This week I'm lovin'

It's the little gratifications that ultimately add up to a rich life, and to me - and Virgil circa 70 B.C. -  the greatest wealth is health. That, and good packaging design, obviously. Design is important. These Harvest Moon beverages, which I sourced from my local Biosupermarkt, tick both boxes. While the juice hype is huge right now, fresh and clean livin' is far from a fad, and needn't be overpriced or inaccessible either. With its boundless Bio stores (think keenly priced Whole Foods Markets on every corner), Berlin is a total treasure for slow food followers and the health-aware. 

Retailing at an economical €1.99 (about £1.50), these 300ml bottles of - vegan and lactose free - goodness come in six fresh variations: 

> Acai, strawberry + cranberry

> Guava, passionfruit + mangosteen

> Mango, peach, spirulina + wheatgrass (pictured)

> Raw cacao, banana + vanilla (also pictured)

> Mango + passionfruit

> Strawberry + orange

Having tried and tested each flavour - just for research purposes, of course - I can definitively vouch for their top taste, the raw cacao number being my current sweet treat go-to. Fresh flavours and handsome packaging ought to make you richer, not poorer - good job Harvest Moon.

Hydrate mate

As things start heatin' up, it's a given that hydration is a pretty essential part of, well, functioning. And while water in its purest form certainly wins in terms of its health credentials, it can admittedly be a little difficult, and perhaps boring, to get ya two litres a day solely via nature's little wonder resource. I've never been one for sugary sodas, but I do find that a lot more water gets gulped if it has just a hint of flavour.

Amid Berlin's Summer heat spell, I'm currently hitting my daily liquid quota with a little help from this easy-to-prep potion, which I keep well-stocked in my fridge for rapid replenishment at any time of day. 

    

The ingredients are totally open to modification and tweaks according to personal taste. Here's what I'm currently reaching for:

- Water 
- Lemon juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
-  Apple juice not from concentrate (mine has a touch of acerola)
- Agave syrup (just a squirt)
- Optional: lemon slices

Fill approx. ¾ of your chosen vessel with water, followed by a few squeezes of lemon juice and a couple drops of apple juice. Slightly sweeten with a quick squirt of agave, then shake it all up. Add a lemon slice or two if you fancy. Store in the fridge for optimum refreshment.

I like to keep a healthy hoard of 330ml glass bottles - ChariTea or Lemonaid's are ideal - as they're a perfect on-the-go portion size, but of course any container works. Sip back and relax!

Ja(rs) Rule

I do love an unorthodox food/bev vessel. Drinking is just more FUN out of jars. Yesterday afternoon's post-workout jar snackette was an experimental avo-based blend. Before ya wince, avocados make the creamiest and indeed yummiest smoothies, as well as providin' a super source of healthy fats - don't knock it just yet. On top of packing an extra vit punch, fruit and veg combinations are more balanced on the taste buds, too (I reckon). 

M A K E

 Ingredients: 

1/2 an avocado

 1/2 a beet

1/2 a carrot

1 pear

1 handful of raspberries

2 mandarines

a few splashes of oat milk

To embellish:

 a drizzle of honey 

a pinch of cinnamon

P.S. Avocado and mango (with a squeeze of lime) is also a winning pairing!

So gooood.

This week I'm lovin'

 

Admittedly I wasn't exactly filled with 'wonder' at the prospect of drinking from a can labelled "sparkling fermented tea". But I am partial to an Asian pear and I'll try anything once (especially if it has nice packaging). Turns out this bubbly bev from Kombucha is more than palatable, and very refreshing indeed. So! Don't let labels deter ya (this applies to life in general, too).