Water – It’s a Choice!

water-debbie

I am on Day 5 of a Free 5-Day Happy Hydration Challenge with a wonderful group of women.  We are learning and encouraging each other about the importance of staying hydrated, especially with water.

Water Cups 

 I bought 2 new cups before I started the challenge as a motivator but I have to admit that drinking water is something I need to be intentional about.  I get busy and pretty soon the day is halfway gone and I am not where I want to be.   Making right choices isn’t easy.  It comes with effort.  It means I need to set aside something I want to do at that minute and course correct.

Here are a few ideas on how to infuse your water with flavor

 
Water Challenge - Citrus

Twenty years ago I was a mess. I had headaches, no energy, and brain fog. I was in my life but at the same time I felt like I was looking through a thick piece of plastic watching my life happen. Once my young son asked me how many dimes were in a dollar and I couldn’t find the answer in my mind.  That motivated me to make a doctor’s appointment.  After a 6-hour glucose test, the diagnosis came back that I was hypoglycemic – my blood sugar would dip into the 60’s.  The way I coped – feed myself sugar or simple carbs – feel good for a little bit – then nose dive again with my body screaming for more sugar and simple carbs.  A terribly vicious circle.  I’ve never had a substance abuse problem but I believe their must be some similarities.

That day I left the doctor’s office with a list of foods to avoid and a list of recommended foods. I was relieved that I had an answer but I also felt pretty sorry for myself – okay I’ll admit I was having a full blown pity party for something I enjoyed doing was researching recipes, making those recipes, sharing what I made and eating those recipes.  And now most of those items used for doing what I loved were staring back at me under the column titled AVOID on the piece of paper I held in my hands.

I complained to a friend who had the same condition “Look at all the foods/beverages I can’t have anymore.” She was a little older and lot wiser and she challenged me with “Look at all the foods you can eat.” Later at her house she asked me what I’d like to drink? “Well,” I responded “I can’t have anything but water.” I will never forget her words to me  “No, Debbie, you can choose whatever you want to drink. God gives you the freedom of choice. Now what do you choose?” I did some growing up that day. I’d asked for help – I had received it. I wanted to know what was wrong – I knew. But did I truly want to make the changes necessary to better my life. What was I willing to give up – to learn to do differently? I had to ask myself why would I continue to make choices of putting something in my body that essentially hurt it.

Well, little did I know that someday I would have a blog where I shared recipes, be a health/fitness coach and be running a water challenge. God does have a sense of humor. Over the years my body has been my classroom as new health issues have come up but the same truth repeats itself – we are to honor our bodies and I think the best way we can do that is to stick to as many foods/beverages that are as close to what God put on this earth.

hydration-soda

So I’m going to touch on soda…I used to be a soda drinker 20 years ago.  Then I bought into the occasional diet soda thinking calories were all that mattered. When we are thinking of fueling our body/hydrating our body just because it’s liquid doesn’t mean it counts like water. Be intentional with what you are putting in your body – it will will make a difference in the way you feel, think and what kind of energy you have. 

Now I don’t know about you but I’m heading to the kitchen to refill my water bottle.

To follow my nutrition/fitness journey and read how I’ve lost 16 inches in 4 months click HERE  I have a new 21-Day Challenge Group starting on June 29th.  The program I am using, 21 Day Fix, as well as as 21 Day Fix Extreme is  on sale through the month of June so it’s a great time to jump on board.  For those that battle hypoglycemia, the highs and lows of blood sugar that sugar and simple carbs produce this program is a great fit.  I eat 6 times a day using the nutrition program and it’s amazing how this allows my blood sugar to remain stable throughout the day.  I’m just a message away at debra.hallock@gmail.com.  We Can Do This Together.

My lastest published before and after pictures:

 
July Challenge - front

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Hydration Made Easy – Infused Water Ideas

Staying hydrated doesn’t need to be boring…..

2015 Infused Water combo 

Prepping with flavor – I made up several infused waters this morning so I stay on track with my hydration. Did you know that we are encouraged to drink half of our body weight each day. So I looked at what I had in the fridge and freezer and started created combinations.
1.  lime, mint, vanilla
2.  strawberry, lemon, vanilla (I used frozen organic strawberries)
3.  orange, ginger, cilantro, vanilla
4. cucumber, celery, lime.
Let sit in refrigerator for an hour for maximum flavor.
Add ice-switch mason jar lid, add a straw and hydrate. I’ve added the link for the lids below.
I will also use these as starters when using a larger container for my water. I pour the jar into large cup, add ice and water to top.

2015 Infused Water - Single

There are really no set amounts of how much of each ingredient to use. I usually use more of the ingredients I really like and try to keep in mind that stronger tasting items like ginger may need smaller amounts. It also depends on the size of glass or container you are using.

Don’t let those add-ins go to waste. You can refill your water once you’ve enjoyed your tasty hydration. There is enough flavor from the add-ins to flavor more than 1 serving.

When using vanilla bean – use a third of a bean and slice down the length to release the flavor. You can also use a spoon and scrape down and place the seed and bean into the water. Here are some links to products I like to use:

Bourbon Planifolia Vanilla Beans – 25 – This is an amazing value and they are so fresh. One vanilla bean which is usually stale at the grocery store can run anywhere from $6.00 – 12.00.
1/4 Pound LB Madagascar Bourbon Planifolia Extract Grade B Vanilla Beans 6~7″

Mason Jar Lids – just switch out the lid and insert a straw and you are good to go
Pewter Daisy Jelly Lid for Mason Jars 24 Ct

Mason Jar (16oz) – I love mason jars for infused water, mixing salad dressings, salads in a jar and storing fresh salsa.
Ball Canning Regular Mouth Half Pint Canning Jar 8 oz. 12-Count

Hydrating the body can help with headaches, dry skin, depression, weight loss – just to name a few. You may notice as you drink more water that you have increased trips to the bathroom. Although it can be a bit inconvenient, this is good news – it means the water is flushing toxins out of your body. Give it a little time – your body will get used to the increased liquid and be better for it.

Disclaimer – if you click on the links and purchase, a small amount of income may be generated through an amazon affiliate program. Any monies go towards the expense of Deliciously Inspired’s operating costs.

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Cola Lime Refresher

It’s the middle of September and still H. O. T. here in Arizona.  I’m always looking for new ways to drink more water.  This one has the fun of bubbles, a taste of cola and coconut plus the freshness of lime.  

Cola-Lime Drink

Cola Lime Refresher
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Prep Time
3 min
Prep Time
3 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 can of La Croix Coconut Water
  2. 10 drops of liquid cola stevia or to taste (just remember too much stevia will taste bitter)
  3. 1 wedge of lime
  4. 1/2 slice of lime to garnish
  5. Ice Cubes
Instructions
  1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
  2. Place 10 drops of stevia in glass.
  3. Pour can of La Croix Coconut Water in
  4. Squeeze the lime wedge into water.
  5. Stir
  6. Add lime slice and straw. Enjoy!
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Over 70% of our body is composed of water so it makes sense that a dehydrated body isn’t going to be happy. Water and the function of the brain are very connected and not drinking enough can cause problems with focus, memory, brain fatigue and brain fog as well as headaches, sleep issues, anger and depression.

Let’s be intentional with our water intake – we might just feel a whole lot better.

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