The answer most likely has jumped out at you -because it's simple, necessary and important. But, in this post - I'm going to give you some tips on how to adopt this habit more easily into your life.
Studying nutrition has not only been a passion of mine, but has also become somewhat of a necessity. My body has some alarming disadvantages (thanks to the inheritance of genes) but has some surprisingly clever work-arounds to deal with my less-than-favorable traits.
Knowing all that I have learned, you would THINK that something as important as hydration would top my list of daily priorities - but, that habit is one that is hard to set. When I finally manage to create a hydration pattern, it is WAY too simple to break it.
With 70% of the Earth being designated towards H20, and approximately 60% of the human body, it's like nature is screaming this mantra: "Drink your water"! If you're like me, or countless others, your response is: "But, I can't!" There is something about the taste of water that is just plain boring. As I begin to drink, I can feel my throat closing in rebellion and my tongue refusing to coax it down. Logically, I know I need to keep hydrated for my brain, for smooth skin, for proper digestion, for flushing toxins - these are just a few of the well-known benefits, but telling that to my mouth is a different story!
Here are some tips to tame that tantrum:
WORKOUT. hahaha
I know - first you're thinking : I don't want to drink water. Now you're thinking: I DON'T WANT TO WORK OUT EITHER! oKKKKKK. But I'm just telling you - there is NOTHING better after a workout than a big glass of water. Your body will NOT be able to stop from guzzling it all down! It will feel so refreshing! And what better way to replenish your fluids after flushing out toxins? Replace all the "dirty water" with clean! It will feel so so good - and you're welcome!
Next tip!
Add some flavor!
Right... like some sugar and color and artificial flavoring?? hehehe NO. How about some fresh lemon squeezed into your drink? And ice!! Making it cold and lemony will make it so super refreshing! You can also add some cucumber slices. Your very own spa water - no extra calories, but JUST as hydrating! Also, the scent of the water will help trick your mind too! has made me a HUGE fan of the scented seltzers! I use to think they were odd - but now I'm addicted to them and can easily get in 50 ounces a day in those alone. (Don't mind my seltzer budget, please LOL)
How about a fun and unusual option?
Become a CHIA pet!
Remember that clay pottery? You spread the chia paste all over it, water it - and voila! Chia sprouts all over the pottery in funny places, making it look like it sprouted hair! Well, no - I don't expect you to rub chia paste all over you. However, Chia is pretty amazing. It's a little hydrophilic seed. hydro - meaning water, philic meaning loooooooooove! These little seeds are pretty magical! I've heard that Mayans used to carry a little sack of chia with them when they would run long distances, and that this was the secret to their endurance! These tiny seeds can absorb an immense amount of water! They form this little gel membrane around the seed. It's almost like the texture of a tomato seed. Now, you should NOT eat a mouthful of these dry! Because they can stick (and start absorbing water) and give you a serious gagging fit! Always best to have them with some liquid, in my opinion!
I'll show you how I make mine!
This is my cannister of dry chia seeds! You just take a spoonful or two - depending on how concentrated you want your drink to be - and then drop it in the water. Often, when you get some chia lemonade at a restaurant or fresh fruit stand - it has very little chia in it. Maybe 3-4 tablespoons for the entire 3 gallon jug! They do this for just a bit of flourish. It's more for decoration than actual health benefit. The grocery stores that have chia drinks are usually much more concentrated. But you find what you like - and go for it!
Sink or swim!
Doesn't matter - either is fine! They will all start to soak up water in a few minutes. Then you'll be stirring to get them equally hydrated! I prefer to wait until they have gelled up before I add in my flavoring. (I like fresh squeezed lemon juice and allulose - which is one of the newest sugar substitutes that is AMAZING!!!) So tasty and refreshing - and so helpful to keep me hydrated!!!
You can see here that they are starting to expand and float in a sort of alien-like matrix! hahahaha You can see that this is VERY concentrated, but I do enjoy it that way. I also enjoy it the way I mentioned above - just a few specks for effect! hehehe But for hydration purposes - this is my choice!
Want to see them moving after I stir it up? I think it looks VERY extra-terrestrial! hahahaha Check it out!!!
Hehehe.... Mine does have the lemon juice and allulose in it here - so that's why the liquid is a bit cloudy. It would be more transparent if it was just straight water. I like how you see them all kinda moving around, socializing with one another! LOL It does have a slightly strange texture to drink. It's hard to explain what the texture is like. Its liquid - but has little tiny bits of gel-like seeds that float. Just exactly what it is! hahaha
And here - I shined the light behind it so you can get a different view!
So... that's it! Start drinking! Water is life!!
Refreshing Earth
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Water bottle
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All pictures and gifs are mine unless otherwise stated