Apple-Cinnamon Water

For those in the States, how was your long Labor Day weekend?  Hope you all had time to enjoy the weather, friends, family and all that other good stuff.

I enjoyed all of the above and had a calorie filled weekend.  I tried to be mindful in my eating, but we were at a family gathering on Saturday that resulted in all sorts of frivolity.

Luckily, I didn't gain a pound.  But, I also didn't lose anything either.  So, I'm still sitting here at 144 pounds.  Losing 5 pounds by the end of this month is starting to seem like a pretty far and away goal-- but I'm going to do everything in my power to get there!  (Yay for positive thinking!)

After a weekend like the one I had- I feel almost hypersensitive to what I'm putting into my body.  I want to flush out any of the bad stuff that could be lingering.

Water is crucial to that process.  According to Mayo Clinic:

Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.

Every morning when I get up-- I put out my pitcher of Apple-Cinnamon water.  It is a small, half gallon pitcher and I refill it twice a day.  (Unless Garrett is home or I have company- then we are looking at at least 4 to 5 refills.)  

Apples are high in fiber and full of antioxidants and enzymes that help you digest your food faster.  Apples do not last long in our household.  And, I am getting so excited for the fall-- I love visiting the apple orchards!  And, don't even get me started on cinnamon!  CinnamonWeightLoss.Com is full of information:

When it comes to weight loss, cinnamon is a great ally.  First, it helps control the insulin and cholesterol of the body at healthy levels.  These two are essential in gaining a fit and healthier body.  It helps controls how the body metabolizes fats and carbohydrates.  As such, it helps control the creation of fat and ultimately its deposit into the body.  Furthermore, cinnamon decreases the Low Density Lipoprotein or the “bad cholesterol” while increasing the high density lipoproteins  or “good cholesterol” in the body.

We put cinnamon in and on a ton of different things... I take it in my coffee, sprinkle it on toast, use it in my cereal or oatmeal, on fruit, add it to smoothies- the list goes on an on!

For this particular water, I use:

-1 Apple cut into wedges (Don't spend time removing the core or the seeds: I throw the entire thing in there!)  

-1 Cinnamon Stick

-Cold Water

Let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes to let the flavors set in.  I leave my pitcher on the counter all day with a glass placed in front of it as a reminder to drink up!  Any apple will work, but I've produced the best flavor results with Fuji and Braeburn.  Also, the apples will be good for about 2-3 days!  So you can reuse the same ingredients multiple times.  Just be sure to fill the pitcher up at night and place in the refrigerator until the next day.

Happy Drinking!