Oct
5

Water Bottles

admin on October 5th, 2011

6 Easiest Ways to Drink More Water

Let’s face it, it’s not easy to consume the amount of water recommended each day to stay healthy. We have so many other things swirling around in our busy little brains, so our beverage intake isn’t exactly a number one priority. The truth is, it doesn’t even have to be something you waste that brain power on. If you strategically place water bottles in easy access places and make it a point just to sneak a few glasses in here and there, you’re good to go. The problem is actually remembering to do this. Getting the proper fluids in your body throughout the day doesn’t mean you should only be sipping on clear, unflavored beverages. Actually, anything without carbonation and caffeine will do the trick just fine. But you should still be getting at least some water in daily. Try some of these tricks to stay hydrated without ditching the occasional soda or coffee:

  1. Keep water bottles within arms reach as much as possible. Perhaps having a fun or sporty refillable water bottle in your purse will make you more inclined to drink up. A lot of times that we feel the sensation of thirst hit us, we’re busy doing something else. Who wants to take a break from shopping or driving to a friend’s house to stop and purchase a bottle of water? Most of the reason we skip out on drinking is the inconvenience. So eliminate the problem altogether. Even if you’re the type to forget to refill a reusable bottle, you can just keep a few bottles full in the fridge at all times. That way, when you’re running out the door frantically, you can just grab-and-go.
  2. Stock your car with water bottles. You keep enough junk laying around in your car, so what’s an extra water bottle? Don’t do this in the dead of summer with a disposable plastic water bottle, because studies point to health risks from chemicals in the plastic seeping into the water. However, all year round you can use BPA-free water bottles or stainless steel water bottles and avoid the risk all together. Even if you’re running errands all day, bring a bottle of water to keep in your center console. When the urge strikes, you’ll have fluids right there on hand and won’t be hitting up the nearest Dunkin Donuts’ drive-thru.
  3. If you’re not going to pass on the fries, then pass on the soda. Just admit it, we all eat fast food here and there. In fact, most of us eat some kind of fast food or take-out at least once or twice per week. Don’t worry, I’m not judging you. BUT, if you’re going to pig out, it wouldn’t hurt to order a water with your Big Mac. A large Coke from McDonald’s is a whopping 310 calories. Add that to your burger and fries! Even though getting a water instead might not seem like a big deal, that change twice a week can really add up.
  4. Don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. When you’re walking through the aisles of the grocery store on an empty stomach, odds are, you’re going to buy everything in site that looks scrumptious and filling. You’re brain doesn’t stand a chance over your stomach when you’re starving in a room full of any kind of food you can imagine. However, if you eat a nice hearty meal right before, you’re more likely to consciously decide what foods you should purchase. Given this, you’ll be in the right mindset to grab a case of water over a case of soda. Also, going food shopping straight from the gym will absolutely keep you on track. You’re more apt to stock up on items that are nutritious after you’ve spent the last half hour running your butt off to stay in shape.
  5. Strategically stock your refrigerator both at home and at work. When you’re whipping up a quick lunch or just browsing the fridge for a snack, you typically grab whatever looks the best right in the front, especially when you’re in a hurry. Convenience is key. If you keep a pitcher with a water filter in the fridge at all times and some cups nearby, you’ll notice you choose water a lot more over the other garbage. If you can afford it, invest in a water cooler for your home. You can’t get any easier than those little throw away triangle cups! Also, try to remember to bring a water bottle with you to keep in the refrigerator at work. Sometimes we let ourselves slip when the office vending machine has nothing but soda. You have to be proactive!
  6. Make it a point to start your day with water. I’ve read before that drinking a glass of water before bed each night is a good way to get your intake up. However, I for one despise having to wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. If you like the idea of a forced routine to get you into the habit of drinking water, switch the plan to the AM instead. Right before breakfast, gulp down a large glass of water. In fact, studies show that drinking a glass of water directly before a meal will help reduce the amount of food you scarf down. So if you’re really interested, drink a glass before every meal it’s available!

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Sep
27

Aluminum Water Bottle

admin on September 27th, 2011

Does the thought of just glancing in the back seat of your car frighten you? Cleaning out our cars is a thought that makes most of us cringe. For those of you who vacuum their carpets and dust their glove compartments on a weekly basis, congratulations on somehow managing to keep the inside of your vehicle as meticulous as the first day you got it. But for the rest of us, it’s a never ending battle to keep the garbage off the floor and the clothes off the backseat. It’s not that all of us are messy or dirty, but living such fast paced lives between work and leisure doesn’t leave us much time, let alone brain power, to deal with a messy car interior. That’s why I’ve devised a plan to keep the inside of your car as clean as possible, especially if you just don’t have the extra time and/or energy to devote to it!

  1. If one of your biggest problems seems to be garbage building up on your floors, tackle this problem right away. I know it’s convenient to throw your Dunkin Donuts cup behind your seat every morning, until you have to give your colleagues a ride somewhere and your backseat resembles a small landfill. An easy way to eliminate the massive amounts of cups and bottles is to switch to an aluminum water bottle. Refillable water bottles are not only better for the environment AND you’re health, but also you won’t have a mountain of plastic water bottles cascading over your floor. Investing in an aluminum water bottle will also save you money, because you won’t be buying water bottles from the company vending machine twice a day (and then throwing them into your car!).
  2. Keep a trash bag in your car at all times. It might seem kind of tacky to have a plastic bag floating at the bottom of your passengers feet, but sometimes it’s better than them having to kick your trash out of the way! At least keeping a trash bag shows that you’re conscious about the cleanliness of the general area. If you can fit it under the seat, that would be perfect because it’s out of site. If you rarely have passengers in your back seat, just keep it on the floor behind the driver’s side.
  3. Don’t forget to utilize your trunk. OK, so it’s not a very permanent solution, but if you’ve just found out you have to give a ride where you’ll be jamming four people into your extremely messy car (your clothes take up half the back seat) then you’d better think of something quick. Shoving everything into your trunk should be a last resort, but shouldn’t be overlooked. Hey, if your passengers think your car is spotless, who really cares what the trunk looks like? What they don’t know won’t hurt them.
  4. An air freshener can go a long way. Having a pine tree shaped piece of cardboard hanging from your review mirror is certainly not enough to distract your passengers from the disaster lurking beneath their feet, but it will definitely distract them from the rancid smell of your gym sneakers or the rotting bagel underneath your seat (too graphic?). It’s one thing to have a car interior that slightly resembles Hiroshima after the atomic bombings, but if you’ve got the stench to go with it, a lot less people are going to be tolerant.
  5. Quit being so lazy! To be honest, the biggest problem you’re probably having is that the junk just keeps building up before you get a chance to clean up. When you come home from work each day, just grab as much as you can carry with even one hand. You probably look at the mountain on your backseat every single morning and evening, and sometimes during lunch, but you never actually do anything about it because it looks like an overwhelming project. Well it wouldn’t be remotely that hard to clean if you just did one little thing each day. Baby steps!

To keep your car clean, or at least remotely less than a resembling a small landfill, you have to stick to a daily regimen of good habits. Once you get into a routine of using an aluminum water bottle, bringing your coffee cup into work to throw out, or grabbing your sneakers on the way in the door, you’ll realize that you actually have to clean your car much less. And when you do end up buckling down for the job, it won’t be near as exhausting to deal with.

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Sep
27

Steel Water Bottle

admin on September 27th, 2011

Over the past few weeks, I saw some signs around town about a local 5K race that was being organized to help raise money for the area’s Chamber of Commerce. Each day as I was driving home from work, I saw more and more signs advertising the race lined up on the tree lawn along the road. But last week, I saw a table with balloons, big signs advertising the race, and some giveaways on the table along with volunteers who were spreading the word about the race and trying to get more people to register. Out of curiosity, I walked over to the table to learn more about the race and talked with one of the organizers there who have me an information packet and a free steel water bottle.

I was intrigued, not only because of the free steel water bottle that I got, but also because of all the great area activities that the Chamber of Commerce organizes. From supporting local businesses to bringing new industries into the area for job creation, the Chamber really had their hands in a lot of different and progressive projects. I thought it would be a worthwhile event to support, so I went on the organization’s website and checked out the registration fees, the route of the race, and read more about the events that the funds from the race would benefit.

After careful consideration, I arrived at the decision that it would probably not be a good idea to run in the race, as I have not been training at all to run long distances (even if it is only 5K), but I did still want to be involved. So, I navigated over to the “Volunteer” page and registered to help out on the morning of the race. After only a few days, I received an email from the volunteer coordinator with instructions about where to meet, what time to arrive and more about what to expect the day of the race. Now all I had to do was pray for good weather, because the race was going to happen rain or shine.

I arrived at the starting line around 7:30am, with the sun shining and blue skies, and signed in to get my assignment. I would be helping to direct traffic and guide the runners on the right path at around the 2.5 mile mark. With my map in hand, I walked to my spot along the route and waited for the runners to come. Before long, I saw the faint outline of the first runner, the head of the pack, and then they started to slowly trickle through the route. Then, before I knew it, the bulk of the runners came through, filling up the width of the road and running in single-file lanes. Once the majority of the runners had passed, it wasn’t long until everyone had passed, marking the end of the race.

It was really inspiring to see such a great turnout – over 300 runners participated in the event, and they were from all ages and lifestyles. There were moms running with a baby in a stroller, runners who were probably about 80 years”young”, middle aged walkers, dads training with their teenage kids, and fitness gurus who ran the 3 miles like it was a walk to the mailbox.

The race seemed to fly by, as after only about an hour or so of redirecting traffic, I was headed back to the finish line to meet up with the rest of the volunteers and runners. There was an awards ceremony for each age group along with a health and wellness fair for the runners and supporters in the parking lot near the finish line. Many of the race’s sponsors were there, including banks and local businesses as well as local gyms and health food stores, giving away tote bags, t-shirts, and of course, steel water bottles.

Since most of the people participating in the race are very health-conscious, there were also some “green” sponsors there that were promoting sustainability, recycling and other green practices that could help our environment and reduce the carbon footprint left behind by many of our most popular industries. It seems that a lot of new businesses are finding that their customers want to “go green” and are giving out a lot of sustainable promotional items to show their support for this movement. I couldn’t think of a better place to promote their sustainable practices than at a health and wellness fair!

Even though I may not have run the 5 kilometer race, I did still donate my time to support a great local organization as well as get a lot of great information about health and sustainability.

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Sep
23

BPA Water Bottle

admin on September 23rd, 2011

You may have seen products at your local grocery store labeled “BPA-free” and passed right by them without a second look. Don’t worry, you’re in the majority of consumers who not only don’t seek out BPA-free products, but actually don’t even know what the term means. BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical that is in certain plastics and resins, and is in the majority of plastic bottles/containers and aluminum cans that consumers purchase every day. Previously, there were no known issues resulting from using BPA products, but researchers are beginning to discover that it may be harmful to not only adult’s bodies, but also children, infants, and fetuses.

According to various studies, BPA has been linked to: carcinogenic effects, possible neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, breast cancer, brain damage to the brains of babies, early puberty in girls, and obesity. It apparently reacts more severely with Vitamin C, and can find it’s way into your food during a microwave session. Another scary thought? A vast majority of baby bottles throughout the US and Canada are made with BPA.

Most of the concern is backed by the National Toxicology Program at the Department of Health and Human Services, which recommends avoiding products containing BPA and the consumption of foods packaged in BPA plastic/aluminum. The FDA also backs up the claim that BPA poses a potential health risk. However, The American Chemistry Council disagrees, and challenges that we don’t have to worry about products manufactured with BPA. The American Chemistry Council also represents plastic manufacturers, so this is really no surprise.

If you’d like to put this information in the back of your mind, along with other controversial medical scares such as CFC’s in Styrofoam and the risks of the H1N1 vaccine, then by all means, go right ahead. But the switch to BPA-free products is actually easier than you think. Start with your everyday water bottle. Switching to a BPA-free water bottle over using regular plastic bottles on a daily basis is enough to make a huge change. If it isn’t labeled “BPA-free,” assume it isn’t. You can avoid polycarbonate plastic by looking for the recycling symbol with the No. 7. Also, just don’t microwave plastics, or put them into the dishwasher. As long as the foods/liquids aren’t hot, you should be safe. However, to totally steer clear of polycarbonate plastic, switch to stainless steel bottles or cans, and porcelain or glass containers. Also avoid cans, because a lot of them contain resin lining with BPA.

There are tons of BPA-free water bottles out there to choose from, so there’s really no excuse to slack in this department. Check out some of these, found on www.rei.com:

Copolyester (Common Brand Name: Tritan)- Like polycarbonate it is light, tough, translucent and very durable—just not as invincibly shatterproof. Unlike polycarbonate, it does not contain bisphenol A (BPA). Well suited for challenging outdoor conditions. Bottle may be clear, colored, frosted or feature artwork. Rigid construction. Recycling number is none or No. 7.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)- A semi-rigid plastic used in milk jugs and some water containers. Appropriate for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and backpacking. Traditionally, HDPE is often a cloudy white color; colored versions are available. Exterior is firm yet slightly pliable. Recycling number: No. 2.

Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE)- A more flexible version of polyethylene commonly used in squeezable water bottles, hydration reservoirs and some collapsible water containers. Popular with cyclists and day hikers. Semi-opaque to opaque; available in many colors; squeezable. Recycling number is No. 4.

Stainless Steel- Tough, durable material. Usually constructed without liners. Stylish exterior. Most commonly used for day trips or urban use. Silvery, metallic exterior; slight hefty feel.

Polypropylene- A plastic used in a wide variety of products and textiles. Appropriate for rugged outdoor pursuits. Semi-opaque; medium- to dark-colored versions are available. Exterior is firm. Recycling number: No. 5.

If you’re thinking that investing in a fancy BPA-free water bottle (yes, some of them can be “pricey” for just beverage holders) seems like a stretch, think about all of the other fantastic reasons to make the switch. First of all, your saving yourself money in the long run by avoiding the costs of having to buy disposable water bottles every day or cases at the supermarket. You’re also saving the environment because you won’t have to throw away a plastic bottle every single day. So even if you have other reasons to invest in a reusable water bottle (such as needing something more durable for mountain biking) you might as well invest in a BPA-free one while you’re at it!

 

 

 

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Sep
23

Artesian Water Bottle

admin on September 23rd, 2011

Bottled water has gotten a bad rap in the last few years as the pro-”green” and conservation groups have pointed out the hazards that disposable plastic water bottles present to our environment. Even though more and more people around the globe are trying to drop the habit of buying bottled water, it has still been a major income-generating industry, with total sales in the billions of dollars each year. Many people attribute its sustaining popularity to the marketing ploys by the big companies advertising the health benefits of water and their “newly designed, more environmentally-friendly” bottles, or their claims on the cleanliness or pureness of their water. And that’s quite true; the major bottling companies know they must retain consumer interest if they want to continue to pull in high profits, so they deploy attention-grabbing tactics to do so. But what many people fail to realize is that the labeling of the bottles, like “natural spring water bottle” or “Artesian water bottle” are not just enticing marketing ploys – they are actually government-regulated labels. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the FDA requires bottlers to identify what type of water is in every bottle sold to the public.

Personally, I never pay attention to the source labels on any of the bottled water that I purchase, but many of my friends check each label before they buy. The way I see it, water is water, and I find it to be the best way to quench my thirst. Plus, water has no calories, no sugar, no artificial colors or flavors, no alcohol and no caffeine. I don’t mind paying for the purified version of a drink that is so good for me! But as it turns out, if the label says “from a community water system” or “from a municipal source” you are buying the equivalent of tap water. Thus, the two dollars you just spent on what you think is a cleaner or filtered version of what comes out of the sink is being wasted.

After finding this out, I asked my friends what it is exactly that they look for when buying bottled water, and I found out that there are a number of different ways a bottle of water can be labeled. I thought the process of choosing a bottle of water was simple, but apparently not.

Here are some of the most common labels on bottled water and what it means about the source of the water it contains. (Note: Some of this information can get pretty scientific, but it’s good to know!)

• Mineral Water is a natural water produced from a well or spring that naturally contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. These dissolved solids would, under most circumstances, be considered impurities, but some people believe that the dissolved minerals provide specific health benefits, and there have been a few rigorous studies to support the benefits of mineral waters produced from some sources.The FDA does not allow the producer to add any additional minerals to the water or claim that the mineral water provides any “health benefit”.

Common US Brands: Dasani, Evian, Trinity Springs

• Ground Water or Well Water is water that is produced from a well that penetrates the water table deep in the ground. Many community and municipal water systems produce their water from a well, but contrary to popular belief, there is nothing special about these waters, as they have no natural properties that make them superior to other commercial waters.

• Artesian Water must be produced from an artesian well, which means the water in the aquifer (a subsurface rock unit that holds and transmits water) must be under enough pressure to force it up the well to a level that is higher than the top of the aquifer. Though this is a special type of water, it has no special chemical or medicinal qualities.

Common US Brand: Fiji

• Spring Water must be produced from a spring, which is a location where water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Many people used to believe that spring water was special because it emerged from the ground and had not been used before. However, the processes which form springs have been thoroughly studied and the water that flows from them has no special qualities.

Common US Brands: Poland Spring, Volvic, Arrowhead

• Sparkling water is spring or well water that naturally contains dissolved carbon dioxide – thus the water is naturally carbonated. In the bottling process, the producer may artificially replace any carbon dioxide that is lost during processing but may not add more than what the water had when it emerged from the ground.

Common US Brands: Calistoga, San Pellegrino

 

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Sep
21

Water Bottle Rocket

admin on September 21st, 2011

I met up with a bunch of friends last week that I hadn’t seen since high school. It was really nice to catch up with everyone and talk about what’s new in all of our lives, and of course, to reminisce about the past and all of the fun we had in school together. We talked about the home football games, pep rallies, math class and lunchtime, and really jumped back in time when one friend mentioned how her nephew’s recent science experiment for a water bottle rocket brought her back to the good old times of middle school. We chatted for hours on end about all of the experiments that we had done and all of the trouble we got into, not to mention how much our parents couldn’t wait until we were done “experimenting” and making a mess of the house.

We went through a whole list of the experiments we had created (or tried to create) throughout the years and revisited some of our best and worst experiences we had. It took a bit of work to remember all of the fun experiments we had tried, but it wasn’t hard at all to remember all of the teachers who hounded us until we got them all right. As it turns out, science was a favorite subject of all of us there, so talking about the work we did and the trials and errors we made was a really great way to remember our school days.

My friend Karen talked about her nephew’s water bottle rocket like it was her own creation, and noted that she had a special hand in creating the outside design. It is amazing to think that just a few items – a two liter bottle of soda, some balsa wood for the “fins”, and card stock for the cone top – could make such a great rocket for kids. Apparently, Karen’s nephew chose to buy a bottle of orange soda, which also happens to be my favorite, for the rocket body, which his mom told him he could only drink once after school each day before he could use it for the rocket. During that time, my friend helped him to design a jacket for the rocket, complete with his initials and some illustrations of stars and planets on it. Once he had finished the jacket and started on the construction of the base, he was allowed to bring it in to school to finish during science class. When all the students were done, they were going to have a competition to see which rocket could be launched the highest in the air, and my friend’s nephew invited her to the school for their launch party. Such a kind gesture, and one that would bring her back to her school days even more than our story sharing would!

Of course, hearing this story about the water bottle rocket inspired the rest of us to share our fondest memories of science class, and we named our top picks for best science experiments. Here’s what we came up with from our memories of school:

1. The Volcano – the classic experiment with some baking soda and vinegar, and as one of my friend’s added, a little bit of glitter to give it some sparkle!

2. Homemade Electromagnet – there’s nothing like playing a joke on a friend by turning a magnet on and off…something no one expects!

3. The Geyser – another classic, but impressive, experiment using soda and minty Mentos!

4. Homemade Plastic – a pretty unique experiment that we all liked to customize with colors and textures

5. The Potato Clock – a favorite of mine and it’s pretty easy, so almost anyone can do it!

6. “Rainbow in a Glass” – a great experiment to explain the properties of liquids and their viscosity

7. Rock Candy – not only fun to make, but fun to eat too!

8. Miniature Hovercraft – this one is not only quick to do, but it’s also an easy science lesson for kids

All of that talk about the fun we had in school makes me miss going to classes, seeing my friends every day doing homework. Err, well, maybe not doing homework. But the rest of it, I will admit that I miss! I think I’ll go home and get started on a homemade volcano…

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Sep
19

Sports Bottle

admin on September 19th, 2011

We’re all familiar with the phrase “man’s best friend” when referring to our fluffy canine companions. But why are dogs considered our best friends? Mostly because they serve as loyal partners on our journeys. Dogs will be there through good times and bad, and won’t ever argue or voice a negative opinion. They’re behind you 100% of the way, 100% of the time. You’re probably wondering, “OK, what the heck does this have to do with a sports bottle??” Well, my friends, it has a lot to do with a sports bottle. Sports bottles can also serve as trusty companions when times get hard. Perhaps they will not serve you emotional condolences, but sports bottles are more physical cohorts. When you’re pushing through a strenuous activity, who (or what) is going to be there right when you’re at the brink of dehydration? That’s right, your trusty sports bottle. And who is going to be there during the last lap of the 5K, just waiting upon your arrival at the finish line? You guessed it—your sports bottle. You might not even realize how big of an asset this one little item is to your health and well-being.

