Drink More Water

With the temperatures going ever higher, this week's post focuses on making sure your body stays hydrated.

So many of us grab for the first cold thing that sounds good, soda, energy drinks, lemonade, fruit juice, sweet tea, or a beer. And while in moderation, some of these choices aren't terrible, they are definitely not a good choice for real hydration on a hot day.

In fact, we recently read on Yahoo Shine that, "A study out of Tufts University in Boston looked at the association between sugar-sweetened drinks and the nutritional habits of 947 adults. Unsurprisingly, those who drank the most sugary beverages, like soda, had a higher risk of obesity and a lower intake of fiber. 

But water is so boring. Or is it? Instead of picking up a packet of artificially flavored anything to add to that water, instead infuse it with something interesting.

1. Cucumber Water.
Theres a reason that so many spas slice up cucumbers, add it to a pitcher of water, and chill it for a few hours. Because when guests try it, they find a refreshing, slightly more interesting drink that tastes like the perfect way to relax.

2. Strawberry-Kiwi Water.
For a hint of something sweet, slice up a small carton of strawberries and  2 peeled, sliced kiwi, add it to a liter of water and allow to chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. This is a great way to get a little bit of sweet without the calories of a soda.

3. Mint Tea.
Instead of sweet tea, grab a bunch of mint leaves. (Literally, a bunch, sold at your local grocery store or farmer's market.) Pour boiling water over mint and allow to cool. Pour over ice for a minty, refreshing summer tea, minus all the empty sugary calories.

So, when feeling parched, be prepared, have one of these hydrating, delicious, infused waters on hand.

Glazed Pork and Fresh Plums

Mid-June already? Where has the time gone?! But with this warm weather, we have a lot of fresh fruit in season that is perfect for some summer cooking. Not the least of which is today's delicious recipe, Pork and Plums.

This recipe could also be made with chicken, but if you're bored of chicken and beef, pork can be a nice alternative and in this recipe, easy to prepare. 

Make this for dinner or bring this to your next summer get-together. It's a guaranteed hit, as pork is lovely when paired with fruit, and plums are so IN this season. 

Glazed Pork and Plums

Ingredients:

1 lb pork tenderloin, pounded thin

1 tbsp Coarse Salt

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp coconut oil

4 plums, cut into wedges

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Method:

Slice pork tenderloin, and season with salt. Brown pork in olive oil and butter over medium-high heat, and remove. Saute plums and red onion over medium heat. Add vinegar, and stir until bubbling. Return pork to pan, and toss. 

Serve warm over rice blend.

Watermelon Gazpacho

The weather down in Houston isn't just heating up, it's downright HOT. And just like when it is unreasonably cold, people start losing the motivation to work out, start feeling sluggish, and start to plan their weekends around being around a pool or an air conditioner.

Don't let your eating plan get sluggish too. This week we have an exciting version of a classic summer dish, loaded with vegetables, fruit, and  is served cold, so there is no excuse not to chomp on some good stuff. The recipe is for Watermelon Gazpacho, which is a sweeter, more flavorful version of the traditional stuff. (and reminds us a little less of just eating salsa with a spoon.) It packs a lot of flavor, nutrition and it's perfect for beating the heat and fueling your body. 

Watermelon Gazpacho

Ingredients:

5 cups peeled, seeded and roughly chopped watermelon

1 cup finely chopped watermelon

1/2 cup cranberry juice (all natural, no sugar added)

1 cup peeled and diced cucumber. (seeded if you feel like it)

1 cup diced celery

3/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup diced sweet onion

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, minced

3 tbsps lime juice,(or the juice of 1 lime)

1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 jalapeño, minced

Method:

1. Combine the 5 cups of watermelon and the cranberry juice in the blender, puree until smooth. (make sure to reserve the finely chopped cup of watermelon for later) If you prefer a smoother gazpacho, pass liquid through a fine sieve to remove pulp.

2. Add cucumber, celery, bell pepper, onions, herbs, lime juice, vinegar, jalapeño and remaining melon to watermelon liquid. Stir to combine. Cover with plastic and refrigerate until soup is well chilled, at least an hour. Serve or store for up to one day.  

recipe adapted and perfected from Martha Stewart Watermelon Gazpacho

Asian Inspired Grilled Flank Steak Skewers

This week's grill recipe is Flank Steak Skewers. These are easy, delicious and actually a very light cut of beef. 

Steak of any kind can be intimidating on the grill, cook it too long and you can't chew it, cook it for too short of a time and you're maybe in the hospital. But, these thin strips cook quickly and are easy to gauge for "doneness". Plus... eating anything off of a skewer is fun. 

The important thing about cooking meat on skewers, or shish-kabobs, is to not crowd the meat on the stick, so that it can cook evenly.  And to soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes before cooking to avoid too much burning. 

And just a tip, always cut the meat across the grain, at a slight angle, with a very sharp knife. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs of flank steak, sliced thin

1 1/2 cups reduced sodium soy sauce, or liquid aminos if gluten-free

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp sesame oil

Juice from 1 lime

Method:

-Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes

-Mix all sauces and seasonings together in a bowl and marinate steak strips for 1 hour or more.

-Discard marinade and skewer meat strips onto sticks.

-Heat grill to high

-Place skewers on grill and cook for 3 or so minutes on each side until cooked through, (or to desired doneness)

-Remove from heat, and set aside for 4 minutes.

Enjoy steak skewers with steamed veggies and brown rice. 

Eat well, eat healthy and move your body!