Water is the lifeline of all living things. You can survive weeks without food, but you cannot go on without water for days. After all, humans are made up of around 70% water. If you don’t drink enough water, your complexion becomes less bright, your brain will only be suboptimal and you will feel lethargic. And these are only the tip of the iceberg as there are also many more negative effects that comes with not drinking enough water.
Could you replace water with other liquids like coke or coffee then? While they do provide hydration, they are different from water due to their lower water potential. While you do quench your thirst with these beverages, they don’t help to give you the true hydration you need. In fact, you will become thirstier after consuming them.
There is nothing that can replace the benefits of water. But if you seldom drink water because you find the taste boring, then you are in for a surprise: water doesn’t have to taste plain. And that is where infused water comes in.
Infused water is water that has herbs and fruits infused in it. Therefore, the water has both the benefits and flavour of the added ingredients. With a better flavour, you may be more enticed to drink water, which is a good thing.
For those who are already drinking water regularly, infused water will also do wonders for you. During the infusion period, the essence of the herbs and fruits will be released into the water along with the water-soluble vitamins. Therefore, your body get to have additional vitamins while hydrating your body.
Drinking plain water already helps you to run to the washroom, but drinking infused water takes that to another level. Depending on the herbs and fruits that you infuse into your water, the infused water can help you flush more toxins out of your body. As a result, you will feel yourself feeling lighter, your mind clearer and your energy levels higher.
Some people don’t like to drink water due their plain taste. That is why the beverage industry makes millions by manufacturing flavoured water which may have added chemicals or preservatives. You pay so much money for water that may not even be good for you. Do yourself a favour and make your own infused water. The infused water that you make will have any flavour and taste you desire. Want a fruity tasting water? Add strawberries, lemons or watermelon. Seeking for a more earthy and refreshing taste? Try mint, cucumber or basil into your water. You get to be a mixologist of your water!
With the additional vitamins and antioxidants from fruits and herbs, your infused water will be like a splash of vitamins and all things good for your skin. Antioxidants from blueberries or strawberries that you infuse your water with, can help to reduce free radicals in your body, and thus help to prevent anti-aging. Vitamins can help to give your face the glow and healthfulness that you are looking for. For example, if you infuse lemons or other citrus fruits into your water, your water will be rich in vitamin C that can help to brighten your skin.
If the fact that you need water to survive is not pragmatic enough for you, then this will do the trick: infused water helps you to save money. By infusing your own water, you should not have an excuse to go running out and buying fruit juices, or flavoured vitamin waters that may have other chemical ingredients but are marketed as being “great for your health”. As a result, you save money on buying bottled drinks that you think you need, but you really don’t. Try infused water for a month or two, and you may be surprised at how much money you save from buying unnecessary drinks. But if you really need to get your daily cuppa or tea, then go ahead and don’t let infused water stop; we won’t judge.
Infusing water is simple. You simply need cut fruits or herbs that you want to add into your water, and add them in. It’s that simple! Fruits such as lemons, strawberries and blueberries are great for giving the water a flavourful body, and herbs like basil, mint or rosemary gives an earthy and refreshing taste. All fruits and herbs are potential candidates for infusing water, so go ahead and experiment to find the flavour and taste that you’ll love!
Coffee and tea may be delicious, but drinking too much of it may result in you developing some form of caffeine addiction that can be worrying. If you are looking to change your go-to beverage because you are concerned about your daily caffeine intake, then fruity herbal options may just be your literal cup of tea.
Whether their tea bags have actual dried fruits in them, or that they’re merely infusions of your favourite fruit, a delicious hot fruity tea is an easy way to feel good and rehydrate. Their unique fragrances and acquired tastes are hard to beat, and some teas even have a sweetness that you will definitely love, like the Nilufer Tea’s Rose Paradise that has a subtle strawberry sweetness to it.
Here are some must-try fruity infusions that will be sure to lift your spirits.
A delightful mix of apple, zesty orange peel, orange flower, and other natural ingredients, Basilur’s Blood Orange infusion is the perfect citrus kick you need to refresh your day. It can be taken cold or accompany almost any dessert when warm.
If you’re feeling a little more playful, their Caribbean Cocktail with the taste of Papaya, pineapple, and coconut, will give you the beach vibes you need, making it the perfect tropical drink for any time of day. Who needs a Pina colada when you have a tea version of Pina colada?
It is recommended that you don’t use boiling water as it may ruin the tea leaves. However, letting the boiled water cool results in the evaporation of oxygen, leading to an eventual dissipation of the rich flavour of the brew. So it's better to heat the water to your desired temperature, slightly below a boil.
Stock up on these unique blends here.
Made with 100% natural ingredients, a cup of Twinings tea is not only refreshing and rich in flavour, but it also gives off a wonderful aroma, able to envelop all your senses simultaneously.
Their fruity infusions include flavours like Strawberry & Raspberry, Blackcurrant & Blueberry, and Mango & Strawberry.
Because these fruit and herbal teas are completely sugar free, their sweetness is natural and not so intense, unlike sugary drinks. These teas are relaxing, regardless of the time of day, your mood, or your choice of infusion.
Get brewing now.
Taking fruit infusions to a new level, Clipper Tea’s fruity offerings are sure to impress.
Their fragrant Orange and Coconut Infusion delivers a sharp tang of orange which is nicely complemented by the rounded creaminess of coconut. Experience summer and a tropical holiday a small tea cup for a momentary respite from life.
