So my Hubs is doing a presentation today about hydration and I can't help but send out my two-cents to the world about the importance of staying hydrated and drinking fresh water (and not drinking soda).
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When I first entered the world of work, I attended a conference. One of the speakers spoke on stress in the workplace providing great tools on how to help eliminate stress at work and at home. Something that speaker said resonates with me almost every day as I hear her telling the room,
The difference between a plum and a prune is water.
"The difference between a plum and a prune is water."
Think about that one. It totally makes sense and resonates with me.
Observe a plant before and after watering and relate the benefits to your body and your brain.
Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland, Oregon
I must constantly must remind myself to keep drinking water. Ponder how water flushes unwanted toxins and keeps your brain sharp.
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For my grant writing work, I am often researching trends and issues. Childhood obesity has been at the forefront of this research for years. Coca-Cola backs grants aimed at the fight against childhood obesity. Coincidence?
Over a year ago, I started researching more and more about the effects of soda. I will admit it. I was a closet Coca-Cola fan. I never succumbed to diet anything...just real Coca-Cola. I read a document that described how Coke, Pepsi and all other sodas will be known as the cigarettes of the future and how colas are a cheap drug made to look great by feel-good advertising. Growing up I LOVED the Coca-Cola theme song, "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." sung with happy people holding hands across the globe, frolicking and connecting across all races and religions. It embodied love, peace and happiness of the seventies.
My parents were really good about not introducing my brother and I to the pitfalls of soda during the formative years. I remember their investment in a homemade soda maker that carbonated water and flavorings were added. (My mom had converted our family to not eat sugar at the time, honey, carob and fructose were the sweeteners of that time-frame in our house.)
However, sometime during college, I started a love affair with soda. I don't think it was a coincidence that soda's access in the freshman dorm cafeteria in unlimited fashion was a coincidence paralleling my new love of soda. (Nor were the freshman fifteen pounds that I accumulated in a few short months of being away from home and drinking soda a coincidence.)
With the Coca Cola mascot in Atlanta.
Soda moved in and out of my life over the years. At one point, my dear roommate shared her love of all things Coca-Cola with me. I had never pledged an allegiance to any one flavor until this point in time. Coke was number one in my soda preferences. Never diet Coke, mind you, just straight up old-fashioned Coca-Cola. Pregnancy stopped my Coca-Cola habits cold in their tracks and you can probably guess my number one craving (paired with grapefruit, orange-dyed chips and Java Chip ice cream).
Visiting the World of Coke in Georgia
I've come to learn that Coca-Cola is often used for upset stomachs, to use during an asthmatic attack to help clear the airways, to ward off bugs in your garden, to clean rust and burnt cookware. But if it has those properties that kill bugs and clean rust, what must it be doing to our internal organs?
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I hate to admit it, but since giving up drinking soda, I feel better. (Less puffy. Better skin. No sleepless nights due to caffiene fluctuations. My clothes may fit a little better.) I still crave it on occasion and I may have shared a sip at the state fair when bottled water wasn't an option but I know it's the right thing to do.
Sorry Coca-Cola, but my love affair with you has ended.
And by the way, our twelve-year old son, Caleb, just may have received a Soda Stream (homemade soda maker using natural flavorings and no corn syrups) for Christmas this year.
Cheers!
And resonate on the idea that drinking water is the difference between a plum and a prune.
