Sparkling Cherry-Cinnamon Water

Hey all,

I meant to post to you all much earlier, but I’ve been swamped with work! In between working hours digitizing US  journals and magazines from the turn-of-the-century (one of my summer jobs) and mentoring undergraduates for a Mellon program (my other summer job), I have been trying to get my dissertation prospectus approved! This means I’ve been having to complete multiple drafts of my work while meeting with professors. And, gasp, I haven’t even unpacked some of my moving boxes! Needless to say, I’m a busy bee this month. It should slow down next month, though.

Oh, and I have fun news! Remember when I mentioned that I’d be attending a national symposium for my students and moderating a panel? Well, I am being put up in the Marriott (with all meals paid!!!) by the foundation and, even better, I was able to swing getting Ron invited with all meals paid! I made a deal with them: if Ron helps moderate a 100 student breakfast that I am in charge of, then he can come stay with me in the hotel and will have a pass to the conference with all meals paid! Huzzah! This may not seem like much, but for poor graduate students, a two days stay in a nice, air-conditioned hotel with all meals paid is a sweet deal!

Speaking of sweet deals, this morning has been filled with healthy sweets. I made myself coffee, of course.

Good morning!

Then I decided to make another batch of flavored water. On the menu today? Sparkling Cherry-Cinnamon Water!

I simply cut up a handful of cherries and a small Gala apple, and then added the produce to a jug of sparkling water with a cinnamon stick. The result? A pretty pink drink that’s perfect for summer! This flavored water will never get old! I love it. So fun for the weekends, brunches, breakfasts, or weeknights after a long day.

Ok, I’m off! I actually have another post to share with you, and I need to work on that! Have a great day, y’all!

Sparkling Cherry-Cinnamon Water

Ingredients:

1 plastic jug

1 liter of sparkling water (or plain water)

1 small apple

1 handful of cherries, rinsed and de-pitted

1 cinnamon stick

Directions:

Thinly slice the apple, and rinse, core, and cut in half the cherries. Put at the bottom of your water jug, and add the cinnamon stick. Fill your jug with sparkling water, and then give it a good stir. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. Voila! Fancy drinks at home to feel fabulous!

“Feel Better” Tonic: Homemade Ginger Tea for a Cold (Salabat Tea)

As mentioned before, I am still sick with a cold that seems more like the plague (yuck). I have congestion, I am coughing, and I am overall feeling like a stuffy mess. My boyfriend introduced me to this tea recipe (Salabat), and let me tell you: it is just the thing for a sore throat and congestion!

Basically, Salabat is a Filipino ginger tea that is made by boiling and simmering water with brown sugar (preferably Palm sugar) and ginger. I change this recipe a bit by adding lemon slices or orange slices, and substituting honey for the brown sugar (or doing both). I have been drinking this day and night, and it makes me feel so much better. Very soothing! Do you all have any go-to home remedies?

“Feel Better” Tonic (inspired by Salabat Tea)

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey

1 to 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (depending on your taste, it packs a kick!)

1/4  of  a lemon or orange

1 Decaf Green or White Tea bag (or some other citrus herbal tea)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients (except the tea bag) in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, then simmer for 10 minutes. Take off the stove, add the tea bag, and let stand for 3 minutes. Discard tea bag and enjoy!