DIY Hydrate Teas

Summertime means hot weather. Here in the Southwest USA it is hot, hot, and hot!

People in New Mexico and Arizona are always looking for a healthy way to stay hydrated. Tasty as well as healthy is a big plus.

In Phoenix there are several hot weather sayings. One goes something like this: “You know you are NOT from Phoenix when you turn on the tap and wait for the water to become cool.” The point is that tap water never gets cool in the summertime in Phoenix.

In the winter the counterpoint to that saying goes somewhat like this; “Water freezes at 60° in Phoenix.”

Or how about: “You need oven mitts to drive your car in Phoenix in the summer.”

Or how about: “You know it is winter in Phoenix when we start wearing socks.”

Ba da bump bump. (Drum roll for bad jokes……)

Okay, I need to keep my day job, right?

Back to Ice Tea, the subject at hand

Ice tea is the consummate answer to quenching your thirst and keeping you hydrated. This ice tea was first devised for guests but is now the most requested tea here in the household. It is so easy to make. It is also a sneaky way to get fruit into your diet!

The stores are full of flavored, sugared, and chemical teas now. Suddenly, it has become fashionable to drink teas. Everyone is trying to drink less pop/sodas now days.

However, plain tea is just, well, plain. These flavored teas will appease the taste buds of all but the most soda/pop addicted palate. Substitute a glass of this tea for a soda to slowly wean yourself and your family from drinking sodas.

Don’t get me wrong; I guzzle Diet Coke® once in awhile too. I require a Diet Coke® at a movie!! I do so wish the theaters had this type of fruit flavored and sugar-free tea at the refreshment stand. I would order it, would you?

Water makes up a bit over half of the human body. Every cell needs water to perform correctly. Water helps keep your body temperature normal during the heat of the summer. Water also lubricates your joints and skin. Your skin will age without proper hydration.

How do you know if someone is dehydrated?

- dry mouth

- headache

- fatigue

- dizzy or lightheaded

- little or no urine (or very dark urine)

- extreme thirst

- fatigue

- no tears

Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Drink water often through-out the day.

Hydration is a serious concern everywhere in the summer but it is especially serious when you live in the desert Southwest. We are advised to consume 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes if we are working or recreating outside in the heat of the summer.

Generally, the human body needs 6-8 8 ounces glasses of water a day. This varies per body. Other people may need more or less water. Always check with your doctor if you have concerns.

Here is nice discussion on how to stay hydrated by Dr. Andrew Weil: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04468/Simple-Ways-to-Stay-Hydrated.html

This ice tea is an excellent way to introduce healthy water into the system.

Sweet Tea or Not?

While, our house does not use sugar in tea, you should know how to make proper Sweet Tea. Sweet Tea is made by making a simple sugar syrup. Simple sugar syrup is made by boiling sugar in water until it dissolves. If you just add sugar to water, the sugar will separate from the water and settle on the bottom of the glass or pitcher.

Blue Agave sweetener is a desirable substitution for sugar. Organic Blue Agave is a 100% pure agave nectar and is generally from Mexico. Blue Agave syrup is a low glycemic sweetener that is 25% sweeter than sugar, so adjust how much you use in the tea accordingly. This sweetener may be used widely in other dishes and cookery.

Consume artificial sweeteners at the direction of your doctor. Or, if you are like me, manage your consumption of diet sugar substitutes in a thoughtful manner. Be responsible about what you put into your body. Be kind to your body and yourself in what you consume.

Finally…….

While, this recipe is very simple, I am constantly surprised about how many people had just not ‘thought’ to do this. I offer this to you as a creative kitchen cook. I think you would have ‘thought’ of this on your own if you had more time and who has more time now?

Let me know how you like this tea. These teas provide great taste without preservatives, extraneous chemicals, and sugar.