What Temp is Your Water?

Mom always drank room temperature water. Even though I shy away from her practices, which may not always be a great idea, somewhere along the way, I adopted her habit. When I was cold, it made no sense to drink iced water. Room temperature water seemed less invasive than frigid water. My hands stayed warmer in cold weather. For me, room temperature water made sense.

Over the years I heard comments about digestion and not drinking water at a meal, but heard no real health benefits of drinking room temperature water. I decided it was time to see what the Internet, that impeccable source of indisputable information (not), could lend to the conversation. Here’s what I found.

• Cold water is not good for hydration. It causes the vessels around the stomach to constrict and slows down absorption; therefore you must drink more cold water to hydrate.
• Cold water slows down your metabolism. OMG. Women hate that. As we age, we live for things that rev up our metabolism. Hot tea any one?
• Cold water constricts your vocal cords, which is why singers drink room temperature water before or during a performance. Darn, I have no excuse.
• Cold water increases your appetite. No, it can't be. Women live for foods that decrease their appetites. Even the skinniest woman would never eat something if it were labeled "Increases your appetite." This makes a powerful case for room temperature water.

Once I was on a small island in the Indian Ocean. I had traveled by car, bus, cab, motorcycle, jitney, and boat to get there. Fortunately, a senator recommended a guide to take me; incidentally, a guide who fell in love with me. Can you believe, my guide worked for the mafia? But that's off the point. Just so you won’t think I’m totally daffy, maybe I'd better say that when I found out that he was mafia, I was already at our destination. It was too late to turn back. Really, he had good credentials, but it was only when I was in the middle of nowhere did he tell me about being a hit man - that was after I taught him meditation, which he said changed his life. He sat across from me as I ordered guyabano juice. I was in a tropical paradise and expected a fresh, yummy treat, not canned juice. When I asked for some ice, the hit man looked horrified, but the server assured me it was no problem. 30 minutes later three small ice cubes arrived. The hit man interrupted me before I could ask for more. I was completely puzzled. I asked the server why it took so long, and he told me there was only one place on the island that had ice, and that was in a private home. He had run 15 minutes to get my ice and then 15 more for the return. This experience gave me a new perspective on drinking iced beverages. Germans drink room temperature beer. Maybe they are onto something.

I have been talking about room temperature water, but maybe anything cold is not that good for us. My friend Judy claimed her nose started running when she ate or drank anything cold. Ingesting anything iced exacerbates sore throats, sinus problems, and other flu symptoms. I know I’ve gone too far. I expect the Ben and Jerry police to be here any moment.

Did you know that people who spend long hours in air-conditioning gain weight faster than those who don't. Maybe our bodies don't like artificial temperature, be it in air, water, or food.

Do you see the point? My mama started me on this quest that keeps me warmer, well-hydrated, gives me a faster metabolism, and a better voice. When I can’t get ice, I don’t have to grouse; even my sinuses and throat love my mama for what she taught me. And what’s good for mama, is, most likely, good for you.

  Health Tip: Grains

Last week I talked about grains as a poor choice if you are eating for optimum health. I received this comment from my friend Fali.

Anne,

I sent your opinion on grains and got this reply from a qualified food counselor and nutritionist, who is also a family friend. Seems this is another item for the Lodge!

Fali

Dear Fali,

I concur with this 100% and typically ask my clients to eschew grains as they’re problematic for many and create inflammation and digestive imbalances. I allow the gluten free grains like quinoa and amaranth but really am not a fan of gluten containing grains, which are wheat, barley, rye, and spelt. Most grains also contain anti-nutrients such as phytic acid, and unless they’re prepared properly, i.e., soaked overnight, they can actually leach vital minerals from the body,

Best,

Rupina Meer, Board-certified holistic nutritionist, www.zen-trition.com

I asked Rupina to clarify about the grains and here is her response:

To answer your question, ALL grains, including oats, have phytic acid and other anti-nutrients, so it’s best to soak them at least for a few hours (ideally overnight), as that will optimize absorption and assimilation, so that your body can actually use all the “good stuff” from the grains.

So this week’s health tip: if you are going to eat grains, soak them overnight before cooking. Thanks, Rupina, for this tip.

