One of the best things that you can do is to for your health is to ditch all the sugar laden drinks and sodas, and replace them with healthier options like homemade lemonade or this homemade ginger ale with a kick. Most of the drinks on the market contain either high-fructose corn syrup, which means your drinking a product made from GMO’s which is a whole other subject in and of itself, or artificial sweeteners. Its getting harder and harder but I try to avoid GMO’s like the plague. In recent years studies have shown that sugar is more addictive as cocaine… yep that’s right, COCAINE. Dr. Mercola, an alternative medicine proponent and osteopathic physician, says it’s “one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known”. If you’ve ever tried to get off sugar and had a hard time doing so, now you know why!
And don’t think for one minute that consuming “diet” versions are a better, healthier option. Diet drinks are nothing more than a chemical cocktail and made with artificial sweeteners which are known neurotoxins. Artificial sweeteners are much more sweet tasting, more intense than sugar, and over time dull our senses to foods that are naturally sweet leaving us craving more and more sweet tasting foods and beverages. They have also been found to have the same effect on the body as regular sugar and are linked to many health problems. According to Brooke Alpert, RD, author of book “The Sugar Detox” states that “Artificial sweeteners trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode and leads to weight gain,” which is the exact opposite effect that drinkers of diet soda are looking for. A study of almost 10,000 adults, conducted by the University of Minnesota, found that just 1 diet soda a day lead to a 34% increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms that include high cholesterol and belly fat, which increase the risk for heart disease.
Fortunately there are quick, easy options that you and the whole family will love. I love to make my own homemade ginger ale and also lemonade. When made correctly, meaning made without sugar or artificial sweeteners, both come with a whole bunch of health benefits and none of the health warnings. Ginger root is very popular and used by many cultures around the world and is a great digestive aid. If you are unfamiliar with ginger root and its uses and benefits just do a quick online search for “benefits of ginger root”. Oh, and did I say how inexpensive it is to make this, just costing you pennies per glass. What’s not to like about that, right?
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE GINGERALE
INGREDIENTS
2 quarts water
3″ piece of fresh gingerroot
Stevia (for sweetener)
Essential oil(s) of choice- may favorites are Ginger Vitaliy, Lemon Vitality, Lime Vitaliy, Orange Vitaliy, Tangerine Vitality, Jade Lemon Vitality
- Place water into medium-sized saucepan.
- Peel ginger root. Thinly slice and add to saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a rolling simmer and cook for 1 hour.
- Let cool first before removing ginger root pieces.
- Pour into a glass pitcher until ready to serve.
TO SWEETEN
I prefer to use the powdered form of SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener that comes in little packets, making it easy to toss into my purse and have on hand when away from the house. It contains two ingredients: stevia leaf extract and inulin, a soluble vegetable fiber. Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic that nourishes the body’s good intestinal flora, supporting good digestive health and immune function. The only problem with the powdered form is it doesn’t dissolve well in cold drinks.
- If using powdered form, add to ginger brew while still hot to dissolve. If using liquid stevia I prefer to add to each fill individual glass.
- If using the liquid form, I prefer to add to each individual glass. This allows you to sweeten to each persons individual tastes.
- For carbonated effect- pour ginger brew into a tall glass, a little more than halfway and then add club soda to give it a carbonated drink taste. Start with only 1-2 drops of stevia and add more later if needed.
NOTE: I prefer to make my Ginger Ale strong because I like to add club soda to it in order to give it a carbonated drink taste but doing so does dilute it, hence the reason I make mine strong. The longer you boil it the stronger it is. You can play with the recipe and adjust the amount of ginger root that you use and the amount of time you boil it to suit your tastes.
KICK IT UP A NOTCH
Try adding just a drop of essential oils from Young Living’s Vitality line. Adding these powerful oils helps to not only enhance the taste but also provides all the benefits of the chosen essential oil. My favorites to add to ginger ale are…
Ginger Vitality™ (Zingiber officinale) (#5588) essential oil is distilled from the root of the ginger plant and lends itself to a wide variety of applications. Used as both a flavoring in the kitchen and as a dietary supplement, Ginger Vitality oil is a distinct and versatile oil that’s great to keep on hand.
