precious health: summer

Do you feel the Summer heat?

If you think that the summer temperatures cannot get any hotter than last year, you might be in for a shock. Weather researchers are already preparing for another record-breaking summer heat in 2016. Factoring in the El Nino oceanic phenomenon, where the tropical Pacific Ocean in covered with warm waters, and other man-made climate changes, experts are forecasting that global temperatures will exceed the records set just 12 months earlier.

Hotter weather conditions can help to lift mood and ensure more fun under the sun, but it does expose the body to dehydration and possibly other forms of illnesses. Therefore, it is necessary to stock up on healthy drink recipes that are suitable to combat the unbearable heat and help the body maintain its coolness.

Healthy Drinks

To help individuals get a significant head start towards reversing the effects of the intense heat, suggested below are 6 healthy drinks proven to help keep the body cool and refreshed. Other than offering cooling benefits to the body, these concoctions also boast other health advantages due to the extensive use of healthy ingredients.

Iced Green Tea with Ginger and Mint

No healthy food list can claim to be complete without the inclusion of green tea. Much attention has been focused on the high antioxidant content of green tea that allows it fight against harmful elements within the body. Scientific researchers have also discovered that green tea possesses a unique ingredient, known as epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), that can offer joint pain relief. To further enhance its versatility, mixing green tea with ice, ginger, honey and mint can help to combat against the warm summer heat.

Lemonade

With the influx of customize recipes based on personal preferences, it might be the right time to throwback to the good old days. Back when smartphones were a mythical invention, lemonade stands dominated the streets during summer time. Although most people were just looking to satisfy their thirst and paid no attention to its nutritional value, scientists have found out that this little yellow fruit can help to reduce body temperature, aid in throat infections, indigestion, constipation and even offer benefits to the skin.

Peach Punch

The use of peaches can be considered as an alternative to lemon. While they offer a totally different taste, peaches do help to keep the body cool as well. A good recipe is to mix peaches with lemons and a pinch of sugar to enhance the taste. This fruit punch can be stored in the freezer to prepare for the arrival of any unexpected visitor.

Watermelon Cooler

Many people crave for watermelon during summer time. Nothing beats the sensation of biting into a juicy piece of watermelon in the intense summer weather. The high juice content of this fruit not only helps to lower body temperature, but it also serves as a powerful thirst quencher.

Mango Milkshake

Out of all the fruits in the market, mangos tend to get overshadowed. Although they do not provide a wide range of health benefits, mangos still possess the ability to enhance the immune system and regulate blood pressure. To further increase its nutritional value, mix it with some low-fat milk to create a mango milkshake. It becomes a good source of protein and can help to combat the intense heat wave.

Barley Water

Barley water is another homemade drink that can help to combat the temperatures of summer. Simply boil some barley seeds in water and it can be consumed at any time of the day. Other than helping to keep the body cool, Barley is also rich in fiber, zinc, phosphorous and copper. These properties make it a healthy ingredient and can help the body fight against common illnesses and diseases at the same time.

Conclusion

Climate researchers have warned that summer temperatures are showing no signs of cooling down and will only continue to break new records each year. In modern times where lifestyle fitness is a raving trend, it highlights the need to keep body temperatures down during summer and prevent the onset of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Suggested above are 6 refreshing drinks that can achieve this objective adequately and also offer other health benefits due to the use of healthy ingredients. These concoctions are bound to keep the body cool and ensure more fun in the sun throughout the summer season.

How to make infused water

Have fun with this, try different combinations to come up with your own healthy drink recipes. Give the ingredients a good wash or rinse. You can leave the fruits or veggies peeled or unpeeled. Use organic if you can and avoid any fruit that’s bruised or overly ripe, or herbs that don’t look fresh. Add the fruit, herbs, spices or whatever you want to use into cool water. Or you could add it to the container and then fill it up with water. Use thin slices or small cubes because the flavor will infuse more quickly.

Let the water sit for a few hours to allow the flavors to infuse. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the water will be. Some fruits or herbs will infuse more quickly than others. Citrus is pretty instant. Herbs take a little longer. Berries take a few hours and will also release color into the water. Put the infused water in the fridge immediately after making it, but it doesn’t hurt to let it sit at room temperature for a little while. However, you should keep it in the fridge or put ice in it if you aren’t planning on using it right away.

