How Many Ways Can You H20?

Did you know that drinking water is excellent for your health? Water is great for weight loss, organ function, skin and hair, digestion, and so much more! However, plain old water can get a little boring. Here are a few tips on spicing up your water without adding any unhealthy sugar or calories:

Bring on the bubbly

Whenever I indulge in a slice of doughy pizza or a turkey burger hot off the grill, I crave a soda to go with it. However, sodas are full of sugar and calories, and, even worse, diet sodas are full of cancer-linked artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin. To fulfill this craving without all of the sugary repercussions, I swap out soda for sparkling water. I still feel fulfilled because I get the carbonation I am craving, but I am simultaneously hydrating and keeping any extra sugar and empty calories out of my body. La Croix, Perrier, San Pellegrino, and even Kroger-brand sparkling water are available at your local grocery store, and they come in different natural flavors. But beware: Always check the label to ensure that the water has 0 calories, 0 fat, and 0 sugar, and that there are only 2 (or fewer) ingredients: carbonated water and natural flavor.

Add your fruits and veggies

Adding natural flavors to my water makes the difference between only drinking when I’m thirsty and drinking water throughout the whole day. A great way to do this at home is to add fruits or vegetables to a whole pitcher and let it sit throughout the day, refilling your glass as needed. My favorite things to add are sliced cucumbers and lemon (try this Sassy Water) or strawberry pieces and lime. Just remember to throw away what you don’t drink at the end of the day; if you leave it overnight, mold will grow quickly!

Add essential oils

Essential oils are natural, concentrated oils distilled from plants that people have used for thousands of years to improve their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This is my favorite way to enhance the taste of water with very little effort! The most common oils to add to your daily intake of water include lemon, grapefruit, lime, and orange. You only need 1-2 drops of oil to flavor 16 ounces of water. There are two caveats to this:

• You can only add essential oils to water that is in a glass container — not plastic, polystyrene, or anything else. The oils are so concentrated that they can eat away at any non-glass container.

• Some essential oils are not 100% pure therapeutic grade, so they are not safe to consume. Read the labels carefully. I use only Young Living brand essential oils, which you can order online (use Sponsor and Enroller ID: 185491). If you are new to essential oils and want to learn more, email me!

Warm up with herbal tea

I don’t know about your office, but I know mine can reach near-arctic temperatures, which many times necessitates the need for a hot beverage, even in summer! To stay warm and hydrated, swap out that coffee for a naturally decaffeinated herbal tea or an only slightly caffeinated green tea. The healthiest way to drink tea is plain, but if you really need a sweetener, try all-natural honey, or Truvia or Stevia, naturally calorie-free sugars.

Stay hydrated!
       Victoria