Our bodies are up to 75% water.  One of the most common reason people are sluggish in the afternoon is due to dehydration.  If we don’t drink enough water, we become tired, and our bodies really slow down: we don’t even metabolize food properly!  It is a must to get your water in and there are plenty of ways to make plain ol’ water more exciting, like adding fresh mint or strawberry slices, or going bubbly with your favorite seltzer! Regardless of how you take your water, drink up!

NLT: Water is so important to me that I came up with 3 water varieties in my latest book Slim Calm Sexy Diet.  For a blazing boost to your metabolism try my Slimming Water.  To keep your cool when feeling anxious or agitated, give my Calming Water a try.  When you’re feeling sexy, be sure to sip on Sexy Water to keep that flirtatious feeling!

Our bodies are up to 75% water.  One of the most common reason people are sluggish in the afternoon is due to dehydration.  If we don’t drink enough water, we become tired, and our bodies really slow down: we don’t even metabolize food properly!  It is a must to get your water in and there are plenty of ways to make plain ol’ water more exciting, like adding fresh mint or strawberry slices, or going bubbly with your favorite seltzer! Regardless of how you take your water, drink up!

NLT: Water is so important to me that I came up with 3 water varieties in my latest book Slim Calm Sexy Diet.  For a blazing boost to your metabolism try my Slimming Water.  To keep your cool when feeling anxious or agitated, give my Calming Water a try.  When you’re feeling sexy, be sure to sip on Sexy Water to keep that flirtatious feeling!

As the weather starts to heat up and the daylight increases, we’re able to spend more time outdoors. The midday mochachino we used all winter to warm us up and keep us energized just doesn’t have the same appeal. Water is what we really crave – and it does more than quench our thirst. Studies have shown that water improves mental performance, helps regulate digestion, and maintains our “cool” by allowing the body to sweat. But does water just sound like a snooze? Wake it up by adding fresh lemon, cucumbers, or lime! Iced herbal tea makes a great alternative altogether, and if you are itching for some bubbles, grab an all-natural flavored seltzer…just be sure you don’t grab the kind with added sugars.

NLT: Want to get creative and make your own sparkling sensation? Try an at-home version by purchasing a Sodastream sparkling water kit. In less than 30 seconds, this machine will turn fresh water into a carbonated beverage. Experiment with fun flavors by adding lime, pomegranate, or blueberry juice!

1. Take a tea break. Baby its cold outside—why not curl up with a warm cup of tea? While you might not be as thirsty in the winter as you were during the summer heat, staying hydrated in the winter is equally essential.  Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and tea per day can help flush out toxins, prevent the skin from drying, increase cell turnover and keep your skin young and fresh. Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated; we love Pukka teas from England. Or you can choose a green tea variety to help reduce inflammation for extra beautification. Just be sure to combine drinking plenty of water and/or tea with applying plenty of topical moisturizer—moisturizers help hold water in the skin’s top layer, so they work hand in hand. This translates into great glowing skin despite the harsh winter weather!

2. Eat one orange food and one green food (and no we don’t mean M&Ms!). Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean orange is out just yet—orange veggies, such as carrots, squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are full of carotenoids. Carotenoids increase our defense against the sun and damage from UV rays (remember it is important to always use sunscreen for protection, even in the winter!).  They also help prevent acne breakouts and flare-ups that can make your skin blemished and blotchy. Green foods, such as kale and spinach, are full of vitamin C, which can act as your food equivalent of the fountain of youth—vitamin C helps to repair skin by building collagen and helping to ward off those pesky wrinkles. Eat at least one orange and one green food every day and your skin will thank you!

3. Snack on (healthy) fat. We love fat. We aren’t talking about the kind you find in butter, pie and french fries, but rather the healthy fats found in salmon, avocados and chia seeds. These foods contain omega 3 fatty acids, which aid in heart health and weight loss…but did you know they can also give you healthy skin? They help reduce inflammation and prevent collagen breakdown (translation: less wrinkles).  New to chia? Simply mix 2 tablespoons into your yogurt for an added 5 grams of omega 3s. One food that is as good in your belly as it is on your face is an avocado. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is rich in vitamins A and E. Vitamin E enhances your skin’s collagen production (translation: smoother skin) while sealing in vital moisture. Try this avocado Go Green Scrub from the O2 Diet and let this double-duty powerhouse work its magic!

4. Eat at least one colorful fruit every day. Fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants not only fight damaging free radicals in your body, they also can fight those winter skin blues too! Antioxidants help protect your skin against damage caused by the sun and harsh weather conditions in the winter. Blueberries have the added benefit of containing compounds that slow wrinkles and the effects of aging. Think of antioxidants as your youth elixir, keeping you beautiful, ageless and energized no matter what the weather has in store. An apple a day could keep those wrinkles at bay!

Got any winter skin secrets of your own that you want to share with us?

Heading to a pool party and looking to show off that hard earned bikini bod? Since research shows that bloating affects up to 30% of the population, reducing that belly bloat is top of mind for many of us this bathing suit season. Instead of downing a carbonated beer, which can cause bloating, try sipping a homemade rosemary infused cucumber lemonade.  You can Chilled Chilled cucumbers and fresh lemon juice help keep you cool and both are rich sources of vitamin C, which will help reduce swelling and bloating.  Rosemary is abundant in the summer months and has antioxidant properties important for fighting aging.  Think drinking less will help stop bloating?  Think again!  Dehydration can actually worsen the bloat as your body tries to hold on to water.  If that wasn’t reason enough to load up on water during these hot days, research shows that when you’re adequately hydrated, your metabolism functions at its best, which can aid in weight loss.

NLT: You don’t need to be an experienced mixologist to create this delicious non-alcoholic concoction. Simply follow the directions for one of our favorite Rosemary-Infused Cucumber Lemonade recipes from EatingWell.com:
Ingredients:
3 large cucumbers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
1 cup water
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons agave syrup

Instructions:
1. Cut 12 thin slices of cucumber for garnish.
2. Peel and chop the rest of the cucumber; transfer to a food processor, add rosemary and puree. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Press on the solids to extract all the juice. Add water, lemon juice and agave syrup to the cucumber juice; stir until the agave is dissolved. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs. (Makes 4 servings).