BEATING THE HEAT FROM THE INSIDE OUT

So often I hear people complaining about the heat when the temperature rises above 80. At least here in Oregon. I don't seem to have this issue, in fact, I have this issue even less the more I hone my eating skills. You see part of beating the heat is beating it from the inside out.
The first and most important part of beating the heat from the inside out is eating locally and seasonally. I know I say this all the time but it's true. There is a reason we're given certain foods at certain times. When the weather warms up we find the Earth provides us cooling foods. It's a perfect system. People who are eating seasonally and locally are eating berries, cherries, watermelon, lettuce, cucumbers, summer squash, etc. These foods have high water content and help to naturally hydrate your body while giving it the nutritional support necessary to survive the heat.
This is a stark contrast to what we're told are cooling foods—ice cream, tacos, milk based dressings, and on and on. These foods are actually warming foods. Dairy products are very congestive and, in addition to making you warmer, add to the severity of seasonal allergies. Sugary foods (ice cream, slushies, sodas, etc) dehydrate. So that's no bueno either.
Drinking water as your main hydration source should be what we do all year long, but during the hotter days of summer, it's important to increase your water consumption. I hear people say all day long that they know this but how many people actually do it. If you eat the local, seasonal foods and increase your water intake staying cool when it's hot outside isn't such a challenge.
Here's a great hot weather recipe:
Carrot Raisin Salad:
3 Cups grated or julienne carrots ½ Cup raisins Juice of one orange Juice of one Lemon Zest of one orange zest of one lemon 1 Tsp honey.
Mix all ingredients together. Let the salad marinate in the fridge stirring occasionally for at least 8 hours before serving. Serve cold.