HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER - My favorite Tips and Tricks

I know you've heard it before and I am sure that you'll hear it again and again — drinking water is good for you. And it is true! Believe me! I used to be addicted to diet soda and gave it up almost 2 years ago and I now crave water! My body needs it and so does yours, in so many ways. The list of benefits is miles long and includes improving digestion and clearing up your skin just to name a few of my favorites to get your attention.  And if you’re trying to lose weight, one of the things you should to look at closely is what you drink. Beverages often contain lots of hidden sugar and are loaded with unwanted calories but when people are trying to loose weight they tend to focus on what they’re eating rather than what they’re drinking. Which is sad because many studies show that just drinking more water helps you lose the unwanted weight because we drink a lot of our calories unknowingly.

For many people, getting enough water over the course of the day is a struggle. I’ll be the first person to admit that water can get boring after a while and I drink a lot of it daily! Yes, we need it and can’t survive without it, but it is plain and some say it has no taste. So many people tend to skip drinking the recommend amount. Which is 1/2 your body weight in ounces EVERYDAY especially if weight loss is your goal. 

So instead of skipping the water try some of my favorite tips and tricks to increase your water intake. I do all of these everyday and it has helped me so much! 

HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER- 

1. Make it a Morning Habit- The trick to this is pouring yourself a glass of water before bed and then drinking it as soon as you get up. Drinking it right away should be refreshing and will get your metabolism going. 
2. Give Yourself Reminders- There's lots of apps out there to keep track of your water intake, if you like that kind of reminder (Daily Water Free*, is my favorite). But a another option is to set an alarm on your watch, phone or calendar to remind you to take a drink every two hours or so.
3. Drink Coffee or Tea Yep, you heard me right — your favorite  morning beverage has plenty of water in it, so you can include that in your daily count. According to sites like WebMD, their diuretic effects do not take away from also hydrating you. So your morning cup of joe is good for your water intake!
4. Eat Your Water- There are lots of yummy fruits and veggies that contain water,  including cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, watermelon (obviously), strawberries, grapefruit, zucchini, radish and celery. Not to mention they have many other nutrients and you'll be getting in veggies and water at the same time! So make a yummy salad with some and you have a refreshing and hydrating lunch :)
5. Buy  Cute Water Bottle - This is not rocket science but for some reason pure superficiality that somehow still works. If you have a nicer water bottle, you are just be more inclined to use it. I love love cute bottles and take them everywhere I go. Plus it saves me money and the planet! So win-win-win-win in my book. I love The Dextox Water Bottle * by blogilates. This goes hand in hand with next tip. I use tip  #5 and # 6 together, often! 
6. Try Infusing Your Water with Fruit. - This is my favorite tip! There are so many ways to infuse your water, everything from mason jars with fruit infusing lids, to water bottles with built in infusers. And ever better is that there are so many recipes out there too. The options are endless with water fruits, veggies, and herbs you can mix and create! Plus, It has great health benefits and adds a bit of taste to your water too. So no more plain boring water excuses! See a few of my favorite combinations below :) 

*Please note, I am not affiliated or sponsored in any way by the sites/products I recommend above, They are products that I personally found, use and love . I am not being compensated in anyway for my recommendations.

If you have a favorite recipe that you love please Share it with me too! I love trying new ones!

Here are a few combinations to try: 

Lemon + Lime + Orange = Immune defense
Strawberry + Cucumber + Kiwi = Blood Sugar Support
Cucumber + Lemon + Lime= Hydration & Appetite Control
Mint + Green Tea + Lime = Fat Burning

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Believe in Yourself

Not that long ago I was pretty uncomfortable in my own skin and I was too afraid to even try to do something about it, I was overweight, alone, and unhappy. I had lost hope and faith in myself. I was stuck.

It wasn't a matter of my body's inability to change and believe me I had the DESIRE to be better, to feel better and to look better. I WANTED it. Badly! I just didn't think I could do it. You see, I had tried to loose weight before, many many times before and had not achieved my goals. Sometimes, I was partially successful only to be struck down by life circumstances and they would cause me to fall off track and gain it all back. Sometimes I wouldn't even get close to my goals. Gosh, Sometimes it seemed I couldn't even get out of the starting gate!

 And all those failures haunted me. They toyed with my soul and set me up to give up before I could let myself down again. It seemed like they were guarding my heart from my own possible future failures. I didn't believe in me anymore. It took a lot for me to finally see a tiny ray of hope, it is way too much to share on this message today but I will say this...I am grateful for the tiny spark that set my soul ablaze. It has been life changing. And I will be sharing more on this soon in hope to encourage you to find your own spark. And although I am not where I want or need to be just yet in my journey I know that I am on the path that I am supposed to be on. 

So as you go through this day be encouraged to BE YOU and BELIEVE in YOURSELF!! I know sometimes it is hard when the world around us is so eager to point out what is wrong with us rather than point out what is RIGHT with us. And we usually hold ourselves back more than the world does. I know that I am incredibly guilty of this  but the TRUTH is that we have been given everything we need to succeed in this life! The gifts and talents that are locked up on the inside of you are just waiting to get out!!!

Are you frustrated or depressed about where you are right now in your life? A mentor of mine suggests that our frustration and/or depression is our Spirit man or inner self screaming to be unleashed and to make an impact in the world! You ARE game changers and you just need to believe it and believe in your capabilities to SOAR above the have nots, could nots, and would nots!!! Tell yourself I CAN & I WILL!!!

My HOPE is that you began to see yourself in new way! STRONG, CAPABLE, BRAVE, BEAUTIFUL, FEARLESS!!!! You are all these things and more!! Each day keep going, keep pushing, & seizing each day as the opportunity it is to change yourself and your course towards the future you have always wanted! You can achieve it!!

Clean Pumpkin Yogurt

Pumpkin is everywhere and I am loving it! ! Um...I would say I'm a bit obsessed anything pumpkin right now! :)

This clean pumpkin yogurt is amazing! I love researching new healthy ‪#‎cleaneating‬ recipes to share with my online accountability groups!! Just one of the many added benefits of surrounding yourself with other like-minded ladies all working on being the best selves possible!!! XO

Directions:

√ One cup plain Greek yogurt
√ One cup puréed pumpkin
√ One tablespoon honey
√ One teaspoon cinnamon

Blend together and freeze for about an hour, enjoy!!!

21 Day Fix Approved BAKED GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Did you know you can eat HEALTHY, TASTY meals on the 21 Day Fix? Check this one out!!

BAKED GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Container count per serving: 1¼ red, ¼ yellow, 1 teaspoons, 1½ sweetener teaspoons (for maple syrup)

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
½ cup liquid egg whites
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce (or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos)
¼ cup vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp chili sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
1 tsp cornstarch

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and mist with non-fat cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.

Dip chicken strips in liquid egg substitute, shake off excess and lightly coat in flour. Place chicken strips on baking sheet and lightly mist with an olive oil mister, or more non-fat cooking spray.

Bake chicken in oven for about 30 min, turning over once at halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
While chicken is cooking, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, syrup, chili sauce and sesame oil in a small sauce pan set over medium heat. Once sauce has begun to lightly simmer, mix cornstarch and I tsp water in a small cup, and then pour into sauce. Continue to cook, stirring regularly, until sauce has thickened up a bit, about 3-5 more minutes. If sauce remains runny, add in some additional cornstarch, tsp by tsp.

Toss the cooked chicken pieces with the sauce and serve immediately.

Fall in love with Healthy FREE 5 Day Clean Eating Group

Are you ready to "fall" back into a healthier lifestyle? Join us for our monthly FREE 5 Day Clean Eating Group!
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School is back in and it’s time to put yourself first and "Fall" in Love with Health and yourself! 
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This menu will be full of simple yet delicious food, have tasty ,healthy recipes, and you will get real results, most importantly FUN!
Plus you will get an easy meal plan, grocery list and tons of support and, encouragement! ...what could be better?!
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We start the 28th! Join us!
Just send me a message / comment below or reach out to me on face book :)
***Please no coaches or those working with a coach outside of my team***

APPLE ALMOND BUTTER OVERNIGHT OATS

Now that it's fall is almost here and apples are in season for for picking I am going to share one of my favorite fall make ahead breakfasts. It is quick, easy to prep, and requires no cooking at all! Oh and I totally forgot to mention that it's super delicious too!  It is packed with tons of taste and filling goodness that you won't be hungry til lunch! 

Today I’m sharing how to make Apple Almond Butter Overnight Oats. If you give this recipe a try, please let me know :)

INGREDIENTS:

1. 1 cup rolled oats (I used Gluten Free Organic old fashioned rolled oats)
2. 2 cup unsweetened almond milk
3. 2 tablespoons chia seeds
4. ½ teaspoon cinnamon
5. ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
6. 2 tablespoons almond butter
7. 1 medium apple, chopped
8. Pinch of sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add oats and almond milk into a large mixing bowl
2. Add in chia seeds, cinnamon and vanilla extract and stir everything together
3. Divide batter into two 12-ounce Mason Jars or containers
4. Top with diced apples, a sprinkle of sea salt and a dollop of almond butter
5. Cover with lid and place in refrigerator overnight
6. In the morning, they are ready to eat! No cooking or heating required. Enjoy!

NOTES:

1. Choose organic ingredients when possible
2. If almond butter is already salted, it is not necessary to add more salt

THIS RECIPE IS:

• Vegan
• Plant-Based
• Dairy-Free
• Gluten-Free *If using gluten-free oats
• Delicious!

*credit for recipe and images:healthygrocerygirl.com

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Share this blog post and recipe with a friend who you think would enjoy it! Also if you make this recipe and post a pic on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter… tag me in it and use #jennamerson!! 

9-11-01 In Remembrance

Does anyone remember the day when, race, gender, age, religion & political affiliation didn't matter? 

The day when Firefighters and Police were the biggest HEROES in our country....the day that we were all equal and we were UNITED as AMERICANS??

I will never forget this day in our great country's history it was a day that we as a Nation United overcame the most unspeakable act of hatred. We Americans rose up from the ashes of terror and came together to help each other and rebuild.

Please take a moment to pay tribute to all we lost on 9/11, our Friends, our Neighbors, our Firefighters, our Polices Offices, our Military. For they gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. 

Thinking of, praying for, honoring and remembering those who lost their lives, loved ones, and those who stepped forward to protect and defend the United States of America! 

and ...On the anniversary of such a terrible day, lets all take a second to say I LOVE YOU, share a smile with a stranger, give a hug, lend a helping hand graciously, thank those who serve our country and REMEMBER on that day we were UNITED. heart emoticon . So let's keep these two takeaways :

#1- HOLD ON TIGHT to your loved ones and make sure every second counts. No day is guaranteed.

#2- We are all still UNITED, Still ALL AMERICANS, Regardless of race, gender, age, sexual preference, religion & political affiliation, we are all humans fighting against the evil that comes from EVERY direction, we don't need to show more of it to one another. BE THE KINDNESS in the world and Honor America.

‪#‎NeverForget‬ ‪#‎WeAreOne‬ ‪#‎NoHate‬ #remember #911memorial #911 #wewillneverforget