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.

What's With The Number 8?

We've all been told at least once that we should drink 8 glasses of water a day. We hear it from our doctors, our parents, and other nosy people around us. Just yesterday, as I was filling up at my office water cooler, my coworker (let's call her Maureen) walked in and said, "Hope you're getting a solid 8 glasses today." I simply smiled and walked away, but inside I was a little miffed. Who was Maureen to comment on my drinking habits?

I don't know about you, but I've always wondered why 8 is the magic number. It seems like 8 glasses of anything in one day is a little much to ask. So I did a little digging on the subject, and here's what I found: there is no magic number.

Our bodies are 60% water, which is used for cleansing out toxins and carrying nutrients to our cells. We lose water every day through our breath, perspiration and (gross factor) urine and bowel movements, so it's essential that we replace the water in our body regularly. Surprisingly, 20% of the water can be replaced by our food intake, so the other 80% is replaced by the water we drink.

The amount of water people should consume is based on several factors. On average, the recommended intake is 8 eight-ounce glasses a day, which equals about 2 liters (that aforementioned 80%). However, men are actually advised to consume 13 cups a day. But don't gloat just yet, ladies. If you are pregnant or nursing, the recommended intake is around 11 cups a day. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

If you exercise regularly, and you should, you will need to consume 1.5 to 2.5 more cups a day. If you live in hot and humid weather or at a high altitude, factor in another 2 cups. And I'm sure you've heard this before, but if you're ill you'll need to increase your intake by at least 2 cups. I know, the numbers are adding up. But it's not as hard as you think to hydrate.

Although it's good practice to drink water with every meal and to keep it within reach throughout the day, you don't need to rely on drinking water to meet you fluid requirements. Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90% water. Beverages such as milk, juice, wine, beer and even coffee contribute to your water intake. Also, drinking tea or adding some flavor to cold water are great ways to add variety to your day.

So, while 8 is a nice, even number that's easy to remember, it's not magic. As long as you hydrate enough during the day so that you're rarely feeling thirsty, you're doing just fine. And tell those busybodies to mind their own business.

Get Motivated

Are you looking for motivation to drink more water? There are plenty of resources, tools and support groups out there to help. Whether you are looking for a fun group challenge or to connect with others for advice and to share your own experiences, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few options for inspiration:


Drink for Charity


> Forty Days of Water
Sponsored by Blood: Water Mission, the Forty Days of Water challenge asks participants to drink only tap water for 40 days. The project urges you to choose tap water instead of what you usually drink, which in turn saves you money. That money can then be used to help build clean water projects for communities in Uganda. While this challenge has already started, it serves as a great example and renewed purpose for you to embark on your own - or simply join now even if it isn't for the entire 40 days. (http://www.bloodwatermission.com/fortydays.php)

> UNICEF Tap Project

The UNICEF Tap Project helps to provide clean water for millions of children globally. Launched in 2007, the program started in New York City where restaurants asked patrons to donate $1 or more for their otherwise free tap water. Now nationwide, this program has raised nearly $2.5 million in the United States alone. Visit the UNICEF Tap Project website for a list of participating restaurants. Make your decision to drink water benefit children around the world. (http://www.tapproject.org/)

Online Tools & Resources

Many health-focused websites provide excellent information about the benefits of water and tips for drinking more. Another interesting option is the use of online goal-setting. Such websites allow you to set personal goals to make tracking fun. Here are some options to try:

> GoalForIt

GoalForIt is a free online solution for tracking goals to make personal success easy. Users can outline specific personal, health, financial and behavior goals. Drinking more water is an excellent goal to set in achieving a more balanced life. GoalForIt also features fun layouts and web images to check off goals met. (http://www.goalforit.com)

> SparkPeople

This online health forum serves as an excellent support system in connecting with other members, tracking food, exercise, vitamin and water intake. Better yet, it's free! (http://www.sparkpeople.com)

What are some motivators you have used in your quest to drink more water?

Thirst To Be Thankful For

Our mission with the Rethink Your Drink campaign is to educate people on the benefits of drinking water. It’s difficult to think about staying hydrated in our busy lives...we understand. But something that may motivate you is the reminder that you are fortunate to be able to make water your beverage of choice.

