Recipe of the Day
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"I’ve been hooked on SYFO since I discovered it while shopping at Publix market near my house in Florida. It’s sugar/salt free, tastes great, and helps keep me hydrated! I haven’t found anything else that is comparable."Jack K.
The holidays are now over and you’ve probably had your share of cookies, cakes, pies and chocolates. There is more sugar in our diets now than ever before and it’s ubiquitous in what we eat and drink. This abundance is no accident and now there is growing concern over the addictive nature of sugar and the resulting health impact. This underscores the need for healthier beverages like Syfo that contain no sugar or artificial sweeteners.
According to this op-ed piece in the New York Times, research shows that an abundance of sugar consumption can lead to cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and more. Yet we continue to eat and drink sweet concoctions and enjoy it. The reason, some say, is that sugar is addictive – and the way the food industry uses it builds and encourages this addiction.
In animal studies, sugar created the same symptoms exhibited by substance addiction: cravings, tolerance and withdrawal. Additionally, sugar can make neurochemical changes in the brain and stimulate brain pathways just like an opioid drug. And like cocaine and nicotine, once we have it in our system we crave it and feel we need that sugar.
Compounding the problem is that added sugar is showing up in our diet more and more – more than half of all packaged food contains sugar in some form. According to the same New York Times article, the average American consumes 8 to 16 ounces of sugar each day (¼ to ½ a pound) and one can of soda has more sugar than most people would consume in an entire year a few hundred years ago. Plus some of the forms of sugar being used, including high fructose corn syrup and beet sugar, have been shown to have additional negative health effects.
So how do we combat this addiction and get clean? If better health is part of your New Year’s resolution, consider decreasing the amounts of refined and added sugar in your diet. Avoid processed foods when you can and be sure to read the label – that will help you stay clear of harmful additives like high fructose corn syrup. Instead of reaching for cookies as a snack, try a handful of fresh berries or baked apple chips. Using honey as a natural sweetener is also great alternative to refined sugar.
And of course, instead of drinking soda try any of Syfo’s Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters or mixing Syfo Original Seltzer with real fruit juices. Made with purified water, all of our products contain no sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium, preservatives or any other additives.
As 2014 draws to an end, we look forward to 2015 with renewed energy, focus and enthusiasm. May all your goals and aspirations be met and exceeded in the New Year. We at Syfo Beverages lift our glasses in a toast to all of you, our customers — good health, good cheer and good times. Here are some crisp, sparkling and refreshing cocktails to help you ring in the New Year in style.
Syfo Beijing Belini
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 part Syfo Original Seltzer (chilled)
- 1 part Lychee wine or Lychee Liquor
- 1 Lychee nut dropped to bottom of glass
PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients and stir. Serve in a tall champagne flute glass.
Orange Ginger Mint Soda
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Oranges
- 1 1/2 Cups of Sugar
- 1 1/2 Cups of Water
- 8 1-inch Pieces of Ginger
- 1 Bunch of Fresh Mint
- 1 Bottle of Syfo Original Seltzer
- Ice
PREPARATION:
Using a vegetable peeler, peel the rind from the oranges in to thin pieces, making sure not to get the white pith on the rind. Cut the oranges and squeeze the orange juice in to a medium saucepan. Add sugar and water to the pan and bring to boil. Stir frequently to ensure the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, reduce heat and add orange rind, ginger and mint. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool completely (about 1 hour). Strain mixture to remove solids and store in refrigerator until read to use. Add ¼ of a cup of the orange syrup to a tall glass with ice and top off with Syfo Original Seltzer. Garnish with an orange slice and mint leaves if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Yummly.com
Limoncello Gin Cocktail
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 serving)
- 1oz of Limoncello
- 1oz of Gin
- 4oz of Syfo Original Seltzer
- Ice
PREPARATION:
Fill a tall glass with ice and combine all ingredients. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice. Simple, easy and delicious!
Recipe courtesy of thekitchn.com
Triple Berry Mojito
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 serving)
- 6-8 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1oz of Rum
- 1 ½ oz of Syfo Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
- Juice of 1 Lime
For 2 ½ oz of Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 Cup of Water
- 1 Cup of Suga
- 10 Fresh Mint Leaves
For 2 oz of Mixed Berry Juice
- 6 Large Strawberries
- 2/3 Cup of Mixed Berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 Cup of Water
PREPARATION:
For simple syrup: combine all ingredients for simple syrup and add to a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to boil. Lower heat and continue to simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to completely cool (about 20 minutes).
For mixed berry juice: add berries and water to a blender and pulsate until pureed. Pour mixture through a strainer and press to extract juice. If using frozen berries, you may need more water.
For the mojito: place mint leaves and 1 oz of simple syrup in the bottom of a glass and muddle. Add ice, rum,1.5 oz of simple syrup, juice, lime and Syfo Sparkling Water. Stir and enjoy! Garnish with additional fruit and mint if desired.
Recipe courtesy of howsweeteats.com.
Italian Stallion
INGREDIENTS
(Makes 1 serving)
- 1 part of Amaretto Liqueur
- 1/2 part of White Sambuca
- Ice
- Syfo Original Seltzer
PREPARATION
Fill a shaker with ice, Amaretto and Sambuca and shake. Pour over ice if desired and top off with Syfo Original Seltzer.
Recipe adapted from disaronno.com
The holidays are a time filled with love, happiness, fun, excitement, parties and of course… calories! The copious amounts of food and drink consumed during the holiday season can often lead to a few extra pounds come January. And the beverages we drink can be as big a culprit as all the savory food and tasty treats. So here are some simple tips to make your holiday beverages and celebrations a little healthier this season:
- Hot cocoa is a holiday staple. Instead of using whole milk, try using skim milk or almond milk. Also, skip the whip cream and chocolate shavings. The hot cocoa will still be delicious without them.
