Happy July everyone! From where I'm sitting, it is HOT, and I have just finished an entire batch of my homemade lemonade (well, limeade) in under one hour! Clearly my body was in need of some extra liquid given the heat I just walked through on my way back from yoga.
So today I thought it would be relevant to address a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, especially during this time of the year: Hydration.
We need to be drinking LOTS AND LOTS of WATER I literally can't say it enough to my clients. Most people are not drinking enough, and it really is a key ingredient to optimal health.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will make a huge difference in your digestion and energy, as it flushes your intestines and helps eliminate toxins in your body.
In other words, it helps speed up your body's detoxification process.
So I wanted to share some tips (that I personally apply daily) to make sure you're getting your daily quota of water (which by the way, should be about half of your body weight in oz,, or more!):
You may already know that I always start my days by drinking a mug filled with warm water and lemon. (You can read more about my healthy Morning Routine here). Lemon adds an alkalizing effect to our body’s PH, which is very important for your overall health and disease prevention, because in case you didn't know, an acid PH is one in which diseases grow. So to stay disease free, you want to aim for foods that are alkaline as much as possible! Apart from its alkalinity, lemon water is also great for digestion.
So clearly, lemon water in the morning is a great way to start hydrating and nourishing our bodies!
Then in between meals, you should be constantly drinking water. I suggest keeping a bottle of water with you at all times. I always have my pink BKR bottle with me at all times.
Herbal (naturally decaffeinated) teas are also great. One of my favorites is Rooibos tea (I buy a vanilla version and even enjoy it with a splash of almond milk in the afternoons). I also love Teeccino, Pukka, Numi, as well as my Matcha lattes and Golden Milk lattes.
Right after meals, I find that a mint tea or cinnamon tea helps me with digestion, and also with overcoming sugar cravings. Ginger and lemon tea is another of my favorites, which is also amazing for digestion after a heavy meal. I highly suggest you give these a shot, to amp up your liquids AND keep you from grabbing that sugary dessert!
I also LOVE drinking coconut water, especially during the summer months, nice and chilled. Coconut water replenishes your electrolytes, so is great when you're dehydrated - either from exercising in the heat or from too much booze the night before, and is a great substitute to the processed junk that we're used to having (gatorade, powerade or vitamin water). It’s also naturally filled with nutrients including vitamin C, B vitamins and phytohormones, that are great for your health. Plus, it has a delicious sweet flavor and is so refreshing, so makes for an overall great way to stay hydrated during the summer.
The best version of course is having it fresh from the coconut, which I enjoy particularly when I'm in Nicaragua. So if you're in the tropics, look for real coconuts! Otherwise, aim for pure coconut water, not from concentrate, nor with added sugars or “natural flavors.” And if possible, go organic. If you're in the US, try Harmless Harvest or Taste Nirvana.
Lastly, I find that having a warm tea before bed is a great way to finish my day. I personally have a mug filled with warm water and a delicious lemon or raspberry flavored magnesium drink, Natural Calm, which gets me relaxed and helps me sleep well. You can also do a cup of chamomile tea. Just make sure you pee before you get into bed so you're not waking up during the night to use the bathroom!
Start making a conscious effort TODAY to apply some of these hydration tips into your day. Drinking more water and fluids throughout your day is a great habit to get into especially for the summer months. I would start by getting a pretty glass water bottle if you don't already have one, and make it a habit to drink and refill all day!
Before I forget, as a little summer BONUS, I want to share that refreshing limeade recipe that I just prepared for myself. It's filled with vitamin C (limes), it's anti-inflammatory (turmeric), and great for digestion (ginger):
Love and Water,
Mariana