Is your busy routine making you skimp on fresh and nutritious veggies and fruits? Well, worry not! There’s a wonderful way to include essential nutrients in your day- juices. We are not talking about store-bought  juice  laden with harmful preservatives and additives. Processed with heat and excessive sugars, they barely make for a healthy choice. Instead, just grab your blender and whip up these good-for-you juices right at home. DIY Juices At Home Pineapple, Carrot, and Ginger Juice This juice is not just delicious but has a great nutritional and health value: It is rich in vitamin C and strengthens your immune system. Vitamin A in carrots is excellent for your eye health. Ingredients: 8-10 large scrubbed and diced carrots ½ glass water 1 cup pineapple 1-inch peeled knob of ginger Instructions: Blend all the ingredients with water. Add black pepper and rock salt to taste. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve chilled. Orange and Lemon Juice with Turmeric and Ginger This delicious juice is our all-time favorite. Here’s why you must try this juice at home today: It is rich in antioxidants that reduce free radicals, it prevents heart problems and some types of cancers. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease joint pain. Ingredients: 2 small peeled lemons 2 peeled oranges ½ glass water ¼ cup chopped fresh turmeric and ginger A pinch of black pepper ¼ tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (for improving the absorption of turmeric) Instructions: Add all the ingredients to the blender. Blend for 30-40 seconds. Serve chilled, topped with fresh black pepper. Apple, Celery, and Cucumber Juice One of the best juices to perk up your mornings, this has several health benefits: It is enriched with potassium, calcium, vitamin K, and folate. This helps regulate your blood pressure, blood sugar, and nerve function. This juice is low on sugar, making it perfect for people with diabetes. Ingredients: 1-inch knob of fresh peeled ginger 1 apple ½ glass water 5 celery stalks 1 large cucumber Fresh parsley Rock salt and fresh black pepper Instructions: Cut the vegetables and blend them with water to the desired consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve chilled.  Carrot, Orange, Lemon, and Mint Juice This deliciously tangy juice serves as the perfect mid-meal snack. Here’s why you should whip up this juice today: It contains tonnes of vitamin C that prevents cold and cough. Mint is perfect for cooling you down on a hot summer day and preventing digestive problems. Ingredients: ¼ cup orange juice 3 tablespoons lemon juice 4-5 peeled and diced carrots 4-5 sprigs of fresh mint ½ cup of water Instructions: Blend all the ingredients until you get the desired consistency of the juice. Top with parsley and serve cold. Pomegranate and Lemon Juice This sweet and tangy juice is excellent for refreshing you on a hot sunny day. It also: Contains antioxidants to improve your heart health. Prevents plaque build-up on your teeth. Ingredients: ½ cup pomegranate juice ½ cup water 1 squeezed lemon wedge Instructions: Blend all the ingredients for 10-20 seconds. Serve chilled with ice. Apple, Spinach, Pear, and Fennel Juice This juice   is loved for its unique earthy flavor and health benefits such as: Fiber for helping you lose weight. Vitamins to keep your eyes healthy. Ingredients: 2 pears 50 grams of fresh spinach 1 celery stalk ½ inch of fresh ginger ¼ fennel bulb Instructions: Dice all the ingredients and add to a juicer. Strain if needed and serve chilled. Green Pineapple Juice A perfect juice to whisk you away to the tropics, this is one of the easiest options to try. Here are some health benefits: It is fiber-rich and prevents digestive issues such as bloating and constipation. Its potassium content improves heart health. Ingredients: 1 cup coconut water 1 frozen banana 1 cup spinach 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks Instructions: Blend all the ingredients. Top with a few mint sprigs and serve chilled. OJ with Spinach and Arugula This distinctive-tasting peppery orange juice   is a hot favorite. It has: Glucosinolates that protect you from cancer. Fiber to keep your heart healthy Ingredients: 1 cup orange juice ½ cup fresh chopped spinach ¼ cup arugula Instructions: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for 10 seconds. Serve chilled. Beetroot, Carrot, and Apple Juice A tasty twist on the classic apple  juice  and is super healthy too. It helps with: Keeping your stomach healthy. Improving your eye health. Ingredients: ½ cup medium carrot pieces 1 medium apple diced ¼ cup beetroot 1 tablespoon lemon juice Instructions: Blend all the ingredients. Serve chilled garnished with fresh mint. These recipes include the right balance of fruits and vegetables to ensure you get a nutritional boost to supercharge your life! Enjoy the juices, and don’t hesitate to experiment with ingredients.

