Ah,
it’s Jun
e; summer is here! If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to put your
winter coat away and sweep the dirt off your patio (if you live in Belgium,
you’re lucky: the constant rain doesn’t let the dust settle in). Once your
chores are done, you find yourself rushing out of the door to get your hands on
this season’s latest creation, the one that you have been waiting for the whole
winter: the venti caramel Frappuccino topped with cream, chocolate chips and
fudge.
Isn’t
it grand? Isn’t it great?
Not
quite, really.
When
did all this happen? Did we always need our hourly sugar rush? Maybe it’s a
cultural thing. Or maybe it isn’t (Starbucks and similar joints are popping up
at every street corner in major Turkish cities). The Frappuccino is an
extreme example, as all that caramel, chocolate and fudge automatically
translate into sugar (and a lot of fat!), but what about all these drinks?
Isn’t a green tea supposed to be somewhat healthy? And besides, isn’t green tea
traditionally drunk without sugar?
Maybe
we just got lazy. We no longer bother read labels on products, let alone make
our own tea. Because something is liquid, it doesn’t mean that it is not
harmful.
Growing
up in Turkey, the fanciest thing I got to drink during summer was my grandma’s
iced tea. Pretty simple: black tea, lemon, mint, ice and a little bit of sugar,
if you so desire.
Are
you a caffeine-junky? Then go for a home made iced-coffee. It’s not rocket
science. All you need is coffee, ice and milk (optional). You barely need any
sugar. You can serve it on the rocks (as pictured here) or buzz everything in a
blender for a creamier texture.
If
you really need sugar circulating in your blood stream, go for fruits. They are
packed with sugar. At least this way, you will also get s
ome fibres and
vitamins. Last week I made three different combinations:
- pineapple, lime, mint and
ice;
- frozen strawberries and watermelon; and
- kiwifruit and honeydew melon.
I
don’t use measurements for these, so go with the flow. Befriend a blender and try different fruit
combinations. Don’t hesitate to use fresh herbs and a refreshing squish of limejuice
here and there...
And
if you are keen on having a drink on the go… buy a thermos!!