  Quotes

"There are two obstacles to enlightenment:
1. Thinking you know. 2. Thinking you don't know."
– Alan Cohen

"The cause of trouble is the fear of life. Being born starts the fear. Put an end to the idea that something is wrong."
– John Sherman

"Whatever you run from, you find wherever you go."
– Anne Sermons Gillis

  St. Francis Prayer Updated

GUS*,

Make me a channel of infinite love.
Where there is greed, let there be compassion.
Where there is falsehood, let there be truth.
Where there is a sense of entitlement,
   let there be humble appreciation.
Where there is the need to be right,
   let there be the need to understand.
Where there is rigidity, let there be malleability.
Where there is intolerance, bigotry, and fanaticism,
   let there be new sense of empathy.
Where there is fear, let there be
   a deep rooted sense of safety.
Where there is suffering, let there be joy.
Where there are hardships, let there be ease.
Where there is injustice, let there be fairness.
Where there is stinginess, let there be
   a sense of enoughness so that we might freely share.
Where there is angry righteousness, let there be peace.
May hypocrisy be replaced with the adherence
   to one's true sense of self and values.
May we understand that we stand as one body
   and what is done unto others we do to ourselves.
Some people need a hand up and
   others need a kick in the butt.
Let us be able to distinguish the difference
   and act accordingly.
Let there be a new sense of harmony that
   pervades the minds and hearts of people everywhere.
May peace replace our inner battles
   and war become obsolete.
May our sense of ever-present abundance
   overshadow our need to do more, be more, and get more.
May the love that is inherent in every moment
   be the guiding grace in our personal and collective world.

Amen

*God/Universe/Spirit

  NEW: Video Bits of Wisdom

A while back I recorded a series of 21 short inspirational videos on a wide range of topics. Most of them are under 2 minutes. I'll be spotlighting a different Video Bit each week in this space, with a link to it below this message. When you go to that page, click the Play button to start the video.

This Week: "Peace Of Mind Forever"
Click Here for This Week's Video Bit

Click the graphic above to see all of the Video Bits.

  What is EZosophy?

What is EZosophy?
Click the graphic above to find out.

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  Anne's Schedule

April 27, 2013
"Buddha at the Gaspump"
Interview by Rick Archer
http://batgap.com/

We will post a link when it's online.

May 26, 2013
"Celebrating Life"
11:00 AM
Unity of Webster, Texas

  Ask Annie G

Dear Annie G,

How can you tell if a plant is being watered too much or not enough?

S. B., Memphis, TN

Dear S. B.,

What a great question. I am assuming you mean potted plants. Plants do better with too little water than with too much water. Plants are not all alike. Some plants need less water than others. My orchid needs very little water, as does my sansevieria (mother-in-law’s tongue), while my asparagus fern can take all the water I give it. I received a sansevieria when I was a freshman in college and accidentally left it under my bed the first semester. It was a bit shriveled, but it lived. It’s best to learn about your plant so you can tell whether it needs occasional or frequent watering. The ones whose soil dries up the fastest, need the most water.

Outside potted plants need more watering than inside plants. Plants usually need less water in the winter because they are dormant, but when you have central heating, the dry air sucks the water out of the plant. So, in that case, they'd need more water.

When considering when and how much to water, the first thing to check is the soil. If it is super dry, you know it needs watering. Do not water your plant if the soil is wet. Give the plant enough water to moisten the soil. You can water it from the bottom up if you set the pot in a bowl of water, let it absorb the water, and then take the plant out when the soil is moist. You may need to drain it a bit. Don’t leave a plant standing in water for a long time. When you go to water your plant, if it’s standing in water, it’s too much water. Pour the water out of the plant.

Overall, when the leaf of a plant shrivels, it’s receiving too little water. Shriveling leaves can also be a sign of insects, so check under the leaves. Even though you didn’t ask about insects, I’m assuming that you’ll want your plant to be in good health, whether you have a water issue or an insect issue. If you find scales or tiny insects, wash each leaf with soapy water.

When the leaves turn light green then yellow, it is probably receiving too much water. Big plants require more water than small plants. When I leave town, I try to explain the art of plant watering to my husband. I tell him it’s like the three bears, the daddy bear plant needs a lot of water, the mama bear plant needs less water, and the baby bear plant needs just a tiny bit of water.

Make it Easy.

Anne

NOTE: Send your questions on life, health, food, spirituality, and relationships to Annie G.

  Anne Art

Editor: Charles David Heineke of TheDoorway and TheDoorwayBlog

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