Posted at 07:00h
in
Nutrition
by Yogaholics
We all know the importance of staying hydrated – especially when temperatures soar. Water is the best option to fuel your body. But we all know, that plain water sometimes can become a bit boring. Especially if you still have to drink a few more litres to stay on top of your hydration. We gathered four cool hacks on how to spice up your water intake. You’ll never be thirsty again.
Maybe even after an extra sweaty vinyasa class, you need your H2O more than ever. Yes, coconut water is another hydrating option, but sometimes to need a bit of an extra kick to keep that water intake healthy. Even the most hydrated yogi can struggle with this. We’re just keeping it real here, yogis!
This may taste a bit unusual when you are not used to both ingredients, but let us assure you, the benefits are not to be missed. It’s perfect for those days that you want a little extra pizazz in your H2O. Yoga teacher Corey Phelps’ favourite water additions are apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper. Apple cider vinegar is known to lower blood sugar levels, reduce insulin sensitivity, aid in weight loss, and improve heart health. Cayenne pepper gives it a kick, plus contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, manganese, and flavonoids, which help improve circulation, lower cholesterol, and provide a metabolic boost.
Maybe it’ll take a few sips to get used to the unusual taste, but give it a go!
2. Beauty Water
This one is a real beauty, literally. International yoga teacher, Kathryn Budig uses Sakara’s Beauty Water in her morning water. Beauty water is rose water infused with 72 trace minerals, that helps hydrate and remineralise the body, and gives skin a glow from the inside out. ALL THE YES!! Imagine you’ll be super glowing after a yoga class. Additionally, you can store the water in a container that has a chunk of rose quartz. The rose water calms the adrenals, and the quartz energetically charges you. Plus it’ll look super pretty, a little extra motivation get sipping.
3. Herbs & Cucumber
You might’ve seen and tasted this one before. It’s a straightforward but effective way to spice up your water, especially on a scorcher day. All you need to do is add fresh herbs and cucumber slices. Simply place 2-3 cucumber slices, which are rich in vitamin B-5, into a water bottle in the morning and add some fresh mint, basil, parsley, or coriander. The herbs add an extra kick of flavour and refresh your breath. Plus you might also stop your snack craving with these infused waters. Throughout the day, you can refill the bottle with filtered water, and it’ll continue to keep quench that thirst. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can add also add some frozen raspberries or blueberries to your water.
Or have you tried to add a few drops of therapeutic, food-grade peppermint, grapefruit or lemon essential oil to your water? Flavour explosion!
4. Crystal Love
We all love our crystals everywhere – around the house, underneath our pillows for their healing and good energy. We even hide them in our bras sometimes – don’t worry, we all do it at one stage. Crystals are the new black, all celebrities, yogi or not, are jumping on board. Let’s take it up a notch with crystal-infused water bottles. Yes, it’s A THING when Gwyneth Paltrow is writing about it.
You can buy ready-made water bottles with a specific crystal in it already. There is a wide variety, so you choose one depending on what energy you want to bring to your water and mostly to yourself. You can also easily DIY them at home. Just add your favourite crystal or a few in your water bottle or container and keep pouring water out of it. Supercharge your water with subtle vibrations of crystalline energy. Loving it all the way!
There are so many great choices out there! It’ll be a long hot summer ahead, so you can try all of the above options to stay healthy, inspired and hydrated throughout the heat. Even the sweatiest yoga class will feel like a breeze with one of these cool waters to rehydrate you afterwards. Oh, and they might be a conversation starter, as they not only taste amazing but also look super cool.
Why don’t you put our theory of not ever having to drink boring water again to the test? Roll out your mat and give this fast and sweaty yoga flow a go. Then enjoy one of our water options above and you’ll see how perfectly hydrated you feel afterwards, will want to go back for more. More Yoga and more water. Naturally.
Which one of these cool water variations will you try first? Let us know if you come up with your own creations to spice up your water.
Written by Yoga Journal