Water is something many of us take for granted, but few of us get the recommended daily amount.

Growing up we are told to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Well then what exactly is a glass? Is a glass a juice cup or one of those tall 24 oz containers?

8 oz is a cup. That would mean that you would have to drink 64 oz of water a day. Now I know that seems like a lot, but it isn’t when you actually think about it. If you are physically active you should drink even more water, that’s right I said more water.

In our new home we have a built in water filter, I have to admit I love this feature. Unfortunately we humans have done a great deal to contaminate our water supply. I hate buying bottled water. Do you know how many of those plastic bottles end up in our landfills each year, even with active recycling programs?  That is the subject for a whole other blog post though, lets get back to drinking the water.

Now I have the convenience of having my water come right out of the door of the fridge nice and filtered for me. So yes, I am getting my daily recommended dose of water. But the question is are you?

News stories are filled with the fact that many of us are consuming so many bad drinks for us. Kids load up on sodas and energy drinks. They do not get the water they need, and are essentially drinking empty calories. How can we encourage kids and ourselves to drink more water?

I am lucky enough to live in the south, where citrus fruit is plentiful. One of the ways I get my kids to drink more water is to flavor it. Lemon or lime added to the water gives it a different taste that many enjoy. You can also make fresh herbal teas with lemon. Yes, this still counts as a serving of water. Do not load down either of these with sugars or artificial sweeteners. Let the flavors come through. If you really need to have that sweet, try honey. A locally procured honey can satisfy many a sweet tooth and also has a great deal of nutrients.

However you drink your water, make sure you drink it. Not the fancy bottled variety with sugar and additives, but pure clean water. Add your own flavorings to see what taste that you like!