Posted on 6th August, 2022.

These days, there is a plethora of information about healthy eating. From TV shows to dietary cook books, we have so much choice now that our knowledge of good food has never been better – or so you would think.

I live in London and as such, with the ethnic diversity we have here, especially in South West London, the availability of all types of fruit and vegetables. It is truly inspiring and brings out the creative cook in me!

Here are some lovely refreshing drinks for the summer – healthy, tasty and very colourful to brighten your day in every way.

Drinks for the Summer

Tasty Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 large ruby grapefruit, peeled and chopped
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 carrots – washed and trimmed
• 2 inches of whole ginger root

Juicer:

Juice the Carrots and Ginger

Blender:

1. Pour the juiced Carrots and Ginger into the blender
2. Place the Grapefruit and Banana in to the blender
3. Add water or coconut water to add more liquid – as much as you require
4. Blend!

A healthy morning wake up, that is sweet, tangy and very refreshing.

Add ice to chill.

My Notes:

By adding liquid, you dilute the mix to your own taste. I prefer a very ‘long’ drink, rather than a smoothie.

You can also juice everything, however, I like to keep the goodness of some of the ingredients by blending – it keeps some of the natural fibre that juicing does not do. By watering it down, you lose the intensity of natural sugars, so making the drinks even more healthy.

Pink and Pretty

Ingredients:

• 1 large beetroot – washed, trimmed and cut in to quaters
• 2 small ripe bananas – peeled
• 1 sweet red pepper – washed, trimmed, de-seeded and chopped
• 1 large ripe mango – peeled and chopped

Juicer:

Juice the beetroot and pepper

Blender:

1. Add the juiced ingredients to the blender
2. Add the Banana and Mango to the blender
3. Blend all together
4. Add 1/3rd water to the mixture if preferred

Fantastic colour and so refreshing.

Great for the diet as very low in calories

My Notes:

Remember, blending is better than juicing so when you can, use the blender instead.

If you only have a juicer, don’t worry, just juice all ingredients then add the water after.

If you only have a blender, don’t worry, just peel the beetroot well and blend everything – it just won’t be as clear, but it will be very healthy and just as tasty.