The Benefits of Drinking Water: The Mind Map

What began as a way to utilize creativity and share thoughts /with others has morphed into an innovative career for Paul Foreman, a self taught mind map artist. "With a pencil, a rubber, a determination for forming what you want to see on paper, and a degree of patience," Paul has produced a vast work of mind maps for inspiration and motivation. Drawing from his own personal experiences and observations Paul has produced beautiful mind maps that many call works of art.

Our favorite mind map that Paul has crafted highlights some of the great benefits of drinking water, something we here at ReThink Your Drink can definitely appreciate. Click on the image below to explore the mind of Paul Foreman.

For more information about Paul Foreman's mind maps visit http://www.mindmapinspiration.com and http://www.mindmapart.com/

Put your Re:Thinking Cap on

You've probably had someone tell you to "put your thinking cap on," another way of saying think hard or reflect very seriously. Or maybe you've heard of the actual thinking cap scientists created that works by zapping electricity through the left side of the brain encouraging the more creative side into action. Maybe not. Well ReThink Your Drink encourages you to put on your "ReThinking Cap" and contemplate the great benefits of drinking water. So have some fun and make your very own "ReThinking Cap." Hold the option key and click on the image below, print it out, and follow these easy steps.

1. Fold the printed page in half lengthwise.

2. Fold the corners down to the middle of the page making a point at the top.

3. Fold one piece of the bottom of the paper up.

4. Flip and fold the other bottom strip up.

5. Pull the opening in the hat apart to make a hat shape, put on your "Rethinking Cap," and enjoy.

From Waste to Wonder - Used Water Bottles Get an Artistic Facelift

Ecological Art, or "Eco Art," incorporates natural and recycled materials to create stunning visual masterpieces. This contemporary form of art was developed by artists who express concern for their local and global environments. While there are a variety of interpretations of Eco Art, the primary goal is to represent a positive relationship between humans and nature through artistic expression.


Used water bottles have become a popular material for eco artists. A majority of water bottles end up in landfills rather than being recycled. Eco artists are bringing new life to the seemingly plastic waste by constructing unique works of art, bringing renewed life to otherwise "trash." Here are some beautiful examples of Eco Art using water bottles:

Miwa Koizumi PET Project - In 2007, Miwa launched her PET project in which she uses #1 plastic bottles to create jellyfish and other sea creatures. The name PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a resin used in the process of making water bottles. On her website, Miwa states, "I love the idea of using liquid containers to make water animals. Contained/containing, trash/not-trash, like the jelly-fish or anemone: Living/non-living. And I wanted some pets..."


She continues to make her "pets," and now sells prints of her artwork.

Anthropologie - Anthropologie, a shop for women's clothing, accessories and home decor, installs amazing sculpture art pieces in their store front each season. In Spring 2010, the store unveiled their new display, adorned with a plethora of hand-crafted flowers assembled from water bottles. The company also sent an e-mail to customers providing how-to instructions to make your own plastic flowers and statistics on water bottle waste.

Sarah Turner - Eco artist and designer Sarah Turner has created a ReDesigned Lighting Collection in which lighting fixtures are made from a variety of plastic drink bottles. Table lamps, floor lamps, lampshades and other decorative items are available for purchase on her website. Sarah's work is also featured in various fashion and home exhibits across the world.

Finding new uses for old water bottles can be a fun, hands-on project. Next time you go to throw away your bottle, challenge yourself to create something beautiful out of it.


What are some of the creative ways you have reused a water bottle? Share your ideas with us or any other pieces of water bottle art you have stumbled upon.