‘Tis the season of….beer? Yes, it’s the season of the summertime brew. With beer gardens gaining popularity and outdoor happy hours a must during the steamy days of August, many of us like to indulge in a seasonal beer. From wheat ales to sweet pilsners to classic pale ales, we find ourselves ditching traditional light beers in favor of these summertime selections (topped with a nice slice of lemon or orange of course!). Many are crisp, refreshing, and low in alcohol, which can trick us into thinking that they are a “light” choice. But don’t be fooled! While most are light in color, they can be heavy in calories. These summertime favorites can range anywhere from 150 to 200 calories each. That’s twice the calories of a traditional American light beer! And we all know that one beer can quickly turn into 2 or 3 or 5. They may be refreshing in the heat, but your waistline will not thank you come September.

NLT: Can’t give up the beer? Stick with tried and true Amstel Light. With just 95 calories in a 12 ounce glass, this is the perfect any-season beer! Better yet, opt for a more figure-friendly cocktail like a white wine spritzer. Simply take 4 ounces of your favorite white wine and combine with 4 ounces of no-calorie sparkling water. Add lots of ice and a slice of lemon and voila! – a refreshingly delicious and oh-so-light cocktail. This simple substitution can save you more than 100 calories per glass (compared to a regular cocktail) and keep you hydrated in the heat of summer. Want to add some bling to your cocktail? Check out these “Cool Jewels” ice cube trays in the shape of diamonds. Transform your figure-friendly cocktail into a girl’s best friend! http://www.worldwidefred.com/cooljewels.htm.

‘Tis the season of….beer? Yes, it’s the season of the summertime brew. With beer gardens gaining popularity and outdoor happy hours a must during the steamy days of August, many of us like to indulge in a seasonal beer. From wheat ales to sweet pilsners to classic pale ales, we find ourselves ditching traditional light beers in favor of these summertime selections (topped with a nice slice of lemon or orange of course!). Many are crisp, refreshing, and low in alcohol, which can trick us into thinking that they are a “light” choice. But don’t be fooled! While most are light in color, they can be heavy in calories. These summertime favorites can range anywhere from 150 to 200 calories each. That’s twice the calories of a traditional American light beer! And we all know that one beer can quickly turn into 2 or 3 or 5. They may be refreshing in the heat, but your waistline will not thank you come September.

NLT: Can’t give up the beer? Stick with tried and true Amstel Light. With just 95 calories in a 12 ounce glass, this is the perfect any-season beer! Better yet, opt for a more figure-friendly cocktail like a white wine spritzer. Simply take 4 ounces of your favorite white wine and combine with 4 ounces of no-calorie sparkling water. Add lots of ice and a slice of lemon and voila! – a refreshingly delicious and oh-so-light cocktail. This simple substitution can save you more than 100 calories per glass (compared to a regular cocktail) and keep you hydrated in the heat of summer. Want to add some bling to your cocktail? Check out these “Cool Jewels” ice cube trays in the shape of diamonds. Transform your figure-friendly cocktail into a girl’s best friend! http://www.worldwidefred.com/cooljewels.htm.

Happy physical fitness month! Celebrate May by going for a bike ride. You’ll burn a ton of calories and sweat like a champ. And if you swap your car for a two- wheel commute to work, you are also doing your part for the planet and saving money on gas. In Amsterdam, there are more bikes than cars per capita and it seems they’re on to something. A study found that those who commuted to work on a bike had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and were in better moods, which in turn made them work more efficiently. If you can’t navigate rush hour on a bike, try cycling around the neighborhood or a local park before or after work.

NLT: After a nice, long bike ride what’s better than treating yourself to a glass of… wine? Now, the two can really go hand in hand. Renowned bike manufacturer, Campagnolo, has expanded their structural building skills into the world of wine. Mimicking the durability of their bikes, they created the ultimate corkscrew. The Campagnolo corkscrew makes a great gift and looks elegant enough to leave out of the kitchen drawer. You can even bring it along on your next bike ride!

Available at Amazon

There is nothing worse (ok, a few things!) than feeling “puffy” when you are due to hit a beach. Summer is on our minds and so is the topic of bloating. What makes us feel and look this way anyway? Bloating is a buildup of gas in the abdomen, caused by digestion or swallowed air. In addition to swallowing air, bloating can also result from an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Bacteria ferment food creating gas that causes bloating and can add inches to your waistline. Similar to bloating is water retention, which is caused by consuming foods high in salt (beware of processed foods!). High levels of sodium cause your body to hold onto extra fluid and result in that four months prego look! Not only can bloating and water retention be uncomfortable and less than attractive, it can be downright painful. If you plan on debuting your cute new bikini while lounging poolside but feel puffier than the Michelin Man, we’ve got some tips for you. Try some of these de-bloating foods that will leave you feeling lean and beach-ready!