Other flavours include Organic Apple and Elderflower, and Blackcurrant and Açaí Berry, the latter of which superbly blended with hibiscus, rosehip, açaí berry, and blackcurrant. The sweet berry flavor will sure to perk you up.
Get yours here.
If you haven’t heard of Lipton, then where have you been? If you don’t know it yet, it is probably one of the more well-known teas around. Besides its classic black tea, Lipton has been developing several other types of teas, and one of the range is the Lipton’s herbal range that includes teas such as Berry Hibiscus, Peach Mango, Apple Cinnamon, and Lemon Ginger.
To experience this enchanting blend of sweet and fruity flavours, simply steep this herbal tea for three minutes. If you prefer to savour a more pronounced taste, steep your tea bag longer to allow more of the tea’s essence to diffuse into the beverage.
Conveniently packaged in 20 individually wrapped tea bags, this range of teas can be enjoyed either hot or iced, with your friends, or alone.
Get your organic fix with Nilufer Tea’s Rose Paradise Tea, which contains ingredients like strawberries, hibiscus, and rose. The sweetness of the strawberry dances on your tongue and the light and floral fragrance will delight your senses.
With absolutely no artificial flavour and void of all pesticide use, this tea sure does pack the punch. It is antioxidant-rich and high in vitamin A, C, and E, which are responsible for vibrant-looking skin and a heightened immunity.
What are you waiting for? Quickly make your purchase here so you can settle for that hot cuppa tea any time you need an invigorating pick-me-up.
Written by: Anna Fernandez
Kick start your day with a smoothie to increase fruit and vegetable intake in your diet. Smoothies are nutritional powerhouses that provide you with essential minerals and vitamins. Great as a nutritious breakfast or an energising afternoon snack, smoothies are fun to make and do not have to be as complicated as you think. However, smoothies come with caveats too. Store-bought smoothies may expand your waistline with artificial ingredients and excess sugar. But fret not, I’ve some healthful smoothie recipes to share. Fresh and fuss-free, each recipe packs a ton of flavour and allows you to whip up your delicious concoction in a flash. Here are five basic yet fabulous smoothie recipes to try at home.
My favourite smoothie recipe is a somewhat-strange mishmash of apple, pear, avocado and spinach but when combined together, these ingredients create a luscious blend of flavours. The use of avocado in a smoothie may sound bizarre but be reminded that avocados will give your smoothie a dreamy creamy texture and a boost of heart-healthy fat, so nourish yourself and blend away without fear.
Image cred: pixabay
Makes 1 large glass
Ingredients
Juice the apples and pear first then add the fruit juice, avocado and spinach into your blender. Blend until smooth then add a drizzle of Manuka honey. To keep myself satisfied for longer, a teaspoon of chia seeds and some protein powder are my favourite smoothie add-ins. But of course, feel free to leave any of these extra ingredients out.
Image cred: pixabay
With a medley of berries, half a ripe banana for natural sweetness and some oats for fullness, the Berry Banana Oat Smoothie is the perfect power-packed breakfast to sip on the go. Why, you may ask? Berries are loaded with antioxidants, bananas are a great source of potassium and oats provide soluble fibre – vital nutrients for your digestive tract. It’s easy to prep and berry easy to drink so there’s no excuse for you to skip breakfast anymore!
Makes 1 large glass
Ingredients
For a creamier and frostier smoothie, I use frozen whole fruit to achieve a quick and thick effect. Blend all ingredients until smooth then pour, drink and love. Lactose-intolerant friends may substitute milk with almond, coconut or soy milk for a dairy-free alternative. Oh, and here’s a sneaky tip… Omit the oats to turn your smoothie into a healthier version of a banana split dessert.
Image cred: pixabay
Reinvent the old berry-banana routine and make a fresh, juicy Peach Perfect when peaches are in season. If you tend to get in a rut with the addictive berry-banana smoothie combination (like me), I’d recommend you to give this a go.
Makes 1 large glass
Ingredients
Blend all ingredients until smooth and spark it up with some ground cinnamon for a pinch of yum.
Image cred: pixabay
Beat the heat with a refreshing Tropical Mint Smoothie. Fruity with a fresh finish of mint, this glass of green goodness will have you forget about the weather in a minute. If the green colour scares you, imagine you’re on a beach under a tropical palm tree and let your worries be washed away with the sound of waves. I promise you won’t even be able to taste the kale.
Makes 1 large glass
Ingredients
Blend all ingredients until smooth. I garnish mine with a wedge of pineapple and some coconut flakes to create a virgin green Piña Colada. It’s a definite winner for alcohol replacement. Enjoy!
Image cred: Natalia Dworniak on Unsplash
Stave off colds with Rooibos Tofu, a powerful immune-booster with unconventional smoothie ingredients. It works when you’re tired of bananas or want to cut back on carbs. Red rooibos tea is an excellent base for a smoothie as it produces a herbaceous sweetness, without the caffeine. Protein-rich tofu creates a lovely thick texture whilst frozen grapes and raspberries deliver a deep flavour of additional antioxidants.
Makes 1 large glass
Ingredients
Steep tea for 8 to 10 minutes, discard teabag and chill in refrigerator. Once cool, blend the tea with all other ingredients until smooth and serve cold. Add an optional scoop of protein powder for a tea-rrific workout drink.
You can get your fix of rooibos tea here!
Smoothies are incredibly easy and convenient to make. At the same time, they hold a wealth of rich essential nutrients. If you are lacking time to make a wholesome meal, make a smoothie. It's the next best thing.
