Welcome the Fall Season with our Pumpkin Citrus Cider!

by Cascade Ice on September 25, 2020

It’s that time of year again! It’s officially fall, which means you can dig out your favorite sweater, look for falling leaves, and whip up everything pumpkin-flavored in celebration of the season. One of our favorite things to do when the weather starts turning cooler outside is create a new cider drink with our favorite Cascade Ice Sparkling Water flavors. 

You’ll love this take on a classic cider recipe, which includes a citrus twist – perfect for transitioning into Fall. And of course, it’s low-sugar and low-calorie, and can even be made without alcohol!

Cascade Ice Pumpkin Citrus Cider

1.5 oz of Spiced Rum

1/2 oz Allspice liqueur

3 oz Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Lemonade 

2 oz pumpkin puree

Fresh lemon for garnish, if desired

Ice 

Put the pumpkin puree in your glass of choice, adding rum and liqueur on top. Mix thoroughly, then add ice. Pour Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Lemonade over the top, and garnish with a lemon or lemon peel. Feel free to add fresh lemon juice if you prefer more of a citrus taste. Cheers!

What’s your favorite drink to welcome the fall season? Tell us in the comments below, or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

5 Ways to Prepare Your Immune System for Fall

by Cascade Ice on September 10, 2020

With experts predicting that this year’s flu season will be more serious than most, people will be looking for ways to prepare their bodies to fight off infection and even shorten or lessen the severity of seasonal illnesses. And as COVID-19 still looms, now is a great time to do all that you can to stay healthy and keep your body strong.  After all, when your body is working well, it can help you avoid illness. But if you let it get run down, you’re more likely to get sick.

Your immune system is a complex system of cells and organs that work in harmony to protect you against disease, and stops bacteria and viruses from entering your body. Here are 5 simple ways to keep your body running the best it can be heading into the Fall season.

Take a probiotic

About 80 percent of your immune system reaction happens in your gut, so it’s very important to keep it healthy. Recent studies concluded that probiotics can boost the body’s immune response, helping it to better prepare to fight infections including the common cold. There are many probiotics available in drug stores or grocery stores near you – choose one with a few different strains of good bacteria.

Eat the Rainbow

We all know that a well-balanced diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, but did you know that the immune system needs nutrients from all kinds of different foods to function at its best? Try to include many different types of foods in your diet that include vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and protein. Red, orange and yellow vegetables contain Vitamin C, and leafy greens include vitamins C, E and K, folate and other minerals. 

Go outside

Getting outside each day has too many benefits to name, but the most important benefit during colder months is getting Vitamin D from sunlight. Daily exposure to the sun can also help your body better absorb vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Being in nature and getting fresh air can also reduce anxiety, improve your sleep cycles, and help you to be social during COVID-19 when it’s much safer to interact with others outdoors.

Use a humidifier

Several studies have shown that viruses like the flu may spread more easily in dry air. Humidifiers work to add moisture to the air in your home. Humid air has also been shown to make virus particles more likely to fall out of the air quickly after an infected person has breathed or coughed. And, if you do come down with the sniffles, a humidifier will keep your nasal passages lubricated so there is less discomfort.

Hydrate Your Body

One of the most important but often most overlooked factor in keeping the body functioning its best to prevent illness is staying hydrated daily. Drinking more fluids may even boost immune system function, helping you fend off illness during the fall and winter months. You can even give your water a boost of natural vitamins by adding lemon, honey or even mint. If regular water gets boring, try a zero-calorie Cascade Ice Sparkling Water – available in many flavor options to keep you hydrated each day.

How do you keep your immune system running great? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Enjoy the Last Few Days of Summer with our Summer Fruit Spritzer

by Cascade Ice on September 8, 2020

Photo courtesy Instagram user @styledwildandhangry

With just a few weeks of summer left, now is the time to enjoy some cocktails outside, whether it’s your backyard, a patio, or picnic at the park. And with the warmer temperature comes the desire for a refreshing drink without all the added sugars, syrups and heavy additives and calories. Our friend @StyledWildandHangry whipped up this absolutely delicious cocktail recently and the setup is definitely Martha Stewart-inspired!

See below for a refreshing end-of-summer cocktail that is flavorful, low-calorie and low-sugar. 

Summer Fruit Spritzer

Ice

1 ounce tequila 

1/4 ounce orange liqueur 

3 ounces Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Organic Black Raspberry

Fresh pineapple

Fresh blueberries

Fresh mint

Muddle fresh blueberries, mint and pineapple in desired cocktail glass, adding ice over the top. Pour in tequila and orange liqueur, and top with Cascade Ice Sparkling Water. Gently stir and enjoy!

What’s your favorite way to soak in the last days of summer? Tell us in the comments below, or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Easy Daily Exercises You Can do at Home

by Cascade Ice on September 1, 2020

When it comes to exercise, it’s important to be consistent to get results and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But exercise does NOT need to be complicated or strenuous to be effective. The best way to guarantee that you’ll be able to stick with a routine is to make small changes each day that simply put your body in motion.

Luckily, there are lots of easy at home workouts that can be done quickly, with little equipment, and with little space. We’ve compiled a quick list of simple exercises you can do anywhere – even your living room! And of course, don’t forget to hydrate each day to help give you energy to power you through your day, and your workouts. If regular water is too boring, try one of our different lines of zero-calorie, sugar-free sparkling water.

Crunches – This “mini” version of traditional sit-ups actually isolates your ab muscles for a deeper, more intentional movement. Make a goal to do 3 sets of 15 each with a small break in between. 

Jumping Jacks – Raise your arms all the way up at the same time you jump up and spread your legs apart. As your arms come back down, jump with your feet coming back together. This simple movement can get your heart rate up and get your blood flowing. Strive to work your way up to a full minute of movement.  

Squats – Squats are one of the most effective exercises that utilize almost all of your major muscle groups. Use a seat, bench or couch that comes up to knee height, and slowly lower down into a sitting position with your back straight. Perform two sets of 10. 

Push-Ups – These are super effective, and can easily be adjusted by dropping down to your knees if needed. Let your child sit on your back for a bigger challenge! 

Dips – Find a steady chair or bench and suspend yourself off the front with your arms bent behind you. Bend your elbows slowly and lower your hips toward the floor. Aim for two sets of 10 total dips. 

What are some exercises you try to do daily? Tell us in the comments below, or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.