by Cascade Ice on February 12, 2021
It seems like such a simple thing … drinking plenty of water each day. But life gets busy, and we forget to make staying hydrated a priority. Next thing you know, you may start feeling the effects of being dehydrated. Believe it or not, hydration affects most functions inside your body, making it one of the most important things you can do to feel and look your best every day.
When you make it a habit to prioritize drinking water, you’ll notice the benefits right away. Here are some things you’ll notice!
You feel focused
Do you ever feel like you get sidetracked easily, and you can’t focus on the task at hand? Drink a big glass of water and watch what happens! Even mild dehydration can affect your ability to focus, as water is one of the most essential needs in our bodies. Since our bodies are made up mostly of water, it makes it even more important to replenish it to feed and cleanse our system.
You’re less tempted to snack
When hunger strikes, make sure you’re not experiencing thirst instead. Sometimes our body can trick us into thinking we are hungry for food when we simply aren’t getting the recommended amount of water through food and liquids. When you consume plenty of water, you’ll notice right away that your snack habit will subside. Still crave a kick? Try Cascade Ice Sparkling Water for a little something different, while still meeting your daily hydration goals.
You have a glow
Skin benefits greatly from hydration, and for some people – it can prevent aging and make the skin’s surface feel softer and get rid of blemishes. The reason why? Our skin is our largest organ, and it relies on water to produce new cells to give us the appearance of a “glow” or youthful skin. When you add more H20 to your diet, your skin will likely be one of the first parts of your body to notice!
Your mood will change
Feel like you’re always in a funk? Not drinking enough water can really mess with your mood, from shifting hormone levels to making you feel tired. To give yourself a little “treat”, try adding some flavor to your water by cutting up fresh fruit and dropping it in, or try a flavored sparkling water variety to switch things up. Bubbly water offers the same benefits as regular water, so drink up, and watch your mood improve!
With all these immediate benefits to staying hydrated, how do you know how much water you need each day? It varies per person, but experts agree that a minimum of 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water should be your goal. However, some adults may need more or less depending on their health, medications, activity level, climate, etc. Check with your doctor to see about the perfect amount for you.
Have you noticed immediate benefits of being hydrated? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on January 15, 2021
In the past decade, gluten-free products have proliferated at your local grocery store. Even many restaurants offer gluten-free menu options. But how do you know if you should cut out gluten from your diet?
Those who are diagnosed with Celiac Disease cannot process gluten in their bodies. It triggers an immune response that inflames the intestines and can block certain nutrients from being absorbed into your body. Still others are simply “gluten sensitive” and can have similar symptoms to Celiac Disease without the damage to your organs.
To find out about gluten sensitivities, you can either do an elimination diet where you cut out gluten for 30 days, and then slowly introduce it back into your diet and note your symptoms. Or you can request a simple blood screening from your doctor.
While many Americans have ditched gluten because they think it will make them feel better, unless you have a confirmed sensitivity or Celiac Disease, there isn’t a need to eliminate it from your diet, experts say.
But for those who do, avoiding gluten means ditching most types of breads, pasta, and beer. Gluten is even in many of your standard packaged products like sauces, supplements, and some foods labeled with “natural ingredients.” All of our Cascade Ice product lines are gluten-free, so if you are gluten-sensitive, check out the many flavor combinations and offerings we have!
Lastly, if you’re adhering to a gluten-free diet, make sure you get plenty of fiber, as most Americans are deficient in it already, and eliminating gluten can make it worse. Add fruits, leafy greens, beans, and even high fiber gluten-free crackers to your diet to avoid inflammation and get plenty of fiber.
Are you practicing a gluten-free diet? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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by Cascade Ice on December 9, 2020
This upcoming year, just like every other year, millions of Americans will make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. But, by the 6-month mark, less than half of them will be unsuccessful in losing or maintaining their weight.
What are the common pitfalls that often cause people to fail at their diet? The answers may be more straightforward than you think! Read on to find out the most common mistakes so that you can avoid being another New Year’s resolution dropout!
