It happens twice a year – December and July. ‘Tis the season for the parties, the bad food, the wine and sugary drinks, etc. July is the beginning of the beach season and of course, we need a stocked cooler for an afternoon at the shore. You don’t have to fear this. There are some great choices out there that won’t sabotage your weight loss and workout routine. Handling the food issue is just a matter of making the best choices. Summer is definitely easier than the middle of winter because of the plentiful variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits. When out, and dependent on others for your food, just keep in mind your plate needs a serving of protein, vegetables, and a little carb to keep you full longer. Drinks are another matter.
Of course, we all want to imbibe a little when at the beach or out with friends. Two weeks ago, I found a drink in my local convenience store that I thought was rather unique. I bought a variety pack to try on our weekend beach day. It was something called Crook & Marker. I read the can and found out it was only 60 calories, zero sugar, made with organic alcohol, quinoa and was also gluten free. It was called spiked and sparkling and the flavors looked yummy. This seemed too good to be true, but it was. I took a couple cans to the beach for the afternoon and it was truly delightful. The flavors were bold and fruity. Last year I tried something called White Claw, another sparkling seltzer, but the flavor was thin and I quickly grew board with the first can. This Crook & Marker was hands down a hundred times better in the flavor department.
Since that beach day, I tried it at home in an ice-filled wine glass and it did the trick. I was able to enjoy a drink on the patio and not feel I was sabotaging everything I worked for all week.
And so, as another day goes by, let’s raise a glass to summer finally arriving on Cape Cod and fill it with a healthier, more sensible choice.
(If you know of any other drinks that fit this category, please comment on the Facebook page so we can all benefit!)
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