Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey with Lemon Squeeze Basics

Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey

This is the most wonderfully refreshing summer drink & the Stevia makes it all that more inviting!!

Stevia is a healthy sugar substitute.  I stay away from the NutraSweet type sweeteners because I believe that those types of sweeteners are neurotoxic (my opinion).

Stevia is the leaf of a plant.  It is 300 times sweeter than sugar but it is a low carbohydrate food!!  Herbalists say that Stevia can get rid of heartburn, Stevia can lower high blood pressure, can help with heart problems and it is also good for your pancreas.  It does NOT cause cavities!! (again - I'm not a doctor - please see my "disclaimer" at the bottom of this post)



Citrus Squeezing Basics

Before freshly squeezing lemons, oranges, limes or grapefruit always make sure that they are at room temperature (don't take out of the fridge & squeeze - wait until it is room temperature).  Also, before slicing in half  - press on the citrus fruit with the palm of your hand & roll back and forth on the counter a few times - this helps release the juices.

Four Citrus Squeezing Utensils (see the picture above)

1.  My mom bought this "machine" for me and unfortunately there is no name on the bottom - all it says is "made in China".  I love it though - all you do is place half of a citrus fruit on the stainless steel cone - press the lever & it does all the juicing for you!!.  There are electric versions but this is a manual one. 

2.  There are many plastic (or antique glass utensils) that can be used to freshly squeeze citrus fruit.  You must press down & twist at the same time for both of these shown above.  The white one shown above has a compartment underneath that catches all of the juice.

3.  Hand held squeeze utensils - hold half of the fruit in one hand & this utensil in the other (make sure that a bowl is below to catch the juice!) - press & twist and the juice will drip down.  The middle part of this utensil is supposed to catch all seeds.
4.  I used the wrong picture for this example - it should be the palm of my hand.  Simply squeeze 1 half of the citrus fruit with one hand - squeezing over your other hand so that the juice will drip through your fingers but not the seeds.    

Lemonade Slushy/Icey

4 cups ice

1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed - see tips above)

1 1/2 cups water (preferably filtered)

3 tablespoons Stevia Powder (I used "Stevia in the Raw bakers bag" click HERE to view)

Squeeze the juice (see Citrus Squeezing Basics above) & add to the blender along with the other ingredients.  Blend until crushed like a slushy. 

IMPORTANT:  I have a Calphalon blender & I used the "Ice Crush" function - make sure that whatever blender you are using is powerful enough & that it has the correct function/button.



Serve immediately & ENJOY!!

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