Hangnails, Chapped Lips, and Chai Tea....

Okay - so the other day I noticed my lips were terribly chapped and I had several hangnails blooming despite the rigorous application of lotion several times per day. I had an epiphany! I hadn't been drinking my 8 glasses of water per day!

>GASP!< Could these things be related? I immediately re-committed to my water intake. Guess what!? Lips are no longer chapped.... nails and hands are healing nicely. Funny how we think of these "chores" as weight-related, but this is another fine example of the benefits of healthier habits.

So - in my re-committment, I decided I'd have to have a plan for getting my 8 glasses in. I had been getting lazy - not thinking about it during the day. Suddenly at 7:00 at night I'd notice I'd need to drink 5-6 more glasses before bedtime. Well - my mindset says that's too late. I would just plan on trying again tomorrow.

So my new plan is this.... drink one 8 oz. glass of water first thing in the morning. Committ to getting 2 more in by lunchtime. Have a glass of water at lunch instead of Diet Coke (that's a biggie for me). Wham-O - 4 down! Sip a glass throughout the afternoon.... Have a glass at dinner. Sip another glass throughout the evening. That's 7 if you're counting. And to kill two birds with one stone.... eliminate the bedtime snack and get that last glass of water in before bedtime.... My last glass in the evening comes in the form of hot tea.

I have been experimenting with fun teas I've seen at the grocery store. My current favorite - my own personal knockoff of a Chai Tea Latte - is a Stash brand Chai Spice Tea bag - steeped in 12 oz. of hot water for 4-5 minutes. I add one packet of Splenda and 2 Tbsp. of skim milk. Gently stir and voila! Chai Tea (almost) Latte. It's very cinammony and spicy and fat-free and ccaffeine-free. Warm, sweet, soothing for bedtime, and adds 12 oz. to my water intake. Better than a bowl of ice cream.

This beverage is best when sipped while watching your favorite TV show.... my personal fave is a good Love Boat re-run on DVD! How can you take anything serious while watching The Love Boat?!

So - here's to getting those liquids in! Cheers!