Enjoy the Juicy Fruits of August

As summer peaks in August, our bodies naturally accumulate heat. According to Ayurveda, this excess heat can sometimes show up as skin irritations, hay fever, rashes, or unsettled digestion. The good news? Nature offers exactly what we need to cool down: juicy, refreshing fruits!

🍉 Melons, grapes, apples, peaches, pears, and plums are all in season right now. Their sweet, juicy qualities help hydrate your body, soothe digestion, and balance the sharp intensity of late summer heat.

At the same time, it helps to ease up on foods that add more fire to the system, such as:

• Spicy salsas and hot sauces 🌶️
• Coffee ☕
• Red meat 🥩
• Cheeses 🧀
• Alcohol 🍷

Instead, lean into the fruits of the season. They’re not only cooling and hydrating, but also a reminder to savor summer’s sweetness — both literally and metaphorically.

✨ Simple ways to enjoy August fruits:

• Fresh from the tree, vine, or market stand
• A morning fruit smoothie (try peach–lime–basil, watermelon–orange–mint, or blueberry–banana–lime)
• A seasonal fruit crisp — warm, bubbling, and the perfect late-summer dessert

Here’s a favorite crisp recipe you can make with almost any fruit you have on hand:

‍‍Fruit Crisp Filling

• 4 cups chopped fruit (plums, peaches, berries, apples, pears, etc.)
• ¼ cup tapioca flour or cornstarch
• ½ cup natural sweetener (like coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Topping

• ½ cup melted butter or coconut oil
• 1 tsp ground ginger or cinnamon
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup flour (any kind: brown rice, whole wheat, or gluten-free blends work well)
• ½ cup sweetener of choice
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

Mix the filling and place it in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Stir together the topping, sprinkle it evenly over the fruit, and bake at 400°F for about 40 minutes — until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden. Serve warm and enjoy!

‍Reflection Prompt: 🍇
This season is about abundance and ripening. Just as the fruits come into their full sweetness, where are you noticing the ripening in your own life? What fruits — literal or metaphorical — are you ready to savor?