Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca – #NewWayToSparkle Mocktail

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewWayToSparkle #CollectiveBias

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca is a very low-calorie option to carbonated beverages and makes a fun, festive mocktail for your next celebration or post-workout recovery.

Jennifer Fisher CASA Superhero 5kI’ve got my sparkle on! Not just the skirt or the sweat, but I’ve been making every moment sparkle with Dasani Sparkling, a delicious and healthy alternative to sugary carbonated beverages. I drink a ton of water to support my sweaty lifestyle as a runner, obstacle course racer, CrossFit fan and yoga enthusiast – it’s so important to stay hydrated. However, sometimes water starts to get boring and I need a little treat to top off my tank.

I Don't Sweat, I Sparkle!Enter Dasani Sparkling . . . especially the two new flavors of this sparkling water brand, Tropical Pineapple and Raspberry Lemonade.  Refreshing, flavorful and just the right amount fizz to make me feel like celebrating . . . without the consequences of a cocktail or other adult beverage. It’s easy to transform a can of this no-calorie carbonated water into a yummy mocktail – one of my favorite ways is to add pressed ginger root, stevia and a bit of mint to a can of the Tropical Pineapple flavor. That’s it! Check out the recipe for Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca below!      Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca is a very low-calorie option to carbonated beverages and makes a fun, festive mocktail for your next celebration or post-workout recovery.

We all know drinking water is essential for athletes, but did you know ginger also works wonders on a physically stressed body? In addition to a host of other benefits, ginger eases up inflammation and muscle pain for those days when you’ve gone all beast mode on a workout. Ginger also helps quell nausea – like when that sprint to the finish line has made you feel like hurling in the nearest trash can.  And, if that isn’t enough, ginger boosts the immune system, protects against many types of cancer and relieves migraines.

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca

I hope your enjoy my recipe (below) for Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca – the bubbly water has hints of pineapple complemented with the zing of ginger. Dasani Sparkling has no calories straight out of the can, and this drink stays very, very low calorie yet thanks to the addition of a little stevia along with the ginger.

Dasani Sparkling Water at TargetFind more easy-to-make recipes that are refreshing and fun to make with Dasani Sparkling Water by visiting this link: NewWayToSparkle. Purchase the new, sleek cans of Dasani Sparkling at your nearest Target on the bottled water aisle (near the sodas, juice or on an end-cap) for a special intro price of 3 for $9 (plus a 5% cartwheel offer) now through May 1, 2016. #NewWayToSparkle

Do you have a favorite mocktail? Are you a ginger-lover? What do you drink after a workout?  Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • 1 12-ounce can Dasani Sparkling Water - Tropical Pineapple Flavor
  • 1 1/2" length fresh ginger root
  • 1 to 2 packets powdered stevia
  • 1 small wedge pineapple
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint leaves
Instructions
  1. Pour can of Dasani Sparling water into tall glass.
  2. Cut ginger into 1/4" thick discs. Using garlic press, squeeze juice out of ginger directly over glass. Can also use fine grater to grate about 1 to 2 teaspoons of ginger instead.
  3. Add 1 to 2 packets stevia, according to sweetness preference.
  4. Add chopped mint to glass.
  5. Lightly stir to combine. Add ice to top off glass
  6. Garnish with pineapple wedge.

Comforting Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe – Really Helps You Feel Better!

Comforting Chicken and Rice SoupThis is a bad news, good news post. Unfortunately, it’s that time of year when the sneezes, sniffles and the stuffy-head crud comes on. But the upside is that a comforting bowl full of chicken soup (your grandmother’s remedy) actually has some merit to making you feel better — plus, it tastes great too!

Best Ever Chicken and Rice Soup

fort davis boysI whipped up a huge batch of my  Best-Ever Chicken and Rice Soup when the kids came back from our recent trip to the mountains feeling under the weather. I had them licking their colds . . . and the bottom of their bowls in record time.

Dozens upon dozens of scientific studies have investigated the basis for this centuries-old remedy — from how the hot temperature unblocks stuffy airways to how the zinc found in certain ingredients might just shorten the length of a cold. Science aside, it’s pretty much agreed on that slurping up soup helps keep you hydrated, chases away chills associated with fever and reduce certain annoying symptoms of being sick. Plus, the addition of turmeric, a golden spice related to ginger, helps to provide the antioxident power you need to start feeling better.

