Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I would be sitting in front of a computer drafting recipe posts and making connections with online foodie friends. When I started I knew absolutely nothing about blogging. I didn’t even know it would be a time consuming affair as well as a source of enjoyment for me. My real connection with the internet happened when I was healing from my abdominal surgery. I had nothing to do during those days so I spent my time watching TV, reading books or whatever required minimum movement. On one such day my husband asked me if I could help him do some work on the computer (officially, I work for him but that is a different kind of work, though on computer as well). Well, I was getting bored and needed some work and I felt more than happy to engage myself in something other than books and TV. Before, I just checked emails or occasionally looked some gluten free recipes but now I actually started surfing on internet and enjoying my free time. I was clicking through google when I came across blogger. It interested me and in just a few minutes I ended up creating a blog. I followed the steps, scribbled about my gluten sensitivity and hit “publish’. Wow! It was that simple! It was a step taken into the unknown, which was scary for me. If I had given a little more thought I would have given an unusual blog name, something with more pizzazz. I tried a few but they were already taken and then I thought, what’s in a name? My recipes are geared to be simple, gluten free and family-friendly, so “simpleglutenfreekitchen” sounded perfect.
Clickable image to my Video on Youtube , shared after 10 years.
Blogging has done wonders for my confidence. A year ago, I had doubts whether I could keep this up or whether anyone would even like it. I do not consider myself internet savvy or a good writer like many others, but here I am completing one whole year. I can not believe I have been doing this for 365 days. It would not have been possible without all the support you guys have given me. Some of you have been around since the beginning and some of you are newer to my blog. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and wish to meet some of you some day. How can I forget Deeksha , my Anonymous friend ( I wonder if its my DH) and Kelly ! They are not regular commenter but I am grateful to them for keeping my blog alive and helped me grow. Here’s a toast to the year gone by and to many more ahead!
You’re probably looking for some type of giveaway or a cake recipe for celebration, but instead, I toast to you with flavored water. This is the best beverage, don’t you think?
Aam panna and lassi were two of my favorite thirst quenchers in summer and now I make these refreshing infused waters, with fresh herbs, and fruits. The idea of making flavored watermelon juice came about one day when my daughter just blended watermelon salad (which I usually flavor with mint and black salt). We all loved it. I thought it would be the most appropriate recipe to share on my 1st blogiversary. There are people like me and my daughter for whom drinking plain tap water is a big task, so flavoring helps to get the water down. While drinking water is important but fruits with high water content can also keep you hydrated. Now, I keep a pitcher of this flavored juice and some kind of flavored water in my fridge so that we both get inspired to drink our daily water intake.
Anyone can grab its goodness and make flavored watermelon juice at home. I am actually sharing two recipes. Each sip of these drinks is cooling, refreshing and has taste of fresh mint and lemon. What more do you need from a healthy drink?
FLAVORED WATERMELON JUICE
Ingredients:
500 -600gm watermelon flesh
15-20 mint leaves
1 tsp black salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup boiling water
Method:
1. Combine sugar, black pepper, black salt and mint leaves in a small pot and crush the leaves with wooden ladle.
2. Pour boiling water and let it steep for 15 minutes.
3. In a blender, puree the watermelon. Strain the watermelon juice and mint water through a sieve. Discard any solids.
4. Pour juice into a pitcher. Add lemon juice. adjust seasoning. Enjoy as is or add water to dilute. Chill it in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
5. Watermelon juice separates as it sits in the fridge. Give it a whirl with spoon before pouring.
Bonus recipe of Lemon Mint Cubes
The classic combination of lemon and mint is perfect anytime. Add these lemon mint cubes to plus up plain water or any drink. These can be made ahead and 4-5 cubes are good for an 8 ounces glass of water. I got this recipe from Prevention (year 2005).
It said to freeze the lemon mint ice cubes for 15 minutes. But that didn’t work for me. If you are freezing just mint leaves in water, 15 minutes are OK but when you add lemon juice and sugar the freezing time is 2 hours.
Viviane Bauquet Farre
This must be so much better than the bottled stuff! The recipe appears marvelous to me (just like that wonderful color too – so appealing!)
Balvinder Ubi
Of course, it is better than flavored bottle stuff which contain artificial flavors and preservatives.
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, congratulation on your 1st blog anniversary. Keep up the good work, you write very well and got lots of interesting recipes. Love to drop by your blog to admire your beautiful presentation.
Thank you for the flavored water,it sure look very refreshing. I slurrrppp………….. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the interesting recipes.
Have a nice week ahead. Warm regards and hugs to you.
Balvinder Ubi
When I read such good write ups, its my insecurity that’s speaking otherwise I am OK. Thanks for writing encouraging comment.
kitchen queen
congrats on ur milestone and just keep rocking and posting many more new dishes.
Alida
I need to try this! It is so nice to drink something like this in your garden when it is hot. Love the colour of it too!
Balvinder Ubi
It will be nice even if you drink in place of plain water.
Amanda
Congrats on you blog anniversary! These flavored waters look and sound delicious!
