As the dog days of summer approach, our bodies naturally tend to crave cooling foods to help us beat the summer heat and humidity. 

According to Ayurveda practices, there are certain foods that should be enjoyed during each season. In Ayurvedic tradition, it is not a foods’ temperature that makes it cool, but rather its innate qualities. Each food is classified according to its energy and effects on the body. 

Sea vegetables embody a cooling yin energy, so this summer, fill your bowl or plate with sea veggies. Kelp varieties like kombu and wakame, in addition to sea lettuce, are all tasty options, so sneak them into as many recipes as possible and stay cool all summer long.

Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ, patio party, or picnic in the park, we have the perfect cooling foods that will pair well with any summertime soiree.

Dark Leafy Green Salads

Dark leafy greens like collard greens, kale, Romaine lettuce, and spinach are all naturally high in water content. Just like drinking water helps you stay hydrated, so does enjoying foods with a high water content like dark left greens. Filling your plate with plenty of leafy greens during the hot summer months will help you, and your summer guests, stay hydrated. Go ahead and pack your summertime salad with an array of dark leafy greens to help you beat the summertime heat with each and every bite. Be sure to include your favorite homemade dressing like this refreshing and no-waste Papaya Seed Salad Dressing.

Delicious Dips

Pressed for time? (Who isn’t nowadays). Whip up a delicious dip. Chop up an array of fresh farmer’s market vegetables and serve them with this Kelp-Infused Vegan Ranch, make a bowl of Seaweed Hummus, and serve it with a handful of Sourdough Seaweed Crackers or try this recipe for Taco and Kelp Seasoned Tortilla Chips with Salsa Verde. Include a variety of other snack options like Organic Seaweed Popcornso guests can mix and match dips and snacks.

Fresh Wraps

This summer, lighten the menu with delicious dishes full of veggies, like these Fresh Spring Wraps. Created with an assortment of fresh vegetables, Blue Evolution Seaweed Pasta, and rice paper, this recipe is topped off with a savory sauce or salsa and makes an easy appetizer, main entree, or side dish.

Pasta Salad

Instead of opting for a fresh salad made from dark leafy greens, try a different take on summertime salad recipes by making a handcrafted pasta salad. Chilled pasta salad is an easy summer side dish that is super simple to make and even more delicious to enjoy. Check out some of our favorite seaweed-friendly summer pasta salad recipes:

• Caprese Pasta Salad

• Easy Vegan Pasta Salad

• Herbaceous Pesto and Coconut Pasta Salad

• Sesame Ginger Chickpea Salad

Smoothie Bar

Ice cream and popsicles are both iconic summertime staples that can help keep you and summertime guests cool. This summer, do something different and set up a homemade smoothie bar where guests can create their own summertime smoothies like this Green Smoothie or Sea Greens Smoothie. Looking for a delicious dessert option? Try making mini pudding cups for guests to enjoy like these Kelp-Infused Peanut Butter and Banana Chia Pudding.

Don’t let the summer heat and humidity keep you indoors this summer. Instead, beat the heat and enjoy foods that will help keep you cool with these five summertime staples so you can chill out and stay cool all summer long.

Need some more recipe inspiration for all of those summertime soirees?  Check out some more recipes here.