well learn to like it, boil it, and filter it yourself through a coffee filter or through a water pitcher that has a filter. Flavor it up with these recipes, which are all good for you.
Did you know drinking bottled water all the time really isn't that good for you? So try some of these easy to do, inexpensive water recipes and Drink Drink DRINK!!!!
Your body needs way more water than you can imagine.
I’ve always liked drinking my water with a slice or two of lemon–that extra little touch of flavor just makes water more appealing to me. There are a lot of other ways you can flavor water naturally. You can get really creative with it! Here are some ideas…
**Add a slice of your favorite citrus to a tall glass of ice water…try lemon, lime, or orange slices. Or combine them…slices of lemon and lime…orange and lime…or try all three together!
**Fresh mint is always a great addition to a glass of ice water.
**Combine lemon slices with fresh herbs in your water…try lemon with mint, rosemary, thyme, or sliced ginger root.
**Cucumbers are great in water, too! Slice up a large cucumber and add it to a pitcher of water…it’s really refreshing. You can also try cucumber with some fresh thyme added in. Or cucumber slices with lemon or orange slices.
**If you want a more intense flavor to your glass of water, squeeze the citrus and/or twist the herbs you are using before you add them to your glass.
**Besides lemons, oranges, and limes, you can try adding other kinds of fruit to your glass or pitcher of water…a small handful of your favorite berries (or mixed berries) is a nice addition to a glass of ice water. Other fruits you can try alone or in combination are: watermelon, cantaloupe, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, grapes, and kiwi.
**Jenny from An Oregon Cottage mentioned in a comment on this post that she likes to use orange and mint or strawberry and cucumber combinations to flavor her water–great ideas!
NOTE: I usually drink my flavored water the same day I make it…I think it tastes best that way. Depending on what you add to your water, it may get cloudy or bitter-tasting if stored in the refrigerator too long.
If you’re wanting to make a pitcher of flavored water, you basically just slice or chop up some fresh fruit, cucumbers, or herbs and place in a pitcher, add cold water and chill several hours. The result is water infused with a light, natural flavor. It’s ready to serve over ice, garnished with a slice of fruit or clipping of an herb of your choice. Here are some other recipes for flavored water you may want to try:
CITRUS CUCUMBER WATER
¦1 large lemon, sliced
¦1 large lime, sliced
¦1 large orange, sliced
¦1 large cucumber, sliced
¦1 half-gallon of water
Place all the sliced fruits and the cucumber in a glass pitcher and add water. Refrigerate for two hours to allow flavors to infuse, then serve in glasses over ice.
CUCUMBER–HERBAL WATER
¦5 cups water
¦10 thin slices of cucumber
¦2 lemon slices
¦2 sprigs of fresh mint
¦3 sprigs of rosemary
Put water in pitcher and add lemon slices and cucumber slices. Crush mint and rosemary to release flavor, then add to other ingredients. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
CUCUMBER–MELON WATER
¦1 large cucumber, sliced
¦1/4 honeydew melon, cubed
¦1/4 cantaloupe, cubed
¦1 half-gallon water
Place cucumber and melons in a glass pitcher and add water. Refrigerate for 2 hours, then serve over ice. Garnish with melon balls skewered on a swizzle stick.
HONEYDEW–LIME WATER
¦2–3 slices of ripe honeydew melon
¦1 lime, sliced
¦4 sprigs of mint
¦1 half-gallon of water
Add melon slices, lime slices and mint sprigs to a large pitcher; fill with the half-gallon of water and refrigerate 2–4 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Makes about 8 servings.
HERB AND BERRY–FLAVORED WATER
¦1 cup fresh blueberries, lightly crushed
¦2 4–inch sprigs of fresh rosemary. lightly bruised (to release more flavor)
¦1 half-gallon of water
Add blueberries and rosemary sprigs to a large pitcher; fill with the half-gallon of water and refrigerate 2–4 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Makes about 8 servings.
LEMON–LAVENDER WATER
¦3 large lemons, sliced
¦1/4 cup fresh lavender
¦1 half-gallon of water
Add lemon slices and lavender to pitcher; pour water over both and refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of lavender.
LEMON–MINT or LEMON-BASIL WATER
¦4 lemons, sliced
¦1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh mint or basil leaves
¦6–8 cups water
¦6–8 cups ice cubes
¦Fresh mint or basil sprigs
Place lemon slices in a large pitcher. Rub the mint or basil leaves between the palms of your hands to bruise the leaves slightly. Add to the pitcher with lemon and pour in the water. Cover and chill 1–8 hours.
Strain lemon–water mixture and discard herbs. Divide lemon slices and additional fresh mint or basil sprigs equally among 6–8 glasses. In each glass, add 1 cup of ice cubes, then fill with lemon water.
