YOUR BODY
How Much Water Does My Body Really Need
If you’re confused about how much water you really need, I’m not surprised. Conflicting advice in recent headlines appears to contradict the old "8-a-day" advice we all grew up with. Is it necessary to chug down eight glasses of water daily, or is this recommendation exaggerated and out of date?
We’ve heard for years that eight glasses of water daily is the minimum necessary to keep healthy. Your weight loss and health depend on it. Drink the minimum and see clearer skin, better sleep, better sex , improved vision. We’re warned of impending dehydration without at least eight glasses. But, the tide has turned, away from liquid nutrition toward examining your daily diet, including what you eat, as well as what you drink.
Here are my best tips for staying hydrated:
1. How much water you need depends upon your weight, your activity and your climate. If it’s hot, and you’re exercising, you’ll surely need more water than when you’re sitting at a computer all day.
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables add fluid to your diet. You’re going to benefit from the water in these foods. Lettuce is 97 to 98 percent water; and so is watermelon. Other good "fluid sources" include carrots, (88 percent water), fresh tomatoes (93 percent water), and fresh celery (94 percent water).
3. Since cooking vegetables decreases the fluid content, eat a big, fresh salad every day, and at least two servings each of fruit and other vegetables.
4. With age, we need more water, because we become less sensitive to body losses and our sense of thirst diminishes.
5. Clinical evidence shows that people with a history of kidney stones can lower their risk for reoccurrence by increasing their fluid intake.
6. Drink more water if you're exercising and perspiring a good amount, especially in a dry climate.
7. Water is the best fluid you can drink. It has no calories, additives or preservatives. I drink tap water because my municipal water company produces a high quality product at an inexpensive price. In fact, regulations on tap water are more stringent than bottled water and the average bottle of water costs more than a gallon of gas or milk, sometimes 500-1000 times more.
8. In terms of weight loss, drinking water will not cause you to lose weight, but use water as a strategy or tool to help when you’re on a program to lose weight. Drinking water between meals can help curb your appetite.. and so will snacking on water-filled fresh vegetables and fruit.
9. To prevent dehydration, follow these recommendations from the American Water Works Association:
- Drink water BEFORE, DURING and AFTER exercise
- Drink water every 20 minutes or so when engaged in strenuous physical activity
- Do NOT take salt tablets
- Stop working out at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fatigue
Keep yourself hydrated! Don't forget to drink plenty of water! What I suggest is adding the juice of half a lemon to 32 ounces of water with a sprinkle of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder . Aside from being less than 2 carbs, you will get the health benefits that the stevia provides along with the vitamin C and electrolytes that lemon have. You can substitute limes for lemons if you get bored. Click here to order stevia powder.
This information and other information is intended for general reference purposes only and is not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.
YOUR SPIRIT
Measuring Our Self Worth
Though much of who and what we are changes as we journey through life, our inherent worth remains constant. While the term self-worth is often used interchangeably with self-esteem, the two qualities are inherently different. Self-esteem is the measure of how you feel about yourself at a given moment in time. Your worth, however, is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, your good works, or how much you have accomplished. Rather it is immeasurable and unchanging manifestation of your eternal and infinite oneness with the universe. It represents the cornerstone of the dual foundations of optimism and self-belief. Your worth cannot be taken from you or damaged by life’s rigors, yet it can easily be forgotten or even actively ignored. By regularly acknowledging your self-worth, you can ensure that you never forget what an important, beloved, and special part of the universe you are.
You are born worthy—your worth is intertwined with your very being. Your concept of your own self-worth is thus reinforced by your actions. Each time you endeavor to appreciate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that your needs are met, and broaden your horizons, you express your recognition of your innate value. During those periods when you have lost sight of your worth, you will likely feel mired in depression, insecurity, and a lack of confidence. You’ll pursue a counterfeit worth based on judgment rather than the beauty that resides within. When you feel worthy, however, you will accept yourself without hesitation. It is your worth as an individual who is simultaneously interconnected with all living beings that allows you to be happy, confident, and motivated. Because your conception of your worth is not based on the fulfillment of expectations, you’ll see your mistakes and failures as just another part of life’s journey.
Human beings are very much like drops of water in an endless ocean. Our worth comes from our role as distinct individuals as well as our role as an integral part of something larger than ourselves. Simply awakening to this concept can help you rediscover the copious and awe-inspiring worth within each and every one of us.
YOUR RECIPE
Low Glycemic No Added Sugar Chocolate Silk Pie
Serves: 10
Carbs Per Serving: 4.5g
Prep Time:<45 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Crust:
1 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup soy protein powder
2 teaspoon Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
Filling:
3 ounces (squares) unsweetened baking chocolate
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
Topping:
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder!
Crust instructions: Combine well with a pastry blender or food processor and press into pie pan. Bake 5 minutes at 450° F. Cool completely before adding filling. Filling instructions: Break chocolate and place in a small saucepan over lowest possible heat. Stirring constantly, warm chocolate until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until thoroughly melted. Cool chocolate.
Since the eggs won’t be cooked, coddle eggs: Fill a small sauce pan about half-full. Bring water to boiling, then place eggs in boiling water for 20 seconds. Remove eggs from water and immerse in cold water to stop them from continuing to cook. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer cream butter, Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or Steviva Brand Stevia Powder on medium speed about 1 minute. Add chocolate and vanilla, mixing until combined. Continue mixing and beat in eggs one at a time for 5 minutes each. Total mixing time for egg mixture will be 15 minutes. Pour into pie shell. Chill at least 4 hours to set.
Topping instructions: Whip cream in a small mixing bowl with an electric mixer until peaks form. Add Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or Steviva Brand Stevia Powder and whip till combined. Spread on chilled pie. Sliver chocolate with a vegetable peeler. Garnish pie with chocolate curls. Enjoy!
Nutritional Facts
Total Calories: 1565
Calories Per Serving: 156.5 Serving Size: 1 sliver
Total Fat: 13.6g
Saturated Fat: 4.0g
Cholesterol: 8.3mg
Sodium: 35mg
Total Carbohydrates: 45g
Carbohydrates Per Serving: 4.5g
Dietary Fiber: 1.2
Sugars: .4g
Protein: 6g