STAY HYDRATED

Summertime means picnics, late nights and lots of fun in the sun!  With the increasing outdoor temperatures, elevated water intake is a must. CBS reports that while most people know that water should be a priority, 75% of Americans fall short of the daily recommended water intake. Which puts the majority of our population at risk of dehydration and heat stroke.  Staying hydrated is your bodies way of regulating temperature. 

Water is a great way to stay hydrated. Containing 0g fat, 0g sugar and 0 calories, water is a smart choice.  If waters lack of flavor is a pit fall for you, try giving fruit infused water a try. Keep your taste buds on edge and make dehydration a thing of the past this summer!

Here are some flavor combinations, the possibilities are endless, experiment and enjoy! 

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Infused Water Recipes

1. Cucumber Mint

Thinly slice one cucumber. Add the sliced cucumbers to a ½ gallon glass jar, add 8 fresh mint leaves, and fill with water. Stir gently and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

2. Citrus Blueberry

Slice two oranges into thin slices (leave the rind on for better flavor). Add sliced oranges and 1 cup of blueberries to a gallon size glass jar. Add water to fill the jar and stir gently. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and store in refrigerator.

3. Pineapple Mint

One of my favorites! Peel and thinly slice about 1/4 of a pineapple. The more thinly sliced the pineapple, the more flavor it will infuse. Add to a ½ gallon size glass jar with 10-12 leaves of fresh mint. Add water to fill and stir gently. Store in refrigerator.

4. Watermelon Basil

Add about 2 cups of finely chopped fresh watermelon (without rind) to a gallon size glass jar. Add 15 leaves of basil and water to fill. Store in refrigerator and allow at least 4 hours to infuse.

5. Strawberry Lemon

Like strawberry lemonade, but better! Add 15 fresh strawberries, washed and finely sliced to a ½ gallon glass jar. Add one sliced lemon with rind on. Fill with water. Stir gently and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator and enjoy.

6. Cherry Lime

Reminiscent of cherry limeade, minus the sugar coma. Add two cups of fresh cherries, cut in half, and one fresh lime, sliced into thin slices, to a gallon size glass jar. Add water to fill. Mix gently and store in refrigerator until ready to drink.

***For best flavor, it takes at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator to let the flavors of the fruit infuse into the water. (Some of the recipes below are written for a half-gallon jar, others for a gallon jar. If you drink the water within the first day, you can add more filtered water and re-infuse to get a second use out of the fruits and herbs.)