Getting Enough Water on Optavia

 Optavia recommends drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day. My coach recommends 100 ounces of water. 

I've always drank a lot of water each day. I keep a 30 oz insulated stainless steel tumbler with me at home, and I drink from a stainless steel straw, which I think makes it easier to drink more for some weird reason. I'm home most of the days, so this works for me, because with my tumbler and straw, I don't have to worry about it spilling or tipping over just moving around the house.

I try to drink a full tumbler of water before I do anything in the morning, and that helps me get started off on the right foot with my water for the day. 

I keep a 90 oz tempered glass water pitcher at home to track my water each day. I refill it every morning and just leave it on my counter. I refill my tumbler with ice throughout the day, so I'm actually getting more than the 90oz in the pitcher when the ice melts, and it has been amazing to keep up with my water intake. This is the pitcher I have, and it has a stainless steel lid that can filter out infusions if I want to add fresh cucumber or lime or lemon to my water for a little bit of flavor.

If I'm not at home, my water containers are HydroFlask (I particularly like the lightweight ones) and I alternate which one I use and the lid/cap based on what I'm doing. They have different options, so it's easy to pick and choose what's best for the day - a cafe style lid if I'll be in the car, or a loop cap if I'll be out walking or hiking. I don't like plastic or silicone so I am very mindful of that for myself.

I've seen big plastic jugs that mark how much water is in them too, that would be helpful if you're out and about and need something to track it. The 3L or 1gal jugs of water at the grocery store are also helpful to keep on track with water consumption if you're out and about or traveling by car. 

Drinking this much water each day can deplete your electrolytes, so if you ever feel slightly off, I highly recommend drinking some Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Hydration Powder mixed with water, or something else like Powerade Zero. It usually helps me immediately. Of course, if it is happening often, please consult your doctor!

What other tips do you have for getting in enough water each day? 

Optavia and my MUST-HAVE appliances/tools

One of the great things about Optavia is that you don't need anything special to prepare the Fuelings, besides a microwave and the blender bottle that comes in your kit. HOWEVER, we all know that there are some tools or appliances that can make your Fuelings a little more exciting, a little more fun, and a little more tasty!

Here are some of my must-have appliances and tools for preparing my Fuelings. Please know these links are to Amazon, and I definitely encourage you to shop around to find the best price! https://amzn.to/46kPlqm

I also created a handy dandy Amazon list of my favorite items. YES - you can find them in local stores, sometimes at better prices (sometimes not). You can add them to your own cart from this list for quick and easy purchasing though! 

Some of my must-have appliances and tools for OPTAVIA Fuelings

Dash Mini Waffle Maker is awesome at preparing Fuelings. I love to do the brownie, smashed potatoes, biscuit, and oatmeal in the Waffle Maker. It comes in different colors, and some of them even make the waffles into shapes (pineapple! snowflake! heart!)

Note: Here are the guidelines I follow when preparing my Fuelings in the Dash. Some are the same as the package, some are slightly different amounts of water. Nothing is quite so disappointing as scraping a failed Fueling out of the waffle maker and still eating it because you're determined not to waste a Fueling :) 

Dash Mini Griddle is amazing for the Chocolate Chip Cookies! It gets them perfectly crisp on the outside, and soft and gooey on the inside - the exact way I like cookies. I also use it when I need extra protein, to cook an egg - it's super quick and easy, and much faster than using my normal cast iron on my stove top.

If you don't already have a personal blender, I highly suggest getting one. I like the Ninja brand, this is the model I have in the current version. I like the individual cups the best, and they make your Optavia shakes super yummy if you blend them with ice and water (or cold brew coffee if you're feeling adventurous). There are tons of options for personal blenders, so be sure to choose something that is powerful enough to blend ice. Because my home blender is too big for travel, I also have a small Hamilton Beach personal blender that I keep in its box for when I'm out of town overnight or for the weekend. It is small enough to easily pack, and although it isn't as powerful, it does the job. 

