Three Foods I'm Eating This Summer

I always eat differently in the summer than during the other seasons, less and lighter in response to the body already holding more heat. And I always find summer to be a fun time to experiment with new recipes and foods, three of which I share below.

Broccoli Sprouts

There are as many versions of sprouts as there are seeds, but my pick is specifically broccoli because they have exceptionally high levels of sulforaphane, which are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potentially anti-tumor compounds. Additionally, they are loaded with vitamins and other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. A really nutrient dense food with a great cost-benefit ratio.

I’ve been getting my broccoli sprouts from the supermarket and the brand is Jonathan Sprouts, but there is never enough on the shelf for me to buy, so I am considering growing them at home. (all the news recently about a parasite outbreak in certain lettuce makes me want to take control of my own food supply, and what better “green” food to easily grow as an apartment dweller than broccoli sprouts?).

Some companies I’m looking to buy a kit from are The Sprouting Company and Go Micro Fresh.

Bone Broth

Generally, it is advised by traditions such as Ayurveda which comes out of India, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to eat cooler foods in the summer and warmer ones in the winter, but I am making an exception and breaking this rule. (As long as I don’t super-boil my bone broth, and I don’t feel like I’ve finished a sauna session after sipping, I don’t consider it too heating). There are so many reasons I love bone broth.

First, I wanted a source of protein to begin my morning without necessarily consuming a traditionally dense protein. (even eggs at times are too much for me first thing in the morning). This fills me up in a good way.

Bone broth is also excellent for those (I would say, most in Western society) who have chronic inflammation, especially in the gut (leaky gut syndrome and a weak intestinal barrier makes nutrient absorption an issue). I have personally seen improvements in this realm and a related effect has been some healthy weight loss, too.

Third, bone broth is collagen and gelatin rich, which improves bones and joint function as well as skin health (sipping bone broth while waiting for my at-home facial mask to dry, now that’s my kind of multi-tasking!).

I have traditionally used popular brand Kettle and Fire, but the box is too large, and, as I don’t like leftovers, I have transited to single-pack Brodo, which I actually like better. I use the Turmeric and Ginger version (more heat, oh no!) but there are many more flavors to choose from.

Tuna

Whenever I think of tuna, I laugh because of the Chicken of the Sea “incident” in the 2000s and the resulting memes, but, all kidding aside, I’ve been late to the tun party, and it had mostly to do with taste, as I found most tuna to be rather dry. I also was very keen on only eating tuna that was farmed consciously and contained very low levels of mercury (generally a rule I have about eating fish).

I found what I was looking for in Natural Catch Yellowfin Tuna Fillets. It is non-GMO, low in mercury, and contains organic virgin olive oil, water, vegetable broth, and sea salt. It is also the only tuna I’ve tasted that melts in my mouth and is actually a joy to eat (pair it with a side of sprouts!). A great source of protein and a excellent non-perishable to store in the home for all of you preppers out there, too.

Bon appetite!