Celery and Fennel: These tasty, crunchy veggies act as diuretics, helping you to lose excess water you’re retaining.

• Try tossing in your salad for some extra crunch or munch on as a snack with spicy salsa.

Asparagus: This long and lean veggie has certain compounds that act like probiotics (encourage healthy bacteria to grow), which aid digestion.

• Add some lemon juice and fire up the bbq to grill these tasty veggies for an easy and slimming side dish.

Ginger: This anti-inflammatory food also has anti-spasmodic characteristics. Studies also show that it has de-bloating properties too.

• Try grating into your favorite marinade or add some zing to a healthy fish recipe.

Tea (peppermint, ginger, chamomile): These teas can help food to pass through the stomach and relieve gas.

• Sip on your choice of iced or hot tea with a slice or two of lemon.

Yogurt: Regardless of choosing non-fat or low-fat yogurt, yogurt gives you a dose of beneficial bacteria, which helps keep your digestion efficient.

• Try adding sunflower seeds to plain non-fat Greek yogurt for some crunch.

Papaya: This sweet treat has an enzyme called papain, which aids digestion and breakdown of protein.

• Thinly slice this exotic fruit and layer it on a sandwich or toss in a salad for asweet kick.

Pineapple: Not just for pina coladas, this tropical fruit contains bromelain, a digestion promoting enzyme.

• Toss some freshly sliced pineapple rings on a hot grill to dress up a chicken breast or add them to your next kabob creation.

Surprising foods that will bloat you, steer clear!!

Carbonated beverages: The fizz in carbonated drinks can cause gas to get trapped in your stomach. Ditch the diet soda and sip on water with lemon.

Gum and hard candy: Both of these oral fixes, increase the likelihood of swallowing air.

Sugar Alcohols: These sugar substitutes are indigestible. Bacteria break them down in the intestine, leading to gas and discomfort. Spit out that gum!

Highly processed, low fiber foods: These foods can contribute to constipation by slowing transit time in the gut. The longer food stays in your intestines, the more time it has to ferment.

No March would be complete without a proper St. Patty’s Day celebration! If beer makes you feel full, single malt whiskey may be your next best bet. Whiskey contains ellagic acid, a compound also found in fruit that has powerful antioxidant properties. That said, alcohol in moderation is the key here because just as whiskey may have some anti-cancer properties, excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to cancers of the mouth and throat so drink up responsibly.

NLT: If nothing can stop you from enjoying the occasional brewski, opt for Guinness Extra Stout. The classic Irish beer has the same heart-attack fighting potential as aspirin along with flavonoids that act as antioxidants. With beer, the rule is the darker, the better it is for you. As this old Irish saying (with a Nutritious Life twist) goes:

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck [and health] pursue you each morning and night.

Spring break is just around the corner and visions of sipping cocktails in the sun may already be playing in your mind. We have some thirst-quenching alcoholic treats to share that are lower in calories than the traditional varieties and spiked with a little antioxidant love. Sick of studying? Our cocktails are so simple that you can prepare them without using notes! And don’t worry, we have something here to please everyone’s alcohol palates.

Stormy Spring Beer
This is an offshoot of your traditional “dark & stormy” and here at Nutritious Life, we forecast this will be the only storm cloud rolling in this spring break, so soak up some rays while you sip! Pour 5 oz pale lager, 5 oz ginger beer, and top off with a splash of ginger ale. Benefits? Beer has heart-attack fighting powers along with flavonoids that act as antioxidants. Not only do we love the zingy flavor, but ginger is also an impressive anti-inflammatory and a winner for treating car sickness, nausea and, let’s be honest, easing the pain of the occasional hangover.

Ty-Ku Iced Green Tea
Your spring break may be due for some Asian-infusion! Brew a pitcher of unsweetened green tea and pop it in the fridge to chill overnight. When it’s time for happy hour, fill a pint glass halfway with ice. Over the ice, pour 1 oz Ty-Ku Premium Liqueur and fill to the rim with your green tea. Garnish with a twist of lemon. Benefts? Ty-Ku is low sugar, low in calories and infused with superfruits like honeydew, mangosteen and goji berry. Although there may not be enough melon and goji berries to reap loads of antioxidant benefits, it certainly does make this sulfite-free liquer taste great. And, let’s not neglect green tea’s catechins that may help our bodies burn calories! A perfect cocktail for bathing-suit season. Can you say spring break superstar??

