Last fall I moved to the Midwest. After growing up in southern California and spending my early adult years there on the western coast, moving to the Midwest has been a big change to say the least. I am used to that “sunny and 75” (give or take a few!) just about year around. In the Midwest, I have yet to experience an ideal season. Winter brought life-threatening cold like I have never experienced, spring consisted of more rain in a few months than I think California has experienced in all of my years combined, and summer, well, is hot, muggy, and buggy! Yes, the bugs are another new experience for me. The only season I have yet to experience is fall, but I hear they save the best for last.

With all of these drastic shifts in weather, I’ve found that staying hydrated has been critical. Whether it is high temperatures and even higher humidity levels, or the blustery, dry cold, each season brings its challenges when it comes to hydration. Experts say that once the sensation of thirst is experienced you are actually already dehydrated. Year round we should be drinking adequate fluids each day so that we don’t ever feel the need to quench our thirst! First, I’ll talk more about dehydration and then help you stay hydrated with a raspberry coconut guava kombucha recipe.

Additional signs of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Feeling tired or sleepy
• Decreased urine output
• Urine is low volume and more yellowish than normal
• Headache
• Dry skin
• Dizziness
• Few or no tears (1)

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find it very challenging to keep up with drinking enough throughout the day. According to conventional wisdom, adults should consume 64 ounces of water per day. However new science in the area of hydration has revealed that it may actually be more important to focus on the quality of beverages that are consumed rather than quantity alone. Many people know that drinking items like coffee, soda, and alcohol can actually contribute to further dehydration. (2) Yet did you know that drinking too much plain water can actually flush electrolytes and nutrients as well?

Thanks to work done at the University of Washington's Pollack Water Lab, we are now beginning to understand that structured water, such as the water found in hydrating fruits and vegetables, is actually more effective at nourishing cells than drinking water from the tap. (3) That is why I love making homemade drink refreshers that combine fruit and other nutrient-dense ingredients.

When I’m crafting a hydrating beverage that I will truly enjoy drinking throughout the day, I start with a base of kombucha and ice. Kombucha is loaded with healthy bacteria known as probiotics that help with keeping the gut healthy and immune system strong. Then I mix and match with various types of fruits like raspberries, cranberries, strawberries or blackberries. Lastly I add in a glob of coconut for a creamy, smooth texture and an extra boost of minerals and fats.

Now to the good part, my latest favorite drink refresher recipe – Raspberry Coconut Guava Kombucha. Here are the ingredients …

Ingredients:

1 cup of raspberries

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

2 cups of guava kombucha

A few ice cubes

Instructions:

Making this is super easy and will take you less than 5 minutes. Simply put all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth and fully incorporated. Enjoy!

The raspberries can be substituted for any type of fruit, and the kombucha flavor can also be changed depending on what you have on hand. Of course, the coconut oil is optional. I also like to occasionally add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice as well.

Do you have a favorite hydrating drink? Leave your recipes below!