Cranberry Lime Cooler

I've been drinking a delicious drink every morning as a tonic as well as hydration.

Cranberry juice has an amazing ability to aid the flushing of the liver, which is the key organ that detoxes the body. Even bottled cranberry juice will do this (though fresh is always better because bottled juice is cooked).

Cranberries also include natural chemical compounds called proanthocyanidins--potent antioxidants that decrease "bacterial adherence," which means it causes bacteria have less likelihood of grouping together to cause infections and dental plaque. Cranberries are also known to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and kidney stones. [more health benefits at www.cranberryinstitute.org]

When you buy cranberry juice, get straight cranberry juice, not one mixed with other juices, and not "cranberry juice cocktail," which contains sugar. Better to buy organic, which is usually available in natural food stores. My husband and I have decided we think Knudsen's Organic Just Cranberry tastes best.

I add the juice of a whole lime, for additional vitamin C, and also to "freshen up" the bottled juice.

I use oligofructose for the sweetener because it has no carbs and adds beneficial fiber.

makes 1 serving

1/2 cup cranberry juice
1 teaspoon oligofructose, raw honey, or agave (or more to taste)
1 1/2 cups pure still or sparkling water
1 lime
ice (optional)

Place the ice in a tall glass.
Pour the cranberry juice into the glass.
Add the sweetener, and stir until dissolved.
Add the water.
Juice the lime and add the juice to the cranberry mixture. Then pull out the pulp bits and add them too.
Serve.

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