Stay Cool & Win Big!

Win a cookbook &

Make up some refreshing poolside drinks this summer

I am so excited about my Cookbook giveaway!
This summer I am giving away a copy of RickiHeller's amazing cookbook Sweet Freedom. Ricki is a colleague of mine who has recently published an amazing cookbook full of sweet treats baked without any refined sugar! Using ingredients like maple syrup, agave nectar or pureed fruit, Ricki has compiled a great cookbook with gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free treats. To find out how to get ballots to win a copy click here!

Poolside drinks for the summer
Even though it has been a relatively cool summer, it is still important to stay hydrated in the summer. Click here to read my newsletter post from last summer where I covered to gamut of summer drinks; from iced caps to gatorade and everything in between...

Do you remember Freshie? According to Wikipedia it was the all-Canadian alternative to Kool-Aid. Well now that I am all grown up and a nutritionist, my summer drink menu has changed a little. My mom always made our Freshie and Kool-Aid with 1/2 the sugar required so I never really developed a taste for the super sweet drinks and have since preferred a tarty drink for summer (peanut gallery can pipe down!). Of course soft drinks, bottled iced tea and lemonade from concentrate are no match for real refreshing lemonade with it's tarty bite - and it's really easy to make. Just make up a batch of simple syrup to keep in your fridge so you can whip up a fresh lemonade in no time. In my constant effort to stay away from refined sugars, I have found it is easy to make a simple syrup from Agave Nectar or Honey.

Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index, which means that it does not cause your blood sugar to peak and crash, but it's still nice and sweet. It comes from the Agave Cactus, which is actually the same plant that produces tequila. I find that it has a fresher taste than honey. It can be found at most health food stores. To make a simple syrup combine equal parts of agave nectar and water (start with 1/2 C) and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and then let cool. Keep it in a closed container in the fridge and use it to sweeten your beverages.

Honey is another alternative to refined sugar. We all know where honey comes from and it has nutritonal benefits. Honey contains riboflavin, vitman B6, iron and manganese. It also has antioxidants, it enhances energy and can heal wounds! To make a simple syrup combine 4 parts honey to 1 part water (try 1 C honey with 1/4 C water) and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 mintues and then let cool. Keep it in a closed container in the fridge and use it to sweeten your beverages. Note: Honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age.

Here are some recipes to try by the pool or lake this summer

Orange Lemonade
1 large navel orange
4 medium lemons
4 Cups of filtered water
1/4 - 1/2 C Agave Simple Syrup (directions above)
Ice or mineral water
Squeeze the juice from the orange and lemons into a pitcher. Add filtered water. Add 1/4 C agave simple syrup. Taste. You may want/need to add more agave syrup. Add it until you get the right sweetness. Serve with ice and/or add some mineral water to make it sparkly!

Blueberry Cucumber Cooler
1 C English Cucumber cut into large chunks (you don't have to peel it)
2 C filtered water
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries (frozen blueberries should be thawed)
1/4 - 1/2 C simple syrup (honey or agave)
2 C filtered or mineral water
Combine cucumber and 2 C water in a blender. Blend until well combined. Strain into a pitcher. Put blueberries in the bottom of a pitcher and 'muddle' them; smash with a spoon. Pour cucumber drink over blueberries and add simple syrup and 2 more cups of water. Add still water if you are putting it in the fridge, add mineral water if serving right away. Add more simple syrup if you think it needs to be sweeter

Agua Fresca - This is a classic Mexican drink and is the most simple of drinks to make. You can customize it depending on the freshness of the fruit available. Try any number of fresh summer fruit, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, cherries... enjoy!
4 C filtered water
2 C fresh fruit (mix different fruits or stick with just one)
1/4 C simple syrup (or more to taste)
Juice from 1/2 lemon or 1 lime
In a blender combine the water and fruit; puree until it is smooth. Strain into a pitcher. Stir in lemon or lime juice and the simple syrup. Garnish with a slice of fruit and serve!