Staying Deliciously Hydrated

[Penni]

It's HOT outside & this is a friendly public service announcement to remind you to make proper HYDRATION your daily priority!

When expressing the importance and benefits of staying hydrated, I'm not just talking about drinking water.  Many of you know that I've been talking about this very important topic since RFR began, but today I thought we could revisit some links and that I would share a few recipes that will support, educate & inspire you to stay super hydrated! 

 

Get Hydrated!

Hydrating with Herbal Teas

Rawk Star Hydration (Foodie Friday)

In addition to drinking plenty of good quality water, staying hydrated with freshly pressed organic fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, and the water of young thai coconuts are just as beneficial to your health. Whenever I talk about hydration, I have to include chia seeds into the the discussion because they are so amazing.  If you haven't read about the impressive nutritional profiles of Thai coconuts or chia seeds, here are two very informative articles for you to absorb:

 

Chia Seeds - Miracle Food of the Aztecs

Young Thai Coconuts

I also want to share a few of my favorite recipes for hydration - I hope you'll try these and enjoy!

Chia Chai Smoothie

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 chai tea bag, steeped in 1 cup water (cooled)

1/2 + cup sweet vanilla almond milk

1 frozen banana

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of ground ginger

1/2 cup crushed ice

 

Make the chai tea and allow it to come to room temperature.  ut the chia seeds int the tea, allowing them to soak up the tea....usually 15 - 20 minutes....forming a chia chai gel.  Easily done at night, this gel will keep well in the refrigerator until your ready to use it.  Add the chia chai gel, almond milk, banana, spices and crushed ice to a blender and process until you have a frothy, creamy shake.

Goji Gingerade

1/3 cup organic goji berries

32 oz. pure water

1/4 cup raw honey, agave nectar or other sweetener of your choice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 lemons, juiced

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

 

Soak the goji berries in the water for at least 2 hours or overnight.  Strain the water into a blender and add the other ingredients, blending only until well combined.  You can keep the soaked goji berries in a covered container in your refrigerator to use in smoothies or another recipe.  Use them within 24 hours.

Chia Coconut Custard Shake

1 thai coconut, meat & water
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons raw honey or agave nectar
a generous pinch each of cinnamon & freshly grated nutmeg

Put all ingredients into a high speed blender and combine until smooth and creamy.

 

Chia Breakfast Pudding

1/4 cup chia seeds

3/4 cup sweet vanilla almond or hemp milk

scant pinch of sea salt

raw honey, agave nectar and/or fresh berries can be added if desired

 

In a bowl, combine the chia seeds, almond milk and sea salt.  This mixture is best when stirred every 5 to 10 minutes.  Within 20 minutes you will have a breakfast pudding that will remoind you of tapioca, as the chia seeds plump and fill with milk.  This breakfast will totally encourage your inner rawk star to shine all throughout the day!

[Amy Lyons]

I have been soaking chia seeds in coconut water lately and enjoying them after my workouts with fruit!  I knew they were nutritious, but not this fabulous!  Thanks for the info, and the recipes sound great!

[Penni]

Thanks Amy - I admire your blog - great to have you here in the house!

[Chloe Longobardo Moreno]

♥ Rawesome recipes :)....I made a hot tea last night with soaked goji berries & fresh chopped ginger, stevia & spring water....next time i'll add lemon in the mix :) ox

[kathleen]

Thanks Penni for reminding me about the Chia Chai Smoothie! I'll be having that tomorrow! Gotta love chia seeds.

[Raw Lauren]

Thank You Penni, will definitely be trying these recipes ! They sound delish ! xx

[Janet Carol Ryan]

I made the coconut/chia/custard shake last night - ooooo la la -  so yummy!!

[Mae Jardine]

Thanks for the reminder of the Chia Breakfast Pudding, Penni. I just copied it and e-mailed to my Son in Phoenix, AZ. Up till now, he has only used Chia seeds sprinkled on salads and in his beverages for extra hydration. I hope he will be tempted to buy a box of Almond Milk and try this easy recipe. Or perhaps . . . Mom will have to surprise him with a another Care Package with all the ingredients like I had to do when I kept preaching Chia Seeds for hydrating. He has since called to report all the good effects besides hydration he is experiencing.  Hooray for Chia Seeds  : )

[Sally R]

Yum, I love chia and really want to try the Chia Chai smoothie...that is fun to type..LOL

[Karen Cacciola]

Thanks for sharing...I love Chia seeds in the morning....chia seeds, filtered water, stevia & goji berries...soaked overnight.....have to try these recipes....Have a wonderful day.

[Lauren]

Mm! My mouth is watering! ;)

[Sally R]

I made the chia chai smoothie today and with a few tweeks in amounts of things it turned out deeeelicious! Thank you again Penni for sharing!