LEMON, LIME AND ORANGE WATER
¦1 large lemon, sliced
¦1 large lime, sliced
¦1 large orange, sliced
¦1/4 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
¦1 half-gallon of water
Add citrus slices (and cilantro leaves, if desired) to a large pitcher; fill with the half-gallon of water and refrigerate 2 hours. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish with your favorite citrus slice (and a sprig of cilantro, if you’re using that). Makes about 8 servings.
FROZEN FRUIT WATER
¦2 cups frozen apple chunks, grapes, or berries
¦1 half-gallon of water
Add frozen fruit to a pitcher; pour water over fruit and let sit at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Stir to distribute fruit flavor and serve in glasses with some ice cubes. (Note: you can chop up the same kind of fruit, unfrozen, and follow same directions. You’ll need to use more ice when serving the unfrozen fruit–flavored water).
ORANGE–MINT WATER
¦3 large oranges, sliced
¦10 mint leaves
¦1 half-gallon of water
Put sliced oranges and mint leaves in pitcher and add water; refrigerate for 2 hours to infuse flavors. Pour over ice and garnish with a sprig of mint and orange slice.
WATERMELON–BASIL WATER
¦2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
¦10 basil leaves
¦1 half-gallon of water
Pour water over melon and basil; refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve over ice, garnished with a sprig of basil.
FRUIT WATER
¦1 each of the following fruits: apple, lemon, orange, pear
¦4 large strawberries
¦Handful of raspberries
¦Handful of mint leaves
¦1 half-gallon of water
Cut large slices or thin wedges of each fruit; place them in a large glass pitcher and add cold water. Refrigerate 2 hours and serve over ice in tall glasses.
detox water
- helps you maintain a flat belly,
2 lemons,
1/2 cucumber, and
3qts water
fuse overnight to create a natural detox, helping to flush impurities out of your system.
Infused waters.
Here are the benefits to help with detoxification, energy, and hydration.
Put as much fruit in water as you like and let the water sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking
(1) Green tea, mint, lime-fat burning, digestion, headaches, congestion and breath freshener.
(2) Strawberry,kiwi-cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation, digestion
(3) Cucumber, lime, lemon- water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration, digestion
(4) Lemon, lime, orange- digestion vitamin C, immune defense, heartburn, (drink this one at room temperature)
Do not keep longer than 48 hours - you can put more water using the same fruit, but discard after 48 hour
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LEMON MINT CUCUMBER WATER slightly adapted from The Denver Housewife
Makes 1 gallon-size pitcher
12 cups of water (3 quarts)
2 to 3 lemons, thinly sliced (you can also substitute limes or mix it up…use a lemon/lime combination–using organic lemons or limes is best)
1 small cucumber or 1/2 of a medium to large cucumber, preferably organic, thinly sliced
10 to 15 mint leaves. preferably organic
Rinse lemons and cucumbers very well before slicing; slice thinly. Add lemons, cucumber, and mint to pitcher. Cover with water and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight (the flavor will be stronger if you refrigerate overnight, but I like the lighter flavor, too). Pour in a large glass over some ice…it’s very refreshing! This water tastes best the day or day after you make it.
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Jillian Michael's Detox Water
60 ounces Purified Water
2 TBS Diet Cranberry Juice
2 TBS Lemon Water
1 Bag Dandelion Tea - Stewed ( I found my tea at Walmart in the beverage isle near the crystal light)
This is a replacement of normal water intake and not a meal replacement!!
Dandelion tea has a history and reputation for breaking down fat and removing it from your body via good old fashioned waste... So you may have increased bowel movements so be prepared for this.
Now for the part you have been waiting for... Does it work?!?? My opinion is it does! I just added the ingredients to my gallon jug of water that I drink daily and chugged away! It does have a somewhat acquired taste. The first day I had to force myself to chug it.. But after a bit I got used to the taste. I see a few others added stevia and splenda to theirs to help sweeten it up.
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Strawberry Infused Vitamin Water
This hydrating and antioxidant infused-water boasts flavor and skin enhancing nutrients, not to mention a beautiful presentation! Enjoy this refreshing and seasonal anti-inflammatory drink!
Ingredients
1 cup strawberries
2 cups watermelon, cubed
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
dash of course salt
filtered water
Directions
1. Muddle the strawberries and rosemary in a bowl.
2. Add the muddled ingredients and the watermelon to a large pitcher. Pour water over the ingredients and stir.
3. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, and enjoy!
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Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink
Ingredients
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
4 sprigs mint
2 quarts filtered water
2-6 T. apple cider vinegar (optional)
Preparation
Slice lemon and cucumber as thinly as possible. Divide into 2 separate quart sized bottles or mason jars.
Pluck mint leaves from stems and divide into jars.
