As we enter into August in Tennessee, we are all starting to get sick and tired of the heat, humidity, and breaking a sweat just walking out the front door. Nick and I try to start work as early as possible in the mornings to avoid the worst of it and call it quits around noon, to rest and cool down. We have been working on several ways to stay cool and hydrated while we work. The first is Nick and I both love sugar free Poweraid and he often works with a backpack with a camelback bladder in it. We also have found some relief with the use of cooling towels that you wet and then wrap around your head or neck. Nick is also fond of taking swigs of pickle juice, me not so much, but D has acquired a taste for it.
I was recently reading about the old farmer’s hydrating drink Switchel and decided to give it a try. The raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) provides probiotics and electrolytes and the maple syrup also adds minerals and electrolytes. It’s a good way to get your daily dose of ACV if you can’t stand the taste, like me, but still want to get the numerous health benefits. Ginger also soothes the stomach, has tons of antioxidants and is a potent anti-inflammatory.
I’ve found numerous recipes online, but here is the one I’ve modified to be the most tolerable to me and almost tasty. I used ground ginger instead of fresh because I can’t find organic fresh ginger near me. Next time you are out working in your garden or doing any labor-intensive activity in the summer heat, give it a try!
Switchel: Makes 4 cups
Dissolve ¼ tsp. organic ground ginger in ¼ cup warm water and let sit 5-10 minutes to rehydrate.
1 TB Organic raw ACV with the mother
1 TB Pure Maple Syrup – Raw Honey could also be used in a pinch
1 pinch Himalayan sea salt
3 ¾ cups cold water or club soda
You could also add mint, lemon juice, or lime juice to jazz up the taste a bit.
I was recently reading about the old farmer’s hydrating drink Switchel and decided to give it a try. The raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) provides probiotics and electrolytes and the maple syrup also adds minerals and electrolytes. It’s a good way to get your daily dose of ACV if you can’t stand the taste, like me, but still want to get the numerous health benefits. Ginger also soothes the stomach, has tons of antioxidants and is a potent anti-inflammatory.
I’ve found numerous recipes online, but here is the one I’ve modified to be the most tolerable to me and almost tasty. I used ground ginger instead of fresh because I can’t find organic fresh ginger near me. Next time you are out working in your garden or doing any labor-intensive activity in the summer heat, give it a try!
Switchel: Makes 4 cups
Dissolve ¼ tsp. organic ground ginger in ¼ cup warm water and let sit 5-10 minutes to rehydrate.
1 TB Organic raw ACV with the mother
1 TB Pure Maple Syrup – Raw Honey could also be used in a pinch
1 pinch Himalayan sea salt
3 ¾ cups cold water or club soda
You could also add mint, lemon juice, or lime juice to jazz up the taste a bit.