Be a Hydration Super Star

Most people don't realize that dehydration can be the root of many, many ailments.  What if something as simple as drinking enough water could change your life? 

You Should Be Drinking AT LEAST Half Your Body Weight in OZ of water daily

(That means: 150lbs = 75 oz of water every day)

You should be drinking at least 8 oz of water to compensate for each caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink. 

(1 cup of coffee = adding 8 oz to your daily requirement.)

Things that count when considering hydration:

-Water
-Herbal (non caffeinated) teas
-Coconut water

Things that don't count (and most dehydrate you):
-Sodas
-Coffee
-Alcohol
-Caffeinated Teas
-Fruit Juices
-Sparkling Waters

Tricks to maximize your water intake:
-Get a fun water bottle, or one that you find aesthetically pleasing. (Consider containers from other beverages like wine bottles, juice bottles, etc. Keep it interesting!)
-Get a larger water bottle... You may be more motivated if you only have to drink two of a certain size of bottle per day than if you have to refill a small one many times throughout the day.
-Drink out of a straw or a water bottle with a straw. Many people find that drinking from straws encourages them to drink more.
-Add fruits, veggies, or herbs for flavor. (Infused Water Recipes)
-Drink 16 oz first thing when you wake up in the morning!
-Drink water every time you do a certain task during your day.
-Download an app for your smart phone to remind you to drink water every day.
-Write positive affirmations on your water bottle.
-Get a fun tea cup and use it exclusively for herbal teas.
-Suck ice chips for variation.
-Make it manageable.... while the ideal is to drink enough water daily, work up to it one day at a time.

The great thing about hydration is that once you have optimized your body's hydration levels, you'll start to feel a difference when you aren't hydrated enough. Your body may ache more, you may get headaches... soon you'll know just when you need to drink more to feel your best!

Additional Reading:
The Effects of Dehydration 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Dehydration
11 Reasons Why Dehydration is Making You Fat and Sick

*Cross Posted to Sore No More*

Make Your Coffee Work For You

(Note: The links found in this post are to articles that discuss the potential health benefits of various ingredients, not to buy the products.  Whole Balance Being isn't affiliated with any of these companies or websites. Click away, you might find some interesting information!)

     I have a deep abiding love for coffee, despite the fact that it gives me the jitters and sometimes doesn't make me feel so great. Recently I've discovered an amazing way to make my coffee a healthful powerhouse without the negative side effects!

     Many of you have probably heard of  'BulletProof' Coffee which involves blending butter and coconut oil in with your caffeinated delight. While I haven't tried this particular method, it did fuel my coffee creativity.

     Let's get started.  I begin with coffee and coconut oil.  Then I add one or more of the following:

-A scoop or two of chocolate whey protein powder (protein is great for combating caffeine-fueled jitters)

-A teaspoon of black strap molasses (iron is important in a vegetarian diet like mine!)
-A dollop of honey 

-A sprinkle of cinnamon 

-A splash of coconut milk

-A dash of organic maple syrup

Then I put it in the blender (I have a Magic Bullet that is easy to clean and quick to use!) and blend for about five seconds.  The result? A delicious concoction that I feel good about drinking.

What would you add?

*Disclaimer: I am a massage therapist. I am not a physician.  Be your own primary health care provider! If it doesn't feel right, don't do it! Ask your doctor/nutritionist/chiropractor/whomever if you're not sure! Every written word and every link on this page is here purely to further your already powerful knowledge of your own body!*

Who is your primary health provider?

Health is a hot topic and the opportunities to debate are endless, never-mind the unending stream of advice thrown at us from all fronts. It’s so easy to get sucked in.

Perhaps it’s time that we all looked into being our own primary care provider. You may not have a doctorate, you may not know the human body inside and out.  However, you have lived in your body long enough to be considered an expert.  You have the intuition and the know-how to do what is right for you.  Regardless of what anyone else tells you, you are allowed to make your own choices about your body.

What feels right to your body?

What advice rings true?

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Take control.

Take responsibility.

Educate yourself.

You are the expert on you.

The fact of the matter is that at the end of the day, the person who is responsible of knowing what is right for your body is you!

Welcome to Whole Balance Being!

Welcome to the Whole Balance Being Blog, I am thrilled that you’re here!  

This blog has a purpose and that purpose is to provide an opportunity for me to share my vast wisdom with all of you (the readers.)  Okay- that’s not entirely true. Its purpose is to allow me the opportunity to express ideas and opportunities in line with the Whole Balance Being mission.

What is this mission, you ask?  Why to spread around all kinds of good vibes in regards to natural health, essential oils, massage therapy, long walks on the beach, hot cups of tea and other things that help you (and me!) live happier, healthier more balanced lives.  All while acknowledging that what is healthy for one person may not be healthy for another. What works for you may not work for another.  There are so many wonderful ways to supplement your health, I just want to provide you with as many paths to explore as possible.  

The Key Point: Everyone has their own way of achieving balance, health and happiness in their life, and that is not universal.

About me:

I am a licensed, insured massage therapist in the state of Colorado.  I’ve been a practicing massage therapist for three years, primarily in chiropractic offices.  I have explored continuing education in the arenas of: Breema, Anxiety and Massage, Chronic Pain and Massage, Proprioception and Infant and Child Massage (which I am certified to teach.)  I’ve also had some passing education in homeopathy, herbology and nutrition, though I wouldn’t consider myself an expert in any of these.  I have a deep abiding love for essential oils and am a Young Living Essential Oils distributor.  

What I am not (also known as ‘The Disclaimer’:

A physician.  All postings on this blog or on either of my Facebook pages are based on my own experiences and research and are not meant to replace medical advice. They are not diagnostic and I will not be prescribing you anything. Should you choose to go down any of the paths offered to you, you do so at your own discretion and I trust that you will have done research that is relevant to your own situation.

I’m so glad that you’re here and I look forward to enjoying this journey with you!

Enjoy more Whole Balance Being at:The Whole Balance Being Facebook Page
Whole Balance Being- The Group!

In the best of health;

Clair