Frozen Limonana -a Deliciously Icy Cold Summer Drink

Make Way For Icy Cold Frozen Limonana!!!

All you need is a medium sized bunch of fresh mint, some lemons or limes, sweetener, and ice and you are all set to enjoy your ice cold juicy limonana which is fabulous on a hot summer day. 

Let me tell you how I discovered this simple, yet delicious drink.

Have you ever overheard people ordering in a restaurant and thought, What is THAT?

                 That was me a month ago.. There are a few Middle Eastern restaurants that I frequent, and I kept hearing people order a drink that sounded to me like they were saying,  lemonada. Naturally, living in Miami, I assumed it was the Spanish word for lemonade.

Well… I was wrong. Completely wrong!!!!!

Lemonada or Limonana?

What everyone was actually ordering was called Limonana - a wildly refreshing Middle Eastern frozen lemon-and-mint drink.

The funny part is even after hearing it said so many times, I didn’t figure out the real name until someone actually corrected me and told me. (oh- duh! )

 “Nana” means mint in Hebrew, so the name literally combines lemon and mint —lemon +nana  which is exactly what this drink tastes is: bright lemony flavor blended with tons of fresh mint and ice into the most cooling, icy summer drink imaginable.

Very Sweet and Sugary

The first Limonana drink that I ordered in a restaurant was made with a sugary simple syrup. And let me tell you… it was SO good. Sweet, tart, frosty, minty, and unbelievably refreshing. Perfect on a hot and humid Florida day. One sip and I immediately understood why everyone was ordering it. 

A Sugar-Free Version Made With Stevia 

But the next time I ordered it, I mentioned to the waitress to give me a side glass of water to water it down and little and suggested I try a lighter version sweetened with stevia instead of the sugary simple syrup. Yay!! less calories and less sugar shock. It was still delicious and super refreshing, but I have to admit that the sugary syrup version definitely had a little extra magic. Sometimes the real thing just wins. Regardless, when I make it at home for me, I use stevia - Not sure my body/blood sugar can handle that much of the pure sugar simple syrup.

If you love lemonade, mint, frozen drinks, or anything cold and refreshing in the summer, you are going to LOVE Limonana. It tastes like lemonade’s cooler, frostier, more like its exciting cousin —

Now that I am back home in Philly area,  and we are having a 3 day brutal heatwave with 97 degree hot and humid temperatures, guess what I'm making? 

You got it! Limonana 

Spike It !!!Add in A Little Alcohol

Let's not stop here. It also makes a wonderful alcoholic drink by adding a shot of gin or vodka- just saying!!!!!

Makes 2 large or 4 small drinks

Ingredients for limonana:

Juice of 4 lemons and 2 limes or use 6 lemons

1 medium bunch of fresh mint, cleaned and stems removed (about 3/4 cup of fresh mint leaves)

1/2 cup of cold simple syrup (directions below) or stevia or just sugar

1/2 cup of water

2 cups of ice 

** if using stevia instead of simple syrup start with 4 small packets  of stevia or add more to taste depending on how sweet you like it.

Directions: 

Blend everything together in a strong blender- serve immediately Garnish with a slice of lime or any fruit of your choice. 

**How to make simple syrup

Simple syrup is a sweetener that has been around forever. It is made with equal parts sugar and equal parts water. 

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of water

Pour water and sugar into a small saucepan. Stir frequently and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and stir until sugar is totally dissolved. It should take about 3 minutes total.  Allow syrup to cool. Can be stored in the refrigerator to make it cold to use for this drink. 

**For this drink you will need 1/2 cup of the simple syrup and will have leftover which can be frozen or kept in the fridge in an airtight jar for about 3 weeks if you need it again. 

Another summer cooler 

Frozen Watermelon Smoothie (link)

Notes:

1. This refreshing drink is vegan and gluten-free, naturally. 

2.  Fresh mint leaves contain small amounts of some really good nutrients such as : iron, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. 

3. Lemon and limes are packed with vitamin C

4. Sugar syrup- make it in advance, let it cool, and refrigerate so it is cold before adding to recipe.

5. What is stevia?Stevia is a natural zero-calorie sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant which I have grown and is sweet. It does not raise blood sugar. It is much sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount is needed. It is sold in packets (like sugar packets) in the supermarket.

Back in the Saddle Again- Going back to Philly Area

Do you remember the old 1939 Gene Aurtry song, Back In The Saddle Again?  We have officially left Florida and are presently on the road heading back to our home in Philly area for the summer and early fall months! After 14 years of snowbird life, we’re changing up the way we do this long drive home this season.

19 Hour Trip 

It’s about a 19-hour trip (counting bathroom stops). In past years, we powered through it pretty quickly. We packed a cooler with food, stopped only when necessary, drove about 12 hours the first day, slept overnight, and then finished the last 7 hours the next day.

This year looks a little different. After some health concerns for my husband this past winter, we decided there’s no reason to rush. Instead, we’re breaking the trip into three shorter driving days — about 6 ½ hours the first day, 6 ½ the second, and around 6 hours the third day.

