Always Drink Lots of Good Water

I went to a small liberal arts college. I finished my math major in my junior year, which left a year's worth of required credits in the subject of my choosing. I decided that Studio Art would be a fun challenge, and ended up with six hours short of a studio art major.


Because it was a small liberal arts college, I had the same few teachers for all my art classes. There was one in particular who was incredibly talented and remarkably quirky. He didn't actually "teach" his studio classes. We were required to attend at the allotted class meeting time. However, he might or might not show up, except on critique days.


When he did show up to browse around the easels, check our progress, and offer helpful advice, he always walked in shaking a cup of ice water. Always. Shaking a cup of ice water. And his first words were predictable, "Always drink lots of good water," as he walked and shook his cup of ice water.


I cannot hear the sound of ice clinking in a cup without hearing his voice, "Always drink lots of good water." I wish I could put a recording of it right here. You would think the enunciation and vocal inflection to be catchy as well.

So, are you drinking enough good water?

How much is enough? A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight in half. The result is how many ounces of water you should drink each day. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should drink 70 ounces of water daily. This translates to 8.75 - 8 ounce glasses of water... but I'm sure your body wouldn't mind if you just aim for between 8 and 9 glasses of water each day ;-)


If you exercise frequently, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you drink caffeinated beverages, your body needs additional water. On the other hand, consuming lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, even stock-laden soups, will decrease your body's need for water.

Just pay attention to your thirst. And remember to drink as soon as you are thirsty! Delaying can turn off your thirst mechanism and keep it from signalling properly. Some other thirst signs to pay attention to are dry mouth, brain fog, muscle fatigue, lethargy, irritability, headaches and dry skin.

But why drink water? What's the big deal? Well, just about every body part, system, and function depends on water. Especially important is your brain and nerve function. You probably knew that 75% of your brain is water. When we don't drink enough water, our cognitive ability is affected. "The dehydrated brain causes the release of cortisol. This stress hormone, which is also linked to an increase in fat storage and muscle depletion, can negatively affects the brain's capacity to store and create information." Interesting, don't you think?

With all the information and details I have to keep straight, my brain needs all the help it can get! Plus, I am nursing. So I drink lots of good water. It is not easy for me to remember to drink, but I am doing better.

Always drink lots of good water.


For your health,


PhotoCredit: BlueGum

Nothing Beats...

...the great taste of Wat-aah after a long afternooon of PLAY.

Stop by 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday.

Florida Orange Juice

There are some things that we can buy organic. And there are some things that we can't. It's all about budgetary constraints and choosing wisely. Since we have to be selective, we want buy organic when it matters most... the items that would contain the highest concentration of toxins if purchased conventionally.

Orange Juice is one of those products that can contain an higher concentration of pesticides. Why? Because most OJ comes from Central American countries where DDT and other American-banned pesticides are still used. So, when we buy a non-organic OJ, we are bringing home the pesticides.

I'll be the first to admit... organic OJ is pretty pricey. So, on this one, we have settled for the middle ground. We buy OJ from Florida Oranges. It may not be organic, but at least it complies with the FDA codes on excessive and previously outlawed chemicals.

This OJ works for me! For more Works For Me tips, visit We Are That Family.

Note: Florida's Natural did not compensate me for advertising their product. In fact, they don't even know I posted this! I only mention their brand because it is what we drink. Pretty simple, huh?

For your health,

Diet Sodas, Metabolic Syndrome and Type II Diabetes

This is interesting. Very interesting. Especially since it comes from a big name like the American Diabetes Association. You've heard me say before that artificial sweeteners can be hazardous. Well, really I think most "improvements" that we make on nature have their risks. But artificial sweeteners seem to be at the top of most potentially dangerous lists. Here's more evidence:


A new study has recently been published that links diet soda with an increased risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Type II Diabetes. Read the summary of the study here. It's worth three and a half minutes of your time.


