Let's talk about something "elemental"...

Elemental indeed, as in the basic elements of hydrogen and oxygen. Most notably when they are combined in the composition we know as H2O.  Water.  Drink it. Frequently and abundantly.
The only thing more important to overall health and well-being is oxygen and the very breath of life.  Being a mom, I'd like to simply say when you ask "why?'...'Because I said so!"  You know, try out this whole "brevity" thing, just for laughs.
Instead I will try to give you plenty of good reasons to imbibe in Nature's finest.

Our bodies, as a whole are over 80% water, our brains, a bit over 70%!  Simply put, if we were to extract every last bit of water from every cell in the human body, any one of us would fit rather nicely in a large galvanized bucket!  I don't look good at all in "galvanized gray" (not in my color palette), so count me out.

What water does in your body-

• Hydrates and nourishes for basic organic functions. (Brain activity, heart and other organ function, etc.)
• Cleanses and removes toxins and impurities from cells.
• Produces healthy perspiration and excretory functions to rid the above from the body.
• Keeps skin soft and supple from within.  You can apply all the lotion, creams, moisturizers, etc to the skin to no avail, if its dying of thirst at the cellular level.
• Improves brain function and clear thinking
• Combats hunger and fatigue...good things to know if you're trying to lose weight!  Many toxins that assist in weight gain and retention can be flushed out with adequate water intake.
• Improves regularity (extremely important to good health and the topic for another whole post at a later time)
• Aids in digestion
• Can improve eye function (and how they feel) if you are severely dehydrated.

How much should you drink?

There are two easy rules of thumb to remember....

• Everyone should drink enough water so that they're urine is clear, or nearly so when they pee.
• How much will that take?  Simple formula- Plan to consume 1 oz. of water for every 2 lbs of body weight.  In other words, a person weighing 120 lbs, should be drinking right around a half gallon, or 64 oz. of water daily.

Yes, if this is new to you, in the beginning it will seem as though you spend all of your time in the bathroom.  It will soon pass (no pun intended) and your body will adjust and begin to make use of the fluid as it was intended to.

Nothing but WATER counts towards your goal!

Don't count coffee, tea, soda, juices, energy drinks, etc.  All of them contain other chemicals, compounds, sugars, sweeteners, toxins, etc. that your body has to digest, process and deal with.  Water is delivered directly to the needed cells!

Helpful hints-

If you are reading this, and you are like the average American, chances are, you are moderately to severely dehydrated EVERYDAY and likely have been for sometime if you are an adult!

• Take water with you everywhere!  Preferably in a reusable, eco-friendly, and safe bottle that you have purchased.  Do not, I repeat do not re-use or refill "bottled water" bottles. They were not intended for re-use and over time, leach highly toxic chemicals into the contents of the bottle.
• Trying to lose weight and think you are hungry? Try a tall glass of water (or 2) first.  It is entirely possible that you're dehydrated and your body is mistaking thirst for hunger.  Many of us have been "feeding" our thirst for years instead of "quenching" it!
• Have a mild headache, or feel a bit sluggish?  Again, try a tall glass of water or 2 first, then wait 20 minutes and see how you feel.  Remember, your brain is over 70% water.  How can it function well when not properly hydrated?  (More on hydration and organ function in a later post)
• Skin or scalp dry?  Look to your hydration first before exploring other possibilities.  Remember, moisturize first, from the inside- out!
• Last tip- drink the purest water you can find.  I used to distill my own for drinking purposes.We now have an artesian well.  A Brita or other filtration system can be a huge help if you have town or city water..  Drink the best, cleanest, purest you can find....and drink!
• DRINK!!!! To your health....cheers!