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?
Deborah
We always look forward to drink healthy water. There are many kinds of soft drinks out there. I love your heading before reading entire post. This is lovely. Thanks
Anonymous
Yumm-o! I like regular water, but once in awhile a nice fizzle hits the spot! Great ideas!!
The Simple Beginner
Awesome additions to drinking water on its own. I just drink water with a lemon and honey 🙂 but would love to try out some of these you’ve posted! Thanks for sharing xx
Liz
I love just lemon and water too! But sometimes you just need a little fizz! 😄 thanks for reading! ❤️
thebeautifiedblogger
YES! I hate drinking regular water, as well!!! I love to use frozen fruit in place of ice in my bubbly water!!! I want to try the La Croix brand – I always drink Polar! I also need to try adding the True Lemon lemonade mixture! I used to be obsessed the original unsweetened True Lemon when it first came out! Awesome tips and always good to read something that reinforces how bad soda is!!! It always amazes me how some things are even allowed to be sold on store shelves!!
Liz
You DEFINITELY have to try La Croix. There is not one flavor that I don’t like! And if you liked the True Lemon then you’ll love their lemonade mix! I don’t even use the whole mix in packet in a tall glass and it still has tons of flavor! I love that I’m not alone in my search for healthy hacks! Soda is just so unnecessary!!! ☺️
thebeautifiedblogger
Oh, I must try!!!! On a different note/change, I just ditched my keurig for a french press! I didn’t want to be brewing my coffee through the plastic and the amount of k-cups were excessive!
Liz
That is so true about the keurig. I’m addicted to mine. I need to give it up. I feel so guilty throwing away the kcups! A new French press just might inspire me lol
thebeautifiedblogger
Yes! My Keurig was over 2 years old and on its way out, so I got my french press at Target!! I’ve been grinding my own coffee, as well! It’s so much cheaper, too!