The Tasty Advantages of a Hot Climate

Living in a southern locale provides plenty of advantages, and during the summertime we are blessed with sun, sun, sun!  We often partake of the sweet abundance of nature’s fruits. 

This is the time to rejuvenate body and soul, and to share some recipes for healthy beverages, from the book Drinks Without Alcohol by Jane Brandt.  

We begin our sampling of delicious liquid with a fruit-juice blend for those of you who like to wake up your taste buds as well as your consciousness to begin the day.  This healthful pick-me-up can be sampled by preparing the following:

Cantaloupe Cocktail
 
• Flesh of 1 medium-size ripe cantaloupe, diced
• 3 tablespoons lime juice, preferably fresh
• 2 cups orange juice, preferably fresh
• 2 tablespoons sweetener (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Wafer-thin lime slices for garnish

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on low speed until smooth (20 seconds).
Serve in frosted glasses, garnished with lime slices.
SERVINGS: 6 glasses.

 For lunch, brunch, or an afternoon refresher, we recommend a picante blend, as follows:

Tomato Hurry Curry

• 1 large can (46 ounces) tomato juice
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Dash of Tabasco sauce
 
1. Place ½ cup of the tomato juice in a small bowl, add the curry powder, and stir well to blend.  Put this mixture into a large saucepan and add the remaining tomato juice and the Tabasco.  Heat just to boiling.  Refrigerate.

2. Pour the chilled juice into a serving container and enjoy.
SERVINGS: 6 to 8 glasses.
 
Cool off in the sun or shade with a sweet libation:

Cranberry Cream Shake

• 1 small can (4 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 1 quart chilled orange juice
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• Orange slices for garnish

Combine half of the cranberry sauce, juice, and ice cream in a blender. Blend on medium speed until smooth, 30 seconds.  Pour into a pitcher, and repeat with the other half.
Pour into tall glasses, and perch a slice of orange on the rim of each one.
SERVINGS: 6 tall glasses
 
A nighttime dessert (or a party pleaser) might be:

Midge’s Mudslide Smoothie
 
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 2 cups double-strength coffee (decaffeinated, or coffee alternative, if preferred), chilled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
• Ground cinnamon, to taste (optional)


Combine the crushed ice, coffee, and vanilla extract in a blender and blend until smooth.
Add the yogurt and blend for 10 seconds.
Pour into parfait glasses or goblets, and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon, if desired.
 
Whenever possible, select organic ingredients to benefit yourself and the planet.  Here’s to your health -- body and spirit!