Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Summer Recipes

Summer is finally here! Whether you're looking forward to an active season or some time to relax, keep your body cool and hydrated with these easy, healthy drink recipes:

Cucumber Water
Benefits: Great for keeping skin moisturized and soft; helps to control body temperature

Ingredients:
1 cucumber, sliced
1 lime, sliced
4 celery stalks
1 watermelon rind — the more, the better

Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a pitcher of water.
Let soak overnight in the refrigerator for at least eight hours.
Remove items before 12 hours to keep water from taking on a bitter taste.

Use ingredients as garnish on glasses, and enjoy.


Cold Chrysanthemum Tea
Benefits: Prevents sunstroke and clears heat from the body; reduces symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI)

60 – 80 white chrysanthemum flowers
4 liters of water
rock sugar candy, or honey to taste

Instructions:
Wash chrysanthemum.
Pour in water into a pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and add chrysanthemum.
Cook for 10 minutes, then add rock sugar or honey.
Turn off heat, then allow tea to brew for an additional 10 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature. 
Strain tea into a pitcher and refrigerate.

Serve chilled, then enjoy.


Have a happy, healthy summer, everyone