I've read the "Flat Belly Diet"...written by the folks at Prevention Magazine (one of my favorites!) The book is full of great recipes, and the focus is on getting a dose of monounsaturated fat in every meal. I didn't buy/read this book to sign up for another diet...no, I read it and pull what I need from it. Sort of like reading the Bible...you take away the messages that you need the most!

This recipe for Sassy Water looked like a grand thing. It's part of a 4 day "de-bloat" diet that they have set up. I'm thinking that this would be great to drink ANY day!

Sassy Water by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD
2 liters water (about 8.5 cups)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearment leaves

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and let flavors blend overnight. Drink entire pitcher by the end of the day each day.

Sounds refreshing.......

Think I may have to try this myself - it does sound good & refreshing...

This sounds wicked yummy. I will have to try this.

I made this last night and had it finished by about 3:30 today. I drink a lot of water! It tasted very refreshing and let's just say...it's a wee bit "cleansing".

I'm gonna have to try this.

I made some and I loved it!

Thanks Kim!!

Kim, refreshing is the perfect word for this water. I can't wait to try it!

Hey Lynn...I'm curious...did it sort of "clear you out" too?

It is workin !!!! Hooo hoo but soothing to the digestive track... worth the enjoyment....

Wow...thanks Kim! This sounds really "refreshing" and thirst quenching....will definitely have to try....

So, I made this last night and had my first glass this morning. It is so cool and nice going down! I'll let you know what my digestive system thinks through the day. BTW, I just squeezed the lemon in it so I wouldn't have to fish it out and then put some of the lemon zest in with the pitcher in case that was a necessary part.

I'm sure that it will be fine Celadon. It's really pretty to see all of the stuff floating in the pitcher though. I was fishing out mint and cucumber all day...the lemon is what stayed in the pitcher!

Enjoy!

I plan on making this tomorrow night. Nothing like a good cleanse from a tasty beverage!

Ever so cool. Kim! Thanks for the recipe!
(off to the dread grocery store ... I'm motivated)

I am feeling SOOOO clean!!! And SASSY!!

Hey Kim! I just made this and plan on drinking it tomorrow...looking forward to the ahhhh, refreshing...taste and of course the "cleansing" thing can't be a bad thing....will let u know what I think...

Gotta question for you concerning another thread...about food, of course, I read the 1 about your (and others)grocery list...and I noticed that dark chocolate was a staple in your pantry (did I read that right??)...anyhoo, just wondering if this is just an occasional indulgence for you, since you seem to be regimented in your eating plan...I know all the stuff about it being a good anti-oxidant etc... and chocolate is my other lover ...I'm just curious as to how you incorporate it into your life without the guilt and/or breaking the regime??? Make sense? I have learned to like dark chocolate and I have even found some higher end ones that I like and less than a "serving" is enough to satisfy the chocolate monster...just wanted to know what someone else may do/another perspective...and I know you have lost lots of weight and from what I've read have done well to maintain it...(I can't remember the "brand' of the 1 I really like but it's made in Italy(I think) and it has a special type of almond(whole;huge 1s) in it...at the moment I don't have ANY in the house cause I don't want to sabotage myself during 5dpt....but for later on....???)....ok, thanks!!! Hugs!

Regarding dark chocolate. First of all...I didn't indulge until after the second year, post WLS.

Now, I found that if I have oodles of something...I don't obsess and crave it like mad. For me, it was about being deprived of the "bad foods". I keep it in my pantry, so that I know that it is an "approved" food. The beauty of dark chocolate is that a little goes a long way. I buy the variety that comes in little individually wrapped squares.

Thanks Kim...I totally get what you are saying...I have often had to deal with the "deprived" thing....so your comment has been noted.

NOW about this SASSY water....I am currently finishing up my first 32oz...quite yummers and very thirst quenching I'm finding...have NOT experienced the "cleansing" effect yet...though I'm sure it's coming...thanks for sharing!

Blessings and hugs!

Kim...FYI..."cleanse" is working.....lol!

I seem to remember a thread recently where a bunch of people were posting about constipation. Maybe they all need to try some sassy water!

It ended up "cleansing" me too much and I am now at home with a wonky gut!

So, I've modified things. I created Sassy Tea. I think that this would be great to drink while doing the 5DPT, because it seems that the warm liquids make us all feel a little better. I took about an inch of ginger and peeled it, then sliced it as thin as I could. I added about four cups of water to a pot with the sliced ginger and tossed in four springs of mint. I brought it to a boil and simmered it for two minutes. Then I pulled it off the heat and set two green tea bags in the water. I let this sit for three minutes, then strained it all into a pot. I'm drinking it plain right now, but will add some Splenda to the next cup.

As for my two remaining cucumbers...I'm making some cucumber kimchee! I've tossed my lemons into a jug with some water and have it in the fridge. I wasn't going to let my ingredients go to waste!!!

What do you think? Give it a try...and if you're doing the 5DPT, let me know if you add it to your "menu"!

Kim, this is the second time I have seen you mention cucumber kimchee. Do you have a recipe for it, or is it in the cookbook? <I am ordering mine this weekend!!!> I would love to try this...it sounds wonderful!

Marianna...I'm trying a modified/new recipe. I'll let you know how it comes out! I've always just eaten what my mom has made in the past...no clue what was in it! I just love the salty & spicy crunch! It takes a full day to get to where it needs to be, so I'll post about it tomorrow.

As for this Sassy Tea...I really like it with the Splenda!

Kim, the Sassy Water was too much for me too. I think I will try your version of Sassy Tea.

Marianna, there will be a really good recipe for Cucumber Kimchee in the new cookbook. For now, here is the recipe:

CUCUMBER KIMCHI (OI SOBAGI KIMCHI)
10 cucumbers
5 green onions, finely chopped
1 whole head of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 T. fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped
2 T. salt
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cayenne pepper

#1.Cut cucumber into quarters, the long way. Rub with salt (extra to the 2 tbsp above) and let stand for an hour.
#2.Mix the onion, garlic, ginger, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper. Rinse the cucumbers lightly.

#3.Pack them into a jar and cover with the mixture from #2. Add water to fill the jar.
#4. Let sit in refrigerator for AT LEAST 3 days. The longer they sit, the better- I've had mine for 2-3 weeks and they get more flavorful with time.

Celadon's note: Call me a glutton for punishment but I added 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes cause I love the heat! Note: Makes 20 servings, each serving provides: 23 calories, a trace of fat; 643 sodium; 5g carbs; 1g fiber; 1g protein.

Thanks Celadon! As for the cookbooks..I am pretty pc illiterate. Any idea where I can find the cookbook to purchase? The old one? And when is the new one coming out? Sorry...still relatively new. Everytime I run a search, it shows me posts about it, but no links.

Thanks!

You can buy the cookbook from the home page of LAWLS...or just click here-->Cookbook

Thanks Kim!

Ok going to try this tommorow when I am not at work should the "clensing" part kick in!!!LOL
Thank you Kim for the recipe!!
Your dogs are beautiful!!! I love retrievers!! Have and love mini doxies but love retrievers too!!!