Strawberry-Watermelon Mint Mojito
Fruit Lovers, we did not forget about you. This drink requires minimal muddling. Layer the bottom of a pint glass with fresh mint leaves and cover to the half-way point with crushed ice. Take a spoon and crush the mint and ice together to release the flavor. Add ¼ cup sliced strawberries, ¼ cup cubed watermelon and mix in with ice. Pour 1 oz light rum over the fruity slush and top off the glass with club soda. Garnish with a bright, red strawberry. The benefits? Malic acid in the strawberries may help remove teeth discoloration – a fabulous perk when you have a tan – and you are still getting vitamin C and fiber even if your teeth don’t glow after imbibing! Bonus? The strong, refreshing aroma of mint can help ease nausea and headaches and promote smooth digestion.

Beyond Better Mango Pina Colada
This post would be missing something if we didn’t include this spring break staple. We have great news for you. You don’t need high-cal coconut to make a tasty Pina Colada! In a pint glass, toss in ½ cup soft, cubed pineapple chunks and fill the glass halfway with crushed ice. Pour 1 oz light rum and fill the remainder of the glass with Zico pure premium coconut water in their mango variety. Garnish with a pineapple wedge. The benefits? Zico coconut water has more potassium than a whole banana, supports rapid hydration and contains zero grams of fat or added sugar. Pineapple is also the only known source of bromelain, an enzyme whose anti-inflammatory properties may ease joint pain.

Spiced Sangria Soda
We thought it would be nice to spice up sangria! Start with 5 oz red wine, such as cabernet, as a base. Add ¼ cup sliced green apples and ¼ cup sliced peaches. Top with club soda for a refreshing pop of bubbles. Benefits? Red wine is known for the antioxidant resveratrol, but it can also help raise HDL (good) cholesterol. The fruits provide a variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium. For a unique twist, add a dash of ground cinnamon, which is known to ease frustration, curb fatigue and increase alterness. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, add a dash of ground cloves which can contribute another healthy dose of antioxidant power to this cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups steeped green tea, cooled to room temperature
• 1 cup champagne
• 1 cup 100% cranberry juice
• 2 limes
• 1 red grapefruit
• 2 navel oranges

Directions:

1. Mix tea, champagne, and cranberry juice in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
2. Slice limes, grapefruit, and oranges into thin wedges.
3. Reserve one sliced orange for garnishing glasses.
4. Toss remaining fruit into tea mixture and stir.
5. Chill until ready to serve.

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings

Why we love this recipe:

There’s nothing better than mingling with friends and sipping on a delicious cocktail–especially when it’s packed with nutrients! Fresh orange and grapefruit provides a healthy dose of vitamin C to help ward off sniffles during the busy holiday season. These citrus superstars also contain a large amount of water to keep you hydrated and counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Bonus: ORAC-packed green tea kicks your metabolism into gear and may help you speed up your weight loss.

Go ahead and raise your glass to a healthy you!

Cheers!

In honor of Oktoberfest, let’s get down to beer basics. While this Munich-based festival is heavy on the booze, new studies show that beer (in moderation of course) might not be so bad after all. Research shows that silicon, an ingredient found in dark beer, promotes bone density by aiding in the absorption of calcium and minerals. Beer also contains polyphenols, the heart healthy antioxidant found in red wine.

NLT: It seems small waistlines have been on the mind of some major brewing companies
recently. Traditionally burdened with a bad rap, beer is making a come back with low-calorie
options. Go ahead, join the festivities! Indulge in one of these, guilt-free:

Budweiser Select 55-55 calories

MGD 63-64 calories

Guinness Draft-125 calories

Whether you’re out for a night on the town or staying in, make your drink of choice a health-conscious indulgence. Go organic! While health may not be your number one priority when having a cocktail, think about this: organic spirits are less likely to have toxins, pesticides, and chemicals, and can even minimize a hangover. So next time you’re mixing or uncorking a bottle, go for an organic variety.

NLT: Wonder whether your alcohol of choice is offered organically? You’d be surprised how many varieties are available. Here are a few to try: Square One Organic Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and Loft Organic Liqueurs.