Drink Up!
By Laura Kelly-Pifer
We all know that we should be drinking water but should we drinking water all year around? The answer is simply yes. Even in the wintertime, we need to keep drinking our water.
During the winter, we’re often dealing with wind, cold weather, low humidity plus exposure to various heating elements. With this you might experience chapped lips, dry skin, dry coughs, nosebleeds and more. Those can all be signs that we need to drink more water and are signs of mild dehydration. So, if you’re feeling thirsty, drink up. It’s an indicator that you need more water.
So, how much water should you drink? Aim for half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should ideally consume 70 ounces (about 9 cups) of water a day to start. You’ll also want to add more for other activities.
If water isn’t your thing and you’re thinking “How the heck can I drink all that water?” then I have some good news for you. Food provides about one-quarter of a person’s daily hydration needs. (Tomatoes, for example, are about 90 percent water, some meats 50 percent, and Swiss cheese 35 percent.) Herbal teas, water infused with lemon or mint can be consumed too.
Here are a few tasty infused water recipes that you can try.
Cucumber-Anise Flavored Water
Ingredients:
1¼ cup water
1 Tbsp. anise seeds or 3 anise star pods
1 cup ice
4 slices fresh cucumber
Preparation:
1. Combine water and anise seeds in small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.
2. Cool water completely in refrigerator.
3. Place ice in tall glass; set aside.
4. Place anise mixture into cocktail shaker; add cucumbers.
5. Mash well with back of a wooden spoon or muddler; cover and shake.
6. Strain into ice-filled glass and enjoy*.
*For a clear beverage, strain through a cheese cloth.
Blueberry Vanilla-Lime Flavored Water
Ingredients:
1 cup ice
½ cup blueberries
3 slices fresh lime
¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
1¼ cup cold water
Preparation:
1. Place ice in tall glass; set aside.
2. Combine blueberries, lime, and vanilla in large cocktail shaker. Mash well with back of a wooden spoon or muddler.
3. Stir in water; cover and shake.
4. Strain into ice-filled glass and enjoy.
*For a clear beverage, strain through a cheese cloth.
Blackberry Mojito Flavored Water
Ingredients:
1 cup ice
½ cup fresh blackberries
3 slices fresh lime
4 fresh mint leaves
1¼ cup cold water
Preparation:
1. Place ice in tall glass; set aside.
2. Combine blackberries, lime, and mint in large cocktail shaker. Mash well with back of a wooden spoon or muddler.
3. Stir in water; cover and shake.
4. Strain into ice-filled glass and enjoy.
*For a clear beverage, strain through a cheese cloth.
ENJOY!!!
With Love,
Laura
Laura Kelly-Pifer is a Self-Discovery CoachTM who strives to help others by giving hope and support to those that are dissatisfied with their current situation. Whether you are lacking physically, emotionally, financially, or nutritionally she is here to help you see REAL RESULTS!