Shadow and fresh water

We are at the height of summer and it’s hot, very hot! Even the nights, which tend to be milder, are not giving up. The most logical solution is to run to the nearest beach and / or pool, but … In the middle of a pandemic, it is not always possible.

It is already common knowledge that the sun and fresh air help to increase our immunity, so innovations to be able to enjoy the summer without crowding or risking the life of those we love, is the best solution. Here at home, once a week, we go to a very close beach, as soon as it dawns, we hardly find people at that time, it was the way we found to sunbathe. There is also the famous “plastic swimming pool” on the balcony for children every day lol it’s amazing how it works.

But that’s not just how we can cool off and feel like participants in the hottest season of the year, foods help a lot and are very healthy alternatives to not take too many risks.

Flavored water is great, easy to make and refreshing, here are some suggestions for combinations (don’t stick to them, discover new flavors):

– Sicilian lemon (or whatever has the hand) cut into thin slices and lemongrass,
– Strawberry and mint,
– Watermelon and ginger,
– Ginger,
– Green grape and rosemary,
– Apple and ginger.

Just put the water in a jar or bottle and make the mixture proportional to the amount of water. Ah, drink a lot of water, 3 liters is a good number.

Fruits are essential and in the heat it is much easier to consume, so after cleaning the fruits well, chop them into cubes, put them in individual jars and freeze. Consume frozen or yogurt purees, or make vitamins with milk or yogurt, it is very creamy, like a natural ice cream. Try to consume at least 3 servings of fruit a day, if it can vary better, your intestinal microbiota thanks 🙂 The fruits of this month are: avocado, grape, fig, papaya, mango, watermelon. A recipe I love for vitamin is avocado, see how I do it:

– 1/2 small avocado
– 250ml of milk or vegetable milk (coconut is very good)
– 1 shallow coffee spoon of ground cinnamon
– Sweeten as you prefer and if you want, I don’t.

Beat everything in a blender (even if the avocado is frozen), sprinkle more cinnamon on top if you want.

Salty foods are already more difficult to reconcile, so a very good tip is the salads, mainly of cooked vegetables, which we can cook in advance and leave in the refrigerator, ready for consumption. The more vibrant colors help a lot at the time of acceptance, try to consume at least 300g of vegetables a day, if you can consume more, better, then follow the tip of a Top Color Salad:

– 1 carrot,
– 1 beet,
– 1 zucchini,
– Green corn (1 can or 2 cooked ears),
– 1 red onion,
– 1 small cucumber,
– 1 tomato,
– 150g of peas (can be preserved or frozen),
– 200g of cooked black-eyed beans (or lentils, or chickpeas…),
– 1 clove of garlic,
– Juice of a lemon,
– Coriander or parsley.

After proper cleaning, peel the carrot and beet, chop into cubes and cook separately, each in its own time, reserve. Chop the zucchini into cubes, sauté quickly in oil with the grated garlic. Mix in a salad bowl with the carrots and beets, which have already been cooked, add the finely chopped red onion, the diced tomatoes and everything else. Salt to taste and serve chilled, yields up to 4 people if it is the main meal. If you prefer, divide into individual pots, place in the refrigerator. Regardless of the way you choose, when you eat, add chopped lettuce or watercress, sliced ​​avocado or even diced mango and a little “ricotta” ricotta, hmm… Well, there are those who prefer mozzarella cubes instead of ricotta, vary and try all the possibilities.

And dessert can’t be missing, so let’s go to Açaí Cremoso. As you can see, planning is everything, it facilitates, limits and saves and dessert is no different. Split the açaí into individual jars, about 200ml, place each chopped banana on top and freeze. When it is time to consume, put it directly in a blender, beat until it is very creamy, like ice cream, serve on the spot and if you want, add a spoon of honey, it is delicious.

Good appetite and good refreshment to all!

Written article for the Newspaper A Cidade Ubatuba.