You Fall into Marketing Traps
As a society, we often get duped into the idea that fat-free and gluten-free are always a healthier option. However, reading the actual ingredients on products is an important part of weight loss. Unfortunately, sometimes health claims on diet foods are misleading. Instead of falling for fancy marketing language on products, get to know what’s actually in your food and adjust your purchases from there. Remember – not all foods with high fat content or gluten are bad for you! Each person is different. Consult your doctor to come up with a food plan that’s tailored to your body’s needs.
You Drink Your Calories
It’s so easy to forget how much sugar is in that frappucino, or how many calories are in that post-workout sports drink. Instead, make it a rule to only drink water (or a lightly sweetened sparkling water like Cascade Ice), and only the occasional sugary beverage. Unfortunately, sugary, high-calorie drinks contain a large portion of your daily dietary allowances, but won’t leave you satisfied for long. As a result, you end up consuming way more calories and sugar than you even realized.
You Skip Meals
Most people mistakenly think that skipping meals is an easy way to eat less calories throughout the day when trying to lose weight. However, studies have shown that it can often lead to overeating later on, which completely defeats the purpose! Not only that, but skipping food can cause your metabolism to stall. Instead, opt for a quick, high-protein option if you’re busy and can’t enjoy a full meal, like a protein smoothie or homemade trail mix.
You Pass on the Treats
It’s counterintuitive, but experts agree that if you deprive yourself of your favorite treats completely, you are more likely to binge later on. Instead of completely nixing treats, allow yourself a small one each day, whether it’s salty chips or a piece of chocolate. In the long run, you’ll be happier and less likely to fall off the healthy eating bandwagon.
Your Sleep Schedule is Out of Whack
Sleep is one of the most crucial aspects to living a healthy life, and it correlates directly to your diet goals. Getting regular, uninterrupted sleep each night can regulate hormones and stave off cravings, which in turn can keep you on track. Aim for 7-8 hours each night, and try to stick to the same schedule.How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on November 13, 2020
Working out and eating healthy are the fundamentals of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing your weight, and everyone seems to understand that these are necessary to stay healthy. However, one often overlooked aspect of health is flexibility, which is maintained through daily stretching.
Most people think that they don’t have time to carve out in their day for stretching, or that it’s simply not important. But research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility, as well as your overall range of motion. This can have a significant impact on your ability to stay active long term. And, it can take as little as 5 minutes a day. Here are the most important elements of a a daily stretching routine:
Before vs. After Exercise
It’s most important to do a dynamic warm up before physical activity. This could include body weight squats, walking lunges, and even pushups. You don’t want to hold stretches for a long period of time before your body is warmed up. After your workout is complete, try some side bends, shoulder stretches and hamstring stretches and hold each of them for at least 30 seconds each. This will help move the lactic acid through your muscles and increase your range of motion.
Hit the Big Muscles
When it comes to a daily stretching routine, make sure you’re focusing on the major muscle groups, like the glutes, thighs, hips, back, and shoulders. Make sure you’re also stretching both sides equally to maintain symmetry and steer clear of injury from overuse of one side.
Know when to use caution
Sometimes our muscles can get sore from overuse, or worse – we can get stress fractures. If you have a chronic condition or an injury, adjust your stretching routine to focus on other muscles so as not to aggravate sore or torn muscles. The goal is to establish and maintain a routine that will help you stay in the exercise game for the long haul. Discuss your stretching routine with your medical provider if you have any concerns.
Keep it up!
Stretching doesn’t have to be difficult to fit into your daily routine. What’s more important is not how long you stretch, it’s the regularity at which you perform the stretches. So, aim for 5-6 days each week, especially if you’re exercising regularly. If you skip your stretching routine, you may miss key benefits and your flexibility may decrease, making it harder to start again.
One lesser-known tip to help with your body’s flexibility? Water! Increased water intake has been shown to contribute to overall mobility and body relaxation. If you get bored with regular water, try Cascade Ice Sparkling Water and our different product lines with zero sugar, calories or gluten. Trust us, you’ll never get bored with all the flavor combinations we offer!
What’s your favorite way to stretch? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
