Recipe Weekend: Celebrate Mardi Gras' BIG Weekend with Mocktails!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this post, free of charge, from News and Experts, for blog posting purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about them,  all opinions are my own.

mardi gras beads

This weekend is our BIG Mardi Gras countdown, with endless parades, leading up to Tuesday's frenzy of all day parading!

Have you gotten your parade tailgate pack ready?

I've got some great additions to it, from our friend Cherie Calborn,
that you might want to consider-

Mocktails!

Mocktails are non- alcoholic cocktails (also known as mock cocktails). They can contain a wide range of ingredients like fruit juices, veggie juices, spices, herbs, mineral water, ice and sweetener. They’re a delicious, refreshing alternative to an alcoholic drink, which makes them perfect for the parade route- no worries about driving home, needing a designated driver, and EVERYONE can drink them without worry! 

But that’s just the beginning.

king cake and mask

They’re also the perfect answer for weight loss. If you ditch the alcohol and choose healthy ingredients, including a healthy low-calorie sweetener such as stevia, you can avoid a boatload of calories not to mention a hangover. And you KNOW you have to start worrying about what all those Friday King Cakes did to your figure, now that Mardi Gras is ending and the dreaded swim suit season is mere months away!

Did you know that alcohol is one of the worst options when it comes to belly fat?

 Just one alcoholic drink per day can cause you to gain weight. Though studies are conflicting as to just how much weight or belly fat is gained from how much alcohol, alcohol does cause weight gain. That’s because alcohol is a toxic substance that puts a big strain on the liver. It can clog this major organ and even contribute to fatty liver. A challenged liver can make it difficult to lose weight.
So if you want to get rid of the winter “pudge” and that muffin top, add mocktails to your spring shape up plan. 

You may also want to try a short juice fast with mocktails before dinner. You can lose at least a pound a day juice fasting, get rid of foggy brain, and recharge your energy.

SO there you go, enjoy them for Mardi Gras season and get a head start on getting ready for swim suit season! Don't you love it when things do double duty?

Here are 3 recipes, one savory and two sweet mocktails, to enjoy!

Icy Spicy Gazpacho

Icy Spicy Gazpacho

2 tomatoes, cut in chunks
1 cup fresh carrot juice (about 5–7 carrots)
lemon, juiced, peeled (if putting it through a juice machine)
1/4 cup cilantro, rinsed and chopped
1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 small jalapeño, chopped (more if you such as it hot)
3 radishes

Place the tomato chunks in a freezer bag and freeze until solid. This is optional.
(Or you can use fresh tomatoes placed in the blender; then you would need to add ice cubes.) 

Pour the carrot and lemon juices into a blender and add the frozen tomato chunks, cilantro, salt,cumin,  jalapeño, and radishes. 

Blend on high speed until smooth but slushy; serve immediately. Serves 2.

Twisted Ginger Berry

Twisted Ginger Berry

This one just LOOKS like Mardi Gras to me!

2 green apples juiced or 1 cup apple juice
1 cup blueberries
1-inch-chunk ginger root. peeled
4-6 ice cubes

Pour apple juice in a blender along with the berries and ginger root. 

Add the ice cubes and blend. Serve your icy cocktail with a sprig of mint.

leom zipper

Lemon Sipper

With less than 10 calories, this is an ideal low-calorie, vitamin C–rich thirst
quencher.

1/2 lemon, washed or peeled if not organic
1 cup unsweetened mineral water
2–3 drops liquid stevia
4 ice cubes

Juice the lemon and pour the juice into a glass over ice. 

Add the mineral water and stir to combine. Sweeten with stevia to taste.

So there you go! Some great tasting mocktails for this weekend and all march long!

guide to fasting cover

About the Author:

Cherie Calbom MSN holds a Master of Science degree in whole foods nutrition from Bastyr University. Known as “The Juice Lady” for her work with juicing and health, she is the author of 32 books including her latest The Juice Lady’s Guide to Fasting and Sugar Knockout. She and her husband offer juice cleanse retreats throughout the year, 30-Day Detox online and Garden’s Best Juice Powder. She has lectured worldwide on juicing, detoxing and fasting including consulting for the Royal Family of the UAE. Winner of the TTAC Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with juicing and detoxification, her blogs and books on juicing, cleansing and health have helped thousands of people live healthier lives. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for her free newsletter at www.juiceladycherie.com.

Comments