Healthy Homemade Lemonade
Summer is here and who doesn’t want lemonade? I think that it is safe to say, that most of us love a cold glass of lemonade on a hot, summer day. Unfortunately, we all know that lemonade bought from the store is filled preservatives and enough sugar to put us right into a coma! Keep reading to discover an easy homemade lemonade recipe that is not only healthier, but easy to make.
A Costa Rica Inspired Drink
The inspiration for this healthy homemade lemonade comes from Nicoya, Costa Rica. Nicoya is extremely hot all year around, so the Chan Con Limon is one of their favorite ways to quench thirst. This specialty drink is made with Chan seeds. Chan seeds are very similar to chia seeds but come from a different plant. Chan seeds are used for digestive health, relieving constipation and indigestion. Chan seeds are also high in magnesium which can help relieve upset stomachs.
Lemonade with Chia Seeds
Our healthy homemade lemonade is going to use Chia seeds. Chia seeds are much easier to find than Chan seeds. You can get Chan seeds from online retailers or from Latin American Grocery stores, but with chia seeds, you can find them just about anywhere. Chia seeds are considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet! Chia seeds are rich in calcium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Ready, set, Lemonade!
Okay, to start, you will need 6-8 lemons, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 quart and 1 cup of water, and 3 tablespoons of Chan or Chia seeds. Squeeze the lemon juice into a large glass pitcher with the 1 quart of water. Add seeds to the pitcher and let soak for 20-30 minutes before drinking. In a separate bowl, stir sugar with 1 cup of warm water until totally dissolved. Add to lemon juice mixture, stir well to combine, and then serve over ice if desired. Enjoy!
This healthy homemade lemonade is a good alternative to store bought lemonade. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, Iron, and calcium. Lemons can even help improve digestive health. Even though this hydrating lemonade is unprocessed, has less sugar and additives, do keep in mind this drink still has quite a bit of sugar! Serve after a long day at the pool, during fun outdoor activities, and minimize other sugars throughout the day.
Need ideas for healthy snacks after a long, summer day? Check out our previous article ‘Spice it Up’ for flavorful foods that your little one can agree with!