So this year, I decide to get healthy… well healthish.  Having a dessert blog is probably not the best start.  I haven’t attended any 5 am bootcamp classes or become a militant raw food vegan (and probably never will), but I do attend the occasional yoga class and one time I googled what was involved in doing a juice cleanse.  I also decided to eliminate soda from my diet and drink more water.  Ouch.  In all seriousness soda/pop/coke/soft drink (whatever you call it) is pretty terrible for you.  Numerous studies have found that soda can increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, stroke, kidney damage, cancer, etc. etc. etc.  And don’t even get me started on diet soda.  So I switched to water, which is healthier and as a result I feel better, but sometimes old-fashioned H2O can be a little bit lackluster.  So I started adding little things to make it feel and taste more exciting.

I am also very excited because by little herb garden is thriving, so I can add a sprig of this and that to bump up the flavor.  Of course you should try your own concoctions but these are my three favorites.  They are all obvious, but refreshing.

I have lived in the southern United States for years now, and yet I am never used to the stifling heat and humidity that rears its miserable head in the summer. The heat has just begun (as well as the 97% humidity!!!!) and I am already over it.

My go-to refreshing drink is water with slices of cucumber, springs of mint and LOTS of ice.  It is reminiscent of a mojito.

If I am really missing soda I like to drink seltzer water with fruit.  This drink is just strawberries and chopped basil in carbonated water.

I also love lavender which reminds me of relaxing vacations to France rather than the suffocated heat that is trying to kill me.  I put slices of lemon and springs of lavender in still water and relax.

Also for those of you interested in photography here is a pulled back shot of my set.  Very rustic.  You don’t need a fancy studio!

And lastly, the gnomes are enjoying sunnier weather after their winter culinary adventures.  If you want to see their snowy shenanigans here is the link.

Stay cool out there this summer!