Are the hot summer days making you feel like a drooping flower? A cool shower can help, but a better way to beat the heat is to make sure your body is getting enough liquids. When it's hot and humid, our bodies need extra fluids to not feel like a drooping flower. 

How much liquid is enough? That depends on your age and what you're doing. Everyone's different. On average, it's recommended that we have 10 ½ cups of liquid a day. The liquids we obtain it’s not just on what you drink, but also what you eat. 

Eating juicy summer fruits and veggies is an easy, delicious and refreshing way to give your body the liquid it needs. Our Harvest Home farmer’s markets are full of watermelon, cantaloupe, plums, tomatoes, cucumbers and more.  All rich in “water” and full of nutrients your body needs on these hot summer days. 

When it comes to beverages, you need the right drinks to stay cool. Some actually help you stay cooler than others. Soda and packaged juices are loaded with sugar that your body does not need. Apple juice has as much sugar as a regular coke, your body has to generate heat to use that sugar. More heat is the opposite of cool. The best thing to drink to stay cool is lots of water or tea. Before you say "BORING," check out our easy ideas (See below) for turning plain water or tea into an interesting, refreshing and inexpensive drink.

Refreshing Taste

QUICK AND EASY: FLAVOR IN A HURRY

FLAVORED INFUSED WATER

• Place the fruit and/or herbs of your choice into a clean glass jar with a lid or a glass pitcher.

• Breakup the fruit and herbs a bit with the back of a spoon to help release natural flavors.

• Cover with 4 cups of tap water and place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or 12 hours for really flavorful, tangy water.

• After 24 hours, remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter. Keep for about 3 days

More Recipes;

Blueberry Orange Infused Water

• ¼ cup blueberries

• 1 orange sliced

• 4 cups water

Cucumber Mint Infused Water

• One unpeeled cucumber cut in thin pieces

• 10-15 crushed mint leaves

• 4 cups of water

Basil Watermelon

• 2 cups watermelon peeled: Either chop finely or use a blender

• Add 10-15 basil or mint leaves

• 4 cups of water

Extra Refreshment: Lime-Ginger Syrup

• Add to water, club soda, tea or juice for an extra refreshing taste

• Process in a blender or food processer. 1 cup peeled and coarsely chopped fresh ginger, 1 ½ tablespoons of lime zest, 1 ½ cup sugar and 2 cups water.

• Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Discard solids.

TIPS AND TRICKS

STEP UP

• To a glass of cold water, add slices of lemon, lime, oranges, chunks of watermelon or any fruit with a bit of mint for a healthier version of “Vitamin Water”.

• Add a splash of lemon or lime or even a bit of juice to sparkling water as a replacement for soda.

TEAS WITH FRUIT

Lemon-Blueberry Tea; Ingredients

• 1 quart of blueberries

• ½ cup of lemon juice

• 3 family-size tea bag

To Make

• Bring blueberries and lemon juice to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

• Pour through a sieve pressing out the juice.

• Rinse the pan. Add 4 cups of water and 3 family size tea bags. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.

• Mix fruit juice and tea together. Chill for an hour. Add a little sugar if it's too tart.

TIPS

For stronger tea flavor, add fruit with the hot water and tea bags.

Remove the fruit after one day in fridge. For more delicate flavor add fruit just before you drink

Sport Drink Replacement: Recharge your body with a glass of Pedialyte instead of sports drinks. It cost half as much and has twice the electrolytes.