Quench that Thirst

how to achieve true hydration

At one point in my “health journey” I was chugging a gallon of water a day. Like I actually lugged around an entire gallon of water and forced myself to drink the entire thing by the day ended - even if I wasn’t that thirsty. I thought this was the best thing for me.

Coincidentally, and to no one’s surprise, this also was around the same time that I was dealing with really bad health issues. Now - I am not blaming the excess water for my health issues - there was a plethora of different things that led to my symptoms. However, flushing out all of my minerals was not exactly helping.

True hydration goes far beyond just gulping down plain water. The water we drink, especially if it’s filtered through something like a Brita (which btw does basically nothing to actually filter water, that’s a topic for another time), is often stripped of minerals that are essential for our bodies to properly absorb and retain water.

Disclaimer: This is what works for ME, I am not professionally recommending any of these things. Please consult your medical professional before taking anything new.

Minerals and electrolytes are key when it comes to hydration. They help our body maintain fluid balance, regulate nerve and muscle function, and even support the proper absorption of nutrients. Without them, our body’s cells can’t absorb water efficiently, leaving us more dehydrated, even if we’re drinking plenty of water.

My favorite way of thinking about it is when we sweat, our sweat is salty. So the beverages we drink should be replenishing that lost saltyness. & BTW - if our bodies are not sweating, that may be a problem! That is one of our bodies main detox pathways, and is essential for our overall health.

Why Minerals and Electrolytes Matter

Filtered water is often stripped of the minerals that make it hydrating. These are the essential minerals that when removed, leave us drinking dead water. Outside of getting our essential minerals from food, it’s important to supplement with drinks that are rich in these minerals & electrolytes, add boosters to zhuzh up filtered water, or choose natural sources of water like spring water, which still contains those vital minerals.

These minerals and electrolytes are essential for proper hydration at a cellular level. They help the body maintain the electrical balance necessary for optimal bodily function such as muscle contractions, nerve signals, and maintaining fluid balance in and around our cells.

A proper balance of minerals also benefits skin health. When the body is well-hydrated at a cellular level, the skin retains moisture, looking more plump, hydrated, and radiant. On the flip side, dehydration can make skin appear dull, dry, and prone to irritation.

A lack of these essential minerals can lead to dehydration, even if we’re drinking a lot of water. When the body is dehydrated, common symptoms are fatigue, brain fog, dry skin, and poor digestion. Hydration at the cellular level is about more than just the volume of water we consume; it’s about the balance of minerals within our body, helping our cells to absorb and retain water effectively.

My Favorite Hydrating Drinks

To truly hydrate the body, we need to turn to beverages that are rich in natural minerals and electrolytes. Some of the best hydrating drinks include:

• Coconut water: Packed with potassium, sodium, and magnesium, it’s nature’s perfect electrolyte drink.

• Bone broth: Not only great for gut health and digestion, but it’s also loaded with minerals.

• Raw milk: High in essential minerals and electrolytes, raw milk helps with hydration while delivering an abundance of nutrients.

• Citrus Juice: Citrus-based juices like orange, lemon, and lime provide vitamin C and electrolytes that support hydration and antioxidant activity.

• Fruit Juice: Fruit juices like watermelon, pomegranate, and seasonal fresh juice are packed with essential electrolytes, vitamins, and antioxidants.

• Spring water: Unlike filtered water, spring water retains its natural mineral content, making it more hydrating than dead, demineralized water.

• Herbal tea: Quality teas can contain electrolytes and replenish fluids while offering additional benefits from antioxidants and nutrients.

Favorite Water Add-Ins

• Shilajit: Shilajit, a natural mineral resin, contains over 85 trace minerals that support energy, immune function, and hydration.

• Mineral salt: I love adding a sprinkle of high quality mineral salt to my water.

• Raw honey: Raw honey contains natural sugars and electrolytes that help maintain fluid balance in the body. Its properties can draw moisture into cells, supporting overall hydration and skin health.

• Fresh Herbs or Spices: Herbs infuse water with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, while enhancing and elevating hydration with fresh flavors and beneficial plant compounds. My fav is fresh mint and ginger.

• Citrus & Fruit Juice

At the end of the day, true hydration is about nourishing your body from the inside out with mineral-rich beverages. This will not only hydrate you more effectively but also support your energy, skin health, digestion, and overall vitality. Plus - a good bev makes everything better. An excitement to get out of bed in the morning, a midday pick me up, or an evening nightcap; there is nothing a good bev can’t fix.

My Recent Bevs in a Day Lineup + Recipes

Ft. In This Video

PS: I try to live a relatively active lifestyle. I move my body daily, get in a good sweat, and so my mineral rich beverages reflect that, as to replenish.

The Lineup Menu:

• EVOO + Lemon Shot

• Shilajit Warm Water w/ Lemon

• Vanilla Bean & Raw Honey Matcha Latte

• Electrolyte Elixir w/ Cran

• Bone Broth Hot Chocolate

• Spearmint Tea

EVOO + Lemon Shot

Occasionally in the mornings I will start off with a shot of extra virgin olive oil & a spritz of lemon. The combo of EVOO & lemon provides a powerhouse of nutrients to my body right when I wake up. It can also help to lubricate the GI tract and support morning digestion. EVOO is an incredibly healing food, but quality matters. What to look for when picking out EVOO:

• The bottle it is packaged in. I prefer a darker glass or ceramic type of bottle. Usually if it is packaged in plastic, that’s not great!

• Harvest date. Good EVOO should state the harvest date on the bottle. This shows that it is fresh and harvested within the last couple of years, proving it is not rancid! 

• Farmer transparency. The EVOO should be transparent about the farm the olives come from! Prioritize small farms that use organic farming methods. 

• Single origin. This is important because a single olive versus a blend of many creates a higher quality oil, plus more transparency with the farming method and location.

• Cold-pressed. Ensure the oil is extracted without heat to preserve its nutrients.

• Polyphenol count. A good quality EVOO will be high in polyphenols, the best oils will be transparent about their polyphenol count in their oils! 

I love using Zimms Heal+ EVOO for my shots. (discount is glowwithella20) Outside of shots, which my body can’t handle every day, I love to just douse EVOO all over my food or blend into my bevs.

Shilajit Warm Water w/ Lemon

I love shilajit, I recently just got a text from a friend who is a private chef and she said, “Ok I need insight on shilajit, my client just handed me a cup of it and I feel like I’m on crack.” It does have a way of providing the body with a ton of energy without any caffeine. Shilajit is a natural, resin-like substance found primarily in the Himalayas, formed from the slow decomposition of plants over centuries. It's packed with minerals, fulvic acid, and antioxidants, making it a powerful adaptogen that supports energy levels, stamina, and overall vitality. Shilajit is also known to enhance cognitive function, promote healthy aging, improve nutrient absorption, and strengthen the immune system. Its rejuvenating properties make it a prized supplement in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

I love mixing it with some lemon and warm water. Lemon paired with minerals can be a wonderful combo for supporting adrenal health in the morning, and I also love a warm beverage on an empty stomach makes me feel so good. I love my morning ritual of drinking this bev out in the morning sun.

I use Cymbiotika Shilajit, (link should auto apply discount at checkout). In the video I also added in Organic Olivia Liver Juice, which helps support a healthy liver, (discount is glowwithella).

Vanilla Bean & Raw Honey Matcha Latte