This post is a part of Sprig & Vine’s #100daysofSummer program: your warm weather guide to eat well, drink up, cool down, and chill out. Expect easy breezy recipes, hydration 101, wellness tips, and healthy living ideas all summer long.
Most summer days have us craving a thirst quenching, refreshing drink; and what better than a slushie? Frozé (a rosé slushie), has been receiving a lot of attention lately, but what if we told you that we could add some gut healing benefits to upgrade this summer drink? Shaina Benzaquen, of the lovely site I’ll Take Two L.A., shares her recipe for a gut-healing, probiotic-packed slushie that gives frozé stiff competition. Shaina is an L.A. based nutritionist and health coach who loves creating beautiful dishes that are also nutrient dense and have many health benefits. Make pitchers of this slushie to sip on by the poolside; or for lazy summer lunches. Spike it with some rosé or tequila for a boozy take.
Nothing is more refreshing than lemonade blended on ice. Add some strawberries and kombucha and you will feel absolutely amazing!
Kombucha is all the rage right now, popping up on every health website, and in artisanal grocery stores everywhere. But what is so special about kombucha? To be honest, the list of health benefits is endless! From your heart, brain functions, immune system, and mainly the gut, kombucha can improve overall health greatly.
What is kombucha and how is it made?
Kombucha has a base of black tea and sugar, containing a colony of bacteria and yeast that causes fermentation when then tea and sugar combine. As a result of the fermentation process, the tea acquires enzymes, B vitamins, a high acid content and becomes carbonated. Listed below are some of the many health benefits you will get when drinking kombucha:
Disease Prevention
Kombucha contains many antioxidants, stemming from the black tea. Through the fermentation new antioxidants become present that are not present in standard black tea such as glucaric acid. Antioxidants are like our bodies’ disease prevention worker team, swimming around the body scooping up any unwanted metals or toxins and removing them from your body entirely. So as far as antioxidants go the more the better and kombucha’s got you covered!
Gut Health
There is an overload of evidence suggesting that the good bacteria (enzymes, probiotics and acids) present in kombucha can do wonders for your digestion. Living in the gut are trillions of bacterial cells. Around 100 trillion to be more precise, now that is one big number! 10 times the number of cells in your body. And most of these bacteria are very very good for us. But not all of it and that’s OK. A optimal ratio is 80% good bacteria to 20% bad. When the bad bacteria exceeds 20% do problems arise. Low immune system, inability to focus, cramping, bloating, mood swings can all be a direct result of imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Chemical heavy junk food, stress, and sugar are the main things that will negatively impact the gut. By consuming probiotics such as fermented vegetables, (sauerkraut & pickles), yogurt, and kombucha, you are adding in good bacteria and bringing balance to your gut.
Digestion
Your gut is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, water, and eliminating unwanted toxins. But this is only possible when you have the 80/20 ratio of good and bad bacteria. When the bad bacteria starts outweighing the good, there are too many players fighting for the wrong team, which causes bloating, cramping, and inability to absorb proper nutrients. This will leave you feeling fatigued, and with digestive issues. Kombucha will replenish lost good bacteria and restore proper digestion.
Immune System
Did you know that 70% of immune cells are living in the gut? This means your overall health and wellness depends on your gut health. We have all been taught from a young age that vitamin C = Healthy, but it turns out that if you have poor gut health vitamin C just wont cut it! Probiotics can strengthen your immune cells and help fight sickness.
Get the recipe for this gut-healing, probiotic-packed strawberry slushie below!
- 1 tray of ice (around 14 ice cubes)
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ⅓ cup water
- 4 strawberries, quartered
- 1 cup kombucha
- Place all ingredients in the blender and blend for 1-2 minutes. Pour into 2 glasses and garnish with strawberry slices. Enjoy!
Hi! My name is Shaina Benzaquen, a 20-year-old budding nutritionist and health coach. I have a passion for discovering new ways to make everyday foods exciting by incorporating novel flavors into my recipes that enhance the taste and appearance of my dishes. The most important aspect of these recipes are the nutrient dense health benefits of each dish, snack, drink or dessert. I love experimenting with flavorful, colorful fruits, veggies, herbs and spices. My goal is to make each dish as beautiful as it is delicious in order to create a table that is both eye catching and mouth watering.
Find my work on www.illtaketwola.com and on Instagram @illtaketwola
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Yummie!! I’ve been looking forward to the strawberry recipes! love it! I am looking forward to seeing all your strawberry creations!!