Cooling ALOE & CHIA DRINK for hydration and gut health

refreshing Plant medicine for summer.

My summer cooling drink of choice is this Chia Aloe Spritzer for hydration and gut health.

Growing up, my grandmother grew lots of aloe vera in our backyard. It was our main medicine for cuts, burns, fevers and any inflammation. We also ate it straight out of the plant for stomach issues (even though it tasted bitter and awful this way!) When I discovered organic aloe vera juice being sold at health food stores years ago, I was happy to see my old healer friend sold in an easy to access juice form.

Since then, I have experimented with different ways to drink this ancient medicine, and to make it tastier. Here's one version of what's in my current rotation. This is not really a recipe, as I just put together what I have around the house with the aloe juice. So get creative and add your own spin. When I posted about this drink on Instagram, a friend of mine said she likes to add cucumbers to hers. You really can't go wrong if you like aloe and chia.

Hope you like it.

ALoe & Chia Spritzer

Ingredients:

Organic Aloe Juice (32oz jar)

Chia Seeds 

1 Lemon

Filtered Water

Sparking Mineral Water 

Honey water (optional)

Supplies:

2 mason jars or large cups (16 0z or larger)

Instructions:

I transfer half of the 32 oz. of Aloe Juice into one mason jar, and the other half into the other mason jar. I make 2 jars at a time so I have enough for 5 days

In each jar I add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, juice of half a lemon and about a cup of filtered water

Stir well to get rid of chia clumps, put on lid, shake it up and put into the fridge over night

When you are ready to drink, pour the aloe chia mixture into 1/2 of your drinking glass, add sparkling mineral water to the other 1/2 of your glass, honey water (honey I have diluted and liquified in hot water) or some muddled season fruit for a refreshing, hydrating spritzer anytime.

Please note: Aloe Vera Juice can upset come people's stomachs so if you've never tried it before, maybe purchase a smaller amount of it first to see how your body responds.

When to make this drink: I recommend making this drink in summer-late summer.

Taking lessons from nature is something I learned from my grandmother. As fall is approaching the yang energy from summer is turning into yin. If you are noticing you feel emotional or physical agitations, it could be this transition time. Go easy on yourself. It’s a subtle shift. Sometimes simple changes like eating a little healthier in your diet, can support these seasonal changes.

More about the health benefits of aloe vera and chia:

Some claim these Health benefits of drinking Aloe Vera Juice include hydration, helping with constipation, contains antioxidants.

And some studies show Health benefits of Chia Seeds include high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and calcium.