Tag Archives: water

Win a Bobble – The Reusable Filtered Water Bottle

Making sure you drink enough water throughout the day is extremely important. Equally important to keeping ourselves hydrated is also minimizing our environmental impact. Not only do Americans spend $17 billion a year on bottled water, which is a huge hit to our wallets, but all those plastic bottles have to end up somewhere and it’s typically in our oceans and landfills.

Brita has been a great example of how easy it is to drink clean, filtered water using reusable water pitchers with replaceable filters. The Biggest Loser franchise has partnered with Brita for several seasons of the show to encourage us all to stop buying disposable water bottles through their “Filter for Good” program. All contestants, trainers and staff used Nalgene bottles that they would refill with their Brita pitcher. (more…)

The Dangers of Water Bottles

Do you refill your water bottles and use them over and over? Well, it is definitely better for the earth to reuse water bottles, but what about your health?

There have been several studies done on the dangers of reusing plastic water bottles. According to the Canadian Bottled Water Association, bottles are made for single use and should be recycled after that use. The CBWA advises against reusing bottles or containers as a whole. (more…)

Back to Fitness Basics

Maruchy Lachance is president of Running Ninja!, a lifestyle brand for runners by runners. Running Ninja! offers a wide variety of apparel and gifts for runners to keep you happy and inspired while you’re on the run.

There is a new trend gathering steam in the health and fitness world that encourages you to keep it simple. This trend delights me because the easier, convenient and economical you make healthy eating and fitness, the more likely you will stick to it for life.

I’d like to share these tips I’ve learned through the years from health and fitness experts that have kept me on track for years! (more…)

Flavored Water Isn’t a Substitute for the Real Thing

Water is life. Water transports vital nutrients in your body and flushes out harmful toxins, while lubricating joints, aiding in digestion and regulating body temperature. Water is also essential for weight loss to keep your metabolism running efficiently to allow you to burn maximum fat while curbing those dehydration cravings that love to mask themselves as hunger.

You know all of this. You know you are supposed to drink your eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to keep you properly hydrated, especially while exercising. All too often, however, people make the mistake of thinking if something is liquid, or marketed as a beverage, it counts towards your water intake. Not so.

Some are obvious: soda, coffee, tea and anything else with caffeine actually works against you, dehydrating your system and leaching calcium from your bones. They also pack a caloric punch that will undo any burn you just put in at the gym. Those are no brainers. (more…)

Do You Know What is in Your Water?

Did you know that your water may not be as clean as you think? I recently had my routine physical with standard testing and blood work done and when the results came back I was surprised to learn that I had elevated lead levels. Chatting with my doctor, we discussed the sources of lead, which can be the following:

  • Paint
  • Dust
  • Soil
  • Drinking water
  • Children’s toys
  • Lead-glazed ceramics
  • Car batteries
  • Radiators
  • Some inks

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The Dangers of Fluoride in Water

For years, Americans have been told that fluoride is a powerful defense against the development of dental cavities. But there are many health professionals and non-professionals who don’t share the same belief, particularly when it comes to fluoridated municipal water supplies. And now, recent findings in India are casting doubts about the safety of fluoride.

In certain regions of rural India, there have been an unusual number of cases of skeletal fluorosis, a crippling bone condition that is the result of excess fluoride content in drinking water. Recently, The Times of India reported that the “high fluoride content in water and vitamin A deficiencies is ruining the lives of children” in this specific area.

According to Dr. Mercola, a controversial alternative health practitioner, as of 1999, 17 of India’s 32 states and territories were known to have high concentrations of fluoride in water, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with concentrations as high as 48 mg/liter reported. For comparison, WHO has capped the upper limit of fluoride in drinking water at 1.5 mg/liter.

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Make Your Own Flavored Water to Save Calories and Money

Flavored Water RecipesIt’s important to stay hydrated in the hot summer months, so here are 10 great flavored water recipe ideas to add some zing to your water. You’ll enjoy quenching flavors, save tons of calories, and even some cash!

1. Add a shot of cranberry juice to club soda. Club soda is calorie-free and cranberry juice can help boost your immune system. It’s even great with a few chunks of fruit, you can use apples, strawberries, oranges or whatever else is on hand.

2. Dropping a lemon wedge in water is a common way to add flavor, but try another kind of citrus: grapefruit, lime, orange or Mandarin oranges. You can also get creative and mix them together. We love blood orange and grapefruit.

3. Crush up a few mint leaves. It’s nice to let a pitcher of this ice water sit in the fridge to really make the flavor come out. (more…)

How to Stay Hydrated in the Summer

With the hottest part of summer here, staying hydrated is even more important. stay hydrated this summerDehydration can lead to vomiting, dizziness and palpitations. Even if you’re not out sweating in the sun, these tips from FitSugar will help you stay in top form.

1. Be sure to hydrate before you workout, but don’t chug before you jump on the treadmill. To avoid compromising your workout, sip on two to three cups starting 60 minutes prior to exercise.

2. Replace soda with sparkling water. Most flavored versions are calorie-free, and still have that refreshing bubbly taste.

3. Carry a  reusable water bottle. Refilling a water bottle is cheaper and better for the environment, plus, you’re more likely to get all the liquid you need if it’s always on hand.
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5 Tips to Drink More Water

We all know that we need to drink more water. It’s one of the basic building blocks of life. Drinking more water can result in clearer skin, less joint pain, decreased appetite, and more. Too many of us don’t drink as much water each day as we would like. Try these five tips to help you remember to drink more water every day.

1. Add fresh produce. Most restaurants offer lemon for your water. Personally, I prefer lime, but I have heard others request orange. Two of my favorite healthy food restaurants add cucumber slices to glasses of water. The produce can add a fresher flavor, especially for those used to drinking juices. If you are not buying organic, you may want to simply squeeze the juice into your glass, as chemicals that are used in growing fruit can become stuck in the rind. When you return from the farmers’ market or grocery store, cut your produce into slices or wedges, so it is always ready when you pour yourself a glass of water.

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Summer Fitness Tips: How to Beat the Heat

Dehydration is a huge issue during the exercise process. The human body uses sweat as a natural way to cool itself, which in turn depletes the muscles, organs, and other parts of the body’s water storage. It is recommended that you drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water per day (64 ounces). For those who are actively exercising or on the go the entire day, your body needs way more than that. Honestly, a person who exercises for an hour or more needs to be getting at least 90 ounces a day. Every body is different, so pay attention to your body and the color of your urine.

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Walnut Week: Energizing Tips for Exercisers

This week, I’m dedicating my blog posts to walnuts. I got the chance to chat with renowned fitness expert and spokesperson for California Walnuts, Petra Kolber. I asked her about keeping energy levels up through the summer.

Summer has arrived! Do you have any tips for staying energized in the hot summer weather?

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Both water and electrolytes are lost during exercise and both of these need to be replaced to prevent dehydration, and in turn, reduce the risk of heat exhaustion.

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