For starters, dehydration is extremely serious. Dangerously high temperatures mixed with exercise and/or physical labor can be a deadly combination. Without the proper fluids, a person can only withstand these conditions for so long until they experience a heat stroke. It’s surprising how many healthy adults pass away from heat and dehydration related occurrences. This fatal mistake can easily be avoided by relying on a sports bottle to keep fluids handy at all times. Now your best friend is not only quenching your thirst, but it’s keeping you alive as well. How many of your friends can you say have truly saved your life?!

The great thing about a refillable sports bottle is that you’re not just stuck resorting to plain old water. You can stay hydrated with sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade, or other liquids of your choice including flavored water or lemonade. The versatility of a sports bottle is what makes it so easy and fun to use. While you’re free to consume whatever type of drink suits your fancy, it’s recommended that you stay away from carbonated drinks and drinks high in sugar, such as soda and energy drinks. While any type of liquid is better than nothing, you should choose something more health-savvy if you care about what you’re putting into your body. Sure you want your friend to be fun (think: the friend who brings over a case of beer) but you don’t want your friend doing something harmful to your body (making you take an over abundance of shots and getting sick!). You can have tasty and healthy all at the same time with your sports bottle.

A sports bottle is simply more convenient than a disposable water bottle or a cooler full of drinks. When it comes to choosing friends wisely, you usually choose those who make it easy to hang out. You shouldn’t have to be putting mass amounts of effort into a successful friendship. The same goes for your sports bottle. With a strap, you don’t have to worry about carting it around all day, and being made of a durable, resistant material, means you won’t have to worry about it getting crushed or broken in your bag. Also, the aluminum sports bottles with insulator keep your drink of choice at the perfect temperature. The bottle virtually does the thinking for you, so you can focus on what’s important, like the activities you’re partaking in. Now that’s a good friend right there.

What’s another quality that’s absolutely imperative in a best friend? Longevity. You wouldn’t invest in a friendship that you knew wouldn’t last. Real friends are the ones you know will stick around, even when times get tough. You should look for the same thing in a sports bottle. Sure, you might have to spend a little more money to get a bottle that will last, but just like a good friendship, you’re getting out of it what you put into it. A good investment goes a long way. The more durable and versatile your sports bottle is, the more adventures the two of you will have together. Don’t let your sports bottle turn-over rate resemble that of the goldfish you won at last year’s state fair.

All in all, you wouldn’t settle on a friend who was anything less than what you deserve, and you should use the same discretion with your water bottle. A quality sports bottle isn’t something you should settle on, because if you do, it’s not going to be there for you when you really need it!

 

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Sep
7

Water Bottle Label

admin on September 7th, 2011

What does your soda or water bottle label tell you about your drink?

What have you been drinking? Do you have any idea at all? Try taking a look at your juice bottle or water bottle label. Is the main ingredient on the label water or are you staring at a bunch of long ingredient names that you can’t even begin to know how to pronounce? Are you supposed to ingest all of that stuff? You can’t even answer that question because you do not even know what all of that stuff is. If we are going to put something into our bodies, shouldn’t all the ingredients sound a lot like food? Unfortunately, many drinks are made up of just about everything under the sun other than foods.

Everyone drinks some water at some point in their life, right? Turn that water bottle label around? Is it flavored water? Is it flavored with actual fruit juice or just an artificial ingredient and some numbered dye? Is your water packed with vitamins and minerals? Is your water just plain and simple water? Well, that is not bad, is it? It is not bad at all unless it has been packaged and advertised as being some sort of fancy water when in reality it is no different than your own tap water. You just paid for one expensive bottle. On the plus side, you stayed hydrated which is a necessity for good health.

Are you an “I’ll have that with a large coke” kind of person? There is nothing nutritious about soda. It is sugary syrup that does nothing for you but makes you fat and rots your teeth. Soda is pretty much the candy equivalent of drinks. Who goes through life without occasionally treating themselves to a piece of candy? You can drink soda but you really should not drink it that often and you definitely should not make it your main source of liquid in your diet. Carbonated water is the first ingredient in Coca Cola but it is followed closely behind by sugar and caffeine.

So you do not drink soda. You want to put something healthier into your body than carbonated sugar so you opt for fruit juice. That’s healthy, right? It’s made of fruit, isn’t it? Well…not always. Many fruit juices have an ingredient label that lists water, sugar, artificial fruit flavorings or syrups and colored dyes for visual appeal. That does not sound very natural or healthy. Juice does, however, have some healthier options. This is why you must make sure to check your juice bottle label. Some juices really are made with juice from fruits or vegetables. Unfortunately, you still have to be careful with even those juices. Many fruit squeezed juices like orange juice and lemonade seem healthy enough but they are actually packed with a multitude of sugar. Some varieties of juices can be found without added sugar or with a sugar free sweetener.

Maybe you enjoy a cup of tea. Tea has been in our country since the first English settlers colonized our country. There was even the famous Boston Tea Party incident that took place because of English taxes on items like tea that the new settlers could not or did not want to live without. So did our ancestors have it right with their tea habit? Well, the life expectancy was not all that good back then. Not that tea is all bad for you. Tea contains caffeine and often people will add sugar to their cup. Depending on how much sugar you add, it is probably not comparable to the amount of sugar that soda or fruit juice is packed with. That is true unless you are drinking iced tea. Iced tea is like soda in its sugar and caffeine content, but like juice, can have some benefit to it. Hot and iced tea can both give health benefits from the herbs they are made with. Just make sure the benefits of tea are not hidden under a few pounds of sugar. Tea can also be found in sugar free and decaffeinated versions.

Coffee is very similar to hot tea in that it can come in both a caffeinated form and a decaffeinated form. It is also similar because people usually add sugar to their cup. People also tend to add cream to their coffee. The health effects of coffee are mixed. Some studies have shown a correlation between drinking coffee and having a lower risk for certain diseases and conditions. Caffeine, however, raises blood pressure.

It has been drilled into your head since a young age that milk is good for you. You need milk to grow big and strong. Milk contains much needed calcium to strengthen your bones, however, make sure you are looking at your milk bottle label. Whole milk contains a lot of fat compare to skim milk. You may be getting great benefits by choosing milk while also adding many extra calories if you do not choose a lower fat variety.

 

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Sep
7

Personalized Water Bottle

admin on September 7th, 2011

My nephew’s football team was looking for ideas for their newest fundraising initiative to kick off their season and earn enough to order new uniforms in time for their first game. This is a pretty large sum of money that they had set out to raise, so the fundraising committee knew that big plans had to be in store for them to reach their goal. In the past years the team has done a lot to raise money – from car washes to pizza parties, selling candy bars and t-shirts, and running summer camps for the local kids. But with the limited amount of time they had to raise money this year, the team knew they needed to raise funds with a unique product that would be attractive to everyone. After brainstorming some ideas one weekend, I came up with the idea to suggest a personalized water bottle sale. I figured this was something everyone could use and the personalization is a nice touch to any product, so it seemed like a great option. After my nephew pitched this idea to the fundraising committee, they liked it, and before we knew it, they were making signs to promote their newest fundraiser for personalized water bottles!

After choosing the one that would best match the team’s look and colors, they had to find the right vendor that could offer them the best prices and deals on the personalization and imprint details. There are a lot of different companies to choose from, but after narrowing the search down to about three providers, the head of the fundraising committee contacted each company and got a virtual sample sent over email so we could compare the look of each possible product. In the end, the captains of the team and the heads of the fundraising committee chose the one that they believed would be the best fit for their team; it had the best match to their team colors, tiered pricing for bulk orders, and no extra charge for imprints. This vendor also allowed them to offer the personalized water bottle in three other color options, so if people wanted to provide them for other events, they could have the option of choosing which item best matched their own event. With the great image of the sample that the company was able to provide over email, the team was able to use the image to show everyone they were selling to so they could envision their own personalized water bottle before they bought it.

When the time came to start the fundraiser, a lot of people were excited about the new idea. There were team fans who bought them to support their favorite player on the team, to give as party favors at their kid’s birthday parties, as presents for other sports teams, and some school teachers even purchased a few to give away to their students as prizes throughout the school year! Everyone thought a personalized water bottle was a great idea and they were really happy with the selection of colors that they could choose from. The option that was most appealing to everyone, however, was the personalization feature. With only a small set of limits, like the number of lines of text and only two color options for imprinting, many people had the freedom to put nearly any name or phrase on the bottle that they wanted. This was a really great feature to have, because some people wanted a personalized water bottle with their name on it, some wanted the name of a school or organization on it, and others wanted their favorite quote printed on the bottle. This fundraiser item allowed them to do that, and they were really excited about ordering the bottles!

Personalized water bottles are a great item to feature for any event, whether you are hosting a giveaway or a fundraiser. The touch of personalization and the fact that water bottles are used by nearly everyone make it a great product that can be useful for every person, no matter the age. At the end of my nephew’s fundraiser, they had racked up nearly $600 in only three weeks, and had earned enough to cover the costs of their new uniforms. The fundraising committee was so excited and pleased about the great results they had from selling personalized water bottles that they suggested it to other sports teams throughout the school and hope to hold another one in a year or two. Next year’s fundraiser, whatever it will be, has to at least meet the bar that the personalized water bottles have set!

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Water Bottles No comments »
Sep
2

Custom Water Bottle

admin on September 2nd, 2011

What Your New Athlete Needs Before They Hit the Field, Court, Pool, or Mat

Field Hockey

Every field hockey player must have a field hockey stick that goes up approximately to their waste when standing, a field hockey ball, a mouth guard (preferably not the football kind with a strap but those straps can be cut off), shin guards in their team colors (usually the cloth all in one shin guards as opposed to the soccer ones that require socks over them), and cleats (soccer ones are best). Game day uniforms will be decided on by the coach or sports organization. For practices they should also have a pair of good running sneakers and a custom water bottle for quick drink breaks.

Soccer

The equipment needed for a soccer player is very similar to the equipment that is needed by a field hockey player. Soccer players need a pair of soccer cleats, shin guards. Usually soccer players use the hard, plastic shin guards that strap around the calf and then get tall soccer socks in their team colors to wear on top of the plastic shin guards. Soccer equipment is very minimal since your main tool for the sport is your own foot. Players will need a soccer ball to be able to practice with and, as always, a custom water bottle will keep them hydrated at practices.

Lacrosse

A lacrosse player needs a lacrosse stick and lacrosse ball. Because the ball is played in the air for lacrosse, lacrosse players need shoulder pads, arm pads, a protective cup (for men’s lacrosse), and a helmet. Players may choose to wear a mouth guard and rib padding as well. Lacrosse players also need cleats with football cleats being generally preferred (for men at least). Last but not least, be sure to pack a custom water bottle and a snack for an energy pick me up.

Football

Football player equipment is close to the same as men’s lacrosse equipment with a couple more safety pads. Football players wear football cleats and they wear a football helmet. They also wear a neck roll, a cup, a mouth guard, thigh pads, hip pads, knee pads, shoulder pads, and gloves. Make sure your football player has all of the protective equipment he needs to avoid any injury from collision. Root him on by sending him off with a custom water bottle in his team’s color.

Baseball or Softball

A baseball or softball player needs an actual baseball or softball, a baseball or softball glove, a baseball bat, baseball cleats, and a baseball helmet. They can also use a protective cup and high socks for sliding. For setting up a game like situation to practice to baseball and softball players should have four bases. If you are going to be a catcher you will need shin guards, a chest protector, a catcher’s mask, and a catcher’s mitt. A custom water bottle with the name of your athlete’s position on it would make a great addition for game day spirit.

Basketball

There is not much equipment that is required to be a basketball player. A basketball is the main item that you need. Other than that, good basketball sneakers that let you stop, start, and turn quickly on the court are essential. Many basketball players also benefit from a custom water bottle and a sweatband that matches their uniform and/or other teammates.

Tennis

Like basketball, the sport of tennis does not require much equipment to play. All that you really need is a tennis racquet, a tennis ball, and some sturdy tennis sneakers or cross trainers. Many tennis players benefit from a custom water bottle for hydration and like to practice by hitting their tennis ball against a wall when they do not have an opponent to play with over a tennis net on a traditional tennis court.

Swimming

Swimming is very different from any other sport because it is just about impossible to practice for without a swimming pool. Other than the swimming pool, a swimmer only needs a one piece swim suit (no string bikinis please!), a swim cap, and a pair of goggles. Make sure that your swimmer goes to practice with a custom water bottle and towel so as not to get mixed up in the shuffle of wet and chilly swimmers taking a break from the water.

Wrestling

Unlike almost any other sport, the sport of wrestling is all about contact with your opponent. Many sports have contact as a side effect of the game but wrestling has contact as the main and only action of the sport. To protect wrestlers from this physical contact they must wear a head protector that covers their ears, knee pads, and a mouth guard. They also need a singlet which is their one piece uniform that is tight fitting and stretches to allow for easy movement and they wear wrestling shoes that have a grip to help them on the wrestling mat.

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