For your health,

Your Questions Answered... Tea and Coffee

I have gotten a little behind on answering your questions. Really, I have gotten behind in my emailing and everything else too! I am starting my list today, so if you have submitted a question, my answer is coming. Thanks for your patience!

The first question I want to look at today is from Kristilea. She writes: "I've had a lot of conflicting information about tea. I know it can't replace water, but in moderation, can decaffeinated tea be an okay addition? I am just not a water person and I make myself drink as much a day as possible, but sometimes I just need something else. Living in Georgia, of course sweet tea is on the menu. But I have slowly gotten myself used to unsweetened decaffeinated tea and I'm hoping I can continue to enjoy it. What do you think? Can you enlighten me on what you know about it?!"

First, the short answer. Consuming a little bit of tea here and there, white or black or green, is not harmful if it is sweetened with honey or another natural sweetener. It provides helpful antioxidants and can be a "safer" pick-me-up. Moderation is the key. My recommendation is that you never drink it to replace adequate water consumption AND that you brush your teeth after you drink tea to prevent acid erosion.

Now for a bit more technical information. Black tea contains tannins. There is mixed information about tannins. Some sources say that these substances can help prevent cancer. Some say they cause it. Hmmm. It's hard to say who is right on that count. But, there is agreement that excessive consumption of tannin containing beverages may block iron assimilation and therefore cause anemia. Moderation is the key, I think.

Second, tea contains theobromine, a substance related to caffeine. Both of these substances stimulate the adrenal glands, which in turn cause the liver to release sugar into the blood stream, giving you an energy lift. The problem with repeating this chain of events is that our blood sugar regulating mechanisms can easily wear out. This causes low blood sugar, dizziness, insomnia, depression, allergies, chronic fatigue, and on and on. Excessive theobromine or caffeine consumption is a bad thing. Moderation is the key, I think.

As long as we are on this topic, I would like to address the coffee question. The multiple questions I hear on this subject go like this: "I have to have my coffee! Is there any way to be healthier about it?"

Giving up coffee entirely is the healthiest choice. However, if that will never come to pass in your life, you can switch to a healthy coffee... not a coffee substitute that doesn't really pass for coffee, but a real coffee that is better for you.

What is the problem with coffee? Well, first the acid content of a daily cup can wreak havoc on our digestive systems. While our stomach is by design an acidic place, adding more acid to our systems can throw off the delicate balance. Second, as I discussed above, the caffeine content can pose problems.

I drink NutriCafe in moderation. This coffee is made from a low-acid bean so that it does not cause stomach burn. It also comes from a low-caffeine bean so that it has about 1/2 the caffeine as other coffees. In addition, it is infused with botanical extracts (that you can't taste) to give it more health giving properties. And, I think it tastes very good!

Just Say No... to Soft Drinks

I was thinking that cutting out soft drinks would be a topic for "Simple Changes". Then, I reconsidered. I remember all too well my days of drinking Mountain Dew. Making this change may be simple, but I don't think it is as easy as selecting an all natural peanut butter.

Trust me, I know that breaking habits can be tough. Eleven years ago, I gave up soft drinks. It was a huge benefit to my health... and to my teeth. I'll tell a short personal story, and then I'll get to the practical stuff.

I drank a lot of Mountain Dew. Way too much Mountain Dew. It carried me through college, I am very sad to say. Shortly after I gave up soft drinks, I visited the dentist. New town, new dentist... and I previously had just been getting my teeth cleaned by students at the local dental hygiene school for free. The dentist made note of the demineralization on my back molars and asked if I drank Mountain Dew. My shocked response was a hesitant, "I DID, how did you know?"

He told me that what he saw was commonly referred to as "DewMouth." Apparently, it is a growing problem among young people who drink a lot of soft drinks... and especially Mountain Dew because it is one of the very highest in sugar concentrations. YIKES! I had to get my molars drilled and filled. Fun :0



Most beverages are high in sugar... Kool Aid, Sodas, Bottled Teas, "Juice" Drinks. They are all high in sugar and devoid of any other nutritional value. These empty calories can lead to blood sugar spikes and plunges, weight gain, and even heart palpitations. Okay... so the list goes on, but I don't want to focus too much on the negative. Please read this amazingly simple yet informational article on the Soft Drink epidemic in our nation.

