Friday, July 19, 2013

What about Liquids? Our 7-Day Real Food Challenge

Since I began posting about Our 7-Day Real Food Challenge the most common questions are about what to drink.
HomeGrown Basil Lemonade using Dark Purple Opal Basil
Great questions!  Personally, I don't tell anyone what the can or cannot eat or drink.  It is important for each of us to decide what works best for our individual situations.  I personally will not be giving up coffee.  I drink my coffee black with a bit of honey.

I would suggest that if you currently use store-bought, chemically creamers that you cut it out completely...for good!  Whether it's fat-free, low-fat or dairy free most of them include cancer-causing chemicals.  Coffee-Mate ingredients include partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil.  Can you say GMO?  Think it's better than real half-and-half?  "COFFEE-MATE actually has more calories than half-and-half, with the original powdered version clocking in at 30 calories per tablespoon vs. real half-and-half at 20 calories per tablespoon!" source

Mary's Kitchen
Tea drinker?  Go for it!!!  Many tea varieties including green tea and yerba mate are great source of immune-boosting vitamins and minerals.  If I decide to sweeten my tea I always use honey.  We cut agave completely OUT several years ago for health reasons and we've never looked back.

We don't drink soda.  For a special occasion we'll drink gin and tonic but I won't be drinking alcohol during Our Real Food Challenge.  I enjoy a glass of wine occasioanly but I'm going to cut it out all together.  The only alcohol will be in our DIY Tinctures and Herbal Remedies.

Water is vital!  Your body need water for proper body functions and for survival.  Plain water is fine but If you want to "spice" it up add fruit, cucumber or herbs.  **Not chemicals**

Lemon Water:
I added about 4 sliced lemons to approx 1 gallon of water.  I let it sit in the fridge overnight and it was delicious!  If you don't like plain water this would definitely work.

I'll also be making another large batch of Basil Lemonade.  This time with no sugar or just a little bit of honey.  There are many health benefits of Lemon and Basil.
Basil, Lemons and water.  That's it!
Another option would be mint and watermelon, cucumber and mint or just plain cucumber.  Make your own combination and feel free to share at Our Real Food Challenge linky.

Follow along...

Sharing this informative post HERE.

10 comments:

  1. Mary I made a quart of the basil lemonade to try. I wish I had made a gallon!

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  2. I actually started drinking a lot of water for a total makeover diet. I have seen drastic results with my weigh. I love lemon with water - that reminds me to get some now. :-)
    New follower from Follow Who

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  3. Besides aiding in weight lose, as mentioned above, lemon water has a lot of health benefits. Love lemon water.

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  4. I'm keeping my morning coffee as well but I do buy organic, fair trade ground coffee or beans for ethical and health reasons.

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  5. Oh wow, I'm from the island and that is one of our drink. Its refreshing and I believe it detoxs. I have never used basil but I will try your recipe. We drink the cucumber, mint and water or add the lemon. Thanks

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  6. I am going to pick up some lemons today and make some basil lemonade. I have three kinds of basil growing in the garden. I'm excited to try all three kinds, and see how they differ!

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  7. I love lemon water, so good for you!! thanks for sharing this at my Sunday Funday Linky Party! Dont forget to come back and check out the other links!

    *Susan

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  8. I put apple slices in my water and it tasted so good! I tried the cucumber because so many people recommended it, but I prefer the apple.

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  9. I'm glad I like just plain water. Besides milk, it's all I drink 99% of the time. :)

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  10. Hi there! I am co-hosting this week on the Wondering Brain Show Off Weekend Blog Party. Thanks for sharing your creations with us! I hope you found inspiration in all of the terrific posts.

    I host a (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop and a TGIF Link Party at my place -- A Peek Into My Paradise... http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ I would love for you to link up and follow (if you don't already) if you like what you see. =) I follow back - I love making new friends!

    I can't wait to see what you link up next week!

    Hugs, Cathy

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Have an awesome day!
-Mary