Good Girl Moonshine

So, a few days ago, I revealed a few big lifestyle changes to you. If you didn’t read that post, no, I am not joining the circus, dying my hair purple or taking a year-long sabbatical from my life to backpack through Europe to find myself.

Please.

This is far more shocking.

I have gone gluten and sugar-free.

Gasp. I know, shocking.

But surprisingly, not as hard as you might think.

And before you traditionalists go running for the hills, stick with me. I promise there will still be regular stuff too and you might find a few strange new things you’d like to give a try.

Strange new things.

Boy have I got something for you today!

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research and much of the inspiration for the change (the change – that sounds so ominous) comes from the book Trim Healthy Mama by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett. If you are interested in making … “the change” … or just some changes in your diet or learning more about some incredible super foods and healthy additions to your eating habits, I HIGHLY encourage you to invest some time in this book – it is 600+ pages but it is filled with some eye-opening and thought-provoking stuff!

I hate and hesitate to call it a diet because it really is a lifestyle change (I know, cliché’ – but true) and should be a focus on health and wellbeing rather than just on losing weight. That being said, a healthy weight is foundational to a healthy life and I must tell you that in two weeks of following this plan and making these changes, I am down a full size and am starting to see the healthy athletic shape I know and love emerging from the layer of over-indulgence that has been hiding it for too long.

I can’t tell you how much actual weight I have lost because I HATE scales and won’t step foot on one unless dragged onto it completely against my will. I close my eyes and plug my ears at the doctor’s office just in case the nurse can’t help but let out a gasp or tsk! tsk! when the dreaded number flashes red across the tiny display window that somehow feels more like the Times Square JumboTron.

I believe that sort of behavior is often referred to as denial.

Making “the change” is enough for me. I don’t need to know the numbers. At least not until they are in a range that won’t put me in bed with the covers over my head. For the time being, I’ll continue to cling to my quirks and idiosyncrasies, thank you.

Denial.

I can’t wait to tell you a bit more about what I’m learning about a GF/SF lifestyle and some of the incredible super foods I had no idea were out there; but today, it is all about moonshine.

Yup. MOONSHINE.

But this moonshine is for good girls. And guys. No backwoods distillery required. Baptist approved. I read that somewhere and couldn’t resist.

This drink has quickly become a favorite for me. And I must say, it was an unlikely favorite because, well, when you read the ingredients, it really just sounds kind of gross.

But that was before I tried it and got hooked. Now I can’t get enough of it. Truly, it is tasty, tart, refreshing, has a bit of a bite and as far as I’m concerned gives the best lemonade a run for its money. Even my beloved lemonade and Prosecco. I can’t believe I just said that. But it’s true.

Intrigued?

Here goes …

This is a recipe developed and posted by Serene Allison, co-author of Trim Healthy Mama. I have added my own “tweaks” too. Play around with it and see how it tastes best to you.

Ingredients

Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger (fresh or powdered), Stevia Sweetener, Water, Ice.

Directions

Fill a quart sized jar with water and ice.

Add  a generous drizzle of raw apple cider vinegar. The original recipe suggests 1-2 Tbsp. but I add 3-4 Tbsp. Yes, it has a bite. I like that. Just ask anyone who has ever had my coffee.

Sorry, in the picture I did the ginger first.

Now, add 1 tsp. of  ginger powder (found in the bulk food section at Whole Foods  Market). This is from the original recipe. I like to put in fresh ginger, grated on a microplane so that it has a stronger ginger flavor. I grate in about a 1 inch knob.

Sweeten by adding a few shakes of Nustevia Pure Extract Powder to taste. I only use 3-4 shakes because I don’t like things too sweet but you can play with  sweetness and try more. If you use Truvia – try 3-5 tsp. Again this is from the original recipe. I like to put in 10 drops of Stevia liquid.

Put the lid on and give it a good shake and then enjoy.

But not with a straw unless you like sucking up little bits of grated ginger. I just swig it straight from the mason jar. Moonshine style.

I know you guys are thinking I’m crazy, probably for many reasons at this point, but this stuff really is good. And just listen to what Serene has to say about the healthful properties and benefits of ginger and apple cider vinegar …

“Since I have been enjoying such copious amounts of my new favorite drink, I decided to do some studies about ginger. What do you know? I read that ginger actually dulls the appetite. But, I noticed this first hand before I even read this merit of ginger. Ginger heats up the thermogenic temperature of the body the metabolism which gives a double punch alongside apple cider vinegar’s own weight loss talents.

Ginger is a potent digestive aid and fires up the digestive juices. It reduces flatulence and eases tummy cramps. It improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body. Ginger clears the micro-circulatory channels of the body including the easily clogged sinuses. It clears throat and nose congestion and is a wonderful immune stimulant along with apple cider vinegar. Ginger is up at the top of the list with the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements on God’s green earth and can relieve common aches and pains and even help with more serious arthritic conditions.

Here are just some of the goodies Apple Cider Vinegar offers you:

It is abundant in potassium which is imperative for growth and building muscles, the transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity and preventing brittle teeth and hair loss. It encourages weight loss by breaking down fats to be used instead of stored in your adipose tissue. It is loaded with acetic acid which slows the digestion of starch and lowers the rise in glucose levels that occur post mealtime. It is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial due to its high levels of malic acid. It is super alkalinizing though being rich in ash. It lowers bad cholesterol and helps to regulate blood pressure. It is a powerful detox tool and improves bowel function. It clarifies the skin. New research reveals it shows strength in killing cancer cells or slowing their growth.” Read more here.

I don’t know about you but … sign me up! In addition to the weight I’ve lost, I also no longer have any joint pain or inflammation. Not any. And I was having a lot.

More moonshine please.

I know it also has a lot to do with dumping the gluten and sugar but I’ll have some more moonshine anyhow.

I spend a lot of time poolside in the summer because it’s hot and my kids are fish. This has become my poolside drink of choice – it is that refreshing.

And I like drinking “moonshine” from a mason jar.

Just a couple of disclaimers before I go …

One. As you know, I am not a doctor, nutritionist, dietician or expert in any way. I just read a lot (which is something like “I’m not a doctor but I play one on TV”) and know that this tastes really good and I feel better. Do some reading and research and decide for yourself.

Two. My husband absolutely hates this stuff and refuses to drink it. He likes to call it snake oil. But that is only because he is picky and because he thinks he’s hilarious.

Jokes on him. He’ll see when I’m running a marathon like a 20-year-old. Okay, well that’s never going to happen – I’ve done a marathon before. Never again. Never. I’ll have to come up with something else to convince him to try the moonshine again. He’s gotten used to my coffee after all.

Be brave. Give it a try and run a marathon or hangout by the pool. Your choice.

Either way, enjoy!

And let me know what you think. I just have to know!