Blog – RefineMEnt

Are you trying to drink your daily water, but struggling because it’s so…tasteless? Many of you have asked me to share fruit infused water ideas and tips for how to drink more water. When I first started intentionally adding more water to my daily routine, I found it very difficult to get down just 1 glass. I thought it was so plain and boring – mostly because I had been so used to sugary drinks. I needed a way to make sure to drink more water because I knew I wasn’t getting nearly enough.

Is Infused Water Healthy?

In short, fruit-infused water is absolutely nutritional for you. In addition to adding more water to your diet, you’ll also be getting some of the vitamin content and antioxidants from the fruits you’re using. Basically, we’re making making your own “vitamin water,” but without the processed ingredients or high price tag. Here are several reasons why drinking water is so important:

Water helps with weight loss – if you feel hungry, it might actually be your body trying to get water – so drink some water and your hunger might go away!

Drinking water increases your metabolism which helps you burn fat.

Water provides extra energy for your muscles, and helps prevent muscle cramps and strains.

Water improves your judgment and thinking.

Water prevents headaches and minimizes illnesses.

Water improves your mood.

Water makes your skin look great.

And, everyone’s favorite, water keeps your bowel movements nice and regular.

7 Tips for How Infuse Water

Use cold or room temperature water because using hot water will break down enzymes and vitamins.

Use a 1 quart glass mason jar with a re-usable mason jar lid because they are eco-friendly, and look super cool. But any container will work, as long as you can refrigerate it and it wont leak.

Let the fruit infused water set at room temperature for 1-2 hours or refrigerated for about 3-4 hours before drinking it.

Infusing for up to 8 hours will make it pretty strong, if you prefer that.

If you’re adding citrus peel, like lemons and limes, those can get bitter after just 5-6 hours so you’ll want to consider what fruits you’re using as well.

You could use frozen fruit for these recipes as well if you’re not able to find them fresh, but the frozen fruit will not be as flavorful and will break down more than fresh fruit in the water.

If you prefer carbonated water, that works fine, too! Just replace the water with carbonated, sparkling water and drink it right away so you have your bubbles be all bubbly.

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——————————————————————————————————— Knowing is Now Doing- Eating Better 9/13/21

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2 RECIPES TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Easy One-Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe (Great low fat whole grains and protein)

Rebecca Clyde, MS, RDN, CD

Ingredients

½ pound andouille sausage (can omit if desired to make low fat)

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 14½-ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid

1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

½ teaspoon salt

¼ to 1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons ground thyme

2 teaspoons dried sweet basil

1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne

1 tablespoon paprika

2 to 5 drops hot pepper sauce

1 bay leaf

1 cup uncooked brown rice

1 green bell pepper, chopped

Directions

Brown the sausage with the onion, garlic and celery for about 4 to 6 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, 2 cups water, salt, pepper, thyme, basil, cayenne, paprika, hot sauce, bay leaf, and rice.

Bring to a boil. Add the rice, decrease heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes.

Remove from heat. Add the green pepper, stir well, cover and let stand 10 minutes. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 2 Cups

Serves 4

Calories: 515; Total Fat 20g; Saturated Fat: .426g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 720mg; Total Carbohydrate: 65g; Dietary Fiber: 13g; Protein: 21g.

2.SMOOTHIE BOWLS

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Proud to be A Mom 9/8/21

Special Episode

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Physical Assessment and Healthy Eating Tips 9/6/21

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MOVE 8/30/21

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NEW DAY= FABULOUS YOU! 8/25/21

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein