Raise a glass and cool down with this non-alcoholic summer cocktail made with watermelon, mint, ginger, crisp cucumber, and pure honey.

Recipe from JUST EAT, Pure and Simple Cooking.

Serves: 6-8

The first time I heard my Mum said she was making this drink I was not inclined to have it. I am not fond of watermelon but I love ginger and mint. I think that was her tricky way of making me taste it. I am glad I did because it has become one of my favorite drinks for the summer. I dress it up with a garnish of watermelon bits, candid ginger & mint leaves. It makes an elegant drink and tastes delicious too.

INGREDIENTS:

6-8 cups watermelon pieces peeled, seeded and chopped

1-2½ cup water, more if needed

2 tablespoon honey, more to taste

1 tablespoon, peeled and finely grated fresh ginger (from one small piece of ginger root)

1/2 cup diced small cucumber pieces

mint leaves, diced watermelon, candid ginger (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS:

*In a blender place the chopped watermelon, water, honey and grated ginger. Puree until smooth.

Pour into a pitcher and stir well.

Taste for sweetness, add more honey if desired.

Add the diced cucumbers.

Refrigerate until well chilled (at least 4 hours).

Fill glasses with ice cubes pour and serve.

Using beverage picks, skewer one piece each of watermelon, candid ginger, and mint for garnish.

* If it is too much to fit into blender at once, mixture can be made in 3 batches then stirred together to blend well.

POST VACATION & RESET TIPS:

Lower stress return from vacation before you ever leave home and/or work. The smartest thing I do before I leave on a trip is stock the freezer with healthy dishes, which I can pull out of and defrost when I'm so jet-lagged and hungry.

The best part about this plan is its ease: All I do is make a few extra portions of the meals I’m already cooking before I leave, then I freeze them and when I’m back I just pull them out of the freezer and reheat.

One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the different foods and culture of where you’re going but it can definitely shift your diet where nothing is off limits and you tend to indulge more than usual. The thing to remember though is to not continue with those habits once vacation is over.

How to get back in the swing of things after a big trip

Now that you’re back to real life, consider rethinking those habits you brought home. Did you hit the buffet table or sip drinks on the beach all day? Whatever fun you had, here are tips to get your eating habits back on track.

Eat clean and green

Reset your digestive system. If you feel bloated, a post-vacation detox eliminates the sugar and salt cravings you’ve developed. There’s no need for starvation diets. I do not believe in starving! Clean up your diet by eating whole and natural foods, fresh fruits and raw or steamed vegetables. Keep meals healthy with lean protein. Eliminate carbohydrates and starchy foods like rice and bread for a bit.

Hide the scale

Don’t weigh yourself right after you get home. Don’t ruin your vacation memories by stepping on a scale. Once you start eating better, you’ll lose what are probably just a few pounds of water weight that you gained from eating and drinking a little too much. Hide that scale before you go on vacation. What’s out of sight will be out of mind. That applies to scales.

Cut the cocktails & Stay Hydrated

Reset after vacation by detoxing from alcohol. Indulging is fine on vacation. Now that you’re back, it’s time to put a cork in it. To lose the bloat from your face, try going cold turkey as soon as you get home.When you get home, decrease the amount of alcohol you have to levels lower than what you drank while on vacation. At the same time, increase the amount of water you drink. Fresh water or plain seltzer can eliminate the cravings you have for high-calorie beverages. Add flavor to water and seltzer with fresh fruit such as berries, lemon wedges, cucumber slices or orange slices. Start a new habit by waking up and drinking a glass of warm water and lemon. It can reduce bloat and inflammation.

Rev yourself up

Start or continue an exercise plan after vacation. After coming home, build back up slowly to pre-vacation levels to avoid injury. Most likely your exercise habits stopped, slowed down or changed while on vacation. Get back in the swing of things by scheduling post-vacation workouts. Make sure you have time reserved during the day specifically for physical activity.

Decompress

Reset your mind after your vacation. Relax and unwind after all the unique experiences you had. Take slow walks if you’re feeling restless after being on the go or staying in hotels. Unpack and clean your house. It can help you feel like you’re back in a familiar environment.

Taking time off has proven benefits. You’ll be more productive, have better heart health and feel less stressed.

Things Renate does when she’s on vacation:

Plan meals and avoid compulsive eating.
Drink plenty ofwWater.
Early morning: 5-7 minutes of stretching to loosen up muscles and get ready for movement. throughout the day.
Limit alcohol intake.
Walk everywhere possible, use stairs instead of elevators and escalators.
Pack Snacks - trail mix, and dried fruits and water bottle
Plan active outings.
Maintain eating schedule.
Walk after dinner (even if just a short walk).
Maintain morning wake up and night time sleep schedules