Can't get away to a tropical island this summer? Why not bring the flavor of the tropics to your home with some cool tropical drinks you can make? Undoubtedly, there will be many hot summer days where you live and will long for cool tropical breezes on a beach in the Caribbean holding a cool drink in your hand. If you can't get away,.here are some suggestions that will keep you refreshed and cool on a hot summer afternoon anywhere.

Tropical drinks do not necessarily have to be alcoholic. There are many non-alcoholic beverages you can try. Though a nice margarita or strawberry daiquiri may be refreshing on a tropical day, there are alternatives to staying refreshed without the effects of alcohol.

One is a Caribbean Lemonade that consists mostly of ingredients used in lemonades you've drunk many times before. The key difference is that limes can be used as a substitute for lemon. Also, a Caribbean red syrup can be used which gives the drink a unique sweer flavor.

If you want a tropical taste without having to hassle with a recipe, you may want to drink a cool glass of mango juice which you can buy in a container. Whether you drink it your home on a hot summer day or in a tropical island, drinking mango juice is refreshing because it replenishes your body with nutrients such as vitamin A and C, and potassium. Mango juice can help restore nutrients that have been depleted due to fatigue and stress from intense heat and humidity.

You can get more information about these tropical drinks and many others by going to www.eHow.com.

Start your day with this delicious smoothie...

You can purchase organic fruit in the frozen fruit section of your favorite grocery store. Keep organic strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on hand for a quick meal any time of day. Thaw them in a large container in their own juice and store in the refrigerator. Thawed fruit makes a more flavorful smoothie to start your day.

In a blender, combine:

• 1 cup almond milk or vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup organic berries
• 1 cup Greek strawberry yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon ground Chia seed or ground flaxseed (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chunky peanut butter
• Ice
• ½ cup cold water

Blend well. This recipe makes 2 servings so pour the other ½ into a thermos to take with you to the beach or store in the refrigerator for an afternoon meal.

195 calories - 10 grams protein - 2 grams fat - 36 grams carbohydrates

Start your day with this TROPICAL SMOOTHIE that is easy and fast to prepare.

In a blender, combine:

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk or almond milk
• ½ cup pineapple chunks
• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
• 2 teaspoons Whey protein (vanilla)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon orange juice concentrate
• Ice cubes

Blend well – this recipe makes 2 servings to enjoy half in the morning and save the other half for your mid-morning meal. Pour it into a thermos and take it with you on the road for a meal in the afternoon instead of going for that cup of java.

195 calories - 11 grams protein - 39 grams carbohydrates - 2 grams fat