Drink This!

Fast Facts

• The combination of a lemon or lime and sea salt + water concoction first thing in the a.m., on an empty stomach, can improve digestion, nutrient absorption, liver detoxification, electrolyte balance, and hormonal function. It also provides a dose of vitamins, fiber, energy and hydration when you’re body needs it most, without causing a spike in blood sugar.
• Mix and drink:
• 1. FRESH juice of 1/2 to 1 whole lemon or lime
  2. 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of colorful sea salt (Pink Himalayan preferred)
  3. 12 – 16 oz **room temperature** filtered/spring water

My Morning Ritual
Nutritional advice can be overwhelming. With a ton of information flying at you from every direction, often contradictory, it’s no wonder it’s generally the last thing my clients really want to address. For that (and other) reasons, I prefer to find simple habits that are easy to implement, have huge value and impact, and overtime can build INTO a larger nutritional picture simply by crowding out the less savory options. Long-term success starts by changing small things first – baby steps. Let’s talk about one.
Here’s an easy ritual that packs a powerful nutritional punch, with many health benefits, which you can very quickly turn into a habit you love. Lemon juice, sea salt, and water. First thing in the morning – before you do or consume anything else.
Whether you consider yourself a morning person or not, we are typically in a state of high(er) self-control after we wake up and before we jump into the fray. This makes the morning a great time to bring some awareness (mindfulness) around our body, what it needs, and to start each day on the right path.
I have been following this simple protocol for years, and it’s become something I look forward to every morning.

Why Lemon Juice and Sea Salt?
Fresh Lemon (and lime) juice is a nutritional powerhouse. Containing more vitamin C than oranges, they also are high potassium and anti-oxidants, both of which are beneficial for overall health and combatting the stress of daily endeavors.
Additionally, lemon and lime juice acids are chemically similar to hydrochloric acid (HCl) which is the primary component of gastric (stomach) acid. This means they can aid digestion, and can even help the stomach produce more HCl. The benefit here is improved nutrient and vitamin absorption, as well as the destruction of food-borne pathogens.
Sea salt, specifically colorful salts like Pink Himalayan (my favorite), provide additional sodium and a dose of minerals that contribute to adrenal health, liver detoxification, hormonal balance, hydration, and more. They can also aid in the production of stomach acids in combination with the lemon/lime juice, further improving digestion, absorption, and protection.

Why First Thing?
Making this drink the first thing you do in the morning does a few things for us:

1. It creates a pattern – or a ritual as I like to think of it – that gets the brain working towards making good choices ALL day.
2. It stokes the digestion process, so our subsequent meals can be of better value. Eating nutrient packed foods overall is the goal, but if your digestion isn’t operating well, you are missing out on the full value of those foods.
3. Drinking this on an empty stomach allows for full absorption. It’s best to wait at least 15 min. before eating or drinking anything else. I tend to drink this before I go to the gym in the morning and eat after my morning workout (more on that in another post).

The Recipe
This is a simple one. Mix the juice of 1/2 to 1 whole lemon or lime with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of colorful sea salt in a full glass of ROOM TEMP. water. Drink and enjoy. Avoid cold water first thing in the morning as it can shock your system which restricts digestion.
I recommend starting with 1/2 lemon and 1/4 tsp. of sea salt until you get used to the taste. I find it really enjoyable, but your mileage may vary.
Add this simple ritual to your day for the next few months, and see how you feel! Does it help you kick-start your day? Do you enjoy or tolerate the drink or the process? Do you notice any changes in your energy levels throughout the day? I’d love to hear your experiences!
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Onward!

Coach Nick Kirkes