by Chrishonda Brown
So you want to keep your family healthy and hydrated this summer, but what options do you have besides sugary juices and just plain water?
Go for tea. Tea is kid-friendly and loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The vitamin D promotes strong bones, essential for the whole family. Plus, tea also contains amino acids that build muscle, skin and hair.
Tea has natural fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. Coupled with tea’s calcium and magnesium, this zero-calorie drink is a great choice for your teeth.
Tea is a very versatile drink. Try freezing it into ice pops. Simply cover your filled ice cube tray with plastic wrap, poke some small holes and insert the popsicle sticks. Add pieces of fresh or canned fruit for even more flavor.
A glass of tea is a great way to start off your summer. And if no one’s said it yet, Happy Iced Tea Month.
Chrishonda Brown, M.S. in kinesiology, is a guest columnist for Kansas State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County. For more recipes visit www.kidsacooking.org Like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KSREWyco and follow on Twitter @WyCoSnapEd.
Tropical Green Tea Cooler
Makes: Eight 1-cup servings
4 cups water
1 20-ounce can pineapple in juice
1 15-ounce can diced mangos, drained
1 green tea bag (plain or fruit flavored)
Directions:
Combine water, pineapple and mangos in blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour into pitcher and add tea bag.
Leave tea bag in pitcher and chill in refrigerator overnight.
Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Nutritional information for each serving: 60 calories, <1g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 15g carbohydrates, 1.5g fiber, 12.3g sugars, 5mg sodium, 0.5g protein, 6% Vitamin A, 73% Vitamin C, 2% calcium, 1% iron.