Two Nights In Hotels

We’ll spend two nights in hotels, have more time to stretch our legs, and avoid sitting in the car for endless hours. Long stretches without moving around really aren’t a good idea for my husband right now, so this slower pace just makes more sense for us. We will drive about two hours and stop for 1/2 hour, walk around, have a snack etc. Then repeat- It will probably take us 8 hours to drive what I consider a 6 hour destination. 

Savannah Georgia 

Our first overnight stop will be in Savannah, which is a lovely place to spend the first night. I’m looking forward to walking around the historic district, enjoying a good dinner, and making the drive feel a little more like part of the vacation instead of just surviving the highway. I’m still deciding where we’ll stop the second night.

Taking the Warm Florida Weather With Us

We left behind gorgeous 88-degree sunny beach weather in Florida, but it looks like we’ll be arriving in Philly to some pleasantly warm summer-like weather too. Yay !!!

Beanie Bagels- High Fiber Easy To Make Flourless Bagels

 

Beanie Bagels: A Flourless Easy To Make Bagel Packed With Fiber

What in the world is a Beanie Bagel? These unique high fiber bagels are made with dry beans instead of flour, creating a hearty, filling, and surprisingly tasty alternative to traditional bagels and they are really easy to make too.

In the past, I once made brownies using cooked black beans, but bagels made from dry white beans instead of flour? That was definitely new to me. After seeing several recipes for flourless bean bagels online, curiosity finally got the best of me and I decided to give them a try.

To be honest, I expected them to be dry, maybe dense, and difficult to eat. But I was pleasantly surprised! These homemade bagels turned out moist, soft enough to slice in half easily, and actually quite good. 

Hearty and Healthy Not Processed 

Are they a bakery-style New York bagel? No. They are not fluffy and doughy like heavily processed bagels that offer little nutrients and lots of calories. They are a healthy, high fiber bagel- satisfying, wholesome and delicious.  They are also a good gluten-free option.

 Thanks to ingredients like beans and ground flax, they provide lasting energy making them a great part of a grab-and-go breakfast, base for a snack, or a healthy part of a light lunch. I especially enjoyed my bagels topped with fresh sliced  on the vine tomatoes and avocado. Everything bagel seasoning is also tasty or any of your favorite toppings would all work beautifully too.

Soaked and drained uncooked white beans

Dark Color 

The texture and dark color of this bagel reminds me a little of pumpernickel bread. I think the dark color is because of the flaxseed meal or maybe the psyllium- not sure. 

Freezer Freindly 

Another reason I love this recipe is how practical it is. The bagels stay moist in the refrigerator for several days and freeze well for weeks, making them perfect to have on hand when needed. Just grab one when you need a quick and healthy snack that provides valuable fiber and protein.

 Four to Six Bagels 

The recipe makes about 4 to 6 bagels depending on the size you shape them. Prep time is only about 15 minutes (not including soaking the dry beans), and they bake in about 30 minutes for the 6 smaller bagels or 35 minutes for 4 larger ones.

We are talking simple- no yeast, no rising, no boiling!! The only caveat is the psyllium- It is a vital nesccesity for the bagel but it is an unusual ingredient you would need to buy. I bought it on Amazon, but I believe Whole Foods sells psyllium husks too.

 If you’re trying to add more fiber to your diet, need a gluten free alternative or simply enjoy experimenting, these high Fiber high protein Beanie Bagels are definitely worth a try. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup of dry white beans ( I used  beans), soaked overnight and drained

1/3 cup of water

1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar (I used lemon juice)

3 tablespoons of ground flax seed

1/4 cup of psyllium husks ( I bought and used ground by mistake)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Drain soaked beans. Place beans, water, and lemon juice (or vinegar) in the food processor and process in intervals , scraping the sides down a few times until your get a creamy smooth texture.   It might take about 3 minutes or so. Then add psyllium husks, ground flax seed, baking soda and salt. Process a few times and scrape down the sides of the bowl multiple times until your get a soft dough. 

Remove the dough and shape into a ball. Divide into 4-6  equal balls. Flatten each ball and shape into a bagel (making a hole in the middle with your thumb). Lay on a parchment covered cookie sheet and bake for about 30 minutes for 6 bagels and 35 minutes for 4 bagels. Check frequently towards the end to prevent burning. When done, remove from oven and place bagels on a wire cooling rack. 

When completely cool, cut bagels in half and store in the refrigerator for 2 days or in the freezer for up to a month. 

My Notes: 

***This recipe calls for psyllium husks not ground psyllium husks powder. I bought ground psyllium husk powder by mistake and since it was all I had - I used it .... and it came out darker but still tasted great. 

                                               

Zucchinni Noodle Pasta Bowl- A Tasty-High Protein Plant- Based Meal

Calling all pasta lovers who watch their carbs and calories and want high protein and high fiber meals. Try something new!!!! Fresh zucchini made into noodles!!! Use it in your favorite pasta dishes. Cooks up in a skillet in minutes.

If you love pasta as much as I do, but are concerned about blood sugar and waistline, this easy Zucchini Noodle Pasta Bowl has vibrant flavors and is a satisfying alternative recipe. It may not be real pasta, but it's a great substitute when you are craving spaghetti and is naturally gluten-free.