Immunity Boosting Turmeric Chicken Soup takes away the chills and provides nutrients you need to start feeling betterIf you’re not feeling up to par, please see a doctor to make sure it’s nothing serious. But, I’d also highly recommend a batch of my Best Ever Chicken and Rice Soup.

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This easy soup recipe is also ideal for light dinner and lunch leftovers to keep your wellness in check every day of the year.  Plan ahead and double the recipe – freeze in single serve portions for busy or sick day convenience.

Best Ever Chicken and Rice Soup with Instantly Fresh Herbs

instantly fresh herbsI’ve used Instantly Fresh Italian Herb Blend as a recipe shortcut to lighten and brighten the broth – it’s a medley of basil, oregano, garlic, red onions, red pepper, marjoram, rosemary and sage conveniently bottled together. I love these freeze-dried Instantly Fresh Herbs by Litehouse Foods — they have a huge assortment (I also love the Mint). Find them in the produce section or herb aisle of your grocery store. Head over to my Instagram profile (@thefitfork) now through this Monday (1/4) at midnight for a flash giveaway for three free product coupons. Look for my Chicken Soup photo and follow the post instructions to enter.

Do you have a home remedy for times when you’re feeling under the weather? What is your favorite soup? Please share in the comments below, XOXO — Jennifer  

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Best Ever Chicken & Rice Soup
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 large bowls
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (dry) white or brown rice (plus water to cook rice)
  • 8 cups additional water
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 8 cubes chicken bullion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 long celery ribs, finely chopped
  • 2 large carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons Instantly Fresh Italian Herb Blend
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Prepare rice according to package instructions. Set aside. In large stock pot, boil chicken breasts in water for 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink inside and internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165 F degrees.
  2. Remove chicken breasts from pot, but do not discard water. Skim off any residue not desired in soup. When chicken is cool enough to handle, pull apart with fingers or fork into large shreds. Add back to pot with water. Add bouillon cubes. Turn heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile, add olive oil to large skilled and bring to medium high heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are softening. Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add vegetables to stock pot with chicken. Return skillet to stove top. Add Instantly Fresh Herb Blend to pot with chicken and vegetables, keep simmering and stirring occasionally.
  5. To make thickening roux, melt butter in skillet over medium heat. When butter is beginning to bubble, whisk in flour and stir constantly and quickly for several minutes, or until it has turned a light golden brown. Remove skillet from heat and allow roux to cool a bit.
  6. Once roux is no longer hot (can be warm), scrape into stock pot and stir well to combine. Stir in prepared rice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue to simmer soup for 15 more minutes, or until everything heated through.

Tasty Turmeric Recipes That May Ease Inflammation

Turmeric adds flavor, color and a host of health benefits to your recipes.Turmeric has thousands of scientific studies supporting its health benefits – it’s a remarkable rhizome! Whether used raw like ginger or in dried, ground form, this beautifully orange-yellow spice has been prized for thousands of years for the anti-inflammatory benefits that come from the chemical compound curcumin. Not only does the curcumin in turmeric help reduce inflammation and thereby lessen tendonitis, joint and muscle pain, and arthritis aches, the powerful antioxidants have been shown to regulate blood sugar and lessen the risk for certain cancers.

Check out 10 Turmeric Spiced Foods That May Reduce Inflammation

by The Fit Fork at Mode

Turmeric is a healthy way to add color and flavor to your recipes. The warm and faintly citrusy flavor is delicious and enhances both savory and sweet tastes.  I hope you enjoy the collection of turmeric recipes I curated for Mode.com.

Turmeric Honey Almond MilkDon’t miss the Turmeric Honey Almond Milk I posted about earlier in the year – a little “shot” of this beverages can be taken either hot or cold before bed to help ease the aches and pains of the day – and help you get a better night sleep.  Almond milk and turmeric also help with indigestion and reflux, making this a great nightcap if you suffer with these problems.

 

Are you a fan of turmeric?  What is your favorite way to use the spice? Please share in the comments! XOXO-Jennifer

 

This post is sponsored by Mode Media.