- Drink lots of water or Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters. Water aids in digestion and keeps you feeling full. It will also keep you hydrated when drinking wine or cocktails.
- Can’t do without Egg Nog? Try this healthier version instead from Cooking Light.
- Cranberry juice and ginger ale is another holiday classic. But most recipes call for cranberry juice cocktail, which contains added sugar. Combining these two can leave you with a lot of sugar and empty calories. Try using 100% cranberry juice, a splash of ginger ale and topping the rest off with Syfo Naturally-Flavored Lemon-Lime Sparking Water. You can also try our Lemon-Lime Cranapple Snap recipe.
- Instead of using pre-made mixes for you alcoholic beverages, try making your own using real fruit juices and Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters. Find some great recipes here.
- Slow down when eating, as eating too fast often contributes to overeating. Take a moment to enjoy the conversation with family and friends in between bites.
The holidays can also be stressful. Be mindful of the tasty treats you eat and drink, but still use this time to enjoy yourself. Eat, drink and be merry!
Water is essential for life and all living organisms. The average human body is composed of 65% water. About 70% to 80% of brain tissue is water. Despite these fundamental facts, according to the Institute of Medicine up to 75% of Americans are not drinking enough water.
WebMD suggests drinking at least half an ounce of water for every pound you weigh. For example if you weigh 150 lbs., it would be best to drink a minimum of 75 oz. per day. (Don’t count coffee and alcohol which are dehydrating). However, weather temperatures, activity level and illness can all influence the amount of water you should drink. So if you’re coming up short on your water intake and you need some good reasons to start drinking more water, here are just a few:
1. Boosts your energy
Not consuming enough water can lead you to feel tired and fatigued. Need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up? Your body may be telling you to drink a glass of water. But don’t wait until you feel thirst — once you feel thirsty your body is already dehydrated.
2. Boosts metabolism
Water is required for keeping cellular processes (like your metabolism) and chemical reactions running properly in the body. Drinking the right amount of water, especially cold water, can also increase your metabolic rate, helping you lose weight. Additionally, drinking water before a meal can aid in feeling more full, which may prevent overeating.
3. Aids in digestion
Water allows the body to digest food and excrete waste more effectively. Water is also imperative for overall kidney function. Increased water intake appears to decrease the risk of kidney stones.
4. Improves functional efficiency
Hydrating your body with water improves the functional efficiency of your organs and muscles, including your heart. Dehydration can cause your heart to work harder in order to pump blood throughout your body and blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to your organs and muscles. Hydration is also important for the body when you’re sick, as it helps your lymphatic system to work more effectively.
5. Reduces stress
Research shows that even small levels of dehydration can cause a rise in cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Stress can be a vicious cycle because dehydration can cause stress and stress can cause dehydration. “Stress can result in many of the same responses as dehydration — increased heart rate, nausea, fatigue, headache — so if you can remain hydrated you can reduce the magnitude of the physiological responses we have to stress,” says Trent Nessler, PT, DPT, MPT, managing director of Baptist Sports Medicine in Nashville.
Syfo keeps you hydrated
Now you may say: I know water is essential for healthy living, but plain water doesn’t inspire me to drink. That’s where Syfo comes in. Our Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters contain no sugar, caffeine, artificial
Thanksgiving is the holiday that gathers family and friends for a day of feasting and giving thanks. Much planning goes in to the preparation of Thanksgiving dinner, but what about the beverage menu? Below are delicious recipes to add to your menu this season.
Cranberry Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles of chilled cranberry juice
- 2 containers of lemonade or orange juice concentrate
- 1 bottle of Syfo Seltzer or Syfo Tangerine-Orange Sparkling Water
Preparation:
Mix all of the ingredients right before serving. For an extra flavor boost, you can try a cranberry juice blend such as cranberry apple, cranberry blueberry or cranberry grape.
Acknowledgement: Based on a recipe idea from punchbowl.com.
Orange, Rosewater, and Mint Sparkler
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup mint leaves (about 25 leaves), loosely packed and removed from their stems
- 6 ounces (3/4 cup) fresh orange juice (from 2 medium oranges)
- 2 drops rosewater
- 6 ounces (3/4 cup) Syfo Original Seltzer
Preparation:
Muddle the mint leaves gently in a mixing glass. Add orange juice, rosewater, and seltzer, stir gently to combine. Pour the sparkling orange juice mixture into two ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses and serve immediately.
Acknowledgement: Photo and recipe from seriouseats.com
Thanksgiving Brunch Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 cups of chilled cranberry juice cocktail
- 2 cups of fresh orange juice (use about 6 oranges)
- 3 cups of chilled Syfo Original Seltzer
Preparation
Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Add rosemary; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour sugar syrup into a bowl; cover and refrigerate overnight.
Uncover sugar syrup; remove and discard rosemary sprigs. Combine the sugar syrup, juices, and soda in a large pitcher. Serve immediately over ice.
Acknowledgement: Photo and recipe from myrecipes.com
Fizzy Pear Ginger Punch
Ingredients
For Ginger Syrup:
- 1 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into thirds
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
For Punch:
- 8 cups chilled pear juice, such as Looza
- 1 cup ginger syrup
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
Preparation:
For the ginger syrup, place ginger, water, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until reduced to a syrup. Let cool.
For the punch, in a large punch bowl, combine pear juice, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and ground ginger. Whisk until combined. Add Syfo Original Seltzer and stir gently to combine. Add ice block to punch bowl.
If desired, place three pieces of candied ginger on a tooth pick and place in each cocktail glass as garnish.Fill glass with the amount of desired ice. Combine all ingredients and stir gently. Garnish with olives
Acknowledgement: Photo and recipe from seriouseats.com