I've been watching Hubby come in from working outdoors the last few weeks and his clothes have been soaked. He's losing weight and can't seem to get enough to drink but drinks so much water and tea that sometimes he's nearly sick to his stomach so I've been trying to figure out how to help him. I can only assume that he is sweating out more than just water. I'm sure with the sweat comes vitamins and minerals so I started there. I kept thinking pedialyte since that's really the only connection I've had to liquids replacing minerals in the body and helping with dehydration - I had to use it a few times when one of my boys was a baby . . . and then of course, there are all the sports drinks on the market as well. Look at their ingredients and you'll keep looking for something else, trust me! I came across a couple recipes for electrolyte drinks that looked pretty good to me and made the orange and lemon and the lemon and lime drinks. I also let Hubby taste test them and he said they were too tart for him so I added more honey. Other than that I made no changes. If you're interested in the recipes go to my Recipes page. Hopefully, these drinks will replenish any vitamin and minerals lost and keep him properly hydrated. Being dehydrated and losing essential vitamins and minerals can do a great deal of damage to the body. So be safe - be well - be smart!
(Oh, and by the way, as a side note, now I have orange, lemon and lime peels to make a new batch of citrus cleaner. Never, ever throw away your valuable citrus peelings!!! If nothing else grate the peel and freeze it for use later.)
Now I'm off to collect lemon basil from the herb garden. I want to make some Basil and Lime Sorbet for the freezer. While I'm out there I'm going to cut some regular basil to make pesto. I don't know if you remember me telling you before on this blog but I like to make pesto without the cheese and freeze it. I also like to blanch basil first and then make the pesto, especially when I'm freezing it. This way it maintains a beautiful green color. I use it quite a bit through the winter. I pull it out of the freezer, thaw it and mix a couple tablespoons into a pan of pasta, add a little extra olive oil and then put the cheese on. Oh my, it's simply wonderful and makes a lovely luncheon plate with a side salad. It rates right up there with just about any dish you could fix for yourself or your friends. It's a great way to use up some of your basil if you have a lot. I am personally quite taken with it. By the way, I "almost" always have a handful of lemon basil leftover and what a cooling, refreshing beverage it makes for these hot Summer days. Just put a handful in your whistler tea pot, which is approximately 1-1/2 quarts of water, and bring up to a boil, turn it off, let it sit for 10 minutes, strain and refrigerate until cold. Ahhhhhhh!