Refreshing Teas and Waters

Hot Cranberry Tea with cinnamon

The majority of Americans have been conditioned to choose sugary and/or caffeinated beverages over water. When asked why, many will cite taste. "Water is bland," or "tasteless," according to some. Okay, so perhaps water is an acquired taste; if so, more of us should adjust our palates to appreciate the sweet goodness of pure, clean (unchlorinated, unfloridated, freshly filtered), life-sustaining water.

For those of us who prefer more variety, I've found that simply adding slices of vegetables, chunks of fruit, or the leaves and stems of herbs can be enough to make plain water interesting again.

In our household we often brew up pots of tea on the stove. No, we don't use tea pots. A simple pot, filled with a good quality of water, and seeded with a plant-based flavor source will do. Some of our favorites include beet tea, ginger tea (especially in cold and flu season), and cranberry tea (we like to add a little cinnamon.



Watercress Tea, on the stove

For flavored waters, having a jar with a dispenser spout at the base is nice, although a simple, single-serving glass works as well. While we do make larger batches of waters, I find dipping them from a pot to the glass somehow less satisfying than when dipping teas.

Many folks combine two or three flavors when making summer waters. Examples include watermelon and rosemary, cucumber and mint, among others. Personally, I'm more of a purist when it comes to teas and waters (although it may be hard to discern this about me from my throw-everything-in blender and soup-pot recipes).

Cranberry Tea, just begun

The bottom line is that humans require hydration. Drinking about a quart of water of every 50 pounds of body weight should be sufficient to keep the average person hydrated. More is required during periods of stress, especially heat stress--when one exercises, sweats, or loses inordinate amounts of fluids during periods of illness.

Water should be consumed steadily throughout the day, not in vast quantities when one is very thirsty or happens to remember to drink. Indeed, thirst is an indicator of dehydration. Sip steadily throughout the day. Stop a few hours before bedtime to ensure a good night's worth of uninterrupted sleep. (Hopping up to go the the bathroom during the night is not restful.)

If you crave sugary sodas and other beverages, start small. Exchange one cola or sweet tea for a glass of cucumber water one day, and try a brewed tea on another occasion. Make inroads slowly and you will be surprised that, just by listening to your body, how quickly you will wean yourself off of the addictive, unhealthful beverages.

Good luck. Start today. I wish you many blessings in health.