11 Reasons to Drink Water

11 reasons why you should be drinking more water, whether it’s Bottled Water or straight from the tap.

1. Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger; it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, gotta love that water has zero calories.

2. It’s a Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pain due to dehydration.

3. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: Drinking water does all sorts of wonders for your skin. It helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes and increases skin elasticity.

4. Be More Productive at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better and be more alert.

5. Strengthen Your Workout: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. You’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises and water helps to fuel your muscle.

6. Support Your Digestion: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water go hand in hand to help you have your daily bowel movement.

7. Get Fewer Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’re less likely get cramps and sprains.

8. Be Less Likely to Get Sick: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Drinking water can improve your immune system.

9. Relieve Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart has to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells and so will the rest of the vital organs. Your organs will be exhausted and so will you.

10. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.

11. Boost your mood and feel happier! Plain and simple, water makes your body feel good, bringing on a brighter attitude.

Etsy Find: Mint Chocolate Soap

Chocolate Mint Bon Bon Soaps by KC Soaps & More

Chocolate Mint Glycerin Soapy by Twin Dream Creations

Chocomint Soap by Spotted Cow Soaps

Mint Chocolate Soap Pop by Sweet Annies

Mint Chocolate Poka Dot Soap by Caramel Soaps

Chocolate and Mint make up a sweet combination. I was excited to see what soapmakers came up with for this combination. I was able to find a variety of soaps that incorporated both chocolate and mint. Hope this gives you some inspiration of what you can do.

Etsy Find: Soap Pops

Soap Pop Pack by Soapylove

Clearly Lovely Pops found on Soapylove blog


Candy Carousel Pop by Soapylove


Neopolitan Pops by robynsnestboutique

Raspberry Lemonade Pops by yummysuds

Creamsicles by annakatesoaps

Banana Chocolate Pops by Sweetbodysoaps

I love the idea of the soap pops. I think these would make great gifts for kids or as party favors for a child's birthday. You can use your imagination to come up with different flavors and color combos for the soap pops.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

I found this recipe on Oprah and thought the recipe was interesting since you have to use a blender. Traditionally, authentic agua frescas are made by simply mashing fruit with a fork or masher before adding water.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Serves 2 (makes about 2 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:
3 cups diced seeded watermelon , chilled
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt
Agave nectar (optional)

Directions: Combine the watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Sweeten with agave nectar, if you like.

Canyon Ranch Spa: Spinach Salad with Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette

Whenever I go to the spa I always look for something new and refreshing to eat. I also want to be able to make it at home. I found this great recipe on Epicurious.

For marinated apples
1 cup sliced apple (1 small apple)
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinaigrette

For strawberry Champagne vinaigrette
1/2 cup sliced hulled strawberries
2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon sugarPinch salt

For serving
4 cups organic spinach leaves (4 ounces)
4 tablespoons crumbled plain goat cheese (2 ounces)
4 tablespoons dried cranberries
4 teaspoons chopped toasted walnuts

print a shopping list for this recipe

Preparation
Make marinated apples:
In small bowl, combine apple slices and apple cider vinaigrette. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 and up to 6 hours.

Make strawberry Champagne vinaigrette:
In blender, purée all ingredients until smooth.

To serve:
In medium bowl, toss together spinach and strawberry Champagne vinaigrette. Mound 1 cup dressed spinach on each plate. With fork or slotted spoon, lift apples from marinade and scatter 1/4 cup over each salad. Top each salad with 1 tablespoon cheese, 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, and 1 teaspoon walnuts.

Blueberry Smoothie

Blueberry Brain Boost Smoothie

Serves 2 (makes about 2 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh-pressed apple juice
1 fresh ripe banana
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 cup raw walnuts , preferably soaked and drained

Directions: Combine the apple juice and banana in a blender. Add the blueberries, raspberries, and walnuts. Blend until smooth.

Source: Oprah