Make Your Own Infused Waters

Infused waters are everywhere.  But did you know it’s simple to make your own infused waters?  It’s so simple, it’s ridiculous!  Restaurants are pros at infusing water, making it sound delicious (and expensive), but you can make it at home for much less cost.  And virtually no calories, but a lot of flavor.  You and your family deserve it!  Make some room in the refrigerator for these simple infused waters. 

infusion-water-bottle-pampered-chef

And just to refresh – you might be thinking – why is water so important?  Blah, blah, drink 8 glasses a day, right?

Well, water is incredibly important.  If you are one of those people (like my former self) that prides themselves on not going to the bathroom all day saying “I have a bladder of steel”, but your urine comes out looking like apple juice, Houston we have a problem.  I was one of these people for years.  But I didn’t fully understand the impact water had, until I became a dietitian.

Water is incredibly important.  It helps us:

  • Maintain balance – we are made of a lot of water! Staying hydrated helps our bodies move and digest food, helps our blood circulate (think blood pressure), and keeps our temperature stable.
  • Control calories – just when we are about to reach for the second dessert, we could reach for a glass of water instead.  While it doesn’t sound as satisfying, I challenge you to try drinking a bottle of water after lunch and after your evening meal.  The fullness it provides might surprise you and your body will love it.
  • Fuel our workouts – while the norm is to have a sports drink in our hand whenever we are exercising, it’s not necessary.  Water is the perfect hydrating beverage if your workout is 60 minutes or less.  Above the hour mark of intense exercise, go ahead and reach for the sports drink, as you are likely losing enough electrolytes that you will need to replenish those minerals.  (And at the end of a workout, try a glass of chocolate milk!)
  • Keep our skin healthy – dehydrated skin makes for a dull and dry look.  Our skin is in large part made of water, so staying hydrated is one of the things that can help keep that healthy glow.
  • Stay focused – feeling tired, distracted, and even downright cranky can begin with dehydration.  Recharge and refresh with water and your concentration will get a boost.
  • Minimize headaches – one of the symptoms of dehydration is actually a headache.  Staying hydrated works to your benefit.

Facebook Live Video Series

I shared some simple ideas in my recent Facebook Live video on Infused Waters (while the sound for some reason didn’t work for the first minute, hang in there).

https://www.facebook.com/JenHaugenRD/videos/1174972159228321/

If you are interested in any of the tools shown in the video, just click on the following link to purchase (yes, it’s an affiliate link, because I am a Pampered Chef Kitchen Consultant, so I will earn a commission).  But I’m just that excited to share all these fun tools with you to make your kitchen life easier, more nourishing, and more fun! 

https://www.pamperedchef.com/pws/jenhaugen

Links to Pampered Chef tools I used:

Recipes:

Some infused water combinations you will love (all of these combinations will work for a 2 quart size pitcher).   To make these, just prepare the fruits/vegetables/herbs and put into the bottom of the pitcher.  Stir well and let the flavors mingle in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Lemon Ginger Cucumber Mint

  • 2” (5 cm) piece of cucumber, sliced, halved
  • ½ lemon, sliced
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) thinly sliced peeled ginger
  • 3 sprigs fresh mint 

Everything Citrus

  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 lime, halved
  • 1 orange, halved

Juice half of each citrus fruit, adding juice to pitcher.  With remaining halves, thinly slice and add to water.

Strawberry Lime

  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 6 strawberries, sliced
  • Mint, optional

Strawberry Kiwi

  • 1 peeled kiwi, peeled, sliced, halved
  • 6 strawberries, sliced

Which kitchen tool peaks your interest?  I would love to know what inspires you here!

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