Friday, July 13, 2012

The Healthier Flavored Water


For those who are accustomed to sweet drinks, but are trying to drink water instead, commercially flavored water and vitamin water can be enticing.  So, what are these liquid water enhancers made of?  I researched the most visible brand of water flavoring by visiting their website, where I discovered that each flavor contains two artificial sweeteners, at least one preservative, and several artificial colors, depending on the flavor.  In addition, nearly all of the flavors list propylene glycol as the second or third ingredient.  

I have been trying to avoid propylene glycol in my family’s food and cosmetic products for years (not an easy task―it’s everywhere) since a friend told me it is a possible carcinogen.  According to my old copy of The Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives, propylene glycol is used in food industry and RV anti-freezes.  It’s also widely used in processed foods, over the counter children’s medicines, and cosmetic products.  Don’t believe me?  Go check a sampling of products that your family uses; I’ll wait.

According to this article, the main function of propylene glycol, besides providing moisture and acting as a solvent, is to penetrate the skin so other chemicals can reach the bloodstream.  Even though most studies suggest it is safe in small quantities, I’m not a fan of putting chemicals on or into my body, so I try to avoid propylene glycol.  The article linked above also suggests avoiding it, and if you consider that the artificial colors and preservatives in most foods that contain propylene glycol (such as water flavors) can interfere with children’s sleep, this makes sense.

I avoid sweet drinks, so I drink a lot of water, but sometimes I want a little something to flavor it.  My children are learning to drink plain water, but they are not always cooperative.  Homemade lemonade is wonderful, but sometimes I want to avoid the sugar in the lemonade, and I definitely don’t want my children drinking the sugar, artificial colors, and artificial flavors of other drinks.  Sometimes, I just squeeze some lemon or lime into our water.  Other times, I splash some juice into it.

Recently, I ran across Fork’s post about Sassy Water on her blog Fork fabrications (via Karri’s My Favorite Things Link up).  I have tried a similar water flavoring before, using only a cucumber, so I just had to try this recipe.  As Fork explains, you just slice up your citrus and cucumber, toss it with mint into the water and let it sit in the fridge a few hours.  She found this recipe at Prevention Magazine, and when I clicked over there I learned that their recipe uses grated ginger.  I used a few thin slices of ginger root instead.  I pulled the mint right out of our garden.


This beverage is indeed a yummy sugar free homemade flavored water.  Even my kids liked drinking it.  They especially liked putting slices of cucumber and orange in their glasses, and they liked the yellow tint the orange gave to the water.  You can tell by their excitement over over such a pale color that we don’t drink artificially colored stuff that often!  We will definitely be drinking this regularly!

Because I have made flavored water before with just a cucumber (you can try that too), I know you can refill the pitcher and get a second batch, although the flavor is not as strong. Also, you can vary the citrus and the type of mint, and leave the ginger in or out, creating different flavors.

By the way, the glass pitcher in my photo belonged to my parents; they received it as a wedding gift.  I also have all eight of the matching goblets.  I just love the heavy green glass look of the set; it’s so 1960s!  


I also have bowls and other kitchen items that belonged to my grandparents.  I am overjoyed to have a direct connection to the women who taught me how to cook; using these items reminds me of the many hours I spent with these two women, along with many other aunts and cousins, in the kitchen preparing daily meals and food for family gatherings.


8 comments:

  1. I am trying to drink more water myself so I am going to have to try this one. Thanks for linking up! And I love the pitcher. I think my grandma had one like it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this idea, Elisa! I've been making homemade lemonade to satisfy me when I have the urge for something a little more special, but your pitcher with cuke and citrus sounds so refreshing! I wish I had mint growing in my back yard...this might be an excuse to grow some!

    Thanks for linking to Food on Fridays, and for promoting it here, as well. Have a refreshing weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you both for commenting. I hope your families enjoy the flavor of this water.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I see what you mean about the potential to link to sources. And reading this through a second time, I'm even more disgusted by all the junk companies are putting in things--and that I am glugging down without really researching.

    I've been drinking more water and lately, like your kids, have been wanting a little something extra. I'd forgotten about your cucumber idea. We have several cucumbers in the garden that we probably won't be able to eat. I have the perfect job for them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ann, I hope your family enjoys this cucumber water. We have tried another flavor combination (with cherries) that I will post about, after we try another (with watermelon).

    I am no longer surprised about all the junk in processed foods, but most people don't know much about the additives that are used. I use the blog to share what I learn with others.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks really good. I look forward to trying it. Thanks so much for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday!" :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. My sister loves homemade flavored water, but I have not done much with them. If I had mint in my yard it would probably always be in my water.

    Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday! Hope to see you back this week.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for visiting Lisa and Debra. We are looking forward to using our orange and lemon harvests to make more flavored waters very soon. We still have mint in the garden too. I may even try a hot version if the weather stays cool.

    ReplyDelete

Your feedback, reactions, and ideas are appreciated!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...