I know it might sound a little odd, but sipping tea and eating hot soup in the summer has always helped me feel more grounded—and even cooler. People often ask, “Aren’t you overheating just looking at that bowl?” But for me, warm foods help my body adjust more smoothly to the heat.

I started wondering why this worked for me and did a little digging. Turns out, there’s some science behind it. It might sound backward, but drinking or eating something warm can actually help cool you down. It triggers your body’s natural cooling process—sweating—and when that sweat evaporates, it helps lower your internal temperature. I’ve experienced this in New York, the Negev Desert, Egypt, the dry parts of New Zealand—and right here in Florida, where it’s hot and humid nearly year-round. Cold drinks might feel refreshing, but they’ve never helped me settle into the heat—and they can slow digestion.

Nourishing my need for soup, I tried two new recipes from Jane Goodall’s Eat Meatless for Shabbat this past week. The Lentil Miso Soup was for Friday night, and the Creamy Asparagus Soup was planned for Saturday lunch.

The lentil soup I mostly followed as written—just added a little more ginger. We really liked how it came out.

Simple ingredients: lentils, miso, spinach, ginger, plus carrots, celery, and cabbage. Satisfying without being too much. Lentils and miso support serotonin and melatonin production, and the spinach adds magnesium to help the body relax. A great Friday night soup.

The asparagus soup I tweaked—added garlic, doubled the onion, left out the oil, swapped broth for water, and used homemade cashew milk. It turned out light but still creamy, and full of flavor. Honestly, I would’ve been happy with just the soup, but my husband likes variety, so we compromised: we had it with a green salad that included roasted sweet potato. With asparagus, millet, and arugula, the soup felt fresh and nourishing—just right for a hot day.

In the summer, soup just works better for me than a traditional plated meal. It’s hydrating, easy to digest, and gives me everything I need—vegetables, plant-based protein, fiber—without feeling heavy or overcomplicated. Even when it’s over 90 degrees outside, I'll have soup any time of day (yes, even for breakfast). I love it year-round.

Also, since the lentil miso soup is full of ingredients that support sleep—like tryptophan, magnesium, and calming amino acids—it reminded me of a class I offer about what to eat late at night that won’t interfere with rest. It’s all about light, nourishing foods that actually support better sleep. If you’re ever interested in having this as a girls’ night, community gathering, or wellness workshop at work, feel free to reach out.
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REFERENCES

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22574769/
• https://pwdentalarts.com/blog/10-foods-that-can-help-you-sleep-better-tonight/
• https://www.seriouseats.com/why-do-i-crave-hot-food-when-it-s-hot-and-cold-food-when-it-s-cold-8685242#:~:text=%22Physiologically%2C%20consuming%20hot%20foods%20can,internal%20temperature%20in%20hot%20weather.%22
• https://www.henryford.com/blog/2019/01/you-should-eat-more-soup-5-reasons-why
• https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8511346/