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Chucking down a glass of iced cold water is not a recommendation you will hear from any alternative health practitioner. When it’s cold outside, you still need to keep the body hydrated, but you do it in a different way than during the hot season (not that you should ice your beverages when it’s hot either, at least not so much!)

Why is hydration so important?

Because you are composed of water! Water is the basis of all life and that includes your body.

Your muscles that move your body are 75% water. Your blood that transports nutrients is 82% water, your lungs that provide your oxygen are 90% water, your brain that is the control center of your body is 76% water and even your bones are 25% water. Our health, our survival is truly dependent on the quality and quantity of the water we drink.

How do you ensure you drink enough during cold months? Take a look at how I stay hydrated, get inspired, pick your favorite and fix yourself some delicious drinks.

Hot or warm lemon water best consumed in the morning after awakening to alkalize the body, awaken the liver, move the toxins around, hydrate.

Hot or warm apple cider vinegar water (start with a teaspoon, increase slowly after you adjust to the new taste)

Hot ginger lemon honey tea or ginger lemon honey turmeric tea. You can simmer a small sliced ginger root in a pot of water for 20 minutes and use it as your base adding lemon, honey or even a chai tea bag for a chai coconut latte.

Ayurvedic teas – Manjista to move the lymph or Trikatu to improve digestion, help with the cold, warm-up the body, served best with lemon and raw honey.

Herbal teas – chamomile, peppermint, nettle, dandelion. There are so many to choose from and each one serves a different purpose. Some are calming, some invigorating or detoxifying. Experiment with different tastes. Most are mellow tasting.

Goji Berry water made by blending in a handful of goji berries with room temperature water and lemon or lime. Gently sweet, nourishing and delicious.

Cranberry Chia Seed water. This deliciously kidney friendly water is made by blending a handful of frozen cranberries in room temperature water, straining it and adding a 1-2 tablespoons of hydrating, fiber and protein rich chia seeds. Allow to soak for 10-20 minutes. Chia seeds help you stay hydrated a long time.

Flaxseed tea extremely beneficial for the intestines coating it with a protective, slimy layer. It’s excellent for digestive issues, leaky gut, ulcers, and beautiful skin. Simmer gently two tablespoons of whole flaxseed in a cup of water for about 10 minutes. Strain and sip slowly. It’s think and gooey with a hint of buttery taste. It’s really nice, don’t be afraid to try. Older generation Polish people drink it a lot.

Superfruit water – easily made by adding your favorite superfruit to room temperature water. Go for powdered goji berries, mulberries, coconut, acai berry, raspberry and more. So much to choose from. Some companies offer a mix. Go for freeze dried, organic. A little goes a long way. You might see it as an expensive luxury, but don’t forget that superfruits offer super nutrition.

Teas – White, Roobois, Green. These all count as your water intake and each offer a different benefit, antioxidant property and caffeine level.

Finally don’t dismiss the benefit of plain hot water. According to Ayurveda, sipping hot, plain water throughout the day cleanses the lymphatic system, responsible for toxin flow and removal. It actually is your most important system affecting all others. For that reason alone, sip your hot water daily thinking of all the benefits it brings to your body.
Cheers!

Joanna Puciata is a founder of heal ‘N Glow, holistic health practice with beauty in mind, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Gluten Practitioner and a Beauty Expert. She is an author of Vague Memories, a story of family legacy, Poland and every day moments. She is also a founder of Heal ‘N Glow Beauty, Facebook Beauty Forum. For more health and beauty tips, Happy Gut, New Life and Beauty coaching sign-up for her newsletter and visit www.healandglow.com