Sometimes things just get stuck. It’s approaching the end of summer and everything is slowing down. It’s all about coming to the center. Physiologically this means being able to take in and assimilate the abundance of fruits and vegetables that are at the market.
However, maybe due to the heat and the lure of the hammock or too many Coney Island hot dogs, many people experience “irregularity” in their digestive system. Diet is the always the best way of promoting the flow of digestional qi and a papaya salad is easy to prepare and effective in that non-dramatic way that we appreciate with these kinds of things.
Papaya is neutral in nature. It strengthens qi, tonifies blood and dries dampness. Papaya promotes good digestion. At about 140 calories for a half a small fruit, papaya has a great nutrient profile containing anti-oxidents like carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Papaya also contains the digestive enzymes papain and chymopapain which reduce inflammation as well as facilitate digestion.
This recipe works with either the big papaya or the little 7” size. You can also put everything in a blender and create a smoothie similar to the watermelon cooler listed previously.
Ingredients:
Chopped and peeled papaya about ½ a 7” papaya per serving.
Freshly chopped mint - about 1 tablespoon per papaya
A tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
Directions:
Seed and chop papaya mix with mint and lemon or lime juice and refrigerate if you’re going to use it later.
Hey Joan! Fabulous recipe and idea. Love papaya. I just posted about little fish on my site, check it out: www.thespicedoc.com
We need to catch up soon.
Nicole
Posted by: The Spice Doc | September 25, 2009 at 07:14 PM