I’m not a bike racer, and I don’t train to race, but hauling a load of groceries the 12 hilly miles back from town can still be a workout. So can long amphibious jaunts in the mountains, especially when the humidity keeps pace with the temperature. I snack and drink regularly while I’m on the road, but it’s not unusual for me to lose a few pounds in the course of a long day, a pretty sure indication that I’m a bit dehydrated. And when my sweat doesn’t taste salty, I know my intake of electrolytes (salts) has also been sub-par. I try to put this right ASAP. Most of the time this means drinking more water and eating some fresh fruit, or even having a light meal. But when time presses, I have another solution: I make a recovery drink.

That’s “make” and not “buy.” Yes, the local HyperMart has plenty of candidates on its shelves. But I’m a DIY type. And just as I prefer my homebrew Newt Nectar to commercial energy ‘ades, I find I like my DIY recovery drink better than any store-bought variety. I know exactly what goes into it, for one thing, and I can usually save a few pennies in the process. Want to give my Second Wind a try? All you need is a banana that’s a little past its prime and a splash of low-fat or skim milk, just to thin the drink a bit and to add some protein to the banana’s natural sugars and vitamins. A quick whirl in a food processor is all it takes.

Which isn’t to say that you shouldn’t experiment with a few variations on the theme. Second Wind has many faces. In addition to the banana, I often include one or more of the following:

• • Cherries (pitted, of course)
• • Peach or Nectarine (I leave on the peel)
• • Strawberries
• • Raspberries
• • Blueberries
• • Marmalade
• • Raspberry Jam
• • Pinch of Salt
• • Plain Yogurt
• • Low Fat or Skimmed Milk

Here’s a for-instance to get you started: Break one overripe banana into pieces and put them in a blender or small food processor. Add any of the additional ingredients that appeal to you (chop up larger fruit first), then toss in a splash of milk or a tablespoon or two of yogurt to thin the mash and blend until you have a thick drink. Add a couple of tablespoons of crushed ice if you want to cool things down, and give it another whirl in the blender. Then drink up! You’ll get your Second Wind in no time.

If I’m down to my last banana—with no other fruit in the house and only a few tablespoons of milk or yogurt left in the fridge, I throw in some jam or marmalade to add sweetness. Simple and good. Just what your body needs after a hard, hot day. Give it a try!

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