Hey there, Mason jar fans!

Winter is upon us. Here in Colorado, that means one day it’s 50 degrees and sunny, and the next (i.e. today), it’s 25 degrees and dumping snow. On cold, snowy days like today, the last thing on my mind is hydrating, so it’s a better day than ever to have a routine in place!

According to mayoclinic.org, people should drink between 2.7-3.7 liters of water each day! Let’s convert that to a nice, round, Mason jar-friendly number of 100 (give or take) ounces. That seems like a lot, but let’s put it in perspective:

At mealtime, our family drinks water from wide mouth pint Mason jars (my favorite everyday in-house drinking glass). If we each drink a pint for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, that’s already 48 ounces of water. About halfway there!

(Pro-tip: For younger kids, or spill prone individuals of any age, add a straw hole lid and straw to the top, even at mealtime. My favorite lid options are the stainless steel straw hole lid and the silicone straw hole lids. I prefer the stainless steel safer straws, and, for small children, the silicone straws.)

The rest of the day, I’m usually on the go, whether it’s running to or from work, taking kiddos to activities, working out, or tending to my little urban farm, so I like to have a larger, break-resistant/ spill-resistant container. My favorite, because it fits in my car’s cup holder, is the pint-and-a-half jar. I add a silicone sleeve and a drinking lid to the top (I like to have hot drinks, too, and this setup is perfect for hot or cold drinks), but you could also add a straw hole lid and straw, if you prefer.

Once I get through this jar, that adds another 24 ounces to my total, which takes me to 72 ounces. If I refill and get through a second pint and a half jar during my day, I add another 24 ounces. That’s 96 ounces!

I’m not going to come this close to my goal and miss it, so here’s how I get there:

Did you know that, in moderation, coffee and tea count toward hydration? Yup! I always have at least a pint jar of coffee in the morning as I’m checking my emails. One pint = 16 ounces.

96+16=112. Boom! Goal achieved!

Measuring with Mason Jars:

Long story short, it’s pretty easy to measure and reach hydration goals using Mason jars. Regardless of your preferred jar, you know exactly how much liquid you’ve consumed – the measurements are right on the side of the jar! I know some people (my husband) who keep a quart jar (with sleeve and straw for easy grab-n-go) near them all day and just refill as needed. A quart is 32 ounces, so after three jars’ worth, you’re about to your goal for the day!

Want to make it a little easier, and just stick with one jar throughout the day to reach your hydration goal? Here’s approximately how many jar-fills you’ll need for each size jar to reach 100 ounces:

• Pint jar: 6 jar-fills
• Pint and a half jar: 4 jar-fills
• Quart jar: 3 jar-fills
• Half gallon jar: 1 ¾ jar-fills

Fruit and Herb DIY Infused Water:

I know plenty of folks who need to add a little “zing” to their fluid consumption (I’m looking at you, dad) but want healthier alternatives to sodas and juices. That’s where infused water comes in! The sky’s the limit when it comes to delicious flavor combinations, and here are a few of my favorites:

• Strawberry + mint
• Orange + sage
• Raspberry + basil

The amount of fruit and herbs you’ll add depends on your personal tastes and how much you’re making. If you’re using our fruit infusion lid (highly recommend!) on a pint, pint and a half, or quart jar, I’d suggest a quarter to half cