The 4 week water challenge. Does it really take 10 years off of your face?

I know I don't drink enough water. I know how important drinking water is, I just don't do it. I do sip on water throughout the day but my maximum intake is around 12 ounces of water per day. A far cry from what is recommended, though despite all of us knowing 8 by 8 {8 glasses of water by 8 pm}, water recommendations are no longer a one size fits all approach. WebMD has a recommendation of 1/2-1 ounce of water for every pound. I'm 108 pounds and live a fairly active lifestyle, so around 100 ounces is a pretty fair goal to shoot for. A few years ago I had a pedicure at a spa {thank you groupon} and the esthetician told me that my skin was dry. I didn't think my skin was dry. It didn't feel cracked or flaking but she recommended that I drink more water.  She told me I could be dehydrated. I took note of it, but obviously didn't really change my habits.  I guess I sort of underplayed how important drinking water is for my overall health. For some reason, despite having seen this article before, I was inspired to drink more water and to start a little blog experiment.  I thought that I would document the process week by week and see if I saw results as drastic as she did. She really does look 10 years younger. I'm wondering if it will work for me.

source

I downloaded an app to my phone to help me keep track of my daily water intake. The author drank 3 liters of water, which is about 101 ounces, so I set my app to track what felt like an ocean of water every single day. I started on a Monday, so with no makeup on, I took a picture. Each Monday I logged my observations from the week and snapped a no makeup picture. I do occasionally drink things other than water {usually coffee}, but those don't count towards my water goal. I'm sticking to logging strictly water only.So here we go me on day 1.

Come see what this journey was like for me and if I will keep on drinking 101 ounces of water every single day. Are you dying to see if I look 10 years younger just by changing this one habit?

week 1: 

I noticed more zits this week. I don't normally break out, but I had at least four lovely zits rear their ugly head. Not sure if it's coincidence or not.  Some people say it's my body's way of getting rid of toxins. While trying to drink so much water one day, I skipped my coffee. I don't drink a lot, only one cup a day but if I don't drink that one cup, by the afternoon I have a massive headache.  On this particular day I didn't get a headache. I read later that water helps you detox from caffeine and I will heartily agree. I'm not ready to give up my coffee, but on those days that I don't drink it, it's nice to know that just by keeping up my water intake I won't suffer the caffeine withdraws like I once had.My bathroom visits are crazy. I'm in there nearly every hour and at night I'm up once. This part is not my favorite.I met my water goal 5 of the 7 days but still drank more water on those days than normal, so I consider it a win as I ease into this new habit.

week 2:

More zits. I can't even. They are mostly on my neck. Can I blame the water? Perhaps it's taking so many years off of my life that I'm now entering puberty again.I have found that if I get my water consumption in by 8 pm, I don't usually wake up at night to go to the bathroom. If I am still chugging by 10, then there is no hope for me sleeping straight through the night.Speaking of sleep, I always slept well, but I have had some pretty great nights of sleep. Coincidence?I'm noticing that my contacts aren't quite as dry as they sometimes get in the evenings and I'm finding that I am craving water now. I'm constantly sipping and carrying my big cup full of water with me everywhere I go.I met my water goal 7 out of 7 days last week, usually exceeding it by a few ounces. 

week 3:

I was traveling this week, so it was harder for me to fit in copious amounts of water consumption with my schedule. Pretty much, that's a nice way of saying that I didn't have time to be making bathroom stops every hour!  But I did manage to get my water goal 5 of the 7 days.I had a massive zit that required it's own zip code. Seriously, this whole zit thing is a major downside if the two really are indeed linked to one another. I normally have some pretty killer cramps and this month, I didn't notice them quite as much. The introduction of yummy Tex Mex into my diet and eating out nearly every meal for five days straight had me gaining five pounds. I have always heard that drinking more water would make you fuller and help you lose weight. I did not find that to be true.

week 4:

You would think that by now the habit of drinking water would be in place but I can't say that it was. It was still a struggle for me to make sure I downed enough water. I met my water goal 6 out of 7 days.I'm still noticing acne. Maybe it's not water related at all. I was hoping that my bladder would expand and get used to the increase in water but it hasn't. I'm still making frequent bathroom trips and that interruption in my day is pretty annoying.

Recap

I'm actually pretty darn proud of myself for sticking with this little experiment for 4 weeks. I made note every week of how many days I made my 101 ounce goal and even when I had a shortcoming, I was still drinking far more water than I normally do on average, so I consider it a win all around.I want to say that I noticed a huge change in my skin like the woman in the article that inspired me but I don't. I was really hoping those dark circles under my eyes would be less dark and noticeable but they haven't.The constant bathroom stops this month have been beyond annoying. My kids even mentioned that they are all ready for me to be done with my little experiment because they are tired of the bathroom breaks every hour on the hour!

4 weeks of 101 ounces of water before and after

The end results

I really wanted to notice a bigger difference. I really did. I wanted this experiment to be life changing and that drinking more water was something that I could swear by as a way to make you look younger, but it's not.I know many experts would disagree. Maybe the benefits are all internal and I've never been healthier or more flushed out. Who cares that I didn't notice a difference in my skin besides a ton more acne? Will I keep it up? Probably not. I don't love spending my day finding bathrooms and making pit stops. I didn't notice enough benefits to make it worth it in the long run.Of course I will continue to drink water, just not 101 ounces of water every day. 

Should you do a 4 week water challenge?

Maybe, just maybe if I was trying to break a soda habit this might be a great challenge to take to help change that behavior.  I know every person is different and you may notice huge benefits from drinking more water. I would hate to discourage you from trying because there is no harm in it.Just be warned that you will be making frequent bathroom breaks! Don't take my word for it. Give it a try. I would love to see how your skin changes just by drinking 101 ounces daily. You may have killer results. Have you ever tried a water challenge? Did you notice any benefits to it? Would you try taking the 4 week water challenge?

0

Low Calorie Pink Lemonade with a Twist

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by! Before you know it we will be celebrating the new year and ringing in 2016. This time of year brings so many of us together for social occasions. We have weekends and evenings full of holiday events and parties. It's such a fun time! 

I have a fun, zero-calorie beverage enhancer that will make the most perfect pink lemonade vodka for your next event.

The best part of the Dasani Drops, is that they are super small with a flip-top cap perfect to throw in your purse or gym bag when you are on the go. These little bottles pack a mighty punch though because each bottle has 32 servings! You can add any of these zero-calorie liquid beverage enhancers to your daily water {we all need to be drinking as much water as we can to stay hydrated, right?!} and I find, having these on hand makes boring water, so much more fun!  It's a little burst of flavor!

But Dasani Drops aren't just for water my friends. They also perk up your adult beverages as well.

For this low calorie pink lemonade with a twist, you will need:

1 part Vodka
2 parts water
2 drops of Dasani Drops in Pink Lemonade
lemon slice for garnish

Mix together over ice with a stir stick and enjoy!

To find more ways to enjoy your Dasani drops in water, check them out on Instagram. There are so many flavors with endless possibilities! Let me know what your favorite one is. I would love to hear it.

0

Welcome Home

Down a long dirt road we drove. Feeling every bump and ditch worn in by years of flooding and drought. If it's not one, it's another. This year, it's drought. We arrived at a home with the cleanest dirt I have ever seen. We stepped out of the van and were greeted by Edward who said "welcome home." His greeting will forever stick with me.

We were visiting Edward Kanyama and his wife Justina Michelo. Before we even sat down we had a lesson on how to tie the traditional skirt called a chitenge. A chitenge is basically a few yards of fabric wrapped around and tucked but carries with it the meaning of respect. We went around and introduced ourselves and the group of women would reply "twalumba" which means we are very grateful.

Photo by Jon Warren || World Vision 2014                                             

When World Vision entered the community Justina heard about the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) program for the first time. It was like a light had been turned on and she suddenly realized that the diarrhea, scabies and worms that her and her nine children had dealt with for a lifetime were all caused by dirty drinking water and unsanitary living conditions. This was new information for Justina.

Justina happy to be showing us her new dish rack. 

