super refreshing Hibiscus cooler

We waited and waited for summer to arrive in the Northwest and when it did, it came in like a Lion--a big, furry, sweaty lion. When the temperatures creep into the '90's I'm even more grateful that I discovered the raw and living foods diet, because I am more tolerant of heat than I've ever been before. I used to hide out indoors if it got above 80 degrees outside, but I've been driving with no air conditioner, making phone calls in the backyard with the hot sun baking down on me, and just soaking in the sunshine like a lizard.

 This morning I filled a 2-quart Mason jar with a small handful of dried Hibiscus flowers, about 3 tablespoons of Red Raspberry Leaf, and fresh artesian well water. I screwed on the sprouting lid and set the jar in the sun for a few hours, agitating it a little every once in a while to make sure all the herbs were getting infused. For lunch today I had: apples, raw cheddar cheese and a bit of carrot raisin Manna bread. I don't normally eat grains at all, but I'd bought this bread for my kids when we went camping and they didn't care for it (I think they were hoping it would be more like pumpkin bread than the chewy fiber cake that it is). Anyway, after my snack, I noticed that the tea was a lovely shade of ruby red. I brought it in and strained the tea into my french press. Then, in the blender I put about 6 ice cubes, 16 oz. of the tea, a squirt of Agave and 6 fresh raspberries that I just picked yesterday at Garden Treasures Farm in Arlington. The VitaMix does a quick job of blending iced drinks so in less than a minute I had a frothy, icy Hibiscus Cooler. It was so pretty, I garnished it with a sprig of mint so I could pretend I had been served some fancy beverage at a Tiki Bar. By the way, this drink would probably be great with some Vodka in it, if you're into that sort of thing. I don't bother with alcohol, myself. I get my bliss from the sun and everything that grows under it. What is also great with cold Hibiscus tea is pineapple or apple juice. This is the way they serve it in Egypt--it's called Karkady and it's a popular beverage served at tourist destinations.

Here is a website that details some of the health benefits of Hibiscus. Raspberry leaf tea is high in vitamin C, like Hibiscus, and other vitamins, so this tea makes a great immune tonic. If you happen to be pregnant, raspberry leaf will also help tonify the uterus and can be very helpful when consumed during labor. Of course, if you have your baby in a hospital, they won't let you eat or drink anything. Just one more reason why I recommend natural childbirth either at home or at a qualified birth center. You can read more about raspberry leaf tea HERE and you can purchase both of these herbs at Travelers, my choice of retail outlets for bulk herb purchases. Tenzing Momo in Pike Place Market may also carry these herbs, and you may be able to get them both at natural food stores. If you go to Travelers (and I highly recommend that you do when in Seattle), tell em the Raw Gypsy sent ya. Then, so you don't have to wait to go home and make your own tea, you can order a glass of it right there.

The sun has finally gone down and it's cool outside, so I'm going to take a walk. Have a great sunshiny weekend!