Good food is one of life's pleasures. All too often, we make the mistake of presuming that nutritious or healthy food can not be pleasurable. If that were truly the case, then we could toss a few vitamins down every day and be done with it. Thankfully, that's not so.
Eating well and eatiing healthy can ease the body's reactions to stress. It also gives us one less thing to stress about. However, healthy food doesn't need to be bland, blah, or a chore to eat. As a matter of fact, the simple act of eating can help you relax. Pleasure foods add to this effect. Combining a relaxing bath and pleasure food magnifies the sense of relaxation and well-being exponentially. We've added a few ideas and recipes here to enhance the pleasure principle of your bathing experience. Bon appetit!
Simple Bath Time Treats
- Chocolate ~ Always a pleasure on its own, chocolate is a simple and comforting treat for your bath time pleasure. The trick is to use it sparingly. Set a chunk of chocolate on a saucer, add a vegetable peeler, and shave off a few curls of chocolate. Let each curl melt in your mouth and concentrate on the flavors, textures, and feelings that good chocolate evokes.
- Chilled Fresh Fruit ~ Lightly coat grapes with powdered sugar or sprinkle mint on chilled slices of fresh pears. Mix a handful of fresh berries with crushed ice and nibble while you soak. Fresh fruit, and most notably, fresh blueberries, are high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants boost your immune system which is severely taxed during periods of high stress. Keep your favorite fresh fruits on hand for your bath time and savor the contrast between the icy bites and the steamy water. Lightly coat grapes with powdered sugar or sprinkle mint on chilled slices of fresh pears.
- Fruit Juice cubes ~ Freeze your favorite fruit juice, or fruit juice combination, in ice trays. Nibble on them as you get lost in your favorite book amidst the bubbles.
- Slivered Almonds, Mixed nuts, "trail mix"
- Fruit Kebabs ~ Alternate junks of fruit on skewers, spritz or sprinkle with lime or lemon juice.
Prepared for Pleasure
Prepared in advance, these drinks and snacks are a treat worthy of any resort spa . . . especially your own.
- Cherry Bubbles
- 1/2 cup frozen Cherry Juice concentrate, thawed
- 1/2 cup ginger ale
- crushed ice
Pour cherry juice over crushed ice in a glass. Slowly stir in ginger ale.
- Banana Splash
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 2/3 cup lime sherbet
- 1/3 cup crushed ice
Puree banana. Stir in remaining ingredients. Stir well, serve in a frosted glass.
- Calcium Treat
- 1 Cup low-fat berry yogurt
- 3/4 C low-fat mil
- 1C frozen, unsweetened quartered strawberries
- 1/3 C powdered milk
Combine yogurt and lowfat milk in a blender on medium speed. Add remaining ingredients, blend til smooth. Serve in a frosted glass.
- Berry Soother
- 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
- 1/2 cup berries of choice
- 1/4 Cup 2% milk
- 1 Tablespoon Orange Blossom Honey
Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth.
- Peach Pleasures
- 1 Cup low-fat peach yogurt
- 1/2 Cup evaporated milk
- 1 Cup Frozen unsweetened peaches
- 1/2 Cup Peach sherbet
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine yogurt and milk in blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Fresh as Mint
- 1 1/2 Cup diced honeydew melon
- 1/2 Cup low-fat lemon yogurt
- 1 Tbs chopped fresh mint
- Fresh lime juice to taste
Combine yogurt and melon in a blender. Add grapes and mint. Blend until smooth. Add lime juice to taste
Small pleasures add up. Use them often, use them well. Enjoy.
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