Photo Source: Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Drinking water:

1. helps maintain the balance of body fluids;
2. can help control calories;
3. helps energize muscles;
4. helps keep skin looking good;
5. helps your kidneys;
6. helps maintain normal bowel function.

(Source: Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD)

So, if drinking water does all this for me, then why am I not drinking as much as I (on average) should?

…

Because water is boring and one can only drink so much before getting “sick” (pardon the pun) of the bland and non-existent flavor of water!

The amount of water a person needs, depends on many factors, including, how active you are and where you live.  The Institute of Medicine determined that for the average adult living in a temperate climate, an adequate intake for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day.  The adequate intake for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

I can tell you, I (pretty much) never consume the suggested 2.2 liters.

But…things are about to change.

Simply by infusing my water and giving it a bit of natural flavor, it tastes so much better and it is so much easier to consume over the course of a day.  So, in my efforts to help you increase your water intake, allow me to make some suggestions to make your water a whole lot more palatable:

Photo Source: A Beautiful Mess

Strawberry Basil – these two go surprisingly well together.  Start out with just a few basil leaves and add more to taste.

Photo Source: Kimber Krafts

Lemon Cucumber – refreshing and your water now contains a nice extra dose of Vitamin C.  Oh, and it tastes good too!

Photo Source: A Beautiful Mess

Mint – tummy soother, potential anti-cancer agent, vitamin A & C provider and yummy tasting.

Then there are some fruits and vegetables that are fun to try alone, or in combination with each other:

• Orange
• Lemon
• Lime
• Watermelon
• Canteloupe
• Berries, either single berry or mixed berries
• Mango
• Pineapple

To top it off, allow me to share some simple “infused water recipes” that are fun to try out.  Remember, these infused waters are not only suitable to help you increase your own water intake on a daily basis, but they also make great refreshments at get-togethers or summer parties.

Photo Source: Bad Joan

Citrus Cucumber Water

• One large lemon, sliced
• One large lime, sliced
• One large orange, sliced
• One large cucumber, sliced
• One half gallon of water

Place all fruits and vegetables in a glass pitcher and add water. Allow to infuse for two hours before serving over ice.

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Photo Source: Bonnie Plants

Orange Mint Water

• Three large oranges, sliced
• Ten mint leaves
• One half gallon of water

Place mint and orange slices in a pitcher and add water. Infuse for two hours in the refrigerator. Pour over ice and serve garnished with an orange slice and a sprig of mint.

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Cucumber Melon Aguas Frescas

• One large cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 honeydew melon, cubed
• 1/4 canteloupe, cubed
• One half gallon of water

Place melon and cucumber in a glass pitcher and add water. Allow to rest, refrigerated, for two hours and then serve over ice. Garnish with melon balls skewered on a swizzle stick.

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Photo Source: Living Tastefully

Watermelon Basil Aguas Frescas

• 2 cups of seedless watermelon, cubed
• Ten to 12 basil leaves
• One half gallon of water

Pour water over melon and basil. Refrigerate for two hours and then serve over ice, garnished with a sprig of basil.

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Photo Source: Bitching Kitchen

Citrus Coriander Aguas Frescas

• One large lemon, sliced
• One large lime, sliced
• One large orange, sliced
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves

Pour water over citrus fruits and cilantro. Refrigerate for two hours. Serve over ice and garnish with an orange slice and sprig of cilantro.

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Lemon Lavender Aguas Frescas

• Three large lemons, thickly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh lavender
• One half gallon of water

Pour water over the lemons and lavender. Refrigerate for two hours and serve over ice, garnished with a sprig of lavender.

(Recipe source: Love to Know Gourmet)

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As you can see, play and mix together some fruit, herbs, even flowers and see what you come up with.  So, on this note, I would say: grab a reusable bottle, fill it up with water and your favorite flavoring and go about your day, while staying hydrated, healthy and beautiful!

Until next time,

Savor food, savor family, savor life.
- Marieke, aka HRH Mommy

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Share Your Thoughts

What’s your favorite infused water drink?

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