Water. It’s under-appreciated. Yet our bodies are made up of 60% water. And it’s essential to keep well-hydrated to ensure that we look and feel our best. Are you drinking 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water each day? If you’re anything like us, the answer is probably no! It’s hard to find the time.

Besides, drinking water straight up is boring. Especially when you compare it to those tasty, sugar-laden, high-caloric beverages that our bodies crave. But deep down, we know those are bad for us. So we got to talking and put our heads together. Some of us have even been toying with the idea of infusing our water with fruits, herbs, flowers, etc to meet that daily quota. 

Off to the lab! Armed with beakers… (okay, really we mean pitchers and glasses) for our science experiments around here. It began. Our little taste tests. (read more)

As you might have already guessed, we used our natural air fresheners as inspiration. And no, we did not spray them directly into the water although we were sorely tempted! Oranges, limes, lavender and vanilla in hand, we got our creative juices flowing. Then we started dreaming up all sorts of luscious flavor combinations to get our taste buds soaring - pretty refreshing! And natural. No artificial ingredients, just the way we like it! 

Our goal? To help you. And help ourselves. You see, we want to challenge ourselves to do a better job keeping hydrated. Are you in? Do you want to join us in the quest? Even better… there are so many natural benefits to adding these fruits, flowers, spices, etc to your water. Don’t you love a drink with benefits? Just a sampling of these are:

Here’s our refreshing line-up: Orange Blueberry - Lavender Lemon - Lime Ginger – Raspberry Rose - Cucumber, Orange, Mint – Pear, Ginger, Cinnamon & Vanilla and finally Thai Coconut Pineapple!

Infuse by the glass, or mix up a whole pitcher to keep on hand. No need to carefully measure; let your tastes dictate how much of which items to flavor your water with!

Just a few reminders and suggestions, though:

1. Choose organic fruits & veggies when you can. 

2. Only use flowers that have not been treated with pesticides.

3. Wash all your ingredients before adding them to the water.

4. Filtered water is always the best – but regular old tap water will do.

5. Maturate in fridge (at least a couple of hours, but for fuller taste up to 24 hrs.)

6. Serve with ice to keep them cold and refreshing.

7. Remove ingredients that tend to get overpowering or bitter earlier.
   	

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzqaIGpKLpc

Don’t be afraid to add to our recipes (perhaps a little lime in the Raspberry Rose?) and even create your own tasty combinations. How about: green apples, berries, grapefruit, basil, cilantro, rosemary!

Benefits

1. Cucumber –made up of 96% water; keeps you cool and rehydrates, flushes out toxins & is high in vitamins and minerals 

2. Mint - promotes digestion and cleans the palate

3. Rose petals - anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties; petals offer soothing aromas

4. Blueberries – contain a wide variety of antioxidants; thought to offer benefits for nervous system and brain health. Also, new evidence that blueberries may help improve memory

5. Oranges - contain phytochemicals that protect against cancer and are rich in potassium. Boosts heart health, plus thought to lower the risk of diseases and cholesterol. Regulate high blood pressure. Aids eye health and helps protect vision.

6. Lime – digestion

7. Ginger – digestion, anti-inflammatory, thought to lower risks of infection.  May also lower both blood sugars (significantly) and the risk factors for heart disease.

8. Cinnamon – loaded with powerful antioxidants; has anti-inflammatory properties, lowers blood sugar levels, can reduce the risk of heart disease. 

9. Lavender – relaxation

10. Vanilla – said to enhance brain and mood health

11. Raspberries – anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.