Every resident of the country consumes approximately 30 gallons of bottled water. Coincidentally, the US government is involved in the regulation of both bottled and tap water. While the former is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the latter is governed by the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The purpose is to ensure that the drinking water we consume is chemical-free. Understanding the key difference between the two can help save expenses and the health of the family. Bottled Water vs. Tap Water – Which is Better?  Tap Water Nearly 92 percent of tap water that originates from lakes, rivers, reservoirs, deep wells, or any other portion of the municipal water system, according to the EPA, is safe to drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) make the same argument. Before entering our homes and workplaces, the water has been treated. However, there have been instances where in certain places, local tap water has been discovered to be contaminated and dangerous to drink. For example, Pittsburg residents were advised to boil their water before drinking it in 2017 because the water had a parasite that could cause diarrhea. What is good and bad in tap water? Good Both bottled and tap water essentially have the same taste. However, the age and kind of the water pipe system affect how the tap water tastes. Tap water is relatively cheaper – you simply need to refill a reusable bottle and consume the same day after day. In hotels and restaurants as well, tap water is free of cost. Tap water has a significantly smaller total environmental impact than bottled water. Chemicals are used to treat the water before distributing it to homes and offices, so there is some level of influence. After drinking water, you should also wash the glass, cup, or bottle. However, these effects are considerably reduced due to the absence of plastic containers in this scenario. EPA has quite a few stringent rules regulating tap water. As a result, municipal water in the US is considered to be one of the safest in the world. Bad Tap water may contain chlorine and some fluorides. Bottled water As mentioned, the FDA regulates the requirements for the processing and packaging of bottled water. The source of water is natural springs, artesian well water, mineral water, well water, as well as municipal water systems. This kind of water goes through an extensive purification system and is then packaged to be sold through retail stores. What is good and bad? Good Packaged drinking water does not contain chlorine; in most cases, it does not include any fluorides either. It is treated with specific flavors and minerals, which gives it a distinctive and special taste.  Packaged water is a practical option when traveling or spending time outdoors because it is typically accessible in all locations like supermarkets and other stores. Bad Bottled water  is about 1000 times more expensive than tap water. For example, while 1 gallon of tap water in the US costs about $0.05, a packaged bottle of water costs about $9.47. FDA rules are comparatively less stringent than the EPA’s for regulating packaged water. FDA regulations govern quality control, sampling and testing, purification processes, bottling, storage, and transport processes. However, the packaged water may still contain microplastics even after this. These substances can cause inflammation, interfere with the body’s endocrine system, and have a negative impact on vital organs like the kidneys, liver, and intestines. One of the most serious drawbacks of packaged drinking water is its environmental impact. The carbon footprint due to all the processes like refrigeration, transportation, and the use of plastic is immensely high. With the bottles choking landfills and the extensive use of energy resources, sustainability is a big question mark. Choosing between the two – which is better? Both bottled water and tap water are safe for consumption. However, considering the above pros and cons, tap water is a better, cheaper, and a much more eco-friendly alternative compared to the water available in plastic bottles. To top it off, tap water can be easily filtered and made safer using water filters or purifiers at home and in the office. Before choosing either, it is best to consider the local conditions. If your municipally supplied water is usually contaminated and the risk of water-borne diseases is high in your region, consider going in for bottled water. Also, if you are suffering from certain conditions, you may be asked by your doctor to drink packaged water.

