At a bar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, they have the best infusions…. fresh fruit soaking in vodka, which tastes dangerously like candy. That’s all I can remember to tell you about those drinks.
This infusion is a little bit healthier, and will help instead of hinder your next workout 
Strawberry-infused Sports Drink
-3 C hot water
-1/2 C orange juice
-juice of 1 lemon
-2 T honey + stevia to taste
-1/4 t salt
-1/2 container of strawberries (or any berry of choice), sliced
Mix well and chill in the fridge overnight. Strain to remove the berries, or enjoy them as a little snack with your drink
This is ideal before or during a tough workout, especially one lasting longer than 60 minutes. When I’m teaching two classes in a row, I’ll chug this, alternated with water.
For a recovery drink, choose something that has a mix of carbs and protein, like a small protein smoothie.
Every time I drink a sports drink, I can’t help but think of the time I thought it would be smart to put coconut water in my Camelbak. I just gagged a little while typing that. If you’ve never done it, you’re not missing out.
I drank a little bit of the strawberry drink before my workout yesterday- a circuit workout that will be up tomorrow + steady state on the elliptical reading the new SELF mag. I love that they included sneaker recommendations, since my beloved Zumba sneaks (Nike Huarache Dance Low) were discontinued. I’m thinking about either getting the Zumba shoes from zumba.com or the Pumagility shoes that were recommended in SELF.
I’m sure we can all guess which ones I’m leaning towards
Lunch:
Cucumber and fennel salad with Goddess dressing (from TJs) and an open-faced smoked salmon sandwich with Dijon and goat cheese
Snack: a copious amount of oatie dough
(with big pieces of coconut, dried blueberries, and hemp seeds added in)
Breakfast was sad this morning.. I’m off to fix our dwindling grocery supply.
Hope you have a great day!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about:
What sneaks do you wear for cardio classes? Is there an awesome Zumba shoe that I haven’t met yet?
Besides trusty H2O, what’s your workout hydration of choice?
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
I wear Bloch dance sneakers for Zumba. They have a turning spot, which makes twisty movements much easier on the knees. I am lusting after some Nike Frees for Bodyrock type workouts, but have to save for them.
I was thinking your sports drink could do with some electrolytes like potassium to balance out the sodium, so maybe coconut water would be good in there? As for it in the camelback? Maybe ok if there was a way to keep it cold! Warmish coconut water is just gakkkkk. Really gross.
coconut water would be great in there!
yes, it was lukewarm.. and horrific
that drink looks amazing!! I just might have to try it out. Thanks
ahh I’m a senior at UA and love catch 22!! they have the best drinks.. blueberry infusion with a splash of pineapple and the cucumber infusion.. yes please! roll tide!!
Random, but… any advice on picking out good juices? You mention orange juice as an ingredient.. i usually avoid all juices because of their bad rep!
I like the naked brand- they don’t add a lot of funky ingredients
I just wear an old pair of Asics, nothing too special. I want that sports drink! Looks good
Coconut Water straight from a real coconut is my hydration of choice! Here in the coastal cities of India, you have cart guys piling up coconuts by the dozens on handcarts and selling them at street corners in the hot summer months. A simple whack from a sharp blade helps in shaving off the top part of the coconut scalp followed by a simple thwack to puncture a hole on the top of the tender coconut from where the warm water inside gushes out – to be drink slowly with a straw. I am a top skin and anti aging doctor from Mumbai, and I usually amble across to these carts after a beach run or a gym workout and trust me nothing beats sipping straight from the coconut! I know coconut water packed in sterile containers are becoming a cool hydration drink in the US but ask any Indian and he / she would be hard pressed to imagine that the water can be packed off to be sold in supermarkets. Maybe a trip to South East Asia can help your readers experience the sheer thirst quenching qualities of this addictive water from palm trees that grow freely on our subcontinent.
Yum that drink looks so refreshing, I’m going to make it tomorrow! Thanks!
For sneakers, I’m wearing the Reebok RealFlex Optimal, which are all about “natural movement”. It took me a couple days to get used to them but now I love them!
let me know what you think!
Thank you for sharing….the strawberry infused sports drink looks killer!!!! And, organic strawberries are back on the shelf here, so I will give it a whirl:)
As far as shoes go for cardio class, I can’t help you there…golf is my fave, so I put on my adidas, throw the golf bag over my shoulder and hike up and down the hills for 18 holes!
Water…there’s only 1 water in my book and it’s the only water that I drink…kangen water!! It comes out of my tap, and I believe it is the healthiest water on the planet. Not only is it alkaline, it is a smaller water molecule that is easily absorbed and re-hydrates my cells in seconds. Finally, it is the best anti-oxidant that I have found…all of this from the water that I drink! Being a pharmacist, I know how important hydration, alkalinity, and anti-oxidants are to a person’s health. So for me, it’s a no-brainer-kangen water all the way!!
[...] or ideas) and have been meaning to make it for some time. I posted the link to her original recipe (http://fitnessista.com/2012/03/strawberry-infused-sports-drink/) and below is my version (I skipped the honey and varied the amounts of a few ingredients). The end [...]
Yum! I love anything fruit infused!
You’ve been to Tuscaloosa!? I’m a grad student at UA!! I live there!
Tom graduated from ua