Unfortunately, diet drinks made with artificial sweeteners are just as bad. Artificial sweeteners that have been around long enough have left a trail of infamous results. Splenda has not been around long enough yet, but its time will come.

What you drink is a big part of your health. So, if you do drink soft drinks, I encourage you to let them go! If your children regularly drink sugared beverages, please work to replace them too. It may take a bit of smarts, but your children need you to guide them in this area.

Replace soft drinks with good, pure water and the occasional 100% fruit juice. Or, you can brew green tea and add a little bit of honey. Keep a chilled pitcher in the refrigerator for a slightly sweet replacement beverage without having to prepare something. It may help your children if they have their own BPA-free water bottle to drink from... something to make water more exciting.

I'd love to hear from my readers... have you given up soft drinks? If so, what did you replace them with? We would all benefit from reading your successes! Please comment to share what you have done.

Bottom line, you can do it. I am confident you can!

Photocredit: Allposters.com

Beverage Choices and the Chance to Make A Difference

I have been turning this over in my mind for a whole week. I can't seem to get away from it. I saw this challenge on Preschoolers and Peace last week, and I thought, "This is a brilliant plan!"

It works like this. You choose to sacrifice your daily beverages and drink only water for 40 days. Each day, you keep a record of what you would have spent on the beverages you normally drink. At the end of your 40 days, you donate the money saved to Blood:Water Mission in order to provide clean water to those who live in areas of Africa where water is not readily attainable. (The plan is to set aside March 1st to April 9th, but you certainly could start five or six days late and go until April 14th.) Sounds like a good plan, right?

I think this is a spectacular opportunity, not just because your family will be a ministry to others in the world, but because forgoing choice beverages for 40 days could be revolutionary to your health! As in a Sugar Fast, going without reveals how our habits silently affect us. Since so many of our beverages contain sugar or sugar substitutes (and other unwholesome ingredients), we all would do well to eliminate them for a time. When the time is up, I challenge you to make a permanent change by only reintroducing them in moderation. Set a goal to make pure water 95% of your beverage intake.

Ten Simple Steps to Reduce Body Burden: Step Eight

Along the same lines as getting rid of plastic storage containers, Step Eight calls for getting rid of plastic water bottles.

8. Make a vow to stop buying bottled water—NOW.

Yes, tap water is full of VOCs, microbes and even heavy metals. Yes, we need to drink purified water. For a long time, the craze has been to get this purer water from soda companies in nice, prepackaged bottles. Seems like a good thing, but evidence is mounting against this solution to the pure water question.

I mentioned in step seven about the toxic chemicals that plastics exude. Well, when water sits in a plastic bottle on the store shelf for an extended time, you can bet that water is full of chemicals leached out of its plastic enclosure. And, these toxins add to our Body Burden. We're looking for simple ways to reduce body burden... and ending our bottled water consumption is simple and easy.

You could do one of two things instead of buying bottled water.

Either you can buy a water filter pitcher to keep in your fridge at all times. Or you can purchase a water filtration system. Both present an up front cost, but both will save money in buying water bottles as the months rolls on. The benefit in purchasing a water filtration system over a pitcher is that you will have enough pure water for cooking as well. (Note on both of these products: Shaklee’s BestWater Pitcher AND MTS 2000 Water Filter were both rated #2 by Consumer Reports.)

We've done a lot of research in selecting our water filtration system. After lots of consideration, this is the water filter our family uses.

Once you've chosen how to purify your tap water, drink out of glasses when you're at home. When you're out, take your water with you in Stainless Steel Bottles.

And, while we're talking about water... have you had a glass today? Drink to your health!