Sparkling Watermelon Punch & Bowl

It happens almost every summer. The temperature in Seattle area tops 90 degrees for a week and complaints starts flowing faster than the sweat dripping down their backs. I smile and think about watermelons. No, not eating watermelons. Drinking watermelons. This heat wave is taking me back to the days I spent in Southeast Asia; where I would sip on watermelon slushies as I rode on 'tuk-tuks' and meandered through the markets and temples of Thailand. There are hundreds of street vendors where I would get little bottles or plastic bags of fresh fruit juices. They pureed the fruit as I waited for my 35 baht bottle (around 60 cents)! And after those long days out, I would then retreat to my resort and indulge in some beachside R & R with my Kindle and some more watermelon slushies. It's insanely refreshing, which is probably it’s purpose or something.


So here I am trying to recreate that memory with this sparkling watermelon juice. The seltzer water adds a hint of salt (you need this in on hot days as our body loses them when we sweat!), and the lime and mint adds a perfect little kick. Since it's made with fruit, and no added sugar, it’s healthy. We are drinking our nutrients, people. So get down with it and enjoy the heat while it lasts!

I'm about the hammock life.

beachside massage. heavenly

water market in Thailand

Sparkling Watermelon Juice & Bowl

YIELD: 10 servings | PREP: 15 mins  |  TOTAL: 15 mins

The Goods

• 1 oblong seedless watermelon
• 1 16oz bottle of seltzer water
• 4 limes, juiced
• 3 cups strawberry
• 1 bunch mint leaves, plus some for garnish
• ice cubes

DO THIS

Trim a little off the bottom to make a flat surface, cut a third off watermelon top. Scoop out flesh to the rind with little pink showing, about 9 cups total.Working in batches, puree all the watermelon flesh, along with the strawberries, mint, and lime juice. Strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer, and discard the solids. You should be left with about 10 cups of watermelon juice. Pour it back into the watermelon bowl. Add seltzer water. Stir and serve over ice and garnish with more mint. To store, cover rind with plastic wrap and refrigerate. 

If you're thinking of adding a bit of vodka, rum, or tequila.. that's probably a good idea. Do that. I had to keep it PG-13 for the kiddos here. Just add a bit (or A LOT) to your glass and stir.

Let's sip on this drink and close ours eyes...  and imagine we are back here on the beach getting massages....
Sabrina xo. 

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Sparkling Watermelon Punch & Bowl

Ginger & Turmeric Healing Detox Tea

Came Monday you might have snuck some leftover Easter eggs to work and shamefully ate them when no one was looking.. But it's Tuesday, time to get your ass back in gear. Easter season is over. Don't get me wrong, I love the Easter Bunny because he is the bearer of all things sweet, delicious, and right with the world. But what he is really doing is... Screwing.Me.Over. I feel like as I should crawl into the rabbit hole with him.

I tried to stay healthy over the wonderful whirlwind of a weekend- I went hiking, drank my green smoothies, made kale chips, cooked healthy meals, ran, and even battled it out on the basketball court with Leif, Dakota, and Koll. But I didn't stand a chance against Moscow Mules (my favorite cocktail) and table after table of homemade sweets. I'm more than ready for a little detox and so I made a variation of my favorite Ginger Lemon Turmeric Cayenne Detox Tea (try to say that 10x's). There's a lot going on in this lovely infusion but this easy to make recipe is a combination of some of the healthiest ingredients known to man. I won't go into too much details but below are the key benefits of each ingredient.

Ginger warms up circulation and metabolism, giving you energy and natural stimulation. It has antibiotic effects and can help digestion, detoxification, infections, inflammation, joint pain, circulation, nausea and motion sickness.

Cayenne contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, manganese, and flavonoids (which give the chili its antioxidant properties). It is super potent and effectively treats fevers, poor circulation, nausea, and other digestive problems.

Turmeric is a very strong antioxidant. This anti-inflammatory, free-radical-fighting antioxidant-rich spice contains an anti-cancer compound called curmumin.

Lemon is a another great detoxifier that naturally cleans your liver and adds a nice dose of food-based vitamin C. Best to drink a glass of lemon water first thing you wake up.

Ginger & Turmeric Detox Tea | yield 2 servings 

You'll Need:
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 lemon, juiced
Raw honey, to taste
2 cups water
Pinch of cayenne powder

Do this: 
1. Peel and grate the ginger root
2. Bring water to boil, then add ginger and turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes. Don't let it boil.
3. Strain tea into a mug, allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
4. Add & stir raw honey (or your choice of sweetener), lemon juice, and pinch of cayenne pepper.

Note: Avoid taking large doses of turmeric & ginger if you have gallstones, bleeding disorders, overly acidic stomach, taking medication that contains blood thinner, or are pregnant or nursing. Turmeric also stains clothes and your hands so handle with care.

This infusion can also be refrigerated for a day. Reheat but do not re-boil.
Drink and Feel Good!

 

Sabrina xo.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Ginger & Turmeric Healing Detox Tea