It can be wonderfully refreshing to sip on an iced beverage in the heat of a summer’s day. Water is essential of course, but as we all know, it’s nice to sip on something a little extra special once in a while- especially during those relaxed backyard barbeques with your family and friends.
Many ades, punches and mocktails contain tremendous amounts of added sugar and should therefore be avoided. However, there are many drink recipes out there that will help you create beverages that refresh and taste great while still allowing you and your family stay on track with your healthy eating plan.
Candida-cure-recipes.com lists a number of such summertime quenchers. Here are a few especially tasty ones:
Iced Herbal Tea
- 1 quart (4 cups) of pure water
- 4 tea bags of your favorite herbal tea (I like Rooibos or Tazo’s Passion, especially without sweetener)
- 1 – 2 tablespoons dried stevia leaves, or 1 or 2 stevia leaf tea bags (or 10 drops of liquid stevia extract )
Bring the water to a boil. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and the stevia leaves & let them steep for about 5 minutes. Strain and cool to room temperature. Serve over ice if you like.
Makes about 4 servings
** Make sure that your teas are kid-friendly if you are serving them to children. Some herbal teas can be toxic to kids**
Cucumber Lime Cooler
- 1 cucumber – peeled and cut into chunks
- juice of 2 or 3 limes
- 1 cup brewed stevia leaf tea (or between 5 – 10 drops liquid stevia extract, more if you like it sweeter)
- about 1 quart (4 cups) water
Place the cucumber, lime juice, water and stevia tea or drops into a blender. Use just enough water to come up about one inch from the top of the blender. Cover tightly and blend well. Strain the mixture and serve in tall glasses full of ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, or slice of lime.
Makes about 4 servings.
Stevia Mint Cooler
- 1 quart water
- 1 cup brewed stevia leaf tea, or liquid stevia extract drops to taste
- handful of mint springs (or 1 cup strong brewed mint tea)
Use a mortar & pestle to lightly crush the fresh mint leaves. Place mint sprigs (or mint tea)) in a large jar or pitcher, add the water and the stevia leaf tea and chill the mixture for an hour or two, or even overnight. Serve in a tall glass over ice. Add some fresh mint leaves as a garnish.
Makes about 4 servings.
Other great beverage ideas:
- Infused waters- if you are buying store-bought, make sure that they do not have any harmful additives or sweeteners. Your best bet: infuse your own filtered water with a variety of fruits of your choice (watermelon, raspberries, pineapple, grapefruit, etc). If you are suffering with chronic symptoms and are trying to restore balance, however, avoid eating the fruit and only drink the infused water.
- Probiotic drinks that do not contain added sugars- such Kevita (which uses stevia)- these are very delicious over ice.
Enjoy your summer and be sure to stay hydrated in a healthy way!
Image
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
