Summer is just around the corner, and nothing makes me happier than the pounds and pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables that invade the farmer’s market this time of year. With the hot weather approaching, crisp salads and refreshing smoothies are replacing heavier dishes in my kitchen, and I’m feeling energized by the variety of fresh foods and nutrients the warm weather is providing. As spring turns to summer, we abandon our dining room table for gatherings with friends and head on out to the terrace to experiment with healthy and refreshing drinks.
This weekend, I made a delicious lemonade with a surprising addition. The taste was well balanced, so no one complained about the secret healthy ingredient, and I was happy to spoil everyone with such a tasty drink!
What was that secret ingredient, you ask? Well, I combined the exceptional nutritional benefits of beets with juicy, sweet strawberries and the delicate flavor of fresh thyme. What resulted with a bright and gorgeous cooling detox drink our friends couldn’t get enough of.
Beet is one of my favorite detox ingredients, because despite its earthy taste, it’s extremely versatile. The earthiness is easily balanced by the tart flavor of lemon and the sweetness of strawberries, making this trio a perfect combo. Beets are full of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, which support our bodies’ natural detox processes.
They’re rich in betalains, a powerful antioxidant that decreases oxidative stress in our bodies, aiding detoxification and helping to prevent chronic and degenerative diseases. Bonus: betalains also have anti-cancer properties. Bottom line? Eat your beets, friends.
Strawberries, too, are antioxidant powerhouses with their high Vitamin C content and the presence of antocyanins and flavonoids. These can help keep inflammation down in our bodies.
Flavor-wise, these strawberries and beets work their magic with lemon and thyme, which gives a lovely fragrance to this drink while offering calming and soothing properties to your digestive system. Blend everything with sparkling water to make this nourishing lemonade. It’s perfect for cooling off on hot summer evenings.
(Make this next: Pomegranate Detox Tea)
- 1 small beet, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 lemon, peeled
- 1 lemon, cut into slices
- 3 cups sparkling water
- 2 tsp organic raw honey
- 1 thyme spring plus extra for garnishing
- Juice the strawberries, beet and lemon.
- In a mortar, crush the thyme. Add it to the juice together with honey and mix to combine.
- Strain the juice to discard the thyme pieces, and transfer into a pitcher.
- Add the sparkling water and lemon slices, mix to combine.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.
P.S. Have you signed up for my free 24 Hour Detox Challenge yet? If not, you can download the free meal plan and sign up here (includes my favorite raspberry and peach morning detox water, avocado and blueberry salad in a jar, ginger lemon tea and 4 other detox recipes for weight loss).
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