All about Jess + Drinks/Smoothies + Easy Healthy Recipes + Sugar Free

Eat – AND Drink – Healthy This Holiday

06 December 2014
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As 2014 nears its end, and with Christmas and New Years just around the corner, there is only one thing to do….celebrate!

For most people though, with celebrating comes eat and drinking – and a lot of it.

While it is important to socialise and enjoy the pleasures of life, alcohol should be considered an indulgence, and not something that we rely on to have fun.

With nasty short-term side effects like hangovers, nausea, and memory loss, and significant long-term side effects such as damage to the brain, heart, and liver, the reality is that alcohol is a sugar-laden toxin that your body just doesn’t need.

So, how do we make smart choices during the silliest of seasons?

As with anything, moderation is key.

Did you know that drinking more than 4 to 5 standard drinks in one sitting is actually considered binge drinking?

My advice when indulging in your next beverage is to stick to 1-2 standard drinks, to eat a nutritious meal before hand, and to ALWAYS stay hydrated.

As the sunny season heats up Down Under, many of us tend to favour fruity cocktails as our beverage of choice. As you probably know, cocktails are full of sugar and other nasties detrimental to your health and well-being – not to mention that bikini body!

My solution?

Drink smart!

Next time you’re entertaining, or enjoying a catch up drink with friends, create these simple, healthier alternatives to your favourite cocktails, and share them with us using #jshealthdrinksmart

Mojito:

 Ingredients:

  • 5 x mint leaves
  • 1/2 a thinly sliced lime
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice
  • 1/2 cup soda water
  • 1 shot rum

Method:

  1. Muddle together mint and lime in glass
  2. Pour on top crushed ice, rum, and soda water
  3. Mix together well and enjoy!

Grapefruit Vodka Soda:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 a very ripe grapefruit
  • 1/2 a lime
  • 1/2 cup soda water
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice
  • 1 shot vodka

Method:

  1. Pour ice, soda water and vodka into glass
  2. Juice grapefruit then pour into glass
  3. Squeeze lime into glass
  4. Mix together well and enjoy!

Berry Daiquiri:

 Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup frozen berries
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1 shot rum

Method:

  1. Place berries, ice and rum into a blender
  2. Blend on low until a ‘slushie’ like consistency
  3. Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Piña Colada:

 Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 1 shot Malibu coconut liqueur
  • 1/4 lime

Method:

  1. Place all ingredients into blender
  2. Blend on low until desired consistency
  3. Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Bombay Magic:

  • 1 cup soda water
  • 1/2 a squeezed lemon
  • 1/3 shot vodka
  • 1/2   shot Cointreau

Method:

  • Place ingredient in a glass and enjoy!

Helpful hint: If your cocktail is not sweet enough for your liking – add 1 teaspoon of stevia – stir and enjoy!

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