More Than Just Water

I don't know about all of you, but I've always heard that it's important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. I've gone online to find out how much water we really need to drink a day. From all of my findings it is safe to say that we should all drink at least 8 glasses a day, or a little over a liter of water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. I don't mind water too much, but after awhile the plainness of water gets tiring and I give in to juice and soda. I've found some ways to make water more enjoyable and naturally tasteful. It's easy to make and you can make an abundant amount of it so that you can take it in a travel cup and store the rest in your refrigerator for later. It's a great way of staying healthy and enjoying great flavors. All of these recipes are natural. The only ingredients you need are water and the fruits and vegetables of your choice. Don't be afraid to experiment and add your own little spins to these recipes. Think of them as a foundation to something healthy and delicious that you can make on your own. Enjoy. :)

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

With making fruit/vegetable water there are only 3 easy steps:

1) Cut up the fruit/vegetable of your choice and place it in a pitcher

2) Fill the pitcher with water. (ice is optional)
   *I like using ice in my individual servings, I feel like the chill of the ice enhances the flavors*

3) Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the flavors infuse
 

Here are some fruit/vegetable water ideas and the benefits of drinking them:

Lemon Water: Lemon water is probably the most common known infusion of fruit and water. In restaurants the waiter/waitress usually asks if you want lemon with your water. Well, there are health benefits to this simple and common known combination. Lemon water helps stimulate and regulate the digestive track. It also helps fight infections and promotes the immune system due to it's Vitamin C content.

Cucumber Water: Cucumber water is rich with vitamins and calcium. Cucumbers are 95% water so you're adding more water to your water, if that makes sense, lol. Cucumbers are great for hydrating your skin and helps filter the liver and kidneys. To add even more flavor to your cucumber water, mint is a good complementary flavor. Mint can help with a more effective digestion and help relax cramped up stomach muscles.

Sweet-Tart: Stir 2 cups pineapple chunks, 1 cup pitted and halved fresh cherries, and 3 cored and thinly sliced granny smith apples.

(This recipe makes 2 quarts. Top ingredients with 6 cups ice, fill jar or pitcher with water, stir, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors infuse)










Strawberry Basil Blast: Scrunch 8 fresh mint leaves to release their flavors. Combine 3 cups of halved strawberries and gently muddle with a wooden spoon or spatula.

(This recipe makes 2 quarts. Top ingredients with 6 cups ice, fill jar or pitcher with water, stir, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors infuse)

Orangeberry: Gently muddle 5 thinly sliced oranges and 2 cups raspberries.

(This recipe makes 2 quarts. Top ingredients with 6 cups ice, fill jar or pitcher with water, stir, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors infuse)











The last 3 recipes I got from Prevention.com. Click on the link and it will take you to the page with these recipes along with 23 other delicious fruit water ideas and recipes. Hopefully these recipes help and hopefully these will help us drink more water and enjoy the natural taste of fruit and water.

Just in Time For the Holidays

Thanksgiving is a few days away and it's one of my favorite holidays. Thanksgiving to me is a time of bonding and togetherness. The family gathers in one home to laugh, catch up on old times, make new memories, love,  and enjoy a delicious feast together. I won't be flying home to Southern California for Thanksgiving this year unfortunately. It'll be my first time spending the holidays away from family, but it's okay. I'll be home just in time for Christmas.

Now that I'm older there's one thing that I would love to do.That one thing is to host a Thanksgiving dinner for my close friends and family. Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, but I think that there isn't a better feeling than decorating your home and preparing a meal for you and your guests to enjoy and bond over. Unfortunately, I'm a college student and I live in the on-campus dorms at my university so my budget and living situation won't allow me to do so. But in the future when I'm out of college and I have my own home I will host a Thanksgiving dinner at least once. :)

Here are some Thanksgiving recipes that I would experiment with if I were to host a Thanksgiving feast. I hope you guys find these recipes helpful and yummy like I do. To see the recipes click on the names of the dishes above the picture and it will send you straight to the recipe. 
Enjoy and Happy Holidays. :)

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

Pear, Arugula, and Pancetta Salad

I would make this light salad during the day before dinner. It's light and is just enough to satisfy your hunger so that you're not full before dinner.
















Nutty Brown Rice

Brown rice is a great side dish to any meal and it's really healthy for you. I love brown rice. According to Health.com, brown rice contain a healthy carb that boosts metabolism and burns fat. Certain nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts have beneficial effects for your health. All around, great dish. :)










Spinach Puffs

This is a quick and easy vegetarian dish. I like spinach. I think this dish is a creative and fun way of incorporating vegetables into your meal.














Classic Roast Turkey with Herbed Stuffing and Old-Fashioned Gravy

Thanksgiving Dinners always have a center piece and what better center piece than a classic roast Turkey. Turkey is like the signature dish of Thanksgiving. Nothing like a classic turkey right?











Cranberry Eggnog Tart

From experience I've learned that eggnog is a hit or miss with a lot of people. They either love it or hate it. I love eggnog! When I came across this recipe I couldn't turn it down. I looks so good. I hope someone tries this recipe.
















Pumpkin Ginger Cheesecake Pie

I'm not a fan of pumpkin, but I do know that pumpkin pie is a popular dessert for Thanksgiving. I love cheesecake and ginger so I would be willing to give pumpkin another try. This looks delicious! Cheesecake is a smooth dessert so it would be a perfect way to end a great Thanksgiving dinner.











Spiced Hot Chocolate

After a long day of festivities it's nice to finish the night off with a warm cup of Hot Chocolate to unwind.














Oreo Frappe

If you prefer cold drinks at the end of the night, this just might be the one. :)
















For more recipes like these go to bigoven.com or epicurious.com where I got the recipes I posted above.