Pour a glass and enjoy! You can refill the water a few times and let it infuse again, but the flavors won’t be as pronounced.

When muddling is called for:
To properly muddle fruit, herbs, or spices, it is important to have the glass free of ice. Muddling typically occurs as the first or second step in cocktail making. For instance, with a mojito, torn mint leaves are gently muddled at the bottom of the mixing glass to release the essential oils in the leaves. The motion is very similar to that of a cat kneading a human. The muddler is pressed down and twisted about a half turn each time, and, depending on the item being muddled (fruit generally takes more turns, herbs and spices less), four to six turns will generally suffice.

If you don’t own a muddler yet, pick one up and you’ll find a whole new world of healthy drink recipes will opened up to you.

Here are some of my favorite healthy drink recipes for infused water that won’t pile on the pounds

Strawberry Lemon Basil Water:

4-6 strawberries, hulled and quartered | 1/2 lemon, sliced | Small handful of basil, scrunched | Ice and cold filtered water

Fill your juice pitcher to the top with ice and fruit. Slightly scrunch up the basil so it releases its flavor. Cover with cold filtered water. This water is best if you let the water infuse at least 1 hour. For instant flavor, poke a few holes in your fruit with a fork for instant flavor.

Blueberry Orange Water

6 cups water | 2 mandarin oranges,cut into wedges | A handful of blueberries | Ice

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse. You can also squeeze in the juice of one mandarin orange and muddle the blueberries to intensify flavor a bit. Serve cold.

Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber and Mint Water

1 cup sliced strawberries | 1 cup sliced cucumbers | 2 limes, sliced | 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves | Ice cubes | Water
In a half-gallon jar, or a 2 quart pitcher, layer the strawberries, cucumbers, lime slices, and mint leaves with the ice cubes. Fill jar or pitcher with water. Let chill for 10 minutes, and then enjoy!

I can get 2-4 fill-ups out of one batch of flavorings, but you might want to change out your flavorings sooner for stronger flavor. Feel free to use sparkling water instead of still water. Obviously, the longer the water sits, the stronger the flavor. It’s mild at first, but after a few hours (or overnight) it’s quite strong.

These healthy drink recipes are fun and great to serve at gatherings

Raspberry Fizz
In a juice glass, muddle a small handful of raspberries, top with ice and sparkling water. Stir well to combine before you drink!

Herb Cooler
Muddle a few sprigs of mint and cilantro and a couple of basil leaves in the bottom of a glass with a squeeze of lemon juice. Add a handful of ice and top off with soda water for a refreshing herbal treat.

Ginger Lime Mocktail
¼ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed) | 1 teaspoon zested ginger, I use my microplane zester | 12 drops stevia (optinal) | 18 ounces sparkling water

Combine all ingredients in a jar and stir. Pour over ice into 2 cocktail glasses and garnish with lime wedges. Serve

Here are a couple of healthy drink recipes that will help you get rid of those extra pounds

Flat Tummy Water
6 cups filtered water | 1 TBL grated ginger | 1 cucumber, sliced | 1 lemon, sliced | 1/3 cup mint leaves

Layer all ingredients in a pitcher. Fill the pitcher with water and let infuse overnight. Drink all day for a refreshing, flavorful drink.

Fat Flush Water
1/2 gallon water | 6 wedges grapefruit | 1 tangerine, sliced | ½ cucumber, sliced | 2 peppermint or mint leaves | Ice

Rinse grapefruit, tangerine, cucumber and mint leaves. Slice cucumber, grapefruit, and tangerine (or peel). Combine all ingredients in a half gallon pitcher. Allow the ingredients to sit for 2 hours for maximum benefits. Drink throughout the day.

Drink 8 ounces before each meal 3 times a day for 10 days and marvel at the results.

With all these great ideas summer refreshment and hydration is no longer just water, it’s a whole lot more!

precious health

Beat the Summer Heat with Healthy Drinks!