The most important thing to remember when you’re working long hours or have busy days, it’s important to stay hydrated. I read some where that if you start to feel thirsty, then you are already too hydrated. The recommended intake of water is 9 cups for women – 2.2 litres to be exact. Not only is it vitally important for you to drink water to maintain your health, but concentration can be increased by taking small sips of liquids too. If you turn to iced coffee or tea, you can end up ingesting a lot of caffeine. Fizzy drinks or even healthier alternatives (advertised) like Oasis or Innocent’s new carbonated waters are FULL of SUGAR – I mean stuffed to the gills with sugar.
But water can be boring and sometimes can taste pretty foul out of the tap. Whether you’re at work in an office building or work from home, this simple and cheap way to naturally flavour your water will ensure you keep hydrated and fresh.
If you like the idea or growing your own herbs, planting mint and lemon balm is a sure way of having a constant supply of fresh flavours. If growing isn’t your thing, then you can buy in bulk and freeze many of the herbs and take them out when you’re ready to use them.
All these recipes take no time at all to make and the water can last for a couple of days. Keep the container in the fridge – it could either be a jug or I invested in a glass bottle with a stopper – £3 from Habitat. It’s great to use, sustainable and it;s actually really handy to have when friends come round! Just add the ingredients to the water and leave for a couple of hours in the fridge.
Ingredients can be used in any combination and strengths (change to suite your own taste):
- Mint leaves – 5 to 6 for a lovely refreshing ting!
- Lemon, lemon peel, lemon grass and lemon balm leaves (each will provide their own flavour)
- Lime zest and peel
- Cucumber (I cut strips so you have green stripes going down the length of the bottle which looks great against the contrasting yellow)
- Strips of ginger
- Orange peel
- Kiwi segments (drink the water within 1 day)
- Coconut segments
- Anything you want to try!
The world is your oyster.
If you try using an ingredient not on my list and it works out great, let me know through Twitter or Instagram. I would love to see your photos and suggestions.
pomona's Island 