Yes, I Have a Bit of Summer Fun.
Common misconception
It is summer and as a fitness expert and a member of a health community, most people assume I never eat hot dogs, drink alcohol or have any indulgences in any way, shape or form. The fact is that’s not true. Yes, I have a bit of summer fun. However I don’t call them “cheat days”. I call them indulgences.
I am a foodie, I enjoy cooking, I enjoy being cooked for and in my family growing up food was the centerpoint of just about every occasion. Excuse me, EVERY SINGLE OCCASION. If you don’t believe me, ask my brothers. Every holiday, every birthday, every vacation, every weekend was completely centered around what we were going to eat next. There’s even been times where we have been sitting down to eat a delicious meal and we’ve talked about our next meal. As the daughter of an Italian immigrant, food is part of our culture. It connects our family, it is fun to gather around in good times and in bad, in sickness and health, food (and wine) are always there.
Today, I was pushed over the edge to share a summer recipe.
Earlier last week, I posted about my daughter and I going Strawberry Picking and someone asked about what to do with strawberries. I love strawberries. I went on and on about things to do with strawberries. One of them is making summer drinks. I was inspired to write this blog after talking to Lori, a social media marketer who shared with me that she is doing a 90 day alcohol free challenge. The second after I congratulated her she shared that she was worried that many of her family and friends would ridicule her for choosing summertime to try this challenge. Of course I said “Who cares what they think? Summer can be fun, with or without alcohol.” Yet, shortly after I understood exactly where she is coming from and said “on the other hand I understand why you are worried. Sometimes we don’t want to say “I am doing a ____ health challenge”. We are scared other people will tease us or share their negative experiences. We just want to do it. Period. Then I asked her if I can share a trick I use to handle situations where everyone is drinking all day.
How do I get through an entire day at a summer gathering “drinking” all day and stay working on my health goals?
Here is my trick. I drink Mocktails. They are refreshing beverages that look like their alcoholic, sugary counterparts but made without alcohol or sugar. Yes, I have a bit of summer fun and drink alcohol in moderation however most of the time I drink pretty drinks, in pretty glasses and it helps me to stay on track towards my goals.
Therefore, I’m going to share with you one of my favorite summer beverages I enjoy sipping on a hot summer day. A mojito. The fun part about this mojito is that it can be done with or without alcohol and it tastes almost the same. Cheers!
Strawberry Lime Mojito Mocktail (or cocktail)
Ingredients
- 3 strawberries chopped in four
- 10-15 mint leaves
- Drop or two of vanilla extract (or in my measuring a “bloop”)
- 1 lime (cut in half)
- 1 lime/lemon flavored seltzer
- Ice or a frozen strawberries
- Optional; A shot of high quality Rum (I like Bacardi Superior)
Directions:
- Add the strawberries, vanilla and mint to a glass and muddle together.
- Add the juice of the lime to the glass and add the whole lime.
- Fill the glass with ice or frozen strawberries.
- Pour the seltzer to the top of the glass, add optional alcohol
- Stir and garnish with more strawberries, mint, and lime slices.
- Drink with family or friends.