At our house, the kitchen is where the magic happens. For me and my wife, cooking isn’t just about food—it’s a chance to be present, to reflect, and to create who we want to be. Every meal becomes an opportunity to check in with the body and the mind. Ayurveda teaches us that the best meals are seasonal, mindful, and tailored to your unique constitution. And today, I’m sharing one of my favorites: a refreshing, anti-inflammatory summer salad that brings together sweet corn, watercress, goat kefir, zucchini, and dried mango. Watch the video—or read below to learn the how and why of this deeply cooling dish.

Why Ayurveda Loves Seasonal Cooking

Ayurveda teaches us that food is medicine—especially when it's in rhythm with nature. What’s happening in the environment is also happening in your body.

Summer brings heat, light, and intensity. The dosha that dominates this season is Pitta, and to balance it, we need foods that are:

• Sweet

• Astringent

• Bitter

These three tastes cool the body, calm the digestive fire, and reduce inflammation.

A Salad for Summer Clarity and Calm

Here’s what goes into this delicious summer salad:

• Zucchini (cooling, light, and hydrating)

• Watercress (bitter and peppery, clears excess heat)

• Dried mango (sweet and grounding)

• Fresh corn (sweet, slightly astringent, perfect for summer)

• Goat kefir (cooling probiotic, nourishes gut flora)

• Salt (just a touch to enhance taste and balance electrolytes)

How to Prepare It (Jay’s Way)

1. Start with 1 cup of chopped zucchini at the bottom of your favorite bowl.

2. Add a generous handful of fresh watercress.

3. Top with sweet corn, freshly cut if possible.

4. Add some finely sliced or diced dried mango.

5. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt.

6. Drizzle goat kefir over everything.

Now mix it well—gently if you're on camera, or with your hands if you're truly at home!

The Ayurvedic Secret Behind This Bowl

This is more than a salad. It’s a cooling, hydrating, inflammation-fighting bowl of summer balance.

By choosing bitter, astringent, and sweet elements, we’re directly supporting the body’s need to stay cool and grounded. When heat builds in the system, it can lead to inflammation, irritability, and digestive upset. This salad helps reverse that.

Enjoy it often, and let it nourish you—not just this summer, but for 100 summers to come. 🌿