Kitchen Belleicious
congrats to one year! Your blog is wonderful. that drink looks so refreshing
Indulge
Happy blog bday and wishing you many many more. We are lucky for that day you started blogging and introducing us to simple and everyday sweets, food and drinks. The flavored watermelon juice sure looks easy and do able on work days also. Watermelon juice, mint and black salt are winning combo’s in summer to beat the heat.
Love Ash.
Balvinder Ubi
Is a winning combo,indeed. Thank you!
DivyaGCP
Happy blog anniversary!!
Thanks for delicious and refreshing drink!!
Divya’s Culinary Journey
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Swathi Iyer
Neetu,
Congrats on your blog anniversary, blogging is fun, waiting for many more delicious recipe to come.
By the way the flavored watermelon juice looks very nice.
mireia badia
What an original recipe!!!!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef
Congratulations on passing this very important milestone! I love your blog.
Gotta say that this flavored watermelon juice hits the spot with me too.
Balvinder Ubi
Thank you! I am glad you like it.
A Canadian Foodie
Happy Anniversary!
Love the ice-cubes!
🙂
Valerie
Navaneetham Krishnan
Congrats on hitting the one year of blogging. Looking forward for more wonderful recipes and like you have mentioned, blogging can be trilling but I must say its also about time. I sometimes find it hard to cope, with work and managing my home affairs. With that, I still blog, maybe not so often as before.
Nice and cooling drink and wow to the lemon mint cubes.
Balvinder Ubi
Nava, I don’t understand how people manage writing it everyday and following blogs. I am already finding it hard but I am doing it whatever I can as I am loving this blog world.
Stephanie Carlson
Congratulations on your first blogiversary! I love spa (flavored) water and I think it’s the perfect way to celebrate. Here’s to another great year!
Balvinder Ubi
Thanks Stephanie, and by the way you look so similar to Ellie Krieger.
Shirley Tay
Happy Anniversary! So happy to connect with u in bloggersphere & may u have many more years to come. Kudos to u, my friend!
Balvinder Ubi
Even I am glad to meet you through blogging!
Gabriela Steve
Congrats on your one year blogiversary! Your drinks look very refreshing! Thanks for sharing your recipes:)
Divya Pramil
Congrats and wish your blog many more anniversaries 🙂 Happy to follow you on your special day 🙂
~Today’s Recipe~
Leftover Prawn 65 and A Fabulous Blog Ribbon
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Ambreen
Congratulations Balvinder on your 1st blog anniversary! Wishing you many more years of blogging! Refreshing & yummy drinks, perfect for the hot weather!
Deeksha
Hi Balvinder
Heartiest Congratulations. This gesture of yours remembering me is really heart warming. I wish your blog grew as old as you can be stay in touch and I’ll do my best to stay connected with you. I hope this friendship of our grow deeper and deeper and our babies(blogs)get old together. Hugs.
Balvinder Ubi
Welcome back Deeksha, I can never forget people who were my first followers, though I don’t visit as many blogs but will certainly keep connected with you. Thank you for a lovely comment!
Guru Uru
My friend you have accomplished so much 😀
I am so happy for you, happy blogversary my friend – toast you to another ten years of blogging 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Balvinder Ubi
My Guru Uru, People like you, orgasmic chef,and Nami write so well in their posts. I love reading it.
Kit @ i-lostinausten
Happy blogiversary! Looking forward for more of your great recipes. This is a good idea with watermelons & mint. Must try this delicious & refreshing drink! Have a lovely weekend, Balvinder: 🙂
Asmita
Happy Anniversary Balvinder,
Thee drinks look so refreshing! I love following your blog.
yummychunklet
Happy blogaversary!
anne
Congrats on your first and may you have more great year ahead ! This healthy and gorgeous drink is a perfect way to celebrate this milestone ! Cheers !!!!
Brittany
YAYA for a year of blogging! So exciting, congrats! This drink sounds sooo good and so refreshing!
Cucina49
A very happy blogiversary to you! That flavored water has great color and it looks so refreshing.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Congratulations on your first blog anniversary! It’s warm today and this drink recipe sounds wonderful! I need to check what black salt is. 🙂
Balvinder Ubi
Its a special type of volcanic rock salt with pinkish tinge. It gives a distinctive flavor anywhere you add.
Clare Bills
Congratulations on your first year. Great accomplishment and the drink recipe looks incredible. Nana Clare
amy @ fearless homemaker
Ooh, that flavored watermelon juice sounds fabulous. congrats on your first year!
Baker Street
Cheers! Here’s to your first big milestone and to the many more delicious years to come! 🙂
Sandra Lee
Cheers and I wish you many more!
Marina@Picnic at Marina
Balvinder, happy blogiversary! I am very happy for you. Cheers! 🙂
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen
Happy blogiversary – that’s so great!! and a wonderful drink – just right for this hot weather!
Mary x
Vicki Bensinger
Congratulations BalVinder on your one year anniversary. You are a wonderful blogger and friend and I look forward to reading your posts and comments you share on my blog. I’m glad you decided to stick with it.
As for this recipe I’ve never made anything like this before but will definitely will try t. Who knows if you should win the watermelon knife in my giveaway you’ll have an easier time removing it from the rind.
Franchise Brisbane
This is very good for this hot weather. Refreshing! Recipe is explained very well.