Now that the kids are home from school, the weather is heating up and everyone is going to be thirsty! It's so easy to just buy lots of those packaged drinks, be it juice boxes, soda, energy drinks, or sports drinks but that can get really expensive and if you look at the ingredients, do you REALLY want your kids drinking them all the time (if at all!)?
I agree that there are times when you just have to have something portable, or a LOT of something, but for day-to-day hydration, we have some suggestions!
I have very fond memories of our nightly summer ice tea-making ritual growing up. Hopefully, along the way, you'll make some memories too!
I have very fond memories of our nightly summer ice tea-making ritual growing up. Hopefully, along the way, you'll make some memories too!
ICED GREEN TEA:
Our family's favorite recipe.
- 7 green tea bags
- 6 sprigs of fresh mint (fantastic if you can pick your own!)
- 1/4 cup of honey *
- juice of 1 lemon
- 8 cups of water
- Boil 4 cups of water and pour into a 2-quart pitcher.
- Wash the mint and break it up into the water.
- Add honey and stir (it will dissolve better if added while water is hot).
- Add tea bags.
- Steep for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to get the mint pieces out (it won't hurt if you leave them in, but they turn black from the heat and aren't very attractive)
- Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water.
- Squeeze the juice of the lemon into the cooled tea (don't add to the hot mixture).
- Refrigerate and enjoy!
CUCUMBER WATER (also known as Spa Water)
This is so refreshing on a hot day!
- Cucumber
- Pitcher of cold water
- Peel a cucumber, or you can leave the skin on if you prefer (but make sure you follow our directions for washing below.)
- Slice into 1/4" or smaller rounds.
- Add to the pitcher of cold water.
- Let "steep" for 30 minutes to infuse the cucumber flavor into the water!
- Refrigerate and enjoy!
You can make the spa water with peaches, mangoes, apples, watermelon...any cool fruit!
Fruit washing instructions:
I got this tip from a woman who worked in the produce department at Sam's Club. Then it started popping up on Facebook. Great way to REALLY wash your produce, especially for fruits and vegetables where you might eat the skin.
- Fill your sink or dishpan with water.
- Add one cup of vinegar.
- Add your produce.
- Let soak for 10 minutes.
- Rinse.
- Drain and dry completely.
You are removing all of the wax, dirt, and grime -- and hopefully some of the pesticides that may be on your food. It DOES prolong the shelf life of things like berries.
Enjoy staying hydrated this summer!
Be sure to tell local businesses and events you found them
on Macaroni Kid Clark-Cranford-Westfield
and make sure to tell all your friends!
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