It’s summer, it’s hot, and it’s swimsuit season. Groan.
Here’s how my yearly diet cycle breaks down:
- January 1 – May 31. Think I should be doing something to get ready for swimsuit season. Do nothing.
- June 1 – September 30. Wish I had done something to get ready for swimsuit season. Try to play catch up.
- October 1 – December 31. Eat like I’m going to hibernate with the bears.
So this is the time of year when I’m looking for refreshing recipes that don’t inflict any more damage than necessary on my self esteem. Although I kissed the bikini-ready body goodbye after two pregnancies and c-sections (and don’t want to hear about all those women who bounced back from the same), I’m still trying to maintain some dignity when summer activities require a swimsuit, or at least shorts and a tank top.
This year, my go-to drink is iced green tea with lemon and honey, or as I like to call it, “Summer in a Glass.”
This is my easy recipe for perfect iced green tea. It’s not too sweet, and is full of flavorful antioxidants and de-toxifiers, that I’m sure are good for something. At the very least, it tastes great and won’t do any damage to your waistline.
For 4-6 large glasses, you only need:
- Green tea (I use decaf so I can share with my kids) – 2 bags
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Lemon – 1
- Sugar – 1 Tablespoon
Here’s what you do:
- First, pour 4 cups of water in a large microwaveable container. Heat to almost boiling (about 7 minutes in my microwave).
- While the water is heating, cut the lemon in two halves.
- Remove the water from the microwave, toss in the tea bags, and cover to steep for about 8 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and stir in honey and sugar.
- Squeeze both lemon halves into the tea, and stir.
- Pour over lots of ice. (Let it cool a bit first if you’re pouring it into a glass pitcher, so the temperature change between the ice and the hot tea doesn’t cause the pitcher to shatter.)
- Enjoy, preferably by the pool, or even better, the beach!
I’d love to hear some of your favorite summer tips, tricks, or recipes for staying cool!
Ilaria
Sunday 27th of July 2014
This is a great drink for summer! Summer in a glass is a cool name :)
Meredith
Tuesday 29th of July 2014
Thanks Ilaria!
Natasha In Oz
Wednesday 23rd of July 2014
Thanks so much for joining the Say G’Day Linky Party. We have pinned your post to the Say G’Day Saturday board!
Best wishes, Natasha in Oz
Meredith
Saturday 26th of July 2014
Thank you so much Natasha! Have a great weekend...
Eve Koivula
Tuesday 22nd of July 2014
I make smoothies of salads, cucumber, herbs and fruit, add some avocado or nuts for healthy fats, protein powder and ice cubes. Plus green tea which I make in a tiny cup of hot water so it doesn't need time to cool. Then I add cold water.
It's really more like a meal than just a drink.
Meredith
Saturday 26th of July 2014
That sounds super-healthy Eve. I like your idea of doing the green tea in a small cup to make it cool faster. Thanks for commenting!
Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party, Week 37 #pinterest - Creative K Kids
Monday 21st of July 2014
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Monday 21st of July 2014
[…] The Palette Muse shared how to make “Summer in a Glass” Lemon Iced Green Tea! […]