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Make Your Own Healthy and Natural Energy Drinks

natural and healthy energy drinksAt some point, you have definitely come across beverages or energy drinks which claim to increase physical energy and boost brainpower. These energy drinks are popular among people who want to feel more energetic. Although they do provide short bursts of energy, they have some huge downsides that can leave you feeling worse.

Why not opt for healthier options that give you the same boost of energy minus the side effects? Want more reasons to replace manufactured drinks with healthy and natural energy drinks?

Benefits of Healthy and Natural Energy Drinks

  • Ingredients are inexpensive, easy to make, readily available, safe and absolutely delicious
  • No chance of high sugar content, they contain no preservatives and added colors
  • Low on calories and they boost the immune system

I would suggest that you replace pre-made, packaged drinks with these healthier options that offer more nutritional value and give you a boost instantly without any artificial ingredients.

1. Chia Seeds & Kombucha Natural Drink

healthy and natural energy drinksTake 2 tsp of chia seeds, pre-soaked for 2 hrs, and add 1 cup of kombucha (a fermented, slightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea). Stir it well and keep it to chill. Your healthy and natural energy drink is ready instantly!

2. Chia Fruit Water

healthy and natural energy drinksPre-soak 2 tsp of Chia Seeds for 2 hrs. Take one glass of cold water and take a ground mixture of 5-6  strawberries in a bottle and shake well. Add chia seeds in the end. Refrigerate or add ice cubes and enjoy!

3. Classic Electrolyte Drink

healthy and natural energy drinksMix 2 cups of coconut water with some Himalayan sea salt, pure honey (optional) and half a spoon of lemon juice. This natural energy boosting drink will give you instant energy.

4. Chia Fresca

healthy and natural energy drinksAdd chia seeds (2 tsp)  and water into a glass and mix them well. Let it sit for 2 hrs to allow the chia seeds to swell up. Finally, add some lime juice , ice cubes and pure honey (optional)  to taste. Sip this healthy and natural energy drink when you’re low on energy.

5. Fruit Infused Water

healthy and natural energy drinksCut fresh fruits like strawberries, watermelons and kiwi along with some lemon slices and mint leaves. Put them in water for 2-3 hrs. Refrigerate or add ice cubes. Drink this fruit infused natural energy drink when you feel thirsty after a long day.

6. Cherry Lemonade Energy Drink

healthy and natural energy drinksCombine fresh green tea with some cherry juice, coconut water and lime juice in a large glass. Shake it well and serve using lemon slices and ice cubes.

7. Wellness Shot

healthy and natural energy drinksTake some tender coconut water, turmeric and ginger root in a blender and give it a whirl. Later, add some honey and sea salt to taste. Strain this liquid and your healthy and natural energy drink is ready instantly!

Did you like these healthy and natural energy drink recipes? Do you have any recipes of your own? Share them in the comments below.

For more recipes, check out Healthy Reads. To get these recipes and more directly from a certified GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

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Healthy Summer Drinks & Their Benefits

Summer Drinks RecipeThe rising mercury can leave you quite tired and dehydrated. While water can help you avoid dehydration, turning to some healthy drinks can help you replenish the essential nutrients you need to beat the heat! Here’s a guide to some flavorful and refreshing combination of summer drinks to get you through this season!

1. Sattu Sherbet  

Sattu has an extremely cooling effect. It is not only refreshing but is also filling. Generally prepared by roasted bengal grams, they are sieved and then ground to a fine flour. This flour can be used to make Sattu Sherbet. One can either serve Sattu with jaggery or with cumin seeds powder and chopped coriander leaves with Himalaya Pink Salt and water. Sattu Sherbet is full of nutrient fibre and protein, a super summer cooler!

Ingredients:

  • Chana sattu – 2 tbsp  
  • Lemon juice – 2 tsp
  • Roasted Cumin powder – ½ tsp
  • Mint leaves – 2 tsp (chopped)
  • Black salt/Rock salt to taste
  • Coriander leaves
  • Chilled water

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients in a jug and mix well
  2. Serve in glasses along with some ice cubes
  3. Garnish with more mint leaves

Benefits of Sattu Sherbet:

  • Good source of energy
  • Improves digestion
  • Good for  skin
  • Good for diabetes: Sattu has low glycaemic index and keeps our sugar level in check
  • It has more insoluble fibre and flushes out oil consumed in diet
  • Maintains healthy weight
  • Sattu consists of vitamins and minerals, especially protein that keeps you strong and takes care of wear and tear of muscle which works great as a post workout drink .

2. Aam Panna

One of the traditional summer drinks, Aam Panna is considered as one of the best! It will help your body stay cool and hydrated. This drink is prepared using raw mango pulp blended with cumin and mint leaves. It’s a refreshing drink that takes care of your skin!

Ingredients:

  • Raw mango pulp – 4 tbsp  
  • Jaggery for taste
  • Roasted cumin seeds powder – 1 spoon
  • Black Salt – ¼ spoon
  • Water and Ice cubes

Method:

  1. Boil the raw mangoes till they become soft
  2. When cool, remove the skin and squeeze the pulp with a spoon
  3. Mix all the ingredients in a mixer, blend well
  4. Add 2 cups of water
  5. Put ice cubes first in glass and pour the panna over it
  6. Garnish with mint leaves and coriander leaves

Benefits of Aam Panna:

  • The Vitamin C takes found in Aam Panna takes care of skin infections during summer and it detoxes the body
  • Improves digestion: Black Salt and mint leaves enhance the effects of digestion
  • Improves immunity
  • Takes care of sunstroke

3. Shikanji

Also known as Shikanjbeen, Shikanji is one of the most favourite summer drinks of India. A flavourful summer cooler that is rich in vitamin C. This lemonade is a mixture of normal water with lemon juice and some Indian spices such as roasted cumin seeds powder, black pepper powder, black salt and ginger.

All the spices found in Shikanji enhance flavour and improve the absorption of Vitamin C. It is anti-inflammatory in nature and prevents sunstroke.

Ingredients:

  • Chilled water
  • Lemon juice
  • Roasted Cumin Seeds Powder – 1 spoon
  • Black pepper powder – ¼ spoon
  • Black Salt – ¼ spoon  
  • Mint leaves
  • Jaggery/Sugar to taste

Method:

  1. Blend all the ingredients
  2. Put a few ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves

Health benefits of Shikanji:

  • Improves digestion
  • It works as an antioxidant. As lemon is rich in vitamin C, its alkaline nature protects the cells from oxidation
  • Natural coolant: It keeps the body cool and hydrated.
  • Prevents the loss of electrolytes due to sweating

4. Kokum sherbet

The scientific name of Kokum is Garcinia Indica. It is a perfect refreshing, energizing and hydrating drink. 

Ingredients:

  • Kokam – 2 cups
  • Roasted ground cumin seeds – 1 sp
  • Black Salt – ½ sp  
  • Sugar/Jaggery to taste

Method:

  1. Soak dried Kokam in hot water till soft,
  2. Blend and make it into a puree, strain the puree and discard seeds and hard particles
  3. Add 3 spoons of this puree in a glass and fill with chilled water
  4. Adding sugar or jaggery, mix the cumin seed powder and Black Salt
  5. Serve with ice cubes and mint leaves ,

Health benefits of Kokum Sherbet:

  • Kokam acts as a natural coolant
  • It removes pitta dosha  as per Ayurveda
  • Has good Vitamin C and Antioxidant properties
  • Improves digestion
  • Helps in relieving skin rashes

Do try these summer drinks and let us know how you feel about them! Got some recipes of your own? Share them with us in the comments below! For more healthy summer drinks and recipes, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. 

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Healthy Eating: The Ultimate Amla Drink

ultimate amla drink

The Vitamin C rich Gooseberry (Amla) peaks during this season! This Indian superfood strengthens the body, expels toxins and improves defence mechanisms. It also improves eyesight, hair quality, prevents graying of hair, boosts immunity and provides so many more benefits! If you liked Amla before, you’re going to love it even more as this Ultimate Amla Drink!

Fun fact: A single Amla can give you Vitamin C equal to that of 2 Oranges. Isn’t that amazing? 

What You Will Need:

  • Amla (chopped) – 1
  • Cumin seeds powder – ¼ tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
  • Mint leaves (chopped) – 1 tsp
  • Ginger – ¼ tsp
  • Pink salt – ¼ tsp
  • Water – ½ glass

How To Prepare:

  1. In a mixture jar, add the Amla, mint leaves and ginger. Blend it well into a fine paste. Add some water and blend again.
  2. Now add cumin seeds powder, turmeric powder and pink salt. Blend it well.
  3. Using a sieve and strain the Amla paste by pressing with a spoon.
  4. In the output, add ½ glass of water and drink it slowly as your morning drink. If required you can also add some honey.
  5. You can drink this every morning, especially this winter season when we get them fresh.

 Highlights of the Ultimate Amla Drink

  • Weakness of body, heart and mind shall be dispelled by taking this fresh Amla juice.
  • The best way to detox your system and improve organ health.
  • Immunity boosting to help you stay away from any health lows.

