What’s all the fuss about drinking water? Why is it so important to our health? Living in the desert I know what it’s like to be dehydrated. I even suffered a mild case of heat stroke a few summers ago which left me in a sad state for a few weeks. Beyond that, from my nutrition training I knew that water supports our cells but I didn’t know just how deep the story goes until I researched the facts for this story.
The U.S. Geological Survey was created 125 years ago by an act of Congress and provides scientific expertise on a variety of topics concerning our natural environment. Here’s what they say about water:
Our bodies are mostly water!
*Our brain and heart are 73% water! 
*Our lungs are about 83% water! 
*Our skin is 64% water! 
*Our muscles and kidneys are 79% water! 
* Our bones are 31% water! 
Why does this matter? It’s a thing called fluid balance (homeostasis for you science types). Too little water inside our cells and they shrivel up and die. Too much H2O and those cute little things up and burst! Fluid balance ensures the normal functioning of our body and its optimal health. It’s vital for physical and mental performance every day of our lives.
Here are just some of the jobs that water performs for us:
*It regulates our internal body temperature through sweating and breathing.
*Carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream.
*It helps flush waste through urination.
*Acts as a shock absorber for the brain, spinal cord and fetus
*Water forms saliva.
*Water lubricates the joints.
Replenishing this Water Daily
According to the USGS:
Men need to drink 3 liters (3.2 qts) of water each day (about 13 cups).
Women need to drink 2.2 liters (2.3 qts) each day (9 cups)
You’re probably thinking, “How is that humanly possible?” Well, take heart people. Here’s some good news. 20% of our water intake comes from food! We only have to make up the other 80%!
In my next article I will provide a list of foods that are rich in water. Many of them are already in your diet. I will also warn about some foods to avoid or at least eat in moderation because they encourage the body to dehydrate – not a good thing!
https://www.reference.com/science/fluid-balance-important-9336ab4013e84cf
I grew up eating whole grain cereals for breakfast like Wheatena ( my favorite), a wonderful nutty and tasty hot treat with sliced banana and milk – those winter months in New Jersey were cold! Other cereals like Wheaties and Cheerios rounded out my whole grain intake…we didn’t know about whole wheat breads in my household. We ate Wonder Bread. Muffins and pancakes were made with Bisquick. 
Here’s a tip worth its weight in gold…Eat high fiber foods with high fat foods to decrease the absorption of fat. Increase your daily fiber and you’ll absorb fewer calories. 
for fiber and veggie nutrition along with my usual whole grain breads, pasta, and brown rice. I added pieces of Romaine lettuce to the top of my soup bowl to get some roughage as well.
Springtime is another story. When the warm air hits I crave the cool crunch of a hearty salad, and this spring I created one that is nutritious, colorful, and full of texture – a delight for the senses. This particular salad really “unclogs” my system so I try to eat at least one salad each day. Here is my salad recipe followed by the nutritional benefits of its ingredients along with online sources for you:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Cheese
Olive Oil
Parsley
Red Bell Pepper
Red Leaf Lettuce
Romaine Lettuce 
Soy Sauce
Tomato Sauce (also listed in the Soup Nutrition section)
hit my town a month or so ago grocery stores increased their sanitation practices to protect the health of its customers. I understand and appreciate their concern and efforts in this regard. However, Trader Joe’s took it to a unique panic level and made its customers stand in line outside the store several feet apart while an employee in the front controlled the number of customers who could enter at one time. We were told it was an effort to keep distance between customers shopping inside. I went along with this procedure a few times till I realized that once inside my items were not available…so I’d stood in line for 15 min or more to find that I’d wasted my time and went away frustrated. Well, one day I was there early and only needed milk so I stood in line for a little while hoping for the best…My common sense and reason took over when I viewed Fry’s across the street and left. I haven’t been back and don’t know if I ever will return. 
I got my milk without fuss at Fry’s that day and although I had a few disappointments there with products not being available I’ve continued to shop there hoping that things would get better. They did! I discovered that they’d put a 2-item limit on everything in the store, and by persevering I discovered great products to replace what I’d been buying before, and new foods that have added nutrition and enjoyment to my diet. Take a look:
International section I found lots of healthy items I want to try.
All of these new experiences were the result of trying something new. I have become more flexible and able to adapt more easily to situations I can’t control.
Organic Farming