Fill to the top with water, leaving room for as much apple cider vinegar as you want. I put 3 tablespoons into 32 oz of water, but love the taste of vinegar, so I suggest starting at 1 tablespoon and going up from there, tasting as you go and stopping when you feel like it is about to get too vinegary.
Refrigerate overnight.
Carry with you throughout the day. Enjoy!
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FAT FLUSH WATER
This water was featured on the "Biggest Loser". There are many variations of it all simple, all delicious.
Grapefruit has tons of vitamin C to help your body turn fat into fuel.
Tangerine increases your sensitivity to insulin, stabilizes blood sugar, and stimulates genes to burn fat.
Cucumber helps you feel full and acts as a natural diuretic, which means less bloating and water retention.
Peppermint promotes better digestion and stomach calm. Make a big pitcher (64oz) of Fat Flush Water at night, and drink the next day, throughout the day.
64 oz. purified Water
1/2 grapefruit sliced
1 tangerine
1 cucumber, sliced
4 peppermint leaves
Ice (made from purified water)
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Make sure you are using organic so you can keep the skins on. The skins have super valuable nutrients and you do NOT want pesticides soaking in your water. Scrubbing does NOT remove pesticides which infiltrate the skins. It is important to clean your organic fruits and vegetables, to remove organic matter.
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Make Your Own Detox Drink for Daily Enjoyment & Cleansing
Whether you’re just trying to steer clear of the sugary drinks, or aim to really help your body flush out any toxins lurking in your system, this refreshing blend of foods and flavors will satisfy your taste buds needs.
Why Watermelon (or cucumber): Watermelon helps the body flush out toxins because it contains the organic compound citrulline, which is an amino acid that has been shown to help the liver and kidneys filter and get rid of ammonia. Ammonia comes in external forms, but is also a by-product of the proteins our bodies are burning up constantly for energy, and it’s quite damaging to our cells. Cucumber also contains citrulline, but not as much as watermelon. Watermelon may also just give the liver an overall boost.
Why water: H20 is just plain good for us, but it’s thought that it helps flush nasty toxins and waste through our system, giving organs like the liver and kidney an easier time doing their job.
Why lemon (or lime): Lemon or lime juice helps stimulate and regulate the digestive track (which is why it’s so helpful with constipation, heartburn and gas), stimulates bile production, and thins out bile, which allows it to flow more freely. Bile is produced by the liver and ends up in the small intestine to break down lipids (fats) that we’ve consumed.
Why mint leaves: Mint leaves are a nice refreshing flavor to add to your drink. On top of that, it can help you digest more effectively, improving the flow of bile from the liver, to the gallbladder, to the small intestine, where it breaks down dietary fats. Mint also helps relax cramped up stomach muscles.
You will need…
-1-2 liters’ of water, depending on how strong you want it to taste
-Part of 1 watermelon or 1 cucumber
-1 lemon or lime
-A handful of fresh mint leaves (approximately 10-13)
-Ice cubes
detox foods
Directions
Slice up a good amount of watermelon into cubes, rind and all, and put them into a jug or pitcher. Cut 1 juicy lime into wedges and toss in with the watermelon. Add a handful of fresh, fragrant, mint leaves and pour in 2 liters of cool water, filling the jug all the way to the top. Let this sit overnight in the fridge and let all the yummy flavors steep and infuse the water. When you want to drink it, put in a generous helping of ice cubes, pour, and enjoy daily.
Flavor Tips
• Try substituting a lemon for the lime, cucumber for the watermelon, or a combination of all of them.
• Pour water in first and then add the ingredients. I feel like there’s more of a burst of flavor when the water gets poured in and everything swirls around, but there’s something to be said for letting it gently infuse itself as well (the water tends to stay a bit clearer as well.)
• Don’t add ice to the entire jug, and leave it on a cup-by-cup basis. If you plan on drinking it over time, this can help prevent it from getting diluted as the ice melts.
• Start with 2 liters’ of water steeping overnight, and then experiment with longer/shorter times and more or less water.
• Squeeze in the juice of 1 lime and/or lemon and then slice up another and add that to give it a little extra citrus kick.
• This isn’t for flavor, but this drink looks mighty appealing in a glass pitcher on a hot summer day.
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Fat Flush Water
Ingredients
1/2 gallon water 6 wedges grapefruit 1 tangerine, sliced ½ cucumber, sliced 2 peppermint or mint leaves Ice
Directions
Rinse grapefruit, tangerine, cucumber and mint leaves. Slice cucumber, grapefruit, and tangerine (or peel). Combine all ingredients in a half gallon pitcher. Allow the ingredients to sit for 2 hours for maximum benefits. Drink throughout the day.
Stir & Enjoy!
