Hydration Station! || How To Drink More Water
We all know how important it is to drink LOTS of water each day. As a former sweet tea addict, I'm the first to say I know it isn't easy. Over the years, though, I've changed my habits so drastically that I almost can't even stomach a glass of sweet tea anymore. My go-to beverage of choice (before 5pm!) is water, or flavored water.
Experts preach that in order to experience optimal health, one should consume half of their body weight in ounces of water each day. Think of it like this: if you weigh 140 pounds, you'd drink 70 ounces of water each day.
Consuming such large amounts of the same thing over and over can get monotonous quite quickly. Even though I love water at this point in my life and drink more than the recommended amount daily, I find it necessary to excite my tastebuds and spice my daily hydration up with a little flavor now and then. Enter my favorite water drinking hack: ICE CUBES.
Ice cubes do not get nearly the amount of love they should, and are such an unappreciated bit of history. In the early nineteenth century before ice was accessible from our refrigerators, it was a luxury on afforded only by the wealthy. Beginning in 1806, a man known as the “Ice King” harvested ice from New England frozen lakes, and popularized its’ use across the country. Originally advertised as a way to keep food and medication cold, he also promoted the use of ice for beverages. And so America’s love affair with ice was born. Today, not only can we easily access ice, we can make it ourselves, and I’m oh-so-thankful.
Fruity ice cubes not only add a bit of flavor to your daily water intake, they also add a pop of color to your glass. Change up the flavors frequently to keep things exciting! The below options are just a few ideas, but the options and combinations are limitless. Be creative, and find your favorite flavors.
First things first, select the fruits or herbs and essential oils that appeal to you most. Since you’ll be using your ice cubes in water, anything goes.
Some of my favorite options:
• strawberries
• lemons
• limes
• oranges
• grapefruits
• basil leaves
• mint leaves
• raspberries
• watermelon
Optional essential oils:
• Lemon oil
• Wild Orange oil
• Lime oil
• Grapefruit oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil
• Basil oil
Instructions
Cut your chosen additives into small pieces, and place pieces into an ice cube tray.
Add 1–2 drops of essential oils per ice cube slot, if you’re using oils.
Fill the remaining space of each tray with water and place into freezer.
Once frozen, add to your water!
Flavor combinations to try:
Raspberry and Lemon
Orange, Lemon, and Lime
Lavender and Lemon
Lime and Mint
Grapefruit and Basil
Strawberry and Lemon
Watermelon and Lime
Lemon and Lime
I'm not sure about you, but my mind totally goes beyond water and straight to all the cocktails these would instantly improve! Surely I can’t be the only one thinking up more creative uses for fancy ice cubes
As always, it is never safe to ingest essential oils that are not pure, therapeutic grade oils. I use and love dōTERRA oils (and a big thanks to them for this post!). If you don't have exceptional essential oils, please reach out via the contact tab of my website. I am a Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA would love to hook you up! This post may contain affiliate links that don't cost you anything extra, but do help me! I always appreciate when people use my links!
