You know that old saying “practice what you preach”? Of course you do. It’s a great way to call out the hypocrisy of those do-gooders in our lives that try to steer us away from wrong and into the direction of right. Well folks, I have a confession to make. I am one of those do-gooder hypocrites. Yep, I’m coming clean.
I don’t like drinking water.
There. I said it. The shame! I am not a water guzzler. I am a coffee guzzler which does count toward some of your daily fluid intake. You heard right, a coffee guzzling nutrition professional trying to bend the rules in her favor. But I’m not completely evil. The truth of the matter is that coffee is my beverage of choice almost exclusively until lunch (still not condoning, just stating the facts) and then I try to play catch up the last half of the day by sucking down tumbler after tumbler of ice water. Eck.
Kudos to you if water is your favorite drink. You are a special kind of human. I, on the other hand, am a reformed Diet Mt. Dew addict who slayed the soda habit about 5 years ago. Let me tell you, it was quite a feat. Carbonated water with added sugar (typically HFC-high fructose corn syrup), food grade coloring, and a whole host of other additives to make it scary and undeniably delicious. Killer combo.
Take a gander at this infographic. A similar one was what forced my hand to quit the habit back in the day.
YEAH, It’s bad. Really bad.
Now that I have ruined soda (and your life) you’re probably asking yourself, “what now, Liz?” Good question. The answer is not that we have to drink water 24/7. Who wants to live in that world? Not me. Not anyone who eats pizza, either. I can’t sit here and tell you to wash down your pizza with a tall glass of ice water because, let’s be honest, pizza goes well with two things and two things only; beer or soda. Unless……you have a kick ass drink recipe for some bubbly goodness.
In fact, that is exactly what I have. You’re welcome.
WHAT YOU NEED:
1. Sparkling Water– LaCroix makes a variety of flavors that pretty much taste delicious with all fruits. My faves are Coconut, Passion Fruit, and Lemon
2. Fresh or Frozen Fruits– Get creative. Use frozen if you don’t want to water down the flavor. If you only have fresh on hand it works just as well.
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Watermelon, etc.
3. Flavor (optional)- I love adding a little sweetness to set off the fruity flavor. A hint of stevia is great, or if you are more adventurous, True Lemon makes a powdered lemonade mix that uses stevia instead of splenda or those other impostor sweeteners.
4. Herbs- I don’t always have fresh herbs on hand but if I do they take this drink to the next level. Add some fresh mint to a lemon/blueberry mix or some fresh basil with frozen strawberries. It’s all good!
And anything else that you can come up with! You can’t go wrong with fruit or even a few veggies if cucumber tickles your fancy.
What is your favorite combination?
Just like me!!!! I hate drinking water! But THIS is looking so refreshing!!!!
Thank heaven I’m not the only one! It’s the perfect amount of sweet and fizzy for a hot day! Take it into the evening hours by adding a splash of your favorite wine… 😉👌🏻
Great tips! I drink lemon water!
I LOVE lemon water! Especially with bubbles ☺️
Great post! Sodas are the new tobacco!
Amen to that! I had to go cold turkey to kick my soda habit. Unreal! Lol
Honestly – it was hard for me too. Their is nothing better (to me) than an ice cold, fizzy Coke on a hot day!! LOL!
I hear you girl!!! I was the same way!!
Hehe, and I drink about 2-4 bottles of water each day 😊 Couldn’t go a day without it!
You are so good!!! Ugh, I wish I had your taste for water:-)
What about adding little milk to it so that it appears like Indian flavored buttermilk (Indian lassi) ?
I bet that would be great! I don’t know about Indian Flavored Buttermilk but now I want to try it!!!