3 Refreshing Ways to Help You Drink More Water
Here are a few recipes to add variety to your water. I usually struggle with drinking enough water every day. I get bored of the taste of plain water, and find myself reaching for a cup of coffee, tea, or juice at any given opportunity. I don’t know how many times I’ve started putting the kids to bed only to realize I hadn’t drank a single drop of water that day. When I started working with my coach again this week, she gently reminded me that drinking more water wouldn’t only hydrate me, it would also help regulate my hormones and level out my energy.
Knowing I had to be very intentional about this habit, I worked out 3 recipes to flavor my water without sugar or additives. Each of these flavor combos also adds a unique set of vitamins and nutrients.
Whichever flavor you choose to try, here are a few tips to really bring out the flavors:
Bruise the herbs. This brings out the flavor and scent and makes it easier for the flavors to marry.
Muddle the berries or cucumber in the glass, whether with a mortar and pestle, or just smashing it with a spoon, breaking down the berries releases the flavor.
Then top with your ice and water.
Cucumber Mint
First up is a classic, but oh so refreshing Cucumber Mint. This might have been my personal favorite of the three. It was so mellow and hydrating but not at all over powering.
Cucumber Mint infused ice water.
Cucumber also helps you to feel fuller and adds an extra level of hydration. It also contains an anti-inflammatory called fisetin, several antioxidants such as Vitamin C, and beta-carotene, multiple B Vitamins, and fiber. Mint is rich in Vitamin A, which helps support eye health, and it can help relieve indigestion.
Lemon Blueberry
Next we have Lemon Blueberry. The rich sweet blueberry taste always balances well with the tart lemon.
Lemon Blueberry infused ice water.
My one recommendation when creating this drink is to go easy on the lemon, and muddle up the blueberries well. The lemon can easily overpower the blueberry, especially if let to sit a few minutes. I used about 2 tablespoons of blueberry, and a quick squeeze of a lemon slice, or about a 1/2 tablespoon.
Blueberry is a well known powerful antioxidant, and also contain Vitamin A, beta-carotene, calcium, and magnesium. There have been studies to suggest that eating blueberries can help decrease muscle soreness after a workout by speeding up the rate of recovery. They do this by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Strawberry Rosemary
Strawberry Rosemary infused ice water.
This last one surprised me, the Strawberry Rosemary. I have a bit of an herb garden and one of my favorite savory herbs is rosemary. I usually throw it on roasted potatoes, steaks, and anything savory, however I was quite curious how it might pare with a delicate sweet flavor like strawberry. Oh. My. Goodness! The rosemary was strong, but the strawberry flavor came through just as powerfully, creating this beautiful refreshing balance without any bitterness.
One tip on creating this drink is to go easy on bruising the rosemary. I went a little crazy only to find out that rosemary releases its flavor very easily. Do muddle the strawberries well in the glass before pouring in your water.
Strawberries are very high in Vitamin C, and contain potassium which can help reduce muscle soreness. Despite them being so sweet, they are low on the glycemic index, so they are less likely to spike your blood sugar.
Rosemary contains iron, Vitamin A, B-6, and C, and is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. This herb is known to improve circulation, help you focus, and is often used to relieve stress and anxiety because just the scent of it is known to be able to improve your mood.
An array of fruits and herbs to add to your water glass.
Whichever combination you try, adding a few herbs, vegetables, or fruit will add more than taste, it will provide you with vitamins, antioxidants, and several other benefits. You can also add: chia seeds, lemon grass, lavender (Lavendula), lime, blackberries, raspberries, apples, pears, the possibilities are endless.
If you try any of these, let us know in the comments, or if you create a new combination I would love to hear about it.
~Kristen <3
