Thousands have lived without love, not one without water ~ W.H. Auden.
Amongst other things, the one that makes the earth a unique planet and capable of sustaining life is the presence of water, liquid or frozen. It covers about 74% of the earth’s surface.
The human body, much like our planet, is (approximately) 60% water. According to Ayurvedic texts, water represents ´soma`, the nourishing, cooling quality that is associated with lunar energy. This key element protects our tissues, spinal cord and joints, regulates our body temperature, aids digestion, eliminates waste, prevents dehydration and creates better circulation. This makes pure water the world’s first and foremost medicine.
Given all the reasons to drink enough of it, here are some ways to jazz up this simple drink to stay hydrated.
- Detox water – This is essentially water that has been infused with the flavours of fruits, vegetables and/or herbs. To make detox water, add sliced cucumber, lemons, strawberries, oranges, pineapples, limes, ginger, apple, grapefruit or few mint leaves, basil leaves or a rosemary stalk. Perhaps, some raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or a cinnamon stick into an infuser bottle, if you have one. You can add one fruit or a combination of the above. If you don’t have an infuser bottle, just directly add the fruit/ herb in a jug of room temperature water. Let it stand for a few hours. If the weather gets too hot, then refrigerate the infuser bottle to prevent the fruits from spoiling. You’re all set to sip a fantastic summer beverage!
- Chia seed summer coolers – Chia seeds provide nutrients and very few calories, support deep hydration and are vital for health and wellness. Soak chia seeds in water for a couple of hours and add them to a variety of drinks. Add them to squash or `Sirup` or juice or lemonade to pump up their nutritional quotient.
- Copper bottle water – Copper is known for its strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and helps in better absorption of iron. Fill in room temperature water in a copper pot/ bottle and let it stand for some hours, preferably overnight.
- Clay bottle water – The earth is rich in vitamins and minerals and drinking water out of a clay vessel imparts these properties directly into your system. The clay naturally cools the water, is alkaline, and hence maintains the pH balance of the body and prevents sun strokes.
- Juice drink – Fruits juices are rich in vitamins and antioxidants but are concentrated in natural sugars. Diluting fruit juices retains their goodness and enriches the flavour of water.
- Mash drink – Mash up different berries at the bottom of your glass and top it up with sparkling water.
- Herbal teas – These are made using dried herbs, flowers, fruit or spices. They are typically had warm, are caffeine free, flavourful and healthy. I regularly make herb tea with cumin and/or carom seeds which I use to prepare baby formula milk to make it more easily digestible.
- Broth, consommé, bouillon – Instead of the fruit based sweet flavours if one has a savoury palate, then these warm clear soups add up in our fluid intake.
- Seltzer – Still drink – Seltzer, sparkling or soda water is water containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, providing water its effervescent quality. Some people prefer drinking sparkling water over sugary sodas. Soda water is also available in varied flavours.
- Flavoured ice – Adding fruit or herbs to water in ice cube trays is one of the ways to get creative freezing water. Alternatively add juice, teas or another flavoured beverage to ice cube trays to make water more interesting. Children love ice shaped in various moulds.
- Veggie drink – The water left over after boiling vegetables can be cooled and refrigerated overnight to make a vitamin rich drink.
- Aromatic drink – Add a few drops of Rose / Kewda water to make fragrant water.
Good hydration is a must. However, over hydration can be hazardous, even lethal. Hence there cannot be one universal rule on how much water one needs to drink. Use your body’s cue to guide you.
Disclaimer: Opinions and methods expressed are solely of the writer. Namaste Switzerland does not undertake any obligation or liability which may arise from the content.
