Yes, I drink coffee and while I have thought about eliminating it for optimum health, I have since realized that I don't depend on it for energy and the research seems pretty solid on the anti-oxdidant value of a good organic bean.
I am so often amazed at our affinity for carbonated beverages most specifically, soda pop. I drank my fair share of soda and readily admit that Pepsi was my absolute favorite. Quite honestly, other than a small taste sampling of Zevia, I haven't had a soda in at least 10 years. When I began my journey 12 years ago, I drank a few diet sodas here and there. Fortunately though, I have never been able to acquire a taste for the artificial sweeteners. That "after taste" always prevented me from truly enjoying the taste of it so my options were then reduced to water and tea.
Carbonated water always tasted far too bland so I never chose that option either.
My daughters came up with a nice lower carbohydrate option. Now this isn't a beverage you want to consume much of if you're in a weight loss mode so proceed with caution. The ingredients are very clean and when you utilize pure cranberry at about 2g of carbs per oz., the antioxidants are incredibly high.
From cranberryjuice.com:
- Rich in phytochemicals – You probably heard the term on TV, but what does it do exactly? Phytochemicals do a lot of good stuff for the body. Cranberry juice is a good source of polyphenol antioxidants and phytochemicals, both of which are possible deterrents against cancer and disorders of the cardiovascular and immune systems. That's a lot of benefits coming from a small fruit.
- Prevents urinary tract infection – Cranberry's anti-adhesion properties—or the proanthocyanidins minerals found in the fruit—help rinse the body of urinary tract infections caused by E. coli bacteria.
- Reduces dental plaque – Unless you're drinking sweetened cranberry juice, this beverage has nothing but good news for the teeth and gums. Experts say cranberry juice inhibit the growth of mouth bacteria that causes plaque. So drink up. A healthy dose of cranberry juice ensures your teeth are fresh and clean all the time.
- Prevents formation of kidney stones – This is still under active medical research, but the presence of quinic acid have experts saying it is possible for cranberry juice to help prevent the development of kidney stones. It makes sense since cranberry rid the body of wastes and bacteria—anything that doesn't belong there. You can also use a pomegranate juice but the sugar is much higher at about 5g carbs per oz. This beverage has approximately 5 grams total carbohydrates in a 20 oz. cup and the news for the "Adult Beverage" crowd? Add a little vodka or tequila and you've got a well drink!
- 1 oz. Pure Cranberry (I use Lakewood brand)
- 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- Fill with ice
- Pour plain sparkling water over top
- A few drops of stevia to taste
Each of us have varying palates so let your taste buds be your flavor guide with the stevia. My family uses about 10 drops in their cups.
I hope you enjoy this powerful antioxidant cooling beverage!
My favourite drink for a long time has been lemon juice, ginger juice, with plenty of water to dilute it, sweetened with stevia . I juice the lemons and ginger in bulk quantities and freeze them in ice cube trays, then use as needed.
ReplyDeleteSue, that sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many foods my palate now enjoys. I had always been such a boring eater and that was of course due to my up bringing. We were not a culturally diverse family so I had not experienced spice like ginger and have now really acquired a taste for it.
I add it to my kombucha too.