Dehydration is no joke… I talk and write a lot about the importance of staying hydrated everyday for optimal wellness, but inevitably life can throw a curveball that really depletes us. It can be a stomach bug, food poisoning, chronic illness or a flare-up, pregnancy/”morning” sickness, surgery, an intense workout, a long day out in the heat, or even a self-inflicted hangover. Whatever it is, it is crucial to bring our electrolyte levels back into balance. This can be particularly challenging with children. However, I refuse to give my child toxic Gatorade or something like Pedialyte, with all of its unnecessary additives.
Many years ago I found a great recipe for a homemade electrolyte drink. I wish I could remember the original source so I could give them credit…I just have it scribbled down in my recipe box. It is a go-to in our family! I have tweaked it slightly over time, and my son prefers it in ice pop form, so I bought non-toxic silicone sleeves to throw in the freezer. I always buy organic ingredients only, as I feel this is particularly important to lessen body-burden when it is trying to heal from a setback like illness/dehydration. Give it a try and change it up to suit your taste!
Hydrating Electrolyte Drink/Pops Recipe (Organic Ingredients)
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cherry juice (or fresh squeezed orange)
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1-2 Tbsp. maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/8-1/4 tsp. Himalayan Salt (Himalayan is my favorite, but you could use Sea Salt – no table salt!)
- 1 cup coconut water (with nothing added – you can also use plain water in a pinch, but coconut water supercharges the hydration)
*Put all ingredients in a blender or in a container with a lid & mix/shake vigorously for a minute or two – then pour into pop molds & freeze or chill in refrigerator.