This drink saved Mark and I while we are in the process of moving. Those boxes aren’t going to carry themselves! Please note: I did very little lugging; it was mostly Mark and his brother. I just bought the booze for afterwards. Thankfully all the boxes and furniture are now in our new place, which we love so much! Basement living wasn’t for us and we could not be happier to be out from underground. Our cat Barb had a really hard time getting use to sunlight again! She hid in dark places until we put up curtains and even then barely came out during the day. Thankfully now she is basking in the sunlight.

I just love Instagram (I am on Instagram here)

Now I can imagine what you are thinking, “You want me to drink that swamp water with all those teeny black bugs in it? Yeah right.” Mark had a very similar expression when I handed him a glass of this odd looking drink.

Recently I have been kind of obsessed with Synergy Chia Drinks. They are light, refreshing and give me tons of energy from all those little chia seeds. However they range from $3-$5 a bottle depending on where you buy them so I cannot make it a daily purchase. I wondered if I could make their juice versions at home and did some digging around. Turns out they are super easy to make on your own. Love when that happens

Cucumbers are one of those great foods to snack on since they are filling, low in calories and high in nutrients and though in this recipe I used only the juices it is still high in vitamins and minerals. Everyone knows cucumbers are great for your skin (cucumber eye patches anyone?) and in this frigidly cold winter we could all use a hand in keeping our skin looking good. Cucumbers have a diuretic property to them as well which helps to flush out all those toxins we are exposed to everyday. When buying cucumbers organic is always preferred since conventionally grown cucumber can have a waxy coating on their peels. If you cannot purchase organic, just peel the cucumber before you blend it up.

I used a milk nut bag to juice the cucumber and mint leaves. I bought 2, one for nut milk and the other for non-milk drinks. It is cheaper than buying a juicer if you already own a high power blender however if you own a juicer, you can juice the cucumber and mint leaves instead.

Though this drink does look weird, it is cool, refreshing and kind of taste like springtime, which I know we are all dreaming of right now. The expanded chia seeds take a little bit to get use to but once you feel all the awesome plant based energy they give you, you will want them in every drink.

Now to unpack….I am never moving again!

 Cucumber Chia Mojito

Serves 2-1 cup servings

•  ½ cucumber, peeled if not organic
• 5-6 mint leaves
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1-tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons black or white chia seeds

1. Chop the cucumber into slices and add it, the mint leaves, water, lime juice and syrup to a blender, blend until smooth.
2. Add contents to a milk nut bag and gently squeeze the pulp until most of the juices have been extracted, you should have about 2 cups (if not just add a little more water).
3. Add the chia seeds to the juice and let sit for about 10 minutes so the seeds can expand. Serve with a wheel of lime.

This drink is best served cold so keep refrigerated when possible. The seeds will sink so give the drink a shake or a stir every now and then. Enjoy! Here’s hoping springtime is just around the corner.