Tastier Hydration

Everyone knows we should drink plenty of water every day for good health, but not everyone finds plain water very palatable. Many flavoured waters in the store contain undesirable sweeteners and artificial flavours, and they are expensive too. If you want to add some variety to your hydration, here are some ideas:

Herbs and Spices: Mint leaves are an obvious choice, but parsley can be very refreshing too. Crush the leaves a little before adding them to your water. For a bit of spice, try some freshly grated ginger instead.

Citrus Fruits: Slices of lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruit, or some combination, are delicious additions to water. If you do this very frequently, however, you may want to think about the effects of the citric acid on the enamel of your teeth. You can minimize the possible side effects by rinsing your mouth with plain water after your citrus water, drinking with a straw so the liquid by-passes your teeth, and waiting at least an hour after drinking before brushing your teeth.

Cucumber: A spa classic, which is very refreshing.

Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries all release a lovely flavour and colour into your water. Just cut or crush a few of the berries into your water.

Vinegar: Many people say that once they've acquired a taste for apple cider vinegar in water, they begin to crave it. Apple cider vinegar has some health benefits of its own, and it is supposed to act as an appetite suppressant.

Sea Salt: A tiny pinch of sea salt adds interest to your water, helps the body absorb the liquid more quickly, and can replace salt lost through sweat on hot days or during workouts.

If you prefer your water bubbly, you may want to look into carbonating your own water at home. It is cheaper and less wasteful than buying bottles of the stuff, and is made very easy by simple machines that use refillable CO2 cartridges.

Virgin Sangria

INGREDIENTS

2 black tea bags
3 cups pomegranate blueberry or pomegranate cherry juice
1 cup orange juice
3 or 4 cups of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, lemons, limes, oranges, apples, or grapes, sliced
2 cans of ginger ale or sparkling lemon lime soda

DIRECTIONS

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags.

In a large jar or pitcher, combine the tea, juices, and fruits. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though overnight is best.

Just before serving, stir in ginger ale or soda. Serve in glasses over ice.

Refreshing Mint Drink

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cups water
1.5 cups demerara sugar
2/3 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup fresh mint

DIRECTIONS 

Bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar, stir to dissolve, and then add the vinegar. Bring to a boil again, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes.

Remove from the heat and add the mint leaves. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow to cool. When cool, transfer to dry bottles along with the mint leaves for storage.

To serve, add water and ice to taste. Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.

Strawberry Blueberry Mock Margaritas

In honour of a sunny summer Friday, a recipe and some pictures courtesy of a wonderful Green Earth Organics' member.

INGREDIENTS

Frozen strawberries
Frozen blueberries
Lemon or lime juice
Lemon or lime zest
Agave syrup
Water if necessary

DIRECTIONS

You choose the amounts. Experiment. Blend. Enjoy!

(I bet this would also work with fresh berries and ice cubes.)

Mango-Strawberry Smoothie

Adapted from a recipe from Superior Tofu.

INGREDIENTS

2 x 100 g Superior Tofu Organic Mango Soy Pudding
1/3 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1 cup water, milk or soy beverage, or juice
1/3 cup ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

Put all ingredients in a blender, cover, and blend until smooth. Makes two servings.

Apple Berry Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

1 red apple
1 green apple
1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries (your choice or a mix)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 ice cubes (more if using fresh berries)

DIRECTIONS

Chop the apples into medium sized chunks and put them in the blender. Add the berries and blend for about 20 seconds. Add the apple juice, yogurt, and ice cubes and blend again until smooth. Add more juice or some water if too thick or add more yogurt if too thin.

For a more filling smoothie, add 1/4 cup of rolled oats to the apples and berries prior to blending.

Makes 2 servings.

Strawberry Daiquiris

Contributed by Green Earth Organics' member Kim J.

INGREDIENTS

Juice of one lime (or equivalent in lime juice)
15 strawberries
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup ice
3 oz rum (optional, but recommended!)

DIRECTIONS

Blend in blender for one minute. Pour and enjoy!

Minted Lemonade

INGREDIENTS

3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
9 lemons, sliced and seeded
1 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
1 gallon cold water

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, the cup and a half of water, and sliced lemons. Heat to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add mint leaves. Allow to cool.

Combine with the gallon of cold water, mixing well. Strain into ice-filled glasses or a pitcher. Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. Makes approximately 1 gallon.

Caribbean Ginger Beer

I like to make this whenever I'm hosting anything because it makes the whole house smell divine.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 lbs fresh ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
4 Tbsp whole cloves
1/8 to 1/4 cup sugar
Angosura bitters (found in the mixer section of major grocery stores)

DIRECTIONS

Roughly chop ginger into 1 to 2 inch pieces to expose the inner flesh. Drop cut ginger into large bowl of cold water to rinse off any dirt or clay. Place ginger into a 4 litre pot and fill with fresh water, leaving 1 to 2 inches for boiling room. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves. Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Top up again with water and let sit overnight.

The next day, simmer for another hour. When done, mixture should be a colour somewhere between ice tea and cola; if sipped, it should leave a warm burn in the back of your throat.

Allow to cool, then pour mixture through a cheesecloth or wire sieve into a large bowl to strain out ginger and spices. Add sugar and 8 dashes (more or less) of bitters. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a 2 litre jug or bottle and refrigerate.

To serve: In a glass, mix about 1 part ginger beer to 3 parts lemon-lime soda or carbonated water. Adjust mixture to taste.