I’m going to take a break away from the trauma of living without a microwave and chat about something GOOD!

I just recently read about a spa that served cucumber water.  This isn’t the first time I’d heard about cucumber water.  And I add cucumber when juicing carrots.  Who knew cucumber was so delish??

Since I’m always looking for a way to help me drink enough water, last night I decided to try some.  I didn’t check online for a recipe – just guessed.  I took an 8 cup measuring cup, filled it with water, cut up half a large cucumber*, let it soak awhile – probably an hour – then tried it.  WOW it was refreshing! 

Since then, I’ve check online for recipes and discovered people add lemons, lime, or mint, even a dab of alfafa honey (way less strong in flavor than clover) to make it an even more delicious drink.  I like it straight (at least right now) but when I make it again, I’ll add some mint and lemon.  I’ve given you a recipe below.

The main thing to remember along this journey is that water is life.  Our bodies have to have water to function correctly.  Oftentimes when we think we are hungry, we are actually dehydrated.  The symptoms are the same.  Try downing a cup or two of water before reaching for food the next time you think you’re hungry between meals.

Another trick is to drink a big glass of water at least half hour before a meal.  You’ll eat less.  Of course you have to convince yourself you really want to do this because it’s not easy for some people.  Some of us rebel.  How do you think we gained this weight? 

I’ve also read that when you’re working to lose weight, you need to drink your weight in ounces.  Eight glasses a day is fine for maintenance.  It’s really not that much if you break it down in cups.  Drink a cup every half-hour, starting in the morning.  Eight 8-ounce glasses amount to about two quarts of water.  BUT if you’re overweight, you should drink another eight ounces (or 1 cup) for every 25 pounds of excess weight you carry.

And listen – if you won’t drink water because it is healthy, helps you eat less, is good for your body’s functions, drink it ’cause it will help make your skin beautiful!  Water is the best beauty treatment.  Water will work wonders for your looks.  It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion.  It also makes your skin look younger.  Skin plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.  No, I didn’t say that, someone else did.  Someone who knows!

CUCUMBER WATER RECIPE

If making for a party, you need to prepare this the day before in order for the cucumber to fully release its juice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, sliced and unpeeled (plus 6 cucumber slices for decoration)
• 1 1/2 to 2 liters of water
• 3 mint sprigs (plus mint sprigs for decoration)
• Half a lemon, sliced and unpeeled
• Ice cubes

In a pitcher, mix the water, cucumber, the 3 mint sprigs, and lemon. Let it rest in the fridge for 24 hours. If you end up preparing the water at the last minute, cut the first cucumber in three or four pieces. Then, squeeze the cucumber pieces to release all the juice (please wash your hands first, smile).

Before serving, remove the cucumber slices from the water. Stir, add ice cubes,  6 fresh cucumber slices, and the som mint sprigs. Enjoy! Oh, a thought: make up some cucumber water to use in the ice cube trays; that way the ice cubes won’t dilute your drink!

2 liter = 0.52 gallon = 2.11 quart = 4.22 pint = 8.44 cup = 67.5 ounces

 
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*Be sure to clean the cucumber first.  Either soak it in some warm water & vinegar to remove the wax coating or scrub w/rough sponge.  Leave peel on when slicing for drink.

Here’s a link to a posting on my site that shows a neat gadget for infusing water:  http://lbddiaries.com/blog/?p=1486