Bottoms Up to Great Health!

Co-written by Michelle LaBrosse, MSME, PMP, Founder Cheetah Learning and Cheetah Power
and Erica Edmond, CAPM, Cheetah Green Team

In our quest to teach all things Project Management, we’ve begun to teach PM philosophies to every day situations and the greener, the better.  As we began to dream up recipes and process to make a healthy meal, we found ourselves inadvertently inventing healthy cocktails to help us along our to-do list.  The result was a comprehensive list of healthy cocktails one can enjoy anywhere from a dinner party to a Sunday brunch and everything in between.

PROJECT INITIATION
We wanted to dig deep into the health benefits of specific fruits and herbs. The first step in our project was to identify some of the tastiest, greenest ingredients and then find harmonious recipes to give one the greatest benefits per sip.  It was decided that we’d debut these healthy cocktails at a social gathering for our colleagues and co-workers.

Here is what we deem kitchen must-haves:

1. Agave Nectar
This natural sweetener, is low on the glycemic index and will not cause sharp rises or falls in blood sugar. Agave nectar has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties and has been found to protect against harmful intestinal bacteria. It is also thinner than honey, pours and dissolves well in both hot and cold liquids. You can find it in the cooking section or near the honey in most grocery stores.

2. Blueberry Juice
Blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables so drink it down! Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that our bodies produce as part of our aging process. Blueberry juice can curb age-related problems including short term memory loss and coordination. It will also reduce bad cholesterol in the blood which contributes to heart disease and strokes, decrease urinary tract infections, act as an anti-inflammatory, stimulate the immune system.

3. Cranberries
Best known for its ability to prevent but not cure urinary tract infections, there are several other medical uses including preventing ulcers, gum disease and plaque build up.

4. Ginger Root
Ginger has been used by people worldwide to remedy various ailments including stomach upset and nausea. Ginger has also been used for treating arthritis, colic, heart conditions, colds, flu symptoms, menstrual cramps, and headaches. Present day medical professionals often recommend the consumption of it to prevent or treat nausea or vomiting that occurs as a result of motion sickness, pregnancy, and cancer chemotherapy, digestion problems, common colds and flu-like symptoms, and inflammation.

5. Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruits contain a carotenoid phytonutrient called lyopene, which has anti-tumor properties. It can also lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones, protect against colon cancer, and can help the the productivity of liver detoxification.

6. Green Tea
Green tea has been kicking butt for at least 500,000 years. Recent studies on green tea have concluded that drinking it can reduce the risk several cancers include bladder, esophageal, breast, ovarian, lung and skin. Consumption of green tea has also been found to control the body’s blood sugar levels, prevent liver disease, prevent tooth decay, and boost the body’s metabolism. Green tea also reduces total cholesterol and improves the ratio of good to bad cholesterol found in our bodies.

7. Pomegranate Juice
Full of antioxidants, pomegranate juice aids in destroying breast cancer cells, preventing lung cancer, preventing osteoarthritis, protects arteries, lowers bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol, prevents dental plaque, and protects the arteries from plaque buildup.  One study even found that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice a day can lower systolic blood pressure by 5%.

8. Orange Juice
It is true–one orange provides you with over 100% of your daily vitamin C need. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can protect the body against free radicals that cause cellular damage like cancer. It can also aid against cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol, supply a great source of fiber, prevent kidney stones, ulcers and protect respiratory health.

PROJECT PLAN

1. Get ingredients
• Seltzer water – 2 half gallons or 4 quarts
• Blueberry Juice – 1 quart – no sugar added (or artificial sweetners).
• Grapefruit Juice – 1/2 gallon – no sugar added
• Cranberry Juice – 1/2 gallon – no sugar added
• Pomegranate Juice – 1 pint – no sugar added
• Ginger Root – 1 large root
• Tazo Zen Green Tea Bags
• 5 oranges
• 2 Limes
• Organic Cinnamon
• Agave Nectar
• Ice cubes – 1/2 bag or 4 cups

2. Break out the equipment
• 16 oz drink glasses

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Michelle LaBrosse, MSME, PMP, Founder Cheetah Learning and Cheetah Power

Erica Edmond, CAPM, Cheetah Green Team