Drinking enough water, especially when the temperatures start to rise, is so important. In fact, keeping hydrated can have a huge impact on your overall health.
Water…
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Increases energy and relieves fatigue.
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Promotes weight loss.
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Flushes out toxins.
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Improves skin complexion.
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Maintains regularity.
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Boosts immune system.
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Natural headache remedy.
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Prevents cramps and sprains.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,) water keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and gets rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
Your body needs more water when you are in hot climates, more physically active, running fever or have diarrhea or vomiting.
It can get boring when trying to stay hydrated but when you buy flavored waters, which can be expensive, you might also be adding calories, sugars, and even sodium to your body. So instead, make your own, which is easy, quick, refreshing, inexpensive, and good for you.
Making up a few pitchers of various flavored waters looks beautiful when entertaining!
FLAVORED WATER –
How you make your own fruit/herb water is really a personal decision based on your own likes. It can be as simple as adding a lime or lemon wedge or a few sprigs of mint to a tall glass of cold water with some ice. You can add the fruit or herb to a pitcher of water and refrigerate from 2 to 4 hours, to overnight. (The longer the fruit is in the water, the more intense it becomes and you’ll get some cloudiness from pulp.) You can also squeeze a bit of the fruit, along with a wedge, in your water. It’s really up to you and your preferences.
When adding fruits to your water, you can really use anything you like. Lemons, limes, and oranges can be squeezed, and/or cut into slices or wedges. Garnish with a wedge if you’d like. With berries, I like to muddle (or mush) them up a bit in the glass before adding water or ice. Watermelon and cucumber are refreshing. I like to roughly chop them up and then add to the water.
Herbs make a nice addition too. Fresh mint, cilantro, and basil are especially good. You can add a sprig or for a more intense flavor, gently squeeze it a bit and then add to the water.
You control the ingredients, which means no hidden sugars or salt. Using seasonal fruits and herbs keeps the cost down. And everyone can custom-make their “flavored” water, to their specific likes.
Planting your own herbs will keep costs down even further and would be a fun summer project. If you don’t have a yard, they grow great in pots too.
Pictured from back row, left to right…lime water, watermelon & mint water, lemon & basil water.
Pictured front row, left to right…orange water, lemon & lime water with basil, cucumber & cilantro water, strawberry & basil.
Make Your Own Flavored Water (Or Tea)…Refreshing, Easy & Affordable – 719woman.com
Here are some additional great reasons you should be drinking more water…
http://www.webmd.com/diet/water-for-weight-loss-diet?page=1
SUMMERTIME SUN TEA –
And if you like tea, here are some amazing sounding summertime sun tea recipes from thirstyfortea.com, a beautiful site for tea lovers