BKYD Life

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Healthy beverage

Stay Hydrated!

Summer is a time to be outside gardening, swimming and playing in the sunshine. It is so important that you get plenty of fluids – on a hot day dehydration can sneak up on you faster than you might expect.

Growing up in Phoenix, AZ, we learned from an early age how to deal with the heat. We always had (and still have) water on hand. Melons were (and still are) a staple in the summer. Hats are a regular part of the wardrobe and sunscreen is a must.

So here are my tips for getting through the summer heat.

5 Tips to Stay Hydrated

  1. Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink. If you feel thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. First thing when you wake up, drink some water and continue to do so throughout the day. Always drink water while enjoying an adult beverage, especially in the summer and even more so if you are out in the sun.
  2. Flavor your water. It can be tough to drink enough water so make it fun. Add some of the fruits listed below to your water. I like to keep a pitcher with fruit-infused water in the fridge so that it is cold and flavorful.
  3. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies like watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, lettuce, tomato and cucumber can help you get more fluids. You still need to eat during the hot summer months, make it light. You can stay hydrated and enjoy a salad or snack.
  4. When it is really hot (heat advisory hot), stay out of the sun. If you can stay indoors in an air conditioned space then do it, movie theater’s are great for this!
  5. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. Keep a hat and sunscreen handy, too. What you wear can impact how your body deals with the heat. Dark clothing will absorb the heat while light colors won’t. Loose fitting and light weight clothing will help to wick away the sweat and keep you cooler. Do your best to avoid getting sunburned as this will add to the heat you feel on top of being more uncomfortable.

It is best to drink water, but sometimes you need or want something else. Try our favorite, Lauro. It is not only a nice addition to your water consumption, but, if you are dehydrated it has electrolytes to help you.

We talked with Lauren Robson all about her fabulous beverage made from prickly pear puree. You can read that article here.

The heat can be dangerous, so be safe and stay hydrated.

Interview: Lauren Robson

Have you tried cactus water?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with the founder of Lauro, Lauren Robson. It was a great conversation about the origins of the company and the benefits of cactus water.

Lauro is a great drink to add to your backyard life. Whether your day includes gardening, laying by the pool or playing with the kids, you need to stay hydrated. This product is delicious, easy to drink and will keep you hydrated.

I asked Lauren why she started Lauro. She told me about traveling for work and experiencing headaches. After consulting with a doctor, she was simply encouraged to drink more water. I think we all know we need to and should drink more water. I, also, know that, for me, after drinking water all day long, I want something else. Something with flavor, something with electrolytes, something other than water. Lauren felt this way, too. She also wanted to find something that would keep her children hydrated on hot days. Because, as many parents will tell you, children don’t like being told to drink more water either!

Lauren had a background in the health and wellness industry. So she set out to find a beverage that would fulfill this need for her and her family. Through her research, she found that the fruit from the prickly pear cactus would give her the benefits she was looking for.

Most cactus water is made from concentrate, Lauren decided to work with puree. That is why the color is so vibrant and Lauro has a more intense flavor than competitors beverages.

Lauro is made from prickly pear puree, sparkling water, blue agave nectar and lime juice. Prickly pear cactus can be found world-wide. The species is only native to the Americas, but through human intervention, now grow in many parts of the world with an arid climate. The prickly pear, and thus Lauro, is high in magnesium, potassium and electrolytes. Lauro is quite simply plant-based hydration.

Lauren has been able to source the prickly pear puree world-wide. Each batch has a different flavor profile based upon the country of origin for the puree. This concept might sound familiar to those of you wine aficionados. The flavor profile of a beverage or plant based dish is significantly impacted by where the plant grows. The can I am currently enjoying has flavor notes of watermelon and cucumbers. I can’t wait to try the next batch.

If you want to try Lauro for yourself, please go directly to the website, drinkcactus.com. You can purchase directly from the website, on Amazon, or look for information about local retailers. You can also reach out through social channels to let Lauren know you like her product. You can also find inspiring ways to use Lauro as a cocktail mixer and gathering beverage.

I hope you enjoy Lauro as much as I do. The headquarters are based right here in Phoenix, AZ and I love to support local, women owned business. So if you have a company (or know of one) that you would like showcased on BKYDLife.com, please let me know!