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Beverages

Festive Cocktails

July 3, 2014
festive-cocktails

With summer in full swing, beat the heat with these cooling cocktails. Luckily, I’ve mixed up healthier versions of your favorite pleasing potions. Whatever you’re doing this long holiday weekend, you can be sure these drinks will be the perfect addition to your cookouts and parties. Cheers!

Though it’s name might conjure images of cold Russian winters, the effervescent Moscow Mule is one of my favorite cocktails all year round.

Moscow Mule

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 4 to 5 ice cubes
  • 1 oz vodka
  • juice of 1/2 a lime, plus 1 slice lime
  • 1/2 cup ginger beer
  • 1 sprig fresh mint

Directions:

  1. Place ice in a copper mug or large glass. Add vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint and a lime slice. Enjoy!

 

This light and refreshing drink is perfect if you’re in the mood for something fruity.

 Mixed Berry Spritzer

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • ice, for serving
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1/2 cup sparkling water
  • few drops of liquid stevia
  • frozen berries

Directions:

  1. Place ice into a glass. Add vodka, sparkling water, sweetener and stir. Toss in frozen berries. Sip and enjoy.

 

Have a very safe, healthy and happy holiday, friends!

 

Photo cred: my sister, Jenny Norris

 

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Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

March 5, 2014
matcha-green-tea-smoothie

When I moved to New York, a friend of mine gave me this advice: get ready, because things are going to speed up in a New York minute! There’s just something about New York City that gets people moving. And FAST. It seems I’ve constantly been on the go – between work, yoga classes, social engagements, writing for the blog, training for upcoming races and all the many other things there are to experience in this city.

What gives me the energy to do it all? My green smoothies! For this smoothie, I’ve added matcha powder. Matcha is straight, stoneground tea leaves, which provides you with green teas powerful arsenal of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids in a way no other green tea can. In fact, one glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content. Matcha is also rich in L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning.

This is a great option pre or post-workout. Even if you aren’t facing a grueling workout, this Matcha Green Tea Smoothie or my other Green Smoothie can help you through the everyday marathon.

green-tea-smoothie

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen mango, pineapple or peaches
  • 1 banana
  • 2-3 ice cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
  • 1 large handful of spinach leaves
  • 1/2 tsp matcha powder

Directions:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend at a high speed until creamy and smooth.
  2. Pour into a a glass and enjoy.

 

 

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Pineapple Rosemary Limeade

May 30, 2013
pineapple-rosemary-limeade

There is nothing better than a long summer’s evening. With daylight stretching well past 10pm here in Ireland, there is plenty of time to unwind with a cold drink in hand. As the days get warmer and longer, nothing is quite as refreshing as a tall glass of limeade. Anyone who has made limeade from scratch before probably has their ideal ratio of lime and water down to a science. In case you don’t, I’ve got you covered – plus we’re adding some unexpected flavors. Classic limeade is nice, it is also extra nice with an added twist of rosemary and pineapple. This sunny weather classic has a woody, sour bite that would be a fine addition to any summertime spread.

Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just need to cool off with on a hot day, a good drink recipe is always good to have on hand. This sultry take on the sidewalk-stand classic will be a huge hit this weekend. If you’re feeling extra frisky, try adding a drop of your preferred liquor. I know what I’ll be sipping on this weekend ;)

rosemary-infused-limeade

Pineapple Rosemary Limeade

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pineapple, chopped (3 cups)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup lime juice (from about 4 limes)
  • 12 oz club soda
  • Ice, for serving

Directions:

  1. Pulse pineapple in a food processor until very finely chopped or run pineapple through a juicer. 
  2. Add pineapple, rosemary, lime juice and club soda to a pitcher and stir to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with additional rosemary.
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Celery, Cucumber & Mint Juice

April 7, 2013
celery-cucumber-and-mint-juice

As the seasons make their transition outside, it feels so right to make one inside. This year I have made it a personal goal of mine to sip on more green juices. Enjoying green juices daily is the best way to alkalize the body with extremely vital nutrients that nature provides for us, in turn supporting a healthy immune system that will protect us from disease. Juicing these greens allows for the vital nutrients to be assimilated easily and immediately, giving you an immediate energy boost.

I drink this juice almost daily, and with good reason. The base is cucumber, which is a little known nutritional powerhouse. Its loaded with potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and folate while being very low in calories. It is a perfect choice for before or after exercise since its loaded with electrolytes. After adding cucumber, I throw in celery, apple, spinach and mint -creating an extremely potent, detoxifying cocktail.

Freshly squeezed juice is a wonderful drink all year round. You can easily vary it and use all sorts of vegetables and fruits. A rule of thumb is to use 80% vegetables and 20% fruit in order to get a perfectly balanced sweetness and avoid too much fructose (natural sugar from the fruit). Lemon, lime, ginger and fennel are some of the taste boosters you can add to any juice.

An important tip: always buy organic fruits and vegetables to use for your juice making. This way you can avoid peeling your fruit and vegetables and instead use all of their tasty parts and get all those lovely vitamins and nutrients.

Grab your organic wonders and follow me…

cucumber-celery-mint-juice

Celery, Cucumber & Mint Juice

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 apple
  • 1 handful spinach (or other greens)
  • 2-3 sprigs mint

Directions:

  1. Rinse all ingredients.
  2. Add ingredients through juicer.
  3. Serve and enjoy!

How are you enjoying spring? Would any of you be interested in joining me for a juice cleanse or raw food detox the first week of May? This is a good time of year to do a cleanse or detox because the weather is warming up so our bodies can take more raw foods plus more fruits and veggies are coming into season. Let me know your thoughts below!

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