Ginger Vitality™essential oil benefits are derived from its naturally occurring constituents zingiberene and beta-phellandrene, making it a key ingredient in DiGize™, Digest & Cleanse™, EndoGize™, ICP™, and Essentialzymes-4™. No matter if it’s included in a sweet or savory dish, Ginger Vitality™ essential oil stands out from the crowd.
Add a spicy twist to a refreshing classic! Try adding a few drops of Ginger Vitality™ to a pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Adding to your foods and beverages helps to support normal digestion*.
Lemon Vitality™ (#5625) essential oil has a bright taste you’ll want to keep on hand for almost anything you whip up. Instead of zesting or juicing, use Lemon Vitality for a convenient way to use this great flavor. Start small with a single drop of oil.
Lime Vitality™ (Citrus latifolia) (#5591) essential oil is prized for its ability to bring a unique citrus flavor and delicious zing to any food or beverage. Adding a few drops of Lime Vitality™ essential oil to your foods and beverages is the perfect way to add variety and a bright burst of flavor or a little extra citrus zip. Lime Vitality™ essential oil is a welcome kick of summer that you can enjoy year-round.
Orange Vitality™ (Citrus sinensis) (#5627) essential oil has a clean, refreshing citrus scent and flavor, and contains the naturally occurring constituent limonene. Young Living uses it in many products, such as NingXia Red® and our proprietary wellness supplement ImmuPro™.
Embrace the versatility of Orange Vitality™ essential oil as a culinary tool by using it in your foods and beverages to brighten up or complement dishes with its citrus flavor. Orange Vitality combines well with other fruity flavors, making it the perfect addition to smoothies, drinks, and NingXia Red.
Support your wellness daily by adding 1–2 drops to a vegetarian gel capsule and taking as a dietary supplement or by infusing water, lemonade or homemade ginger ale. Our Vitality line of dietary essential oils is a great option for anyone who struggles swallowing pills and capsules.
Tangerine Vitality™ (Citrus reticulata) (#5630) essential oil is one of the sweetest flavors of all our citrus Vitality oils. Bringing complex citrus notes to savory dishes, desserts and beverages, Tangerine Vitality™ essential oil is a bright, tangy addition in the kitchen. When you want to give your recipes an extra kick of something unexpected, try reaching for Tangerine Vitality™.
More than just another citrus essential oil, Tangerine Vitality™ oil includes naturally occurring limonene and is an important ingredient in Citrus Fresh™, Joy™, Inner Child™, Peace & Calming®, NingXia Red®, Slique® Essence, and Super C™.
Jade Lemon Vitality™ (#5589) essential oil has a unique lemon-lime taste that is a favorite beverage infusion. When used in beverages and culinary applications, Jade Lemon Vitality adds a wonderfully bright flavor and invigorates the senses.
Add 4 drops of Jade Lemon Vitality to a pitcher of ginger ale, lemonade or sun tea for an exotic warm weather beverage.
OILS & PLASTIC DON’T MIX
If you like using straws when drinking cold beverages then use stainless steel straws. No plastic cups or glasses. Be sure to use glasses and water bottles made from glass not plastic. Remember, oils and plastic don’t mix and our goal is to limit our exposure to petrochemicals.
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I love these stainless steel 8.5″ straws with a bent end and they even came with a cleaning brush.
I love to take my oil infused water with me when running errands and love this glass water bottle with silicone sleeve, which helps prevent breakage if dropped. The lid features a stainless steel interior cap body so no water touches the plastic. The glass is made from high borosilicate glass, which is more heat resistant than any other commonly used glass. Both these features are not commonly found in water bottles I’ve seen available in local stores. How cool is that?
WARNING– References to the use of essential oils refers SOLELY to Young Living Essential Oils. Before taking oils internally always verify if it’s safe for internal use. Never attempt to use other oils in the same way as it may be dangerous or toxic! Because of their SEED-to-SEAL process Young Living oils are the ONLY ones that I would ever consider ingesting!
http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/health-risks-drinking-diet-soda