There are 884 million people worldwide who lack access to clean water, and 2.5 billion who lack access to basic sanitation. Approximately 2 million children under the age of 5 die each year from this crisis, which equals 4,000 deaths per day. Water-related diseases are the #1 killer of children, killing more than HIV/Aids, malaria, and measles combined.

Without sanitation and water, there can be no sustainable development in health or education, locking people into a cycle of poverty and disease. The burden falls heavily on women and children. Girls are denied an education because they have the task of walking for hours to find clean water. Many drop out of school during adolescence because of inadequate sanitation facilities. This is a sad and vicious cycle that needs serious attention.

So next time you feel thirsty, don’t reach for a can of soda or a cup of coffee. Fill up your glass with water, and be thankful that you can.

For more information on how you can join the international effort to bring clean water to developing countries, visit www.endwaterpoverty.org.

The Facts About Bottled Water

Americans are drinking more bottled water than ever even though research has shown that it really isn't any better for us and is a waste of money. Here are some interesting facts about bottled water.

• More than 25 percent of bottled water does not come from a clear spring, but from municipal supplies like your cities water plant. In essence, what you are drinking is just purified tap water.

• The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water, while the Environmental Protection Agency regulates tap water. But, did you know that the FDA does not regulate water packaged and sold in the same state. Also the FDA’s testing is less rigorous than those applied to city water by the EPA.

• Plastic bottles used to package bottled water can be toxic. You must check to make sure the plastic is bisphenol A free. Here is a great site with information about BPA http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html

• Many plastic water bottles are discarded in landfills, causing many environmental concerns. For instance it can take 1,000 years for plastic water bottles to biodegrade and they also can leak toxins into the ground water. In addition to the energy and fossil fuels used by the bottled water industry to produce and transport theses bottles, which puts a significant strain on our environment.

Check out this great informational graphic about bottled water: www.onlineeducation.net/bottled_water

Reusable Water Bottles – Which one is right for you?

With the plethora of reusable water bottles on the market these days, it’s hard to decide which one is right for you. Many of us are trying to be more environmentally conscious, and buying a reusable water bottle is a great step to being more green. Here are just a few options out there today:

Wide-Mouth Bottles
Wide-mouth bottles are exactly what their name states, bottles with a wide opening. The large opening is great if you want to add ice or fruit slices to your water, and best of all, they are the easiest to clean. Most have adjustable lids allowing you to drink your water fast or slow. Wide-mouth bottles also are very sturdy and dishwasher safe.

Stainless Steel Bottles

The most durable of all water bottles is the stainless steel bottle. They are lightweight, sturdy and assured to be BPA free. BPA is a chemical that can leak into liquids and has been linked to cancer, which is a concern with plastic bottles. Stainless steel bottles also come in a variety of sizes, insulated or not, and with a variety of cap options: sports cap, screw on lid, straw, or bite valve.

Insulated Water Bottles
Insulated water bottles keep your water colder longer. These bottles are great for runners and those involved in sports activities. No one wants to drink warm water after kicking around a soccer ball. These bottles keep your drink cool, which in turn keeps you refreshed. You can buy insulated bottles in plastic or stainless steel.

Filtered Water Bottles
The latest craze in reusable water bottles is the Bobble. The Bobble has reinvented the water bottle, placing a filter inside so you can use water from any tap. It comes in all kinds of cool colors, is easy to grip and is made from recycled plastic. Check it out at www.waterbobble.com. Of course there are other filtered bottles out there, so research before you buy.

This is just a peak of the variety of water bottles available today, and many combine the different styles. You could get a wide-mouth insulated stainless steel bottle, or a bite valve filtered plastic bottle. The choices are endless. You can even have your bottle customized with your teams logo, or pick from the rainbow of colors and designs available. The most important thing is that you will be reducing your carbon footprint using a reusable water bottle, and that is good for everyone and your pocket!


Here is a list of some other things to consider when purchasing a reusable water bottle:
• Some water bottles are too large to fit in the cup holder in your car. Check the size before you buy.
• Some bottles can’t be put in the dishwasher. Check the label before you purchase if you want a dishwasher-safe bottle.
• Make sure you plastic bottle is BPA-free.
• Know your purpose. Think about where you will be using the bottle. Look at the style, size, easy of pouring, sipping, etc… For example don’t buy a wide-mouth bottle if you are a cyclist. They just aren’t easy to drink from while riding.