Asian Cucumber & Daikon with Sesame Nori Dust

Do you ever feel like a glass or bottle of water has followed you around all day without ever actually being consumed? You know you should be drinking more water but for some reason actually drinking it never happens? This is really common, and eventually your body stops giving you strong thirst signals (unless you’re already quite dehydrated). The more you drink, the more water your body will ask for.

This applies to everyone (I personally can get very lazy in the water department), but if you’re going through cancer treatment, with all of its side effects, it can be extra challenging to stay hydrated.

Often, when I drop off food for clients who are going through treatment, I will include some diced watermelon or slices of cucumber. Out of all of the (far more time consuming) food I drop off, those simple additions are usually the most popular. I think it’s because my clients are often dehydrated and the fruit is a source of water that that doesn’t fall flat the way that water does, and its cold, which feels more quenching and helps to mute the flavours. These homemade electrolyte drinks are great too, but a cold piece of watermelon is a little less commitment when you’re feeling a bit gross.

If you’re feeling off, try simple, cold, watery fruit and veggies (different types of melon, cucumber, jicama). If you’re feeling good, and just a bit like you forgot to drink very much water today (because apparently coffee doesn’t count) then try this recipe when you get home from your day.

It started with the sesame nori dust as a dip for raw veggies (which is easy and you should totally try it), and turned into this very hungry caterpillar. You don’t have to line them up if your inner ocd isn’t speaking to you today, you can also toss them together with all of the dressing ingredients, pour into a bowl and top with a sprinkling of the sesame nori dust. Nori paper (sushi seaweed) and tamari have minerals (including the electrolytes), so they help out with the hydrating effect of the cucumber and daikon. The subtle saltiness will also encourage you to drink more water. Like a healthy version of salty peanuts and beer.

Other options for hydrating snacks include cucumbers tossed with watermelon, mint & a pinch of sea(weed) SALT, these satisfying Smashed Cucumbers, cucumbers, jicama or radishes tossed with lime or lemon juice, chilies & a pinch of Sea(weed) Salt, and now these fancy cucumbers with daikon. You could make it with just cucumbers, but this organic cucumber was $5 and this organic daikon radish was $1.30 (plus it’s a cancer-crushing crucifer!)

On top of being a hydrating and vegetable-y inclined snack to high five yourself with at the end of the day, I feel like this would also be a good recipe to serve if you were having friends over for drinks/dinner. It’s fun to eat (you can use toothpicks, you don’t need to pass around chopsticks), it looks a bit like sushi but is way lower maintenance, it isn’t overly filling (watery veg), it’s healthy and will feed your guests more veggies than they’ve probably had all day (not always a popular thing to point out). You can also do the prep earlier that day and put it all together at the last minute.

So, besides challenging yourself to drink at least one extra glass of water a day this week, I challenge you to include one extra hydrating snack in your day. Even if it’s not this cucaterpillar and is as simple as a handful of celery sticks alongside your Chia Breakfast Pudding in the morning.