I’ve been a bit in the dumps lately, as they say. I find myself sort of trickling along at a ho-hum pace waiting for life to happen. Then when it does finally happen, it seems to mosey along with something annoying, frustrating, or downright depressing. It seemed for a while that there were ugly disappointment clouds constantly lurking in the wings. Perhaps it was a bit of the winter blues or just a bout of bad luck but it wasn’t pretty.
After a particularly stressful weekend I found myself on the train back home just feeling tension in all parts of my body. My mood had manifested itself into physical pain and I was crampy, achy and sluggish. I decided to stay on the train past my stop straight to the 15 minute massage place. It’s an inexpensive place and despite usually being quite indulgent, I really hesitated before deciding to spend the $15 on my sore muscles. While I was lying there having my shoulder knots rubbed out, wondering how I ever doubted this was a good idea, I thought about how unkind we are are to ourselves. We push and push, rarely giving our bodies time to relax, to stretch and to breathe.
Suddenly inspired, I decided to do something so simple yet gentle and nice for myself. I went straight on over to a produce market where I purchased some organic cucumber, ginger, lemon, and mint with a recipe in mind. My friend had been on a “flat belly diet” which I insensitively mocked because well, you know how I feel about that sort of thing, but during it she mentioned something that caught my attention. She spoke of making what the diet calls, “sassy water” which is basically infused water. I believe it’s meant to suppress appetite a bit while encouraging you to drink more water.
I made the “sassy water” and then various versions of “spa water” as I like to call it. I even put it in my fanciest glass pitcher, just for me. It is refreshing and surprisingly calming. I’m not sure if the serenity comes in the actual water or in knowing that you’ve done something really nice for yourself. Every time I opened my fridge and was greeted by the water it was a delightful reminder to take a deep breath.
Sassy Water from The Flat Belly Diet
2 liters water (8.5 cups)
1 tsp grated ginger
1 med cucumber, peeled and sliced tin
1 med lemon, sliced thin
12 mint leaves
1 tsp grated ginger
1 med cucumber, peeled and sliced tin
1 med lemon, sliced thin
12 mint leaves
Combine, let chill overnight.
If I finish the water in less than 36 hours I refill the pitcher with new water leaving all the remaining ingredients to sit overnigth again. I wouldn’t let all the bits sit for more than a few days though.
I love lemon and ginger and I don’t love following recipes, so I upped the quantities to two lemons and 2 tsp ginger. I’ve also made different variations of the water including one that was just two lemons and two limes, a lime and ginger, one with whole slices oranges (fantastic) and an orange and basil one which was unusual but also refreshing.
