Three Healthy Drink Recipes to Undo Your Overindulgence

We're moving into the holidays, a season of overindulgence. Of too much food, too much booze, too much muchness. 

When you find yourself feeling less than gloriously glowing with vitality, you'll want to whip up these healthy and healing drinks that we got from a few of our favorite spas around the world — The Ranch Malibu in California, Euphoria Retreat in Greece, Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas. They know how to set you back on the right track.

The Ranch Pineapple Cucumber Water

4 c. water
2 c. pineapple
1 cucumber
10 mint leaves 
Maple syrup to taste 

• Blend everything together and strain.
• Add a handful of chia seed at the end for an added nutritional boost.

Read about our stay at The Ranch Malibu when it first opened and about their newest program, The Ranch Italy.

Healthy Herbal Infusions from Euphoria Retreat

4-5 c. of water
1 Tbsp. dried thyme, Greek oregano, or rosemary

• In a pot, bring 4-5 cups of water to a boil.
• Add one tablespoon of either dried thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
• Turn off heat, cover, and allow to infuse for at least 30 minutes.
• Strain herbal water through a sieve into a pitcher. 
• For each glass of water, you will need 1/4 cup of the concentrated infusion.
• Fill the rest of the glass with room temperature water and enjoy.

The Greeks and Romans associated oregano with joy and happiness. The name comes from the Greek words “oros,” meaning mountain, and “ganos,” meaning joy. People around the Mediterranean region have used oregano for centuries to treat such ailments as skins sores, aching muscles, asthma, indigestion, and colds. It's best served at breakfast.

Thyme, which is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, can help fight acne, lower blood pressure, and boost immunity. Its antimicrobial properties can improve the gut microbes and intestinal health. Lunch is the best time to drink it.

Rosemary, a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, helps to lower anxiety and boost the immune system, digestion, and circulation. Rosemary contains carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain. It's a great infusion for dinner.

Read about our experience at Euphoria Retreat.

Pear Turmeric Mocktail from Lake Austin Spa Resort

2 pear slices
3 oz. Lacroix Peach-Pear Sparkling Water
3 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
1 small cinnamon stick

• Muddle 2 pear slices in the bottom of a highball glass. 
• Pour equal measures (3 oz.) of Lacroix Peach-Pear Sparkling Water and orange juice. 
• Stir in lemon juice and ground turmeric. 
• Top with ice and garnish with a small cinnamon stick.

Not only is this mocktail light on the stomach, but it is also low in sugar and smells/tastes like everything you might imagine in a fall mocktail. Turmeric has many proven health benefits: It’s a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and can help prevent Alzheimer’s, cancer, and arthritis.

Here are more recipes from Lake Austin Spa Resort.

Read about our cinematic stays at Lake Austin Spa Resort: The Treatment and The Sequel.