There are few things better than sitting outside with a nice cold beverage during a hot and sultry summer afternoon. Taking the time to pause and refresh yourself isn't just good for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well.  Instead of going for the more traditional high sugar iced tea or lemonade, why not choose a cooling drink that has additional health benefits?

Hibiscus has a strongly cooling and refreshing nature.  It's also a great anti-inflammatory, and shows promise in reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol*.  And it's delicious!  Here's a recipe that will make you think twice before you choose that next sweet tea.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Hibiscus Flowers
• 4 cups Water
• 2 cups Ice
• Optional: 1/4 cup honey

Directions

1. Boil 4 cups of water and remove from heat
2. Add 1 cup of hibiscus flowers, stir, and cover
3. Steep for 15-20 minutes
4. Strain, then add honey if desired
5. Cool for 30 minutes, then add ice
6. Add mint leaves or orange slices for added taste and color

As always, be sure to talk to your health practitioner when adding a new herbal remedy into your daily regiment.  

Enjoy!

Kristin




*Hopkins, AL et al. (2013). Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia: a comprehensive review of animal and human studies. Fitoterapia,85, 84-94.


*This post was originally published for the Kaplan Center for Health and Wellness*

It's August, and for many parts of the country that means spiking temperatures.  I know more than a few friends who are ready for the Fall, dreaming about hoodies and hot cocoa.  Until the first whisper of those cool breezes do hit, finding ways to stay balanced in the heat is key to our overall health and wellness.

Yoga can be a great way to stay balanced throughout the seasons.  According to yoga's sister science, Ayurveda, summer is when Pitta (think hot, fiery, volatile) energy is in full force.  We tend to be more active, social, and have an irregular schedule.  Those who already have a Pitta dominant constitution (motivated, sharp-witted, fiery) need to be especially vigilant to stay in balance this time of year.  If you've been having skin outbreaks, heartburn, or have been especially impatient or angry lately, you need to take a step back and cool down.  Here are some yoga postures to help you do just that:

Bridge Pose: Make your way onto your back.  From here, bend your knees and place your feet about hip distance apart, fingertips just grazing your heels.  As you exhale, push down and away through your feet to lift your hips off the ground.  You can stay here, or inhale and reach your arms up and over your head, hips still lifted.  Slowly draw the arms back up, through center, and down to the ground as you slowly melt the hips down.  Integrate this movement a few more times, pulling cooling breath up to the top lobes of the lungs.

Reclined Twist:  Extend both legs long, and reach up and over the head.  Extend through fingers and heels. As you exhale, curl into both knees, hugging them into you.

Let your head and shoulders rest on the ground, arms out wide to the sides, palms facing up. Take a nice deep breath in, slowly lower your bent knees over to the right as you exhale, shifting your gaze to the opposite hand.   Hold for 2-3 breaths, and repeat on the other side. Twisting helps to cool the blood,  releasing heat from the intestines and the liver.


Stay Cool!
Kristin





*This post was originally published for the Kaplan Center for Health and Wellness*