A Recipe for...Water

I have always been finicky about my drinking water. I began filtering it years ago and quickly discovered the difference. It tastes better, smoother somehow. It only stands to reason that quality water is best for cooking.

Each December, I vow to drink more water in the new year. It’s easier to keep that resolution now that I’ve given up soda and high-carbohydrate fruit juices.

I dress my water up with mint or lemon balm in summer. All year long, I use citrus fruits to flavor my drinks.

Lemon is a must for water goblets when you want to set an elegant table. I read somewhere that it helps mitigate the effect of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels, if consumed during a meal. I am not certain if that’s true — I tend to question anything that simple and convenient — but it is true that a wedge of lemon gives a touch of panache to a simple glass of water.

Of course, you can purchase flavored water everywhere these days. But it’s so much better when fresh, and flavored with fresh juice instead of extracts and chemicals. Once you begin to drink your water this way, the bottled stuff tastes flat and stale.

Like many travelers, my husband and I carry water bottles everywhere. We always travel with string bags, too; in Paris, my husband kept his water bottle and a piece of fruit in his bag, looped around his belt. It sustained us, even when we got lost in the jumble of streets just east of the Pantheon on an unseasonably warm May Day weekend.

We stopped to refill our bottles at the famous Wallace Fountains that are scattered around Paris. I’ll send two packets of Door County Coffee (brew it with high-quality water) to the first Francophile foodie, blogger or anyone else who can identify the location of the fountain in the photo (street name, please!). This woman jumped out of a cab to fill two large bottles and we snapped away.

Comments

Kalyn Denny said…
No idea where this is, but I laughed because every December I vow to drink more water. I just keep drinking more Diet coke instead.

How did you give up soda? Send suggestions please!!
Unknown said…
The fruit in my water helped me. I keep no-carb sparkling water around for indigestion.

I also kept visualizing the water as detoxing me, as being good for me. That's hard to do with soda, I think.

Silly maybe, but it seems to have worked.
Anonymous said…
I was able to give up soda when I started reading about how artificial sugar might make me crave more sugar and so eat more. Just don't ask me to give up coffee.
Wow, a street name - I would swear I know that pharmacy - but can't put a street name to it.
Anonymous said…
And I'm working on a new idea for cranberries.
Unknown said…
It was a good-tasting glass, too, although some times if you let the fruit stay in the water too long, it adds a touch of bitterness. Thank you for your kind words, Anna Maria.

I can't wait, Tanna! I'm with you on the coffee, too. I tried it for six months once, using hot water and lemon in the morning. Just not the same.
Anonymous said…
Water is the very best thing you can drink. The only 'real' thirst quencher. Many of the liquids we tend to drink on a regular basis are quite toxic to the body; teas, coffee and soft drinks. Water will help wash out all the toxins.

A piece of citris in a glass of water is a great tonic, a little acidity for flavour and also aiding the digestive process. I need to drink more water too !

I thought your photo was great to Mimi. Cheers !
I make a New Year's resolution every year -- drink more water. I'm hopelessly addicted to Fresca, from high school days (when the formula was different), and try as I might, I can't quite make fizzy water with lemon and lime taste the same. Your photo, however, makes it look quite appealing!
Unknown said…
It took years to cure my addiction to carbonated beverages, Lydia. My downfall is Diet Sprite with a twist of lemon.

And it's true, Fiona, water does seem to help with digestion. I just know I feel better.
Anonymous said…
Can I come over for a glass of water? :-)
Unknown said…
Any time, Erika!
Jann said…
So, we really can dress up water! How beautiful, Mimi........a great photo,too........I'm thinking about where that picture was taken.hummmm...
Unknown said…
Go for it, Jann!
Jann said…
I'm still thinking here..it"s one of those Wallace fountains........and there are scads....Boulevard de Sabastopol?Im sure that is not how you spell it............
Unknown said…
Close, Jann, but no cigar. Er, I mean no coffee. Yet. I have confidence in you!
Jann said…
boy.........try this street.St. Antoine...i give up!
Unknown said…
Bingo! You are a winner! :)

I will e-mail you, Jann!
Anonymous said…
Dang, we have TONS of lemons on our "fruit cocktail" tree this year... wish you lived near and could come get some! Yes, we have one tree that produces lemons, grapefruit and oranges. The orange branch broke a few years ago... but we also have a navel orange tree... so we were thankful that that was the branch that broke!
Love citrus in my water too!
Unknown said…
Linda, I was just over at your blog! Thanks for visiting.

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