We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you! Don’t forget to check out Healthy Reads within the GOQii app for more healthy recipes. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Healthy & Refreshing Summer Coolers!

summer coolersGetting out of the house has been a task because of the heat. Venturing out means sweating profusely or being dehydrated due to lack of drinking water at continuous intervals. Want to take some extra precautions to keep your body cool and healthy? Try these healthy and refreshing summer coolers to keep you cool and ward off the heat!

1. Strawberry Pineapple Lemonade

Ingredients:

  • Strawberry – 2 cup fresh small size
  • Pineapple – 3 cup slices
  • Lemon – 1 or ½ cup
  • Ice – Optional
  • Honey – ½ cup
  • Water – 3 ½ cup

Method:

  • Place the strawberries, pineapple and water in a blender and prepare a puree
  • Strain the puree to remove seeds
  • Add lemon juice and honey
  • Add ice cubes and enjoy the drink

Benefits: This healthy, refreshing summer cooler is loaded with antioxidant properties. It supports the immune system, fights diseases and enhances your skin complexion. Its anti-inflammatory properties will help you deal with arthritis, gout, reduced blood pressure and stroke. Adding lemon will enhance its nutritive value by giving a dose of important vitamins to run body functions normally.

2. Mango, Raspberry & Basil Seed Popsicle

Ingredients:

  • Mango    – 3 cup
  • Chia Seed – 2 cup
  • Raspberry – 2 cup
  • Cinnamon Powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Brown Sugar – 1 tablespoon

Method:

  • In a blender, mix the mangoes until it is smooth
  • Pour it in a bowl and add Chia seeds
  • Mix well and let it rest in a refrigerator for 30 minutes
  • In a blender mix raspberries, brown sugar and cinnamon powder until smooth
  • Let it rest for 5 minutes
  • In a popsicle mold, pour 1 tablespoon of mango and chia seed mix. Then 1 tablespoon of raspberry mix.
  • Place in the freezer for at least 2 hrs

Benefits: This Popsicle is one of the best nutrient-rich summer coolers! Mango and Raspberry are packed with nutrients that support the heart, digestion, eye, hair and skin health. Adding Basil Seeds will reduce body heat and boost metabolism. It can relieve constipation and improve the respiratory system.

3. Ginger Cucumber Summer Cooler

Ingredients:

  • Ginger    – ½ Ginger
  • Cucumber – ½ Cucumber
  • Lemon – Few drops
  • Honey – 1 tsp
  • Water – 1 cup

Method:

  • Peel and grate the cucumber and Ginger
  • Blend it well by adding water
  • Strain it and add Honey and lemon
  • Decorate the glass with a slice of Cucumber and enjoy the drink

Benefits: Ginger improves digestive health and blood circulation. Along with Lemon, Ginger acts as an antibiotic. The combination of Cucumber, Ginger and Lemon act as a summer thirst quencher and also helps you lose weight by reducing water retention. It also boosts metabolism and keeps you hydrated!

4. Lemon Barley Water

Ingredients:

  • Barley – 3 cup
  • Lemon    Zest – 2 Lemons
  • Honey – ½ cup
  • Water – 3 cup

Method:

  • Place the barley in a bowl and wash it properly
  • Place it in a pan and add lemon zest and water
  • Bring the mixture to boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes
  • Strain the mixture then add honey and stir it well
  • Let the water cool down, transfer it into bottles and refrigerate until it is chilled
  • Serve it and enjoy the drink.

Benefits: It is one of the oldest drinks used by ancient Egyptians to cool their bodies during summer. This summer cooler helps maintain body temperature. It also acts as a natural remedy to reduce kidney stones and clear off Urinary Tract Infection. Due to its fiber content, it aids weight loss, improves metabolism and keeps the digestive system healthy.

5. Gur Sherbet (Jaggery and Chia Seed Drink)

Ingredients:

  • Gur (Jaggery ) – Few pieces
  • Water – 1 liter or 1 cup
  • Lemon – 1 or 2 slices
  • Salt – Optional ( ½ Tea spoon )
  • Ice – Optional
  • Chia seeds – 1 or 2 tsp

Method:

  • Soak chia seeds and jaggery in water for about half an hour or overnight
  • Add few lemon pieces  and serve chilled
  • Carry this drink to the office or if you are going out to stay hydrated

Benefits: One of the traditional summer coolers to replenish oneself. Jaggery is well known for its iron content. It also boosts immunity and reduces constipation. Adding chia seeds to it enhances this drink’s nutritive content by becoming a good source of fats that protect the heart and improve brain functioning.

Do try these healthy and refreshing summer coolers and let us know about your experience. Do you have recipes of your own? Share them now in the comments below!

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