Cool Off with Healthy Beverages

The heat of summer has everyone thirsty for cold drinks to help cool off and stay hydrated. The trouble is that too many people forget that what you drink is just as important as what you eat. Although it may seem like a good idea to grab a sugary soda or fruit-flavored drink, these liquids don't really hydrate the body and their sugar content provides nothing but empty, useless calories.

Children are a particularly difficult crowd to please when it comes to drinks, but Wellbaskets.com has some healthy beverages that are tasty enough to lure them away from their unhealthful favorites.

If you or your child are soda lovers, it's time to make the Switch to something healthier. The Switch is a 100% carbonated juice beverage that has all the appeal of soda, but no added sugar and a host of vitamins and minerals because it's made with real fruit juice.

Hooked on fruit punch or other flavored sugar water? Try Vruit fruit and vegetable juice for a no sugar added, potassium-rich drink that provides 100% daily values of vitamins A and C. Each juice box counts as a serving from the fruit/vegetable group!

Everyone knows how important it is to drink water. In fact, there's nothing better to hydrate the body than plain, simple water. If unflavored water doesn't appeal to you, don't reach for a bottle of water sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, try Hint, premium drinking water with just a hint of natural flavorings. This water is extremely refreshing and has absolutely no sweetener of any kind. It's a zero-calorie thirst quencher that makes it easy to keep yourself cool all summer long.

National July Belongs to Blueberries Month - 2006

July is National Blueberry Month--a great time to celebrate the health benefits of these little berries.

Blueberries contain more disease-fighting, age-proofing antioxidants than practically any other fruit or vegetable--eating them is an easy way to protect your body from damaging free radicals.

Blueberries contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Flavonoid phytochemicals in blueberries may make blood platelets less likely to stick together and form heart-attack-causing clots. Blueberries are also high in fiber; much of which is is pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels.

Blueberries, in much the same way as cranberries, may help prevent urinary tract infections.

In terms of your brain, blueberries may help reverse mental decline and improve memory.

Wellbaskets.com has some unique blueberry products to try for yourself and gifts to send to a friend:

Wild Blueberry Spread: Made with organic wild blueberries. No sugar added!

Blueberry Breakfast Gift Basket: A blueberry-lover's delight! Start their day off with healthy blueberry breakfast treats.

Wild Blueberry Syrup: No sugar added to this delectable syrup. Great on pancakes and waffles or over ice cream and yogurt.

Maine Munchies Blue Loon Trail Mix: Unique combination of dried blueberries, roasted almonds, and organic lavender dark chocolate.

Eat Your Red, White, & Blues Gift Basket: Perfect for 4th of July! Bring to the hostess of your next barbecue or Independence Day party.