Barley water is magical! It is known as a weight loss drink, but can also help lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol and boost immunity. It tastes great too. Add a little lemon and honey for a tasty, refreshing drink that helps to cool you down while boosting metabolism. No wonder why barley water has been popular across the world for centuries! I'm going to share with you how to prepare barley water, using just two ingredients!
WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Easy to make. You'll only need two ingredients to make barley water.
- Good for your kidneys. The kidneys benefit from the calming and nourishing properties of barley water.
- Reduce creatinine. Benefits of barley water include kidney cleansing and aiding in the treatment of conditions like cystitis and elevated creatinine.
INGREDIENTS
Here’s what you need to make barley water:
- Barley
- Water
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Barley: Compared to pearl barley, whole grain barley and pot barley are whole grains and higher in nutrients. All varieties of barley are beneficial, though, as the soluble fiber in barley is present throughout the grain, not just in the outer layer of bran.
HOW TO MAKE BARLEY WATER: STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
If soaking the barley the night before cooking the barley water: Place the barley in a bowl and cover it with water. Swirl it around and then drain it in a fine mesh strainer. Repeat a few times. Rinse and drain it thoroughly. Place the rinsed barley in a bowl and cover it with water. Let it soak overnight. If you aren’t soaking the barley, just follow the steps for rinsing.
DRAIN THE BARLEY:
The next morning, drain the barley and discard the soaking water. Place the barley in a medium saucepan. If you soaked it, add the 3 cups of water. If you didn’t soak it, add 4 cups of water.
BOIL AND STRAIN THE BARLEY:
Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the barley is very soft. Strain the barley and pour the barley water into two glasses or mugs. Or if not using right away, place in a mason jar. You can serve the barley water warm or chilled. If desired, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice and honey or raw sugar to taste.
EXPERT TIPS
- Lemon Juice: A common flavoring for barley water is lemon juice or rind. This beverage combination helps to support regular digestion, help eliminate toxins, and help with weight loss.
- Honey or Raw Sugar: The decision between honey and sugar is based on your personal nutritional needs, health objectives, and culinary preferences. Although honey has a lower glycemic index than sugar and may have health benefits, both can be included as part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
- Storing Barley Water: Barley water can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. But in order to reap the most advantages, I would advise consuming it fresh.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it okay to drink barley water daily?
If you're drinking barley water to help with a UTI or kidney stone, it can be taken daily until the symptoms improve. This is not medical advice, and it's always best to consult your doctor. You can drink barley water before or after meals. It's a natural diuretic. The high fiber content of barley water can irritate your stomach, so limit your daily intake to 2 cups.
Should barley water be refrigerated?
Barley water keeps well in the refrigerator for up to five days after cooking.
Does barley water have any side effects?
If you don't strain the barley water it will contain high levels of fiber. Too much fiber could cause digestive upset, so be sure to strain the barley water. Like any food or drink, you can have too much of a good thing. Don't overdo it on consuming barley water, as it could lead to weight gain.
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Valentine’s Day Cookies
Description
Nothing says “I love you” quite like heart-shaped cookies sprinkled with red-colored sugar!
Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 cup maple sugar
1 flax egg (1 tbsp. golden flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp. water)
¼ cup pumpkin purée
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup sugar
Red natural food coloring
Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, place the butter and maple sugar. Mix together using a fork or a hand mixer until well combined.
Step 2: Prepare the flax egg: In a small bowl, stir together the 1 tablespoon golden flaxseed meal and 3 tablespoons water. Mix and set aside. It will thicken after 10 minutes or so. To the butter and sugar, add the flax egg, pumpkin purée and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Step 3: Prepare a sifter then add the flour, baking soda and sea salt. Sift together into a large mixing bowl. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Mix well until a dough forms. Gather the dough together and make a flat disk. Cover it with wax paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the sugar topping by placing the sugar in a small bowl and adding a few drops of the red natural food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Place it on a lightly floured board. Roll it out very thinly, or about ⅛ of an inch-thick. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the cookie shapes to a baking sheet. Top each cookie with a sprinkle of colored sugar. Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 7 to 8 minutes, checking the bottoms to avoid overbrowning. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely. The cookies will crisp up as they cool. Once completely cool, serve or store in a cookie tin.
- Category: Dinner
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- And my blog post about Everything You Need to Know About Mindful Eating
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