Satisfying Hydration: Homemade Lemonade

When the temperature gets in the high 70s and 80s, I often find myself drinking lots of water but not really feeling my thirst become satisfied. Sometimes, I think that I am hungry but I just ate. My body is telling me that it has been sweating away water and electrolytes. This is when I make my own lemonade.

Ingredients:
· Large pitcher.
· 2 lemons, limes, or oranges.
· Water (I like to filter my water at home).
· Honey, maple syrup, or molasses (to taste).
· Sea salt or trace minerals (to taste).

Citrus: I squeeze 2 lemons into a pitcher that holds four pints of water.

Electrolytes: I add about a teaspoon of sea salt. I have low blood pressure so I need salt. I prefer sea salt because it has many electrolytes that my body is sweating out in the heat and may be causing my thirst or hunger. If you avoid salt, you can purchase at PCC, Whole Foods or Seattle Super Supplements “Trace Minerals”. This provides all the nutrients that are in sea salt without the sodium. This should not increase your blood pressure and there is some data that suggests that it will help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Sugar: I add about 2 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or molasses. I try to not make it too sweet since I am always trying to increase my taste buds sensitivity to sugar because then I am satisfied with less sweetness. This helps me prevent hypoglycemia, physical anxiety, weight gain, diabetes, inflammation and other high glucose mediated diseases.

Water: I fill the pitcher with water. I filter my water at home.

Enjoy the Summer!