Homemade Hydration

Flavored waters  are  big things nowadays. Just plain H2O seems naked without some hint of fruit or mint. Yet they can be costly , especially if they're always on the grocery list. The solution? Make your own.

The best water comes from the tap - surprisingly, especially if you have a filter. It's very wise to install a Brita or a Pur nowadays, thanks to stories of lead in  pipes. To be honest , any town could be next to have tainted water so it pays to install some kind of filtration system . Another less expensive idea is buying your supermarket's in house brand of bottled water. It tastes the same as the more expensive national brands  but at a cheaper cost.Now comes the fun part - the infusions.It pays to get an infuser because you can make some a wide variety of flavors using fruit and herbs.There is the Bobble, which is only $14.95 and comes in a vast array of fun, poppy colors.Another option is a muddler, a cross between a giant swizzle stick and a pestle. They're usually stainless steel and found more behind bars. Yet they're instrumental in crushing any kind of berry or herb for infusing. Suppose you want apple or pear infused water.? This is where it pays to have mason jars with secure caps. The fruits should be sliced wafer thin and then placed in a jar with cold water. Keep the jars in the fridge for about four to five hours  before drinking. Unlike  with berries and citrus , it does take a while for the water to be infused.

One of the best aspects of making your own flavored waters is coming up with favorite combinations along with experimenting. Some people just prefer a light , fresh taste such as lemon or lime, This is a nice refresher , especially when we head into the summer months. Nothing beat a chilled citrus water on a hot day. You can also try oranges or even the smaller more flavor packed Halos for a different spin .Remember to cut the slices in half to allow the juice to seep into the water. Berry flavored water is a lovely way to end a barbecue that was heavy on meat and spices. Use a muddler to crush blueberries or blackberries along with strawberries.You may want to use a fine cheesecloth to filter out any seeds for a smoother drink.The great think about  making your own flavored waters is thinking outside the box. You can try watermelon balls for a sweet change or pineapple  chunks for a more tropical flavor. Herbs can also play an important part. Basil leaves give water a sweet, herbal taste, refreshing for a day at the beach or after running. Any kind of mint, from spearmint to peppermint is a cool addition to iced water. If  you want stronger flavors , think rosemary and oregano, as great boosters for a morning run slug.


Flavored waters are not only hot right now but refreshing. They're easy and fun to make. Get an infuser and a muddler and start creating.

ReCaps - The Perfect Lids For Perfect Repurposing

Recaps are a great new invention by Karen Rzpecki . These lids turn the average mason jar into a versatile container,making them great for holding everything. Tea lovers can have their tea in them. Crafters can use them to hold yarn  and glitter. Below is Foodie Pantry interview with their creator,

1)      Again let me thank you for the recaps. I can’t wait to use them. How did you come up with the idea? What was your inspiration?  My herb garden, which led me to homemade salad dressing which I always make in Mason jars.  The lid & ring were a pain and I wanted a cap I could shake, pour & store from!

2)      How are they better than normal; Mason jar lids?  Versatility.  You can shake protein drinks & smoothies, pour maple syrup, honey and snacks & store pantry & craft items.

3)      Are they effective in keep dry ingredients like flour corn meal and sugar moisture free?  Yes, while it isn’t a vacuum pack (doesn’t remove the air that is already in the jar) it does prevent moisture and air from getting in.  And they don’t rust like the lids that come with Mason jars.

4)      How can people repurpose their Mason jars and Recaps?  Wow, so many ways.  Hobbyists use them for paint, yarn, buttons, beads, bolts.  Foodies use them for pantry items, fermenting and even baking. 

5)      The holidays are coming up, any ideas for holiday gift jars? Have you thought about making gift kits that would include holiday stickers, ribbon and gift cards? Yes & Yes!  We are promoting a gift-a-day in November and some of the ideas are for coffee lovers, teachers, college students, bird lovers and more.  We will be showing what goes into the gift and the approximate cost so that people can pull the items together and give really great, thoughtful gifts.  We have ready-made gift sets available but find that most of our fans like to make their own. We now have gift tags available for this as well.

6)      What do you like to do with your mason jars?  I have a reCAP jar full of water with me at all times.

7)      Any other future inventions in the works? What about a Recap with a straw for us ice tea drinkers?  We have the FLIP cap coming out in March.  This cap allows people to snatch out bigger items such as pickles and it has a removable screen that is great for flour, sugar, grated cheese and loose tea.  Our site now has other accessory recommendations like straws and koozies.  While we don’t make these, they are nice add on’s that can be found at masonjars.com.