I learned a very important lesson about my body back in 2002, when I was 7 months pregnant with our first daughter. Blake and I had just returned from a long weekend in Las Vegas to attend the wedding of some close friends. We had walked many, many miles and ate as many meals as we could fit in from restaurants of famous chefs, such as Nobu, Wolfgang Puck, and Emeril Lagasse. We feasted with our bride and groom friends at our first Brazilian steakhouse experience, and then topped it all off with our very first Krispy Creme, sweet decadence that we found on a late night walk over to The Venetian. Some people gamble in Vegas. I eat. :)
But upon arriving back in Minnesota at the end of that celebratory weekend and heading to my regular prenatal check-up Monday morning, I was hit with some unexpected news. I was contracting way too hard and way too fast. I was placed on immediate and full bedrest, and was only to get out of bed to use the bathroom and take a short shower. Until the contractions were under control, I was to do absolutely nothing except rest. And drink water. Lots and lots and LOTS of water.
It turned out that my doctor believed I had overexerted myself, walking and eating myself across Vegas, and that my body had become dehydrated. After one month on bedrest, and feeling quite hydrated, I was released back into the world, along with my promise to keep drinking an abundance of water. Because that water is some kind of miracle juice, I tell you. It kept the contractions at bay, helped my back feel better, and my prenatal migraines had dissipated completely.
So how could I not keep practicing this water drinking habit after all the positive effects I had experienced?!
I had suffered from back aches and head aches for many, many years. But the advice I received while on bedrest, to simply drink more water, was all I really needed to know.
I love a big tall glass of ice water. But it’s even more enjoyable to pour a glass of Water Flavored with Fruits, Veggies, and Herbs. My favorite combo of sliced cucumbers and fresh mint is super refreshing, and the one you’ll find most often in our fridge during the heat of summer.
The new Tea Infusion Pitcher from The Pampered Chef makes flavored water even more of a treat, and I love it! I simply add whatever flavors I want to the infuser insert, pour in fresh water, and then let it all hang out for awhile in the fridge. Once the pitcher of water is nice and chilled, and infused with subtle natural flavors, I pour a glass and enjoy. (The water above is infused with pineapple and rosemary.)
I like to make cold flavored teas during the summer, too, so I’m really looking forward to steeping tea in this pitcher. I think this recipe for a Citrus Mint Tea Cooler looks like a great place to start!
Anything citrus is always a winner. It’s pretty, colorful, and known for its refreshing qualities. For flavored water, use one or several varieties at once, whatever you’re fancied with at the moment. In the glass above, I added sprigs of cilantro to slices of lemon, lime, and orange.
The combinations are seemingly endless when it comes to flavoring water. Here are a few more suggestions for you:
- watermelon and basil
- blueberry (slightly crushed) and rosemary
- honeydew, cantaloupe, and cucumber
- orange and strawberry
- raspberry and mint
- apple and thyme
I also have a few helpful hints when it comes to flavoring water:
- I prefer to drink my flavored waters the same day they are made. When they sit too long, the water can become cloudy. And it sometimes turns bitter, especially when using citrus.
- I add fruits and veggies in either slices or chunks. But with blueberries and other small berries, I recommend adding them whole and then slightly crushing, or muddling, them to release their flavorful juices.
- If you want a more intense flavor, I encourage you to also squeeze in the citrus and gently crush or muddle any fruits, veggies, and herbs.
- To make your glass pretty, and to feel like you’re on a little vacation, always have some extra ingredients on hand for garnish. Actually, I think this is more of a necessity than a helpful hint. ;)
Please tell me…what is your favorite way to drink water?
Would you like to win one of these awesome Tea Infusion Pitchers from The Pampered Chef?! It holds 1 quart of liquid (with the infuser), which is a really great size…not too big and not too small. It comes with a lid and a handy insulated sleeve to protect your hands when steeping hot tea.
But wait…there’s more!
The Pampered Chef is giving away a bundle of brand new kitchen tools just released this spring, worth $265, PLUS a $50 product credit for the winner to pick out whatever they want to try from The Pampered Chef! I received these same items to use in my own kitchen, and while I haven’t had the chance to try them all out yet, I’ve included a little note by the ones I have.
This giveaway, valued at $325, from The Pampered Chef includes:
- Single Servings Pan
- BBQ Corn & Skewer Rack
- Sweet Basil Rub (Smells awesome!)
- Boil Over No More, large size
- 29 Minutes to Dinner, Volume 3 Cookbook
- Microwave Grips
- Bean Slicer
- Ginger Grater (Works really swell!)
- Fruit & Cheese Cutter
- Tea Infusion Pitcher (I LOVE this!!)
- Garlic Smash & Paste (I think this does a great job of creating a garlic paste.)
- Silicone Prep Bowls (I think these will definitely come in handy!)
- Fresh Lasting Lid System
- Scoop & Spread (Great for getting that last bit of peanut butter out of the jar!)
- $50 product credit to The Pampered Chef (Check out all their new products for spring!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway rules: This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end on April 17th at 12:00 am CST. One winner will be chosen at random and then notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize, or another winner will be selected. A farmgirl’s dabbles and The Pampered Chef are not responsible for lost or undelivered emails.
I would LOVE to try the infusion pitcher! I drink water almost exclusively and would enjoy some variation. Also, I LOVE PC! Their cooling racks rock!
At work, the cafeteria started making infused water and my favorite combo so far was watermelon and mint. I have been wanting to get an infuser of my own ever since!
love the pitcher tea Infusion Pitcher
I would love to try the Tea Infusion Pitcher or the Tea-Bird Infuser. I am a tea addict! :)
I would love to try the Infusion Pitcher!!! This is something that I would use on a daily basis!!! :-)
I would love the beverage infuser! I would use that puppy ALL of the time.
I would love to try the Boil Over No More, well because I constantly boil over the pasta water!
My favorite drink it’s water. Some may say it’s boring but I love it keeps me well and it can take different forms, like all these infusions you mentioned! Can’t wait for hot summer days!
Thank you for sharing your refreshing water ideas and for the lovely comment left on my guest post on Sommer’s blog
You’re so welcome, Roxana – I’d love to have just one slice of that beautiful tart!! :)
So fun! I love this idea!
This pitcher looks like a great thing to try!
I’m drinking cucumber/lemon water while reading this!!
The manual food processor!
As a consultant, I was able to purchase some of the new Spring products but wasn’t able to get the Tea Infusion Pitcher. It is on the top of my Wishlist.
I love it! I thought it would be a little on the small side for me, but after using it for awhile, I think it’s just the perfect size! I love how easy it is to use and clean, too.
Love The Grill It! BBQ Pizza Set!
the silicone prep bowls look so helpful!
I’m such a simple person, those microwave grips look awesome. I can’t tell you how many times I have burned myself getting stuff out the microwave!
And I hear you on the keeping yourself hydrated! Traveling is the worst too, I have to keep reminding myself to drink water. I love your flavored water ideas!! Will definitely try for my next family get together!
Hi Julie! I definitely struggle when traveling, too. I get so dehydrated when flying, but tend to hold back because I hate needing to go to the bathroom during flights, etc. I usually down a big bottle of water and a fruit smoothie as soon as I land!
I’m only a month old as an independent consultant and I love their products. I never got into cooking that much but it really makes it enjoyable when you have the correct equipment. I’d love to win any products from Pampered Chef. I’m always looking to increase my product line for partys or just personal use.
I would love to try the tea infusion pitcher.
I would love one of those tea infusion pitchers, especially with summer on the way. (Even though it is snowing this evening!)
Another beautiful product from Pampered Chef, would love to win it!