If your Instagram news feed is bombarded with images of different kinds of cuisine and beverages, then you are witnessing a growing trend where people like to show how interesting their lifestyle choices are. It can be easier for you to tell one cuisine from the other, but how well do you know your beverages? If you don’t, here’s a crash course for you in the beverage department. So, beverages are of two kinds- alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages. The youth have a penchant to be more inquisitive about the alcoholic ones. Also, there are plenty of different kinds of beverages that belong to either of these categories. Alcoholic beverages are the ones that immediately draw your attention when you enter a party! So, here are the most commonly sought-after alcoholic beverages- Beer- This oldest and probably the most popular beverage is something that every individual must have tried at some point of time in their lives and is the most popular option when you wish to spend a day chilling at home, watching a football match Wine- The most sophisticated alcoholic beverage you can ever come across is the Wine. A glass of wine is a must after dinner in many cultures, the reason being that it aids digestion. So, grab a tall glass of red wine and move a step closer to living a healthy life Liquor- Liquor or hard alcohol is something that can turn the most somber person you know into a stand-up comedian. Your Whiskey, Rum, Brandy, Gin, Tequila, etc. are the ones that fall under this category. These beverages are stronger than the other ones Cider- Beer comes from starch, wine from grapes and then comes cider that has apples as its source. Ciders are mostly healthy as they are abundant in antioxidants that apples too boast of, but only when consumed in moderation. Your non-alcoholic beverages are listed below- Juices- Fruit juices are a popular choice among those who are not into alcoholic beverages. Your mango juice, orange juice, etc, are 100% non-alcoholic and double as health drinks as well Tea- Half the world’s population vouch for tea as the drink that gets rid of their fatigue or calms their nerves during anxiety attacks Milk- Milk is one such beverage that has minerals that increase your immunity and works wonders for your bones. A glass of milk every day is a must for everyone Coffee- Coffee lovers are a highly dangerous breed of people who cannot function without their morning coffee. So, a cup of coffee makes them less agitated on a Monday morning. So, now that you are aware of what alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are, the next time someone asks you, what’s your poison?, you won’t be in a fix.

You have to plan a great party that would not only please your peers but also would add to your reputation as an efficient host/hostess. Planning a party is not an easy task, but when handled with precision it can turn out to be exactly as you had pictured it in your mind. You pay attention to different aspects of a party, such as the food, the decor, the venue (our own house or some good restaurant) and finally the drinks. Deciding which drink would appear on your menu is a tedious task as you have to put a lot of thought into it. The beverages that you are about to serve in your party should strike a chord with those attending your party, as chances are very high that people often attend parties for good beverages. If you are about to throw a party, do not fret and do not freak out since there are some really interesting beverages that would help you win accolades as a host. The good old Martini is an all time favorite among almost all sections of the population! The succulent mixture of gin and vermouth, garnished with either a lemon or an olive is what would appease your guests’ taste buds The Cosmopolitan is one of the most popular beverages that is high on the list of a majority of hosts. If you are a Hollywood enthusiast you would know how A-listers liked being seen with the drink, so, give your guests an opportunity to experience the same feeling The Gold Rush has garnered quite a fan following in recent times. The Gold Rush Cocktail is your bourbon and lemon juice garnished with mint. The interesting combination has made it to the list of awesome party beverages, so add it yours as well Next on the list would be the Whisky Sour. Your traditional whiskey with lemon juice and sugar and at times, mixed with a dash of egg white! Though it sounds unusual, it has its army of admirers Add the Mai Tai to your list of beverages. It is fruity and it has rum, so fruit lovers at your party can rejoice. Two rums, an orange curacao and orgeat syrup is what it is made up of The Piña Coladas are the ones with a liking for sweet stuff. It is a mixture of rum, coconut cream or coconut milk and pineapple juice blended with ice Since you have the list of some of the most happening beverages that can win you the title of the best host ever, make sure you throw a great party. Bottoms up!

