All life on our planet Earth originated in the waters of the primordial oceans, and water continues to play an essential role in our lives today.
We can go for a month without food, but we can live for only two or three days without water.
Water carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells and transports toxins out of the body.
It plays many major roles in the creation of new life, from the fluids that lead to conception to the fluids that accompany birth.
There is no metabolic function in the body that does not include water.
The body is made up of 65 percent water.
This might seem hard to believe, but try to imagine your body on its cellular level.
Each cell is made up of a thin wall surrounding a relatively small nucleus, and the rest is fluid – mainly water.
Many internal and external conditions can lead to dehydration, so it makes sense that water needs to be replenished continually.
I recommend drinking spring water – bottled or from a trusted source – or filtered water.
Tap water may contain chlorine, fluoride and sometimes even lead.
If you have a water filter, make sure you use it according to the instructions provided and change the filter regularly.
How much water do you need to drink?
It depends. If you are petite, you need less than someone who is tall. If you are physically very active, you need more than someone who is less active.
If you consume dehydrating liquids like coffee, teas containing caffeine and cola drinks or alcoholic beverages, you need more than someone who does not drink these liquids.
If you live in a hot climate, you need more than someone who lives in a cool climate – however, do not underestimate the drying effects of winter, as both the cold wind outside and the central heating systems inside are extremely dehydrating.
Start to experiment and see how you feel. Definitely have some water first thing in the morning: one or two glasses.
This will flush the kidneys, eliminating yesterday’s toxins, and give your body a fresh start for the new day. “It’s like taking an internal shower” is how my client Candida so eloquently put it.
When we reach adulthood, many of us lose our sense of thirst, which is so pronounced in children.
By the time we feel thirsty, we are already seriously dehydrated.
Think of having water as a preventative rather than as a remedy for dehydration.
Bring water with you at all times, whether you are moving about or working at your desk.
If you keep a glass or bottle of water visible at your side, you will be more inclined to remember to take a sip once in a while.
Have some water mid-morning, about an hour before lunch.
Avoid drinking large amounts with your meals because this dilutes the digestive juices.
However, the digestive system benefits from being well moistened before the food starts arriving.
So have some water about an hour to thirty minutes before eating.
Sipping a little water with your meal is fine.
Be sure to have some water in the afternoon as well. We often experience a period of low energy in the afternoon, which many of us try to fix by reaching for sugary sweets or coffee.
Often it is water that our bodies crave, but we misinterpret the message and think we need a boost of sugar or caffeine.
Drink as much water as you feel like having.
Half a glass might be enough, but sometimes we don’t realize how dehydrated we are and don’t start feeling the thirst until we begin to drink some water.
That first sip makes you realize: I am really thirsty!
When that happens, drink until you feel satisfied.
Always check in with your body – how do you feel, what do you need?
If you have a sense that the water is just running through you (frequent urination and very pale urine), have smaller amounts of water more frequently.
If you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, avoid drinking in the evening.
If you wake up in the middle of the night with the sensation of a dry mouth, keep water by your bedside and have a sip when that happens.
Carry water with you when you are on the go. Hard plastic bottles are better than soft plastic bottles.
There are also lightweight stainless steel water bottles available.
You do not need to buy water if you have a water filter – just fill up your bottle at home and you are all set.
If you find plain water too boring, add some taste by making herbal teas (no caffeine!) or by adding a little lemon, lime or orange to your drinking water.
A slice of cucumber, some rose petals or a fresh peppermint leaf can also dress up your water nicely and make it more interesting to drink.
Coconut water is also excellent for hydration.
If cold water does not appeal to you, have warm or hot water.
Drinking plain hot water can feel extremely soothing.
In fact, there is an ayurvedic remedy for weight loss based on traditional Indian teachings: Boil water for fifteen minutes, pour it into a thermos and sip it throughout the day.
The prolonged boiling makes the water molecules “sharper,” enabling them to better penetrate any stagnation in the body and flush out toxins and fat.
So far, we have been talking about the effects of water on our bodies.
Let’s look now at how we affect water. Dr. Masaru Emoto has for many years been studying water and water crystals.
He made a remarkable discovery: Water responds to words, whether they are spoken, written or even thought.
Kind, uplifting words tend to produce beautifully shaped water crystals, while angry, discordant expressions have produced warped crystals.
Considering that almost three-quarters of the body consists of water, it makes sense that we need to be aware of our thoughts and spoken words. Words do have an effect on our own health and on the well-being of our loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Dwelling on negative thoughts and events might bring us illness and disease, and focusing on positive thoughts can bring healing and happiness.
How about greeting yourself in the mirror each morning with a cheerful thought and a big smile?
Marika Blossfeldt
https://marikab.com/
www.pollitalu.wordpress.comcom
www.facebook.com/EssentialNourishment
Frothy Cranberry Smoothie
A refreshing and immunity-boosting fall smoothie
Prepare time: 10 minutes
Serves 2.
Cooking level : easy
Recipe Keywords Cranberry, apple, banana, smoothie
Recipe Cuisine: vegetarian, vegan, whole foods, clean foods
Ingredients:
1 cup (240 ml) water
1 banana, peeled
1 apple, core removed
½ cup (120 ml) cranberries
half a thumb size piece of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into slices
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into blender and puree.
Serve immediately.
TO YOUR HEALTH!
