Category Archives: Water and Air Education

Benefits of Drinking Water… Nature’s Healthiest Beverage

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Photo by TheDailyGreen.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but could the same apply to drinking water?  Our bodies are made up of 60% water, at times in our lives, ranging up to 75%! So it would make perfect sense that we need to consume enough to maintain overall good health.  Water has always been considered nature’s healthiest beverage and there is plenty of research to back up the claim.  There is an endless list of health benefits connected to drinking water.  According to an article on MindBodyGreen.com, the top 10 benefits of drinking water include:

1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue 

2. Promotes Weight Loss

3. Flushes Out Toxins 

4. Improves Skin Complexion 

5. Maintains Regularity 

6. Boosts Immune System 

7. Natural Headache Remedy

8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains 

9. Puts You in a Good Mood 

10. Save Money

Additional benefits include preventing bad breath, regulating body temperature, lowering your risk of heart disease and even certain types of cancer. Some lesser known facts found on Fitday.com include that drinking water helps you build muscle, is good for your joints and can even make you smarter!

So how much water do we actually need in order to obtain these benefits?  In this case, more is better than not enough, but there is a general rule of thumb to follow.  The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults drink at least 8, 8 oz. glasses of fluid each day.  What is the best way to reach this goal?  Our top choice is plain, filtered water, as it contains zero calories and has little to no cost to the consumer.

Does it matter how you drink it?  Not really.  Some people prefer it ice cold. Some prefer it room temperature.  Some people prefer it with a slice of lemon, some with a sprig of mint. There are a lot of recipes available online these days if you want to get creative with your water. Some will change the taste completely while some will turn your pitcher of water into a beautiful work of art! Really, there are endless options for ways to enjoy a nice glass of the world’s most abundant substance.

The most important factor is the simplest, though we tend to struggle the most with it… remembering to drink it!

  • Set a Goal: Until it becomes a habit, set a goal for yourself.  If 64 oz. per day is too overwhelming, start smaller.  Aim to drink 3 glasses per day, and then increase the amount until you reach your ultimate goal.
  • Placement:  You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind.”  It applies in this case as well!  If you always have a water bottle, or large glass of water in front of you, you are more likely to drink it.
  • Meal-time:  Always drink at least a full glass of water with each meal.
  • Snack-time: Always drink a full glass with your morning and afternoon snack.

 

Following these simple steps will help you increase your water intake.   So drink up and remember that 8 glasses of filtered water per day just might keep the doctor away!

 

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Bad Hair Day? Water Softener System to the Rescue!

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I’ve got unruly hair… always have. My hair is coarse, long and thick.  I grew up in rural OH and had very hard water to contend with.  Hard water, aka water containing large amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates and sulfates, is not kind to girls with hair like mine… or any hair type for that matter.  How do you know hard water is affecting your locks?  I know the symptoms all too well.  Let me share:

  • Hair never “feels” clean.  You can’t fully rinse out the shampoo or conditioner.  There is always a residue sticking around.
  • Your hair is dry (straw-like even), and breaks at the gentlest touch no matter how many deep conditioning treatments you use.
  • Tangles upon tangles, regardless of the amount of conditioner applied.
  • Hair color – don’t bother.  It will fade before you get home from the salon.
  • And frizz…don’t forget the frizz.

 

Why does hard water have this effect? Basically it is due to the high mineral content present.  The minerals cause the hair cuticles to “stand up” which gives the hair that rough feel. For the same reason, it becomes nearly impossible to rinse hair thoroughly. Plus, since shampoo cannot break down properly in hard water, it is difficult to wash out styling products, resulting in product build-up. In addition to causing bad hair days, dissolved calcium and magnesium in your hard water causes scale. Scale builds up on the insides of pipes, water heaters, tea pots and coffee makers. Overtime scale build up can completely clog pipes and ruin appliances.

Fortunately for me and others like me, there is a solution!  We just need to filter the water before we use it.  The best way to accomplish this is to invest in a water softening system for your house.   These systems replace excessive calcium and magnesium, as well as other mineral content in your water, with sodium ions, which decrease the detrimental effects of hard water. There are other benefits to installing a home water softening system as stated on Livestrong.com such as:

  1. Easier cleaning. Softened water helps rinse off soap residue for cleaner dishes and clothes, as well as your general household cleaning.
  2. Longer lifespan for appliances.  Hard water minerals can build up over time in your appliances causing decreased efficiency and usability.  According to North Dakota State University, water-softening systems extend the life of washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and other appliances that use water.
  3. Faster hot water.  Softened water heats quicker. Estimates find increased efficiency in water heaters up to 30% when using soft water!
  4. Cleaner plumbing system.  The mineral and metal build up caused by hard water can lead to clogs and corrosion in your pipes and your faucet fixtures.  Softened water can eliminate this issue, saving you money on costly repairs and replacements.

 

There are a variety of water softeners available.  Visit FiltersFast.com for all of your water filtration needs and say goodbye to “bad” hair for good!

 

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Experience Gourmet Water at a Fraction of the Price!

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water sommelier, gourmet water, boutique waterIn order to enjoy a great tasting glass of water, you do not need to be a Water Sommelier to indulge. Treat yourself and your guests to clean filtered drinking water at a fraction of what it would cost for boutique or gourmet water. A water sommelier, akin to a wine sommelier, becomes skilled at the technique of pairing different compositions of water from around the world with food. The fine dining experience of drinking sommelier crafted water focuses on the impact of the taste and flavor of food combined with the complexity in the taste of water.

Typically, the average consumer does not have the luxury to frequently dine out and purchase a $20.00 bottle of gourmet water, or pay around $2.50 to $5.00 per glass. With that said, we have some suggestions to help create that fine dining atmosphere at home for pennies on the dollar, while enjoying great tasting filtered water with your food.

Here are a few basic and inexpensive items you will need:

  • 1 Filtered Water Pitcher like the ZeroWater Water Filter Pitcher
  • A wine glass (2 if someone is joining you)
  • 1 tablecloth
  • Cloth napkins
  • Candles in a glass votive or on candlesticks
  • Light finger sandwiches/pastries
  • Plates or Saucers
  • Soft music

Now on to that fine dining experience!

  1. Pour tap water into filtered water pitcher.
  2. Spread a tablecloth over your dinette table or if you prefer al fresco, drape the cloth over your patio table.
  3. Place candles in the middle of the table and light
  4. Set your table with your wine glass, folded cloth napkins, plates/saucers and flatware if needed
  5. Place light appetizers/pastries on table
  6. Pour water from filtered water pitcher in wine glasses
  7. Bon Appétit!

 

You don’t have to travel to faraway lands or become a water sommelier in order to have clean, delicious filtered drinking water. Water from different regions of the country vary in mineral content, hardness and contain other waterborne particles that could impact taste. While no one knows how long the trend of fine dining gourmet or boutique water will last, access to clean filtered drinking water is within your reach, without the large price tag. If you choose to add some pizzazz to your drinking water, you could add fruit or other flavors on the market.

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