Smoothies are one of those beverages that fill your stomach up without compromising on taste or health. With yogurt as the base, you can play around with any fruit or vegetable ingredient to make your own smoothie recipe. Smoothies are the best ways to beat the occasional hunger cravings. Imagine you are working at your desk. You look at the clock and see that there are still two hours more to go until you have your dinner. But you are already feeling those pangs of hunger. Or perhaps you are craving to fill your stomach and there is a pack of chips lying next to you, you reach for it and your brain comes up with warning signs: fats! cholesterol! calories! You restrain yourself as your stomach grumbles. Oh wait. Didn’t you see some yogurt in your refrigerator? Well, you are in for luck! Grab your yogurt and blend your own healthy and delicious yogurt smoothie from these easy-to-make recipes. Sweet green smoothie:  To make this smoothie, you will need two cups of spinach, a cup of yogurt, one ripe pear, a handful of red or green grapes, two tablespoons of avocado (chopped) and one tablespoon of lime juice. Blend everything until smooth to have a sweetish tangy yogurt smoothie. Peach green tea smoothie: In a blender, combine one cup chilled green tea, one cup chopped peaches, half a banana, half cup plain yogurt, and two tablespoons honey. Add a few drops of vanilla essence. Add ice if you want a frosty smoothie. Cantaloupe coconut smoothie: This yogurt recipe for smoothie requires more than the basic ingredients that would be available in your kitchen. To make this smoothie, you will need one cup coconut water, half cup of light coconut milk, half cup plain yogurt, two cups of frozen cantaloupe cubes, two teaspoons of honey, a pinch each of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt. Blend everything together and serve by sprinkling some toasted coconut on the top. Very berry smoothie: This is the simplest among the smoothie recipes. You need half cup each of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Blend these with one ripe banana, one cup of yogurt, and two tablespoons of oats. You can have these wholesome protein-rich yogurt smoothies on-the-go, for your breakfast or at any time in the day to satiate your cravings. Depending on your taste preferences, you can make them sweet or savory. Either way, you will have healthy and flavorsome smoothies that will turn off the warning signs in your brain the next time you feel like grabbing a snack between your meals.

Unlike cocktails such as margaritas and mojitos, which are quite popular, Moscow mule does not figure in most people’s favored cocktail lists. Despite it being relatively unknown, the Moscow mule is one of the simplest cocktails that requires a pretty minimal number of ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime. The Moscow mule is an all-weather drink. With the zesty-ness of lemon and coolness of beer, it makes for a perfect refreshing summer drink, while the heat of vodka and ginger makes it good enough to warm you up during the winters. Here are five Moscow mule recipes. We have the classic Moscow mule recipe and four variations to add an interesting spin to this no-frills drink. Classic Moscow mule : In a cocktail shaker, squeeze the juice of half a lime. Pour one ounce of vodka and four to six ounces of ginger beer. Shake it for 15 minutes. Pour the drink in a copper mug. Serve this classic Moscow mule in the mug with a slice of lime wedge placed on the rim. Gin mule: This Moscow mule recipe is quite common in the UK. The reason? Gin and ginger beer are the favorites among people in that region. This variation of Moscow mule uses gin instead of vodka. The rest of the ingredients and the method to make this cocktail is the same as the classic mule recipe. Mexican mule: This variation of Moscow mule works great as an alternative to your regular margarita. Replace vodka with tequila and add ginger beer. Squeeze fresh lime juice and shake everything together. Voila! Your tequila-spinned Mexican mule is ready. Skinny mule: This is a lighter version of the classic Moscow mule recipe. The skinny mule does not require ginger beer, instead you use freshly grated ginger. Add about one-eighth to    one-fourth freshly grated ginger with lime juice. Pour vodka and stir it. Add ice and sparkling water to have a light and refreshing skinny mule. Citrus mule: This is quite a versatile variation of the Moscow mule recipe. You can use different citrus fruits to make your own version of the citrus mule. Take half an ounce of fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice, add one ounce of orange liqueur with two ounces of ginger beer and vodka and stir everything together. Add ice and garnish with grapefruit and roughly chopped mint. You can use blood oranges, clementines or Meyer lemons as per their availability and your preference.