Fire up your 4th of July Holiday with a Red, White and Blue Layered Cocktail

by Cascade Ice on July 2, 2021

The Independence Day holiday is the time of year to make a really big bang if you’re hosting a get-together. That’s why we’ve pulled out all the stops to help you make a cocktail that will have your guests begging for more (and asking for the recipe!). 

While you can make the original version of this cocktail with alcohol, you can also make some small adjustments to the ingredients to enjoy a booze-free, festive drink for the perfect 4th of July! Read on for how to whip up a Red, White and Blue Layered Cocktail.

Cascade Ice Red, White and Blue Layered Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 cup of ice 

2 oz. of Grenadine (Sub with cranberry juice for non-alcoholic)

2 oz. of Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Coconut

2 oz. of blue curacao (Sub with blue sports drink for non-alcoholic)

Directions: 

Fill glass with ice. Pour the grenadine in the glass first, followed slowly by the Cascade Ice Sparkling Water. Finish by carefully pouring the blue curacao on the top of the glass. Finally, slowly pour the blue Powerade to the top of the glass. Insert a straw and garnish with fresh fruit (if desired) and serve!Have you ever made a unique holiday cocktail to serve your guests? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

How to Curb Your Sweet Tooth for Better Health

by Cascade Ice on June 20, 2021

Sugar is something that is ubiquitous in the American diet – it’s literally in almost everything we consume, from cereal to salad dressing. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s so easy to overconsume. The average healthy person should not eat more than 24 grams of sugar per day. And considering that an average chocolate candy bar contains about 20 grams of sugar, that doesn’t leave much left for other foods. 

Why does sugar have such a bad rep? While sugar is a necessary part of our diet because it’s needed for our body’s cells to make energy, you can easily overdo it. Added sugar can be found in sodas, yogurt, soups, bread, and even ketchup. Diabetes is one disease that people typically think of when it comes to consuming too many added sugars, but overconsumption can also affect your heart health through prolonged (chronic) inflammation. High amounts of sugar can also overload your liver, which works hard to process sugar the same way it does alcohol. Over time, this could lead to fatty liver disease, which can be a slippery slope into both diabetes and heart disease. 

But sugar consumption is a hard habit to break, especially when you tend to drink your sugar calories rather than eat them. Because liquid calories don’t satisfy our bodies like calories from solid foods, our bodies get “tricked” into consuming more calories in our daily diet than we actually need. How can you break the cycle? Here are a few tips to get you started.

First off, pay attention to what you’re consuming. Read labels and perhaps even start a journal to see where you’re at with your sugar consumption. Not the number of grams of sugar per serving on an item, as well as the total number of servings it contains. Also, keep track of both your food AND your beverages. Sometimes we forget that our morning frappuccino can be loaded with an excess of sugar grams because we’re not having to chew it. 

Next, try some healthier swaps for things that may have too much of your daily sugar allotment. If you tend to reach for a grain-based breakfast, it’s likely that you’re adding more sugar than you realize. Instead, reach for a protein-packed breakfast like eggs or this green smoothie. It will keep you fuller longer, which will lead to less overconsumption and weight gain. If you can’t get enough of sodas, try a flavored sparkling water instead. Cascade Ice Sparkling Waters have different product lines to choose from, and are free of sugar, calories, gluten and sodium. Plus, you’re getting hydrated, which has proven to stave off sickness and maintain a healthy weight. 

Lastly, whenever you can, reach for natural sugars – those found mainly in fresh and frozen fruit. Fruit is naturally sweet but has the added benefit of being full of fiber, vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy and full. Other examples of natural sugars can be found in greek yogurt, dark chocolate, and dates. So,reach for the real, good stuff when the sweet tooth cravings kick in!

What do you do to tame your sugar cravings or cut back on sugar? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Celebrate National Fruit and Vegetables Month with this Powerhouse Smoothie Recipe

by Cascade Ice on June 4, 2021

June is National Fruit and Vegetables month, and you know we must celebrate! Every balanced diet needs a good dose of fresh fruits and vegetables – after all, they’re chock full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that ward off disease and premature aging. Alongside a balanced diet, regular servings of fruits and vegetables can even help you manage your weight for a lifetime of good health.

But what if you don’t like the taste of spinach, or you just can’t fathom how you’d achieve your daily requirement of fruits and vegetables while you manage a busy lifestyle? That’s simple – enter our Powerhouse Fruit and Veggie Smoothie!

All you need is access to fresh ingredients, as well as a blender. The great thing about smoothies is that you add what you like and leave out what you don’t like, and many protein powders on the market today are organic and taste great – making them a perfect addition to a fruit and vegetable smoothie. It’s also best to prep your ingredients in advance. Perhaps purchase some reusable freezer storage bags and start an “assembly line” using all the ingredients. That way, all you have to do is pull a bag out of the freezer when you need a quick, protein-packed, filling smoothie. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cascade Ice Powerhouse Fruit and Veggie Smoothie  

Ingredients

1.5 cups of spinach leaves

1 cup of kale

½ cup of strawberries

½ cup of blueberries

3 tbsp. organic protein powder in flavor of your choice

½ cup of almond or oat milk

½ cup of Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Kiwi Strawberry 

2 tbsp. Peanut butter or almond butter

Blend all ingredients together thoroughly, pour in glass and enjoy!

Have you made a smoothie with fruits and vegetables? What ingredients do you prefer? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Celebrate National Wine Day with this Red Wine Berry Spritz

by Cascade Ice on May 25, 2021

When it comes to having a cocktail, most people prefer to keep things simple, reaching for a beer, cocktail in a can, or a glass of wine. After all, it’s hard to go wrong with a good glass of wine!

In celebration of National Wine Day today, we thought of a simple, refreshing way to partake with our Cascade Ice Red Wine Berry Spritz – a low-sugar, bubbly beverage that can be enjoyed any time of year.

If you haven’t tried Cascade Ice Sparkling Water, it’s a perfect way to cut back on calories from traditional sugary, heavy cocktails. After all, many times we absentmindedly consume more calories when we drink them, rather than eat them. Sparkling waters like Cascade Ice are a great substitute for juice or regular soda in most cocktails, and adding fresh fruit takes it up a notch by adding extra flavor, vitamins, and nutritional content. Check out our recipe below and share a photo or comment if you make it!

Cascade Ice Red Wine Berry Spritz

1 cup of red wine

4 oz. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Wild Berry

1 cup of ice

Frozen strawberries and raspberries

Using a large, wide wine glass, add frozen berries to the bottom. Add ice, pour wine, then top with Cascade Ice and give a gentle stir. Sip and enjoy! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and share your photos with us!