It’s summer time in Beijing. Hot. So it’s more important than ever to drink as much water as you can. And if we as parents are always drinking water, we serve as great examples to our kids!
One idea to help encourage water consumption is to add some glamour and drama to your aqua! Bling it! Here’s how.
Get yourself a re-usable water bottle. The environmental impact of plastic bottles is horrifying. Have you heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? It’s an island made of plastic waste in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Gross. And it’s getting bigger! Please do us all a favor and get a reusable bottle! I use a Nalgene brand bottle that is BPA free and really tough and durable. Customize it by adding some stickers! Take a stroll down Nanlouguxiang and pop into Plastered 8 T-shirts for some super-cool free Beijing-only stickers.
Add flavor to your water. Take some slices of lemon, or cucumber, or strawberries and put them in your water bottle. It will add just a smidgen of flavor without adding sugar. If you’re really craving sweetness add a dab of honey from the Fragrant Hills of Beijing to your slice of lemon for a gentle, natural version of lemonade. Refreshing!
Bling! Little extras can truly bedazzle your water: mint, chia seeds, spirulina, probiotic powder, or ice-cubes made out of cranberry or grape juice. The options are endless. (If you happen to find edible glitter let me know!)
Put it in the fridge before bedtime so in the morning it’s nice and cold ready to go with you on your daily adventures. Ayi obviously won’t be happy you’re drinking a cold beverage; just remind her you’re a laowai, it’s the middle of July, and you’re hot. She’ll understand.
I promise that the thought, effort, and flavor you put into your bedazzling water will encourage you to drink more of it!
Theresa Pauline is a yoga teacher, social entrepreneur, momma, wife, and beijingkids contributor. You can find out more about her at www.taozitreeyoga.com
Photos: Wikimedia commons, frolicsomepl (pixabay), & healthgauge(flickr)
