WEEKLY SELF-CARE COLUMN
Does the thought of paying $6 for a drink hurt your heart and sometimes your wallet? It is not feasible to always make your own drinks, but it can be fun and save money when you have the time and energy. Here are some of my favorite quick and easy recipes for a few coffee and other beverages. Put your own spin on it and enjoy!
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Line your cup with as much caramel as you’d like and fill the cup with ice. Fill the glass about one-third to onehalf full of caramel creamer. Top it off with coffee of your choice - full strength or decaf. Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle if your heart desires. This works with any other flavors as well.
Caramel Frappuchino.
Blend ice, cold coffee, caramel creamer and a bit of sugar. Drizzle caramel sauce in your cup or glass. Pour mixture into the cup and top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle if you want. Tip: For an even “fancier” drink, put a bit of whipped cream in between the mixture.
Dragon Fruit Drink
Fill the cup with ice, along with some frozen dragon fruit chunks. Fill half the cup with water. Fill the other hap with cranberry mango juice or coconut water. Top with milk of your choice (whole, soy, almond, oat). This works with any other fruits, such as strawberry or mango, or mix fruits and make your own combo. Tip: Frozen fruit works best.
Fruity Lemonade
This is a beverage you can prep in advance, whether for a party, for you to enjoy throughout the week, or for a weekend by the pool. Fill your cup or container with your favorite fruits, such as lemon and strawberry; mango, pear and lemon; blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Make your own mix - whatever fruit you like. If you're making a single cup, fill the cup at least one-third with fruit, top with ice and lemonade, tea or other juice. To make a larger amount, adjust portions for the container and add ice right before serving.
Fruit Smoothies.
This is actually pretty simple. Mix ice, juice or water and fruit or choice in a blender. Add a boost of protein by adding some yogurt or protein-milk/powder.
Fun Tip.
Frozen Fruit Cubes
Blend fruit and water or juice into a liquid. Place in ice trays to freeze. Add the cubes to your fruit drink, water, lemonade or tea for some extra flavor.
Frozen Coffee Cubes
Do you hate it when your iced coffee gets watered down? To prevent this use frozen coffee cubes. You can also flavor these with your choice of creamer or syrup. This can also be a fun and fast way to make a lightly flavored coffee in a rush. Just pour cold coffee with the cubes and head out the door with your iced coffee that doesn’t get watery and weak.
Cheers!
Editor's note: Angel Day is a 16 years old who has always had a love for reading and writing. She is a self-published author, originally from California, now living in Blandinsville. Angel is joining the Community News Brief as a columnist, writing a weekly column on self-care inside and out.
