Summer Detox Drinks
I don’t know about you, but my weekend following the 4th of July festivities wasn’t much better in the way of food choices. It’s easy to let one weekend of splurging lead you down the rabbit hole, so what’s better than a good old-fashioned detox?!
I personally rotate all four of these drinks, depending on my mood, and have experienced REAL results and benefits. Many of the ingredients are linked in case you have trouble finding them in your local store!
- ACV. The all-powerful Apple Cider Vinegar drink comes in many forms, but have you ever tried cutting it with pineapple juice and lime?! Calling it ‘delicious’ might be a stretch, but hey – it doesn’t taste like salad dressing and if you dilute with sparkling water, it’s even better! We mix 1/8 C ACV, 1/4 C pineapple juice, 1/4 -1/2 squeezed lime, top with water or sparkling water to dilute. Add honey to taste or more pineapple juice if you prefer more sweetness.
Benefits: Apple Cider Vinegar has a multitude of health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. In fact, there is medical research to prove that it can help acid reflux, lower blood pressure, improve diabetes, and support weight loss. The benefits of apple cider vinegar come from its powerful healing compounds, which include acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics and enzymes. Be sure to choose one with ‘the mother’ vs. a filtered variety (I actually saw one at Aldi the other day for only $2.49). - Beyonce-aid. A true Neighborhood Barre classic – this is one of our favorite detox drinks! You can make it in large batches – portion one large lemon per glass. To make, press 1 large lemon and mix with 8 oz. water and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper. If you prefer more of a ‘lemonade’ add pure maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar.
Benefits: Lemon has very high levels of Vitamin C (immunity booster) and appetite suppressing capabilities. Mix that with Cayenne Pepper, which not only boots your metabolism, but also aids in digestion and you get a super powerful, yet simple, detox drink! - Ginger Tea. How did I not discover this sooner?! If you love hot tea, get some ASAP! It’s shocking at first, but you quickly adjust to the spice and it’s so soothing! I love it anytime I wake up feeling a little off (aka – hungover)! You can add peppermint oil or mint leaves for a more dynamic flavor profile!
Benefits: Ginger zaps any type of nausea, settles your stomach, and de-bloats like a mother. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, has metabolism boosting properties, and is a natural appetite suppressant. - Essential Oil Blend: *Disclaimer – make sure you are using oils that are safe to ingest! There are several companies who make ingestible oils, so please do your research before you purchase!* One great reason to use oils for your detox drink is the lack of acidity. The above detox drinks all have something in common – spice, citrus, etc. If you have an aversion to any of the above, then consider this milder option! You can also put one drop of each oil in an empty capsule vs. mixing in water!
Benefits: The citrus oils are high in Vitamin C and promote both anti-inflmatory and appetite suppressing qualities. You are basically getting all of the benefits of the above-mentioned detox drinks in a concentrated form. They are easy for on-the-go or if you are in a hurry. Simply drop 1-2 drops of each in your stainless steel or glass water bottle (the citrus can eat through plastic with prolonged use) and voila – you have a perfectly balanced detox drink that also tastes great!
