Happy Hour Fridays - A Remix
Cultivating Cheerfulness with Self-Care & Love
Introducing HAPPY HOUR FRIYAY!
Every Friday afternoon over the summer I am presenting you with an opportunity to discover a deeper level of self love & care with a splash of Heart-Inspired Art, Poetry, Photography & a Yummy Recipe.
Flash Poem expressing love for the sweetness of summer.
One Cube, or Two
Slicing strawberries out of time
By savouring life with a side of lime
Cut through the chaos to find your reason & rhyme
Slowing down your rhythm in favour of the sublime.Listen here:
This week I offer my readers an Electrolyte elixir receipe, which is a great Gator@de replacement. Cut out the excess sugar/dyes/additives, boost your sense of wellness with health benefits, uplift while soothing, & expand your pleasure horizons with this nourishing, tasty treat of a bevy.
Serve with a side of celebration, celebrating the season & the small enjoyments in life like taking the time to be creative & concoct delicious treats for the love of it.
Strawberry Lime Basil Summer Elixir Recipe
3-4 frozen strawberries
Half a lime, squeezed
3-4 fresh basil leaves (or to taste).
1-2 grinds pink Himalayan salt, or good quality sea salt
Pure water to fill & ice
REMIX, make it your own with optional customization:
Any type of citrus juice will serve you well here, and feel free to add more to shift it towards a limeade/lemonade. Or add less (like a quarter - I am a citrus lover who prefers it strong. Wakes up the taste buds!)
Tulsi basil in addition or to replace the typical basil is delicious. I am growing both this summer and really enjoy the flavour mix.
You can skip the salt and use an electrolyte supplement such as a liquid. High quality sea salt, like Celtic is another good option.If you want an adult happy hour a splash of gin or mescal (or whatevs.) can be fun.
ENJOY!
Sip while slipping into the zone of TAOR (the art of relaxtion) & any means that takes you there. Personally my anti-gravity chair in the yard with blankets set near flowers with mountain & forest views, preferrably with the kind of summer breeze where the heat and cool mix together. Birdsong and a show are an added bonus.
*When you’re finished, I suggest eating those yummy ingredients or simply compost them.
Health notes / Fun facts:
Basil can lower blood pressure and triglycerides; it also contains magnesium which improves blood flow & relaxes muscles plus blood vessels.
Strawberries are a super fruit and good source of vitamin C, bioflavonoids, folate, potassium, and manganese. It’s a top 20 fruit for antioxidants, specifically polyphenols. This fruit can lower blood sugar levels. Like Basil they can lower cholesterol, inflammation, & blood pressure. Strawberry can aid in memory retention and cognition - & spatial orientation. If you snack on them after you’ll get some good fibre too!
Lime reduces acidity. It contains, flavonoids, vitamin C & promotes collagen. Reduces risk of heart disease, some cancers, & prevents kidney stones. Promotes immunity & aids iron absorption.
Himalayan salt is less artificial &d does not usually contain additives. It helps the body prevent dehydration by achieving optimal fluid balance as sodium is necessary to maintain proper fluid balance.
Water is hydrating. Dehydration can contribute to boat loads of issues & slows your brain down, well your whole body. Love yourself up with this delicious elixir.
Happy Weekend! Spread love & share with a friend :)
XONichola
Stay Tuned for next week’s Storytime Tuesday!!
Protect our waters and our water loving friends and creatures by supporting sustainable stewardship and being the change through conscious caretaking of this amazing planet.
*All writing, audio, art, and photos created by Nichola @ Mystic Peaks Studio
Contact for use: nicholaATmysticpeaks.com