2.02.2009

ICED TEA or WATER? You decide!

Do you drink enough water?

If you haven't heard (and really, who hasn't?), you are supposed to drink 64 oz of water each and every day!
Now, everyone who knows me knows that I do drink my water. My Nalgene bottle is always at my side (in fact, I just took a chug right now!)

However, a person can get really SICK of drinking so much water.
I've tried crystal light, but it's too sickly sweet for me.
I've tried lemons in the water and that's decent, but still not enough of a change.
I love a recipe from my friend Tina called "Spa Water" (just add sliced lemon, orange and cucumber to a pitcher of water)
But still, people, it's water!

If you have this problem, too- then I've got a super solution for you- ICED TEA!
"What?" you say? "Everyone knows there is caffeine in tea and any drink that is caffeinated cannot count towards your water intake!"

Ha- I thought of that- that's why I use decaffeinated tea bags!

So, if you want to drink something else for a change, stay healthy, and feel a little closer to summer in this bleak midwinter, then follow this (my Alabama grandma's) recipe for perfect iced tea!

QUICK AND EASY ICED TEA

Get yourself a 4 quart pitcher
('cause you know just 2 quarts isn't going to be enough)
10 decaffeinated tea bags
(store brand works just fine)


*Fill your pitcher 1/2 way up with cold water
*Pour that water into a pot and turn the heat on!
*Take out 10 tea bags and remove the tabs at the end.
*Tie all the strings together in a big knot (this will help remove them easier later)

*When water comes to a boil, add the tea bags and remove from heat
*Let tea steep for 15-20 min
*Pour tea (remove bags if you want, but I just leave 'em in) into your pitcher
*Fill rest of pitcher with cold tap water (or, if you're in a real big hurry, empty a few ice cube trays)
*Slice some lemon and enjoy!

P.S. If you add sugar, this does not count towards your daily water goal- try splenda instead.
P.P.S. Okay, if you don't want to buy a new pitcher, just use 5 tea bags instead for 2 quarts.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

i thought the same thing about iced tea, but even decaf can be a diuretic. have you tried flavored water? i found a lot of recipes on the web and just bought a book with more recipes- Cool Waters.