I just kept thinking about the story with the Ethiopian Eunich who was reading Isaiah and when questioned by Phillip if he knew what it meant his response was "how will I know if no one has told me." It's amazing to think that in 2015 there are people that don't know that you should wash your hands before you eat or after you go to the bathroom. They don't know that going to the bathroom in the bush brings flys that then land on their food. As American's we are taught this from a very young age. I even had a hand washing song I sang with my children. But how would they know if no one has told them?

The people of Zambia have lived for generations feeling cursed. They believe that diseases are brought on by something that they have done wrong. A child with a distended belly? The wife must be having an extramarital affair. Constant diarrhea? Their ancestors are unhappy with them. When World Vision first came into the country there was some apprehension. But once they showed the people and the people gave them a chance, they have been on fire for change. The important message about sanitation and hygiene is being spread and put into practice even though this community is still waiting for the clean water aspect. These changes have already proven to have great benefits to their health.

Justina's tip tap that she built and has conveniently placed close to her latrine for easy hand washing

Children are learning in their schools how to build hand washing stations (tip tap's) and are taking that information home to their families. Families are making changes around their homes like building dish drying racks to keep animals off of their clean dishes, they have rubbish pits, private bath areas, latrines and hand washing stations around their homes. They are noticing that there are less flies that not only bother them, but that spread disease. I could tell that Edward was very proud of his wife and he was a very supportive husband. He says that he is even taking on the chore of fetching water and making meals when his wife is busy educating in the community. We spent some time joking about how my husband is home with the children doing the same thing. It's woman's work to keep the house afterall.

Justina is just one voice, but she is a voice that is passionate about the changes that she has made. She explained that if her community of Hamaundu is remembered for one thing, that it's remembered for being clean. She's happy that she is clean, her husband and her family is clean.

We came into her home, looked at her latrine and peeked in her shower and Justine beamed with pride. In the past four years, since she has been educated, Justine's home has changed. Her family is healthy and clean. She is teaching others to make changes in their homes and see the difference that it makes. Twalumba for your passion and for the lives that you are changing.


To find a child that is available for sponsorship, visit here. Click to learn more about the water effect and how World Vision is meeting that need in some of the most desperate areas.A collection of stories from my week in ZambiaRainbows and WaterA Child's LifeLooking Forward to the FutureThe Needs are so GreatWelcome HomeSpirit Lead Me Where My Trust is Without BordersPreparing for Zambia

0

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

I have been traveling for days. I left Seattle on Friday afternoon and I am just now touching the ground in Lusaka, Zambia. Africa is a long way away from home!  This song by Hillsong has been on repeat in my head for days.

I just love these lyrics and the truth. I'm crossing physical borders and entering into a foreign land, but so often I place borders on myself.  I'm on a journalists trip with people who are real actual writers.  People who get paid to write for magazines and newspapers. People who have deadlines and editors. I'm just a mom who decided to write a blog because her craft projects and ramblings were taking over the space where I was sharing family photos. I have complete faith in knowing that I am here, in Zambia with this group of people for a reason, though I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I placed the border around myself that felt like I wasn't good enough to be a part of this experience with these people, representing World Vision.

There is nothing short of God's hand on this trip and the details of it and I am trusting that I can go deeper and further than I could have ever dreamed of wandering, in a land that is filled with people who have stories that break the heart of God every day.

I'm crossing borders, not knowing how this trip to Zambia is going to play out in my life, but I am pretty sure that it's going to wreck me.  My first vision trip to Uganda last August opened my eyes and introduced me to people who have a faith that is sometimes far greater than mine.  I met people who had the most generous spirit and gave until it hurt.  I want to be wrecked.  I want to go deeper in my faith than I would ever go on my own because God has led me to a land that is foreign to me. I'm trusting without borders and I am walking on those waters.  I am not alone.  I am in the presence of my Savior.To find a child that is available for sponsorship, visit here. Click to learn more about the water effect and how World Vision is meeting that need in some of the most desperate areas.Update: A collection of stories from my week in ZambiaRainbows and WaterA Child's LifeLooking Forward to the FutureThe Needs are so GreatWelcome HomeSpirit Lead Me Where My Trust is Without BordersPreparing for Zambia

0