CRANWATER. We all know water is a diuretic and great for the entire body, but combined with cranberry juice, it’s a fantastic fat and water flushing drink. Combine 5-6 ounces of water and 8 ounces of 100% cranberry juice. Mix together and drink throughout the day. Make sure it is 100% cranberry juice with nothing else added. The cranberry juice contains high levels of organic acids, and when consumed on a regular basis may help your body actually dissolve fatty deposits.
Looking for tips on fat loss, check out 38 Ways to Cut Fat from Your Diet and these 21 Tips to Make Weight Loss Easy
GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is one of the best things for your body. Grapefruits contain high amounts of Vitamin C, which helps your body to detoxify naturally. This drink helps your liver do the job it was meant to do – detoxify and metabolize your body!
WATER. Yes, we know. What a shock! Plain old water! But, truly your body needs plenty of water to facilitate the breakdown of fat in your body. Drinking water will help flush out toxins and keep you energized so that your body to perform at it’s best. Keep in mind, drinking tons of water is not the answer to losing weight. You will still need to take in a proper diet and facilitate an appropriate exercise regime. Drinking water will keep your body clean and allow all of your organs to work properly instead of working overtime to keep your body going.
GREEN TEA. Green tea is one of the most famous fat flushing drinks. Like cranberry juice, green tea is extremely high in antioxidants. It is known for helping many dieters lose fat quicker than usual when consumed 2-3 times a day. Green tea not only flushes fat, but also is packed with other helpful benefits for your body.
These 5 drinks won’t work miracles alone, but are a great start and will help increase the benefits of a healthy diet and cardio regimen. For maximum health benefits, it is important to also implement an appropriate fitness program with a nutritious diet. Check out our Total Body Transformation Program eBook to get you started on the path to a new, healthier you.
If you have allergies to fruit or citrus fruits do not consume these Fat Flushing drinks. If you are taking any medications, do not consume Fat Flushing Drinks until you consult your physician to get approval.
Get the Fat Flushing Soup recipe filled with super foods that are packed with antioxidants and aid with flushing toxins and subsequently, fat from the body.
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DIY Detox Drink
We all have different tastes and preferences, and like to mix things up every once in a while too. Experiment by trying out various ingredients, amounts, and methods (like blending, or boiling into a tea, or infusing into water, etc.) Below is a list of foods that have been shown to help boost your built-in detox system (namely liver, G.I., and kidney function.) If possible, always buy organic to avoid chemical ingredients or pesticides.
Cruciferous vegetables & leafy greens: This group includes a lot of veggie superheroes, and is why you see so many “green” detox drinks or smoothies. Included are broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, bok choy, and spinach. Broccoli and co. increases the amount of glucosinolate (organic compounds) in our body, which in turn help create enzymes that help our body’s breakdown and digest things. Leafy greens like lettuce and bok choy have the ability to neutralize metals, chemicals, and pesticides that find their way into our systems.
Avocado: Avocados can help your body produce an antioxidant, glutathione, which our liver needs to do its job and filter properly.
Grapefruit: High in antioxidants and vitamin C, grapefruit or grapefruit juice also aids the liver in flushing carcinogens (things linked to causing cancer, like stuff in cigarettes and tobacco, as well as some pre-prepared foods) and possibly pesticides out of the body.
Beets: The systems in the body all work together, and for various reasons beets seem to be helpful to more than one major organ. However, they’ve shown themselves to be particularly helpful when it comes to aiding the liver in detoxification.
If it’s chilly, try making some detox tea to keep you warm and healthy, or mix up an icy cool drink in hot weather. Play around with what you like and keep in mind things you know are good for your body’s own detox system-not things that claim to be a miracle detox system all on their own.
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Breaking Down Detox: Is it Good, Bad, or Just a Fad?
Detox stuff has taken off in popularity recently, but what is it exactly? Does a detox drink just flush right through your system and wash your body free of toxins? Does a detox diet actually work? Wait…what are the toxins anyways? Most importantly, can trying to get rid of them be more harmful than healthful? Many people are quick to jump on the detox bandwagon, but some basic knowledge beforehand can help you determine what will be the most effective when it comes to putting together a personal purifying plan.
Before you can understand the “de” in detox you should have an idea of the “tox” (aka the toxins we’re aiming to get rid of.) They’re little compounds from various sources that, when they build up in our bodies, have nasty effects. They can cause anything ranging from headaches and nausea to death.
To help keep your body healthy and clear of toxins, make sure you’re giving yourself a healthy dose of things that are known to help out the head honchos of the detox system, like the liver and kidneys. Knowing some of these foods can really take you a long ways when it comes to whipping up a drink, smoothie, or plain old good meal.
The less bad stuff you put in, the less you have to clear out.
Various tips and recipes from Southern Living, eHow, Vegetable Gardener, About.com, Eating Well.
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