Monthly Archives: August 2013

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Yummy Summer Drinks

Ayurveda is so near and dear to me that I find myself talking about it to everyone. It usually begins with someone asking me how I stay fit and looking so healthy and well. I go in to my explanation about how I eat, exercise and take care of my body and mind using the principles of Ayurveda. Sometimes I even go into how I am a Pitta dosha and what that means but what I mostly share with them are great ways to incorporate healthy eating into their lives and actually enjoy the foods that they are eating because they are so “yummy.”

During this blog post I would like to share with you some Super Summer Coolers that are tasty and nourishing to the body and mind. Sweet, bitter and astringent taste are the most cooling, according to the principles of Ayurveda and me being a Pitta dosha, I am always looking for ways to keep me cool on the inside when the temperature begins to heat up on the outside. It is no surprise that thirst-quenching ingredients such as lime, cucumber, and coconut water make refreshing and cooling summer tonics. Here are a few that I would highly recommend that you try.

  1. A Blissful Beginning Smoothie ~ This smoothie makes a great drink for breakfast.
    • 1 cup of coconut water or filter SFA water (Iwater by G.I.A.)
    • 1 cup of kales or spinach leaves, roughly chopped
    • 1 cup of chard leaves, roughly chopped
    • 1 cup of parsley
    • ½ cucumber
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1 pear or apple cored, roughly chopped, frozen mango or peaches, cherries, blueberries, pineapple or banana to taste.

Process your vegetables with liquids in the blender. Add fruit to taste, depending on how sweet you like your smoothies. Drink and Enjoy!

  1. Coconut Splash
    • Combine 1 ¼ cups coconut water and 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice.
    • Thinly slice a two-inch piece of cucumber and stir the slices into the drink
    • If the cucumber is organic and unwaxed leave on the skin otherwise peel before slicing.
    • Add a little ice and a sprig of mint

Stir, drink and Enjoy!

3. Prana Goddess

    • Combine 1 cup of honeydew melon chunks, 10-12 fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice, 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground coriander, ¼ teaspoon of raw sugar, and couple of ice cubes in a blender.
    • Add filtered water and blend until smooth.

Drink and Enjoy!

  1. Ruby Spritzer
    • Combine ½ to 1 cup of sparkling mineral water with ½ cup of pomegranate juice and 1 teaspoon of Rose water.
    • Mix and sip through fresh lemongrass as if it were a straw.
    • You can use blueberry juice in place of pomegranate juice to make a Sapphire Spritzer.

Drink and Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy all of the above Yummy Summer Drinks. They are nutritious and delicious and will sure to please the pickiest drinkers. These drinks are good for all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Drink up and enjoy!

Wishing much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochéle Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/blissful-living

http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

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Personalize Your Hydration

In the heat of summer, it is easy to work up a sweat with a vigorous yoga practice, working out at the gym or engaging in  outdoor activities. On extremely hot days such as when the temperature reaches about 95 degrees, it is important to pay attention to your hydration status. The slightest decrease in how hydrated your body is can result in changes within the body that can cause you problems if you don’t pay attention to them. If you lose more liquid than you take in, you risk the possibility of becoming dehydrated. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry lips, a dry and sticky mouth, urine that is amber to dark amber in color, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea or heart palpitations, which left untreated can become dangerous and may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.

Plain water is usually all you need however there are times when it is wise to spike your drink with a pinch of sodium, especially in the heat. Sports drinks serve the dual purpose of recharging you with electrolytes ( minerals, sodium and potassium) you sweat out during prolonged strenuous exercise. You probably don’t need to worry about missing electrolytes after a light workout, but is you are planning an all day hike in the sun or hot yoga, you might want to consider an electrolyte enriched drink.

I recommend making a sports drink instead of buying one of the packaged sports drinks. They are easy to make and you will known exactly what is in your hydration drink. The following is a recipe that I think you will find easy to make and great tasting.

Enjoy!

Homemade Sports Drink

1/2 teaspoon of honey, 1 cup of hot water, Juice from a quarter of a lemon and a pinch of salt. Combine all the ingredients, stir, and chill the drink in the refrigerator to enjoy later.

You may drink this during and after exercise.

The sodium (salt) is made up of the electrolytes sodium and chloride, which will allow the water to stay in your tissues and the honey is an energy boosting carbohydrate that adds sweetness and delight to your drink.

I recommend that you use bottled water or filtered water when making this sports drink.

Homemade Hydrating & Energizing Drink

16 ounces of filtered or bottled water ( I recommend using IWater by G.I.A. for its single file alignment technology)

1-2 drops of lemon essential oil or

1/2 juice from a fresh lemon

Combine in a container, shake and enjoy.

This drink is also great to take to the gym as well to keep you hydrated and naturally energized.

Remember the most important thing is to make sure you take in some liquid and fruits such as watermelon, grapes, plums, lemons, oranges, honeydew and cantaloupe all have high water contents and add to the amount of water that you take in.  One last reminder stay away from all caffeinated drinks as they will cause the body to dehydrate due to their diuretic effect on the body.

Now go forth and enjoy your summer knowing that you can personalize your hydration.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/blissful-living

http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

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