#1. Infused waters

NB. Do not drink flower infused water

Infused water is a great way to increase your water intake, which not only aids in the flushing out of any toxins inevitably consumed during fresher’s week but will also leave you with a much happier liver and kidney! These refreshing fruity blends should stop you from reaching for those sugary soft drinks.

Cucumber, lemon & mint

Cucumber contains the organic compound citrulline, which enables the liver and kidneys to filter out any harmful ammonia. Both mint and lemon juice aid and regulate digestion as well as help with the breakdown of lipid fats in the small intestines. Mint further helps to calm and relax a cramped stomach.

Ingredients:

• 1–2 litres of water (depending on how strong you want it to taste)
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 lemon
• A handful of fresh mint leaves (approximately 10–13 leaves)
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Slice up the cucumber and put into a jug or pitcher
• Cut 1 lemon into wedges and toss in with the cucumber
• Add a handful of fresh, fragrant, mint leaves and pour in 2 litres of water, filling the jug all the way to the top
• Leave this mix to sit overnight in the fridge to let all the flavours infuse into the water
• When you’re ready to drink it, add a generous helping of ice cubes

Strawberry, raspberry & lime

This fruity combination not only tastes great but has superb benefits. Strawberries are full of antioxidants, raspberries are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and limes are often used to combat ageing as they rejuvenate hair, nails and skin.

Ingredients:

• 1–2 litres of water (depending on how strong you want it to taste)
• 6 strawberries
• 10 raspberries
• 1 lime
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Slice the strawberries into quarters and put into a jug or pitcher
• Cut the lime into either slices or wedges and add to the jug, along with the raspberries
• Pour in the water, filling the jug all the way to the top
• Store it in the fridge and let all the flavours infuse overnight
• Add ice cubes upon drinking

#2. Smoothies

Photo courtesy of Kari Sullivan

Super quick and easy to make, smoothies are a popular on-the-go breakfast option for those who are pressed for time, whilst still providing those nutrients and vitamins to kickstart one’s day.

Superfood green smoothie

This green smoothie provides a high number of nutrients, including potassium and magnesium from avocado, iron, calcium and zinc from spinach and vitamin C from apple. Vegetable-based smoothies are particularly beneficial as they contain less sugar and provide fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

• 1 apple
• 1/3 cucumber
• 35g spinach
• 100ml of water
• 1 lime (juice)
• 2 tablespoons of honey (or agave syrup)
• 200ml of almond milk

Method:

• Roughly chop up the apple, cucumber and avocado
• Add chopped up ingredients into a blender along with the spinach, water, honey and almond milk
• Blend on high until smooth
• Pour into a cup and enjoy!

Wake me up smoothie

This refreshing and cleansing smoothie contains high levels of vitamins and minerals from a range of fruit, as well as a handful of leafy greens to give your system the health kick it’s been yearning for after the joys of fresher’s.

Ingredients: (Serves 1)

• 40g spinach
• ½ pear
• ½ apple
• 1 banana
• 2 kiwis
• 200ml of orange juice

Method:

• Roughly chop the spinach, apple, pear and banana (don’t peel the apple and pear, the skin contains fibre!)
• Add chopped up ingredients to the blender
• Spoon out the flesh of the kiwi into the blender
• Pour in orange juice
• Blend until smooth and enjoy straight away!

Orange, banana & pineapple smoothie

The exotic flavours and abundance of vitamins in this smoothie will replace your gloomy, grey hangovers with a sunny and strong immune system.

Ingredients: (Serves 1)

• 1 can of tinned pineapple (get the ones in their own juice for minimum sugar and maximum vitamins! we will be using both the pineapple and the juice)
• ½ orange
• ½ banana
• 1 wedge of lime (optional but tasty!)

Method:

• Cut the pineapple into chunks (remember to keep the juice from the tin!)
• Add the juice of the orange to a blender, along with the pineapple chunks and half of the pineapple juice left in the tin
• Peel and add the banana to the blender
• Add a squeeze of lime juice (optional but recommended!)
• Blend until smooth and enjoy right away!

#3. Homemade tea

Photo courtesy of Vkusninka

Something to warm you up on those cold wintry nights. We are in Durham, after all…

Hot lemon, honey & ginger

Super tasty as well as toasty. The lemon provides plenty of vitamins to fight off that fresher’s flu, ginger aids digestive problems, nausea and boosts your immune system, and honey is known for its antibacterial properties as well as its throat soothing abilities.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 unwaxed lemon
• 1cm thick slices of fresh ginger
• 3 teaspoons of honey
• Some extra lemon slices (optional)

Method:

• Squeeze half the lemon and pour the juice into a mug
• Peel and finely slice the ginger
• Add the ginger, lemon slices and honey to the mug
• Pour in the boiling water, leave to infuse and cool for 5 minutes