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Several years ago, we went on an extended family vacation. During that time, we did quite a bit of camping. The weather was gorgeous and perfect for getting outside as a family! We went fishing, visited family and dipped our toes in the great Columbia River! And by the time we got to the last day, this girl was suffering from something near heat exhaustion.
I remember that it was really warm, and I remember feeling more than a little tired, something one would expect after a long and busy family trip with four kids! Pretty soon, tho, I was grouchy. I was snapping at everyone and all I wanted to do was to lay down and go to sleep. I knew well enough that something was wrong.
Recovering from that vacation took over a YEAR! Getting overheated for ANY length of time would leave me shaking for a good hour after getting in a cool place and being still. Physical exertion in any kind of heat was an absolute no for me. I pretty much lived on Vitamin Water during that time. Keeping my kids and myself hydrated effectively is now something I am super aware of!
However, looking thru the ingredients lists on PowerAde and Vitamin Water in preparation for writing this post, I was more than a little shocked! Ok, I didn’t expect that the ingredients list would be great, but high-fructose corn syrup!? Do people really still use that stuff?? I figured the cost, and you can make this drink for less than or at a comparable price to its commercial counterpart.
Let’s take a look at some gems on the store-bought products ingredients list:
High fructose corn syrup
Preservatives
Thickeners
Undisclosed flavors
Crystalline fructose
The ingredients in my homemade version are coconut water, fruit and vegetable juices, honey, sea salt and water. That’s it.
Here’s my take on this recipe that is really, all over the web.
I use the V8 VFusion Juice. If my kiddo would easily drink fresh juice, that would be good, too. As it is he won’t, so we usually have this on hand. The ingredients list is stuff like, sweet potatoes, grapes, carrots… I’m ok with those things and since he eats none of those in their true form, I call it a win. There are also some really great organic juices out there so just look for something that you know your family will benefit from and that they’ll actually drink!
Coconut water is known to be one of the best hydrators out there and it is a source of sodium, iron, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin C.
Electrolytes are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. In balance and in usable quantities, these elements help keep your body hydrated and keep your nerves, muscles, cells and so much more working in optimum range. Summer heat depletes our body’s electrolytes.
Let’s get to the recipe:
2 1/4 Cups Coconut Water
2/3 Cup Juice (your choice)
2 2/3 Cups Water
1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 T. Honey (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir until the salt dissolves.
NOTES:
*This recipe fills two 22-ounce water bottles.
*Extra sweetener isn’t necessary if the juice you’re using is sweet already.
*I also add lime juice to mine… cuz, I love lime juice!
As the weather here on the mountain is signaling the official start of our summer season, I’m making sure I have plenty of this on hand for our hottest days and outings at the lake! Stay hydrated, y’all!
