Fruit Soda

Finding a healthy alternative to soda can be difficult, particularly for indivduals who have consumed sodas for many, many years.  Now, there is no substitute for water, but here are some healthier alternatives that are great any time of year.

A fruit soda is a drink that is made with fruit juice and club soda that comes with an almost endless list of possibilities and combinations.  You can change it up with organic fruit juices or tea and give it some fizz by mixing in the club soda.  Fruit soda is generally a half-juice, half-club soda mix such as:

Orange Fruit Soda

• 4 oz orange juice
• 4 oz club soda

Citrus Blast

• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz key lime
• 2 oz green tea
• 4 oz club soda
• Touch up with a little sugar or honey if needed

Use fresh-squeezed fruit juices to give your drink a flavor blast.  Top with an orange, lemon or lime curl, a slice of fresh fruit, mint sprig or even a fresh basil leaf.  Pour into iced or insulated glasses to keep cool.  Enjoy! 

Pickled Beets

PICKLED BEETS

This recipe uses a more traditional sugar, vinegar and pickling spices to cooked beets.  Yumm!

Ingredients:

• 
  
  12 to 16 small beets
• 
  
  1/2 cup sugar
• 
  
  1-1/4 cup white vinegar
• 
  
  1 tablespoon whole pickling spices

Directions:

• Wash beets well; cut off leaves about an inch above beets.  Cook in  boiling water for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until tender.  Cool; rub off skins, trim, and slice. 
• Combine sugar and vinegar in a medium saucepan. 
• Tie spices in a small piece of cheesecloth and place in saucepan. 
• Simmer for 15 minutes; add sliced beets and bring to a boil.
• Discard spices and chill pickled beets before serving.

Serves 6.

Source:  About.com