My next suggestion is a frother. There are SO MANY CHOICES, but this is the handheld frother I bought and it has worked well. I don't use it often, but sometimes if I don't want to blend my shake, or use the shaker bottle, this does an excellent job of mixing it up with the water and it's super yummy - it seems like it makes it creamier, if that's possible. I also use it to mix up the Hot Chocolate Fueling with a little bit of cold water, before pouring the hot water into the mug - it seems to make it even creamier and more delicious!

I also suggest a mini whisk if you don't already have one. Mine is Pampered Chef, but you can find them anywhere. I often use a fork to mix up my fuelings, but the whisk is handy to have around. 

I couldn't resist picking up a little cast iron skillet either - I love it for baking the brownie or chocolate chip cookie, if I'm not using the Dash. It turns out so yummy! Follow the directions for baking on the Fueling packet, or shorten the baking time a little bit if you want it slightly gooey. 

My final recommendation is to get a good insulated container. I love my insulated Klean Kanteen Food Canister. I will often prepare soups or pastas (as directed on the package) when I'm making a different fueling, transfer it to the insulated container, and let it sit on the counter until my next fueling time. It really softens up the pastas and noodles. I've also made the soup by adding the Fueling packet to the insulated container, pouring boiling water over it, and then closing the lid and letting it sit for 2-3 hours. 

What other appliances or tools are you using for your Fuelings? Let me know in the comments!

Dash Mini Waffle Maker/Griddle + OPTAVIA Fuelings Guide

General directions to prepare Fuelings in the Dash Mini Waffle Maker or Dash Mini Griddle:

• Mix Fueling and mix-ins well
• Plug in Dash Mini Waffle Maker (to make a waffle) or Dash Mini Griddle (to make a "pancake") and wait for light to go off
• Spray both sides of Dash with nonstick spray BEFORE MAKING EACH WAFFLE/PANCAKE
• When the Dash stops steaming, or the steam significantly slows down, open to check for done-ness
• If you're pre-making Fuelings, you can store them in the freezer and then reheat in toaster oven or microwave
• Note: Some people use egg whites instead of water. I do not do that because I don't like to alter the Fuelings and have to track what I add to deduct from my daily Lean and Green
• I generally try to add just enough water to make the Fueling like a batter or thin dough. Too watery, and it will overrun. 

Optavia Oatmeal Fueling made in the Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Fueling and Mix-In Guide:

• 2 Tbsp water + Fueling = 1 waffle/pancake 
• Brownie 
• Biscuits
• Chocolate Chip Cookie 
• Cream Cheese Swirl Cake 
• 3 Tbsp water + Fueling = 1 waffle/pancake
• Sweet Potatoes
• 3 Tbsp water + Fueling = 2 waffle/pancake
• Pancake
• Shakes
• Smoothies
• 4 Tbsp water + Fueling = 2 waffles/pancakes
• Smashed Potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Prepare/cook as directed on packet with slightly less water = 1 waffle/pancake
• Mac and Cheese (make sure it's thicker than normal)

What other Fuelings have you made in the Dash? Let us know how you prepared it! 

Easy and Filling Lean and Green - Shrimp and Salad

Those asking what I eat...this was my big meal yesterday for my Lean and Green, and it was delicious. 😋 Lettuce (2c), broccoli (0.5c), avocado (3oz), shrimp (7oz), and dressing (2T). And let me just tell you, 7oz of shrimp is A LOT OF SHRIMP! It took me ten mins start to finish to cook the shrimp and get the salad together, and that was the most time intensive thing I ate yesterday. 

The best part about this program is that it’s ridiculously easy to follow. I eat six times a day, five small easy and quick meals or snacks, and one bigger meal. It has basically taken the planning and prep work of food out of my life. Before, I was skipping meals or snacking on something easy (and unhealthy) because I didn’t have time to do anything more, then overeating when I did eat. You guys, I am so happy I found this health program. It’s changing my life. Did I mention it’s basically foolproof? Follow the guidelines, see the results. If you are relating to anything I’ve said, please, let’s talk and see if this program might benefit you too. It’s too good and too easy to not share.