NEW COLUMN – ACCESSIBLE HEALTH AND FUN WITH EMILY ABRUZZO

THIS IS A NEW COLUMN BY AN UP-AND-COMING DIETICIAN, EMILY ABRUZZO. 

SHE WILL SHARE SOME INTERESTING RECIPES AND INFORMATION SHE HAS LEARNED ABOUT HEALTH.

Summertime Refreshers

Summer is approaching and what is more refreshing than an ice cold drink during a hot day? Hydrating yourself is especially important during the summer, but just drinking plain water all day may be too boring for some and reaching for drinks like, soda, juice, and sweet tea may seem like a good choice until you realize that ONE bottle has more added sugar than the daily recommendation!

If you want to stay hydrated and healthy without giving up flavor here are some recipes you might want to try. You can experiment with ingredients making one glass or make a large pitcher to share with friends.

Ingredients:

Water or Club Soda
Fruit: Lemon, Lime, Cucumber, Strawberry, Watermelon, Raspberry, etc
Optional Sweetener: Stevia, Agave, Honey
Directions 2 Options:
1. Choose your fruit and place in a large pitcher.
-Add in either water or club soda covering the fruit and filling the pitcher.
-Chill in the fridge or add ice.
-The longer you let the drink sit for the more flavored the water/club soda will be

2. Choose your fruit, muddle/squeeze/mash/blend the fruit to get the juice and flavor out. Muddling/Mashing can be done in a cup or bowl with any hard kitchen utensils, such as a fork or a wooden spoon.
-Add the mashed fruit into a cup or a pitcher. Drain or remove any seeds, rinds, or pulp if necessary.

-Add in either water or club soda, serve immediately or keep in the fridge.

Recipes and Delicious Combination Recommendation:

Cucumber Lemon Water-1Glass:
4-5 Cucumber Slices
1/2 Lemon Sliced or Squeezed
Add Ice, Water, and Enjoy!

Strawberry Lime Club Soda-Pitcher (2 Qt):
1-2 cups Strawberries Sliced (Blend or Mash)

2-3 Limes (Squeeze or Juice)
Add Club Soda, Stevia (optional), and Enjoy!

Bio:

            Emily Abruzzo is currently finishing her degree in Health and Nutrition at CUNY Brooklyn College. She is a volunteer for Spoons Across America, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families on healthy eating habits. (The information in this column is for entertainment purposes and to be used at your personal and medical provider’s discretion.)