If you make it for a large gathering, make sure to do it right and top each shot glass with some fresh ingredients. Diced cucumbers, diced green onion, and diced avocado take the presentation to another level. Plus, you get more texture to contrast the creamy cold soup.

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The end of summer is near, but the weather is still scorching. What better way to cool off on a hot day than by enjoying this raw vegan mint and rosemary lemonade? Made from real ingredients, this is a healthy lemonade you can serve at any summer or early fall gathering. No powders, no added sugars, no preservatives, no chemicals; just pure, all-natural ingredients.

If you can associate one drink with summer, it has to be lemonade. Did you set up a lemonade stand and sell cups to neighbors when you were a child? This recipe is far from that sugary concoction you sold to neighbors for 25 cents a cup, though. This mint and rosemary lemonade is quite a few levels up, especially in regards to flavor, compared to your childhood lemonade. Additionally, it is a great hydrating beverage to enjoy if you plan on being in the sun for a long time.

This recipe is all about the infusion process. You are going to squeeze the lemons and combine them in a strainer over a bowl with fresh mint leaves and rosemary sprigs. Massage them with agave and a little vanilla extract, ideally wearing disposable gloves so you can clean your hands more easily. This may seem like a laborious step, but it makes the lemonade that much better. Cover and refrigerate for about three hours before pressing all the juices through the strainer. Remove the solids, pour the juices into a large pitcher, combine with water, and serve over ice.

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Gloomy winter weather is typically the first thing that comes to mind in a conversation about seasonal depression. It’s no secret that many people suffer from seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), in the winter months. A less common type of seasonal depression arrives on beautiful, sunny summer days, and it is just as serious. 

How is it possible that warm days and sunshine cause someone to head down a depressive spiral? Before passing judgment, always remember that every person is different. It’s estimated that up to 30% of people with seasonal depression will experience summer depression, according to psychiatrists. People with summer-patter depression, also known as reverse SAD, tend to experience symptoms of depression about four or five months out of the year when the weather is warmer. 

As with any form of depression, early treatment is the best approach. The exact timing of treatment will depend on the person’s history with the mental illness. There are no studies of treatments that are specific to summertime depression, but the following strategies may help relieve symptoms and boost mood. 

Dark Therapy

Just as light therapy can benefit those with winter SAD, dark therapy may help those with summer SAD. Some people report that they feel better when wearing dark glasses. Wearing blue-blocking goggles at night may help reduce the stimulating effects of blue light. Additionally, wearing blue-blocking goggles has been able to benefit people with manic or hypomanic symptoms in bipolar people. If you feel irritable or agitated as a result of summertime depression, consider wearing blue-blocking goggles. You can also turn off all screens at night to help limit your blue light exposure. 

Create A Routine And Stick To It

Psychiatrists explain that following a consistent routine can help inspire motivation and fulfillment. Start with the basics: wake up on time, brush your teeth, shower, maintain regular mealtimes, and schedule bedtime. If you feel comfortable with all of that, consider adding exercise, self-care practices, and creative outlets to your routine. A great way to stick to a routine is to write your routine down in a planner. You can also use a scheduling or productivity app. You can even go so far as to write memos on sticky notes!

Avoid Depression Traps

What is a depression trap, exactly? The ways in which people cope with depression are not always the most conducive to their mental health. Engaging in these traps will only worsen depression symptoms. Some of these unhealthy behaviors include:

• Blaming yourself constantly
• Watching too much pornography
• Eating when you’re bored, not hungry
• Gambling online, often
• Playing video games for hours and hours
• Spending a lot of time browsing your phone or laptop
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Shift Your Circadian Rhythm

One theory about winter SAD is that circadian rhythms change, go awry even, during the winter. Circadian rhythm is the body’s internal program that regulates the timing of all biological functions. The circadian rhythm is orchestrated by daily cycles of light and dark. Depending on winter or summer SAD, light or dark may help reset the person’s internal clock. Some people with summer SAD feel that their circadian rhythms run late, so they walk outdoors each day during summer at sunrise and look in the direction of the sun for 10 minutes. This is a simple practice that may lift spirits throughout the summer. There are no studies to back this up, so you may have to experiment for yourself to see if it benefits your circadian rhythm. 

Cold Temperature Treatment

If you are familiar with the Ice Man, also known as Wim Hof, then you understand the importance of the ice bath. Many people have embraced cold therapy for accelerated recovery, more energy, and reduced inflammation. Plunging into a cold bath shocks the body and has a therapeutic effect. In fact, many cold plunge enthusiasts agree that regular ice baths help to boost mood. Others report that cryotherapy has a similar effect, although that is much colder than an ice bath. Fill a tub with cold water and some ice next time you feel down and take a three minute plunge, taking care to breathe deeply throughout. You may love the results!

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“Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches….” Super Mario movie, anyone? Anyways, summer is almost over and that means that the freshest peach varieties may not be available for much longer. They are incredibly juicy when ripe and offer an impressive nutritional profile. These classic summer fruits are refreshing to enjoy raw, but another great way to enjoy them is toe grill them. As a quick reminder, you cannot grill if you are cleansing. This is strictly a vegan recipe meant for people who are not cleansing.

Do you need to peel your peaches? You actually want to leave the skin on your peaches because it helps them stay intact on the grill. When it comes time to eat the grilled peaches, you can remove the skin if you want. Because it will be cooked, the peel will be very easy to remove at that point. The peel does have a lot of nutrients, so removing it prior to eating is entirely up to you.

When it comes to grilling peaches, you have to know when they are done. The easiest way to tell is that is when they are visibly soft and start to collapse just a little. They should have sufficient char marks as well, but not so intense to the point where you cannot even detect the fruit. Once they are done, it’s time to serve them. You can serve them with some vegan ice cream or pair them with a savory dinner. Even though peaches have an inherent sweetness, they work well in desserts or dinners. You can even serve these grilled peaches with yogurt!

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Peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and cherries are classic summer fruits, but you can’t forget about melons. Perfectly sweet and ripe for the eating, melons also get their time in the spotlight during the summer months. They may not seem like summer fruits because you can always find watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews in stores year round. Visit a grocery store that features seasonal items or a farmer’s market and you’ll find melons in great supply. 

We’re confident in saying that there are many melons you’ve never tried or heard of in your life. Melon mania is here and your window of opportunity is closing to enjoy these water-rich, nutrient dense fruits. Melons belong to the same botanical family as cucumbers, squash, and gourds. Unlike zucchini and cucumbers, melons are very sweet, especially when ripe. We detail more melon facts below. 

Melons 101

Melons are fragrant, juicy, and incredibly sweet. They have a long history of being staple fruits in many cultures, and they fall into two species:

• Cucumis melo, which includes cantaloupes, honeydews, and muskmelons
• Citrullus lanatus, also known as watermelons, which includes yellow watermelons and sugar babies (these look like watermelons but differ slightly)

There are unique varieties that reveal themselves at farmers markets and local grocery stores during peak season. How do you pick the perfect melon, though? Well, put your ear to the melon and listen for the ocean’s song. No, don’t do that. To judge the ripeness of a watermelon, tap it and listen for a dull “plunk” sound. For honeydews and winter melons, the blossom end should give when you apply a little pressure. Finally, smell muskmelons and cantaloupes to take note of a strong fruity aroma. 

Summer Kiss Melons

Summer Kiss melons have a distinctive color, but the flavor is a bit more subdued than other melons. It looks like a cantaloupe on the outside, but the flesh is nearly identical to the flesh of honeydew, only the center has an orange hue. It is very creamy and rich and works as a refreshing snack, but you can incorporate it into smoothies, salsas, and summer fruit salads.

Santa Claus Melons

Christmas in July? It is when this melon shows up in the kitchen! Sometimes referred to as piel de sapo (toadskin), Santa Claus melons resemble small watermelons that are a bit more oblong in shape. They have gold or bright yellow stripes that break up the green. The brighter the yellow stripes, the riper the melon. The flesh is similar to honeydew, only it is a bit more pale green or mild yellow.

Hami Melons

Native to China, the Hami melon is oblong just like the aforementioned Santa Claus melon, only a bit smaller. It belongs to the muskmelon family and tastes very similar to a cantaloupe, only the flavor profile is sweeter and the flesh is crispier. To help balance the sweetness, squeeze a lime wedge over the fruit when you eat it fresh.

Yellow Watermelons

Yes, the flesh of this watermelon is really yellow! If you want to enjoy this as a thirst-quenching treat (given that watermelons are 92% water), chill it for a few hours prior to serving. Depending on the variety, yellow watermelons range from small to large, weighing as little as six pounds or more than 20 pounds. 

Casaba Melons

This melon may look more like a winter squash than a refreshing summer melon, but don’t judge this tasty fruit by its exterior. Casaba melons have a bright yellow rind, which can look somewhat wrinkled or withered. The flesh is a similar color to that of a honeydew, but it is incredibly sweet and creamy. A lot of people agree that the flavor is more mild and reminiscent of a cucumber. 

Crenshaw Melons

This melon has made a name for itself because it is one of the sweetest varieties available. It ripens from midsummer to early autumn and tends to weigh anywhere from eight to 10 pounds. The Crenshaw melon has a pink-orange flesh that is very thick and an aroma that will blow you away. It goes great with savory and salty flavors. 

Golden Honeydew Melons

Have you ever opened a bag of chips and realized that most of the bag was just air? You won’t be disappointed like that when you open a golden honeydew melon. It has a small cavity, which means that you get to enjoy more fruit! Look for a slight opening at the blossom end to detect when they’re ripe.

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Say hello to your new favorite way to eat honeydew! And no, we are not sorry about it, not even a little. Honeydew is a refreshing melon that is readily available throughout the year, but the freshest varieties are available during summer. That’s because summer is melon season! Get your hands on every melon variety possible, from honeydews and cantaloupes to watermelons and canary melons.

Honeydew melon works to support the body in many ways, encouraging stronger bones, better digestion, and clearer skin. In addition to the vitamin and mineral content, honeydew exhibits impressive antioxidant activity. Researchers note that many of the health properties are linked to phytoene, quercetin, caffeic acid, and beta-carotene in honeydew. It also contains folate, which is essential for the breakdown of homocysteine. Elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked to reduced bone mineral density over time.

Not to be counted out, basil boasts an incredible nutritional profile and health benefits. According to several studies, basil may help reduce depression that stems from chronic stress. One of the more impressive things basil does is improve fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. It also works to relax blood vessels and thin the blood, which is beneficial for people who have hypertension. That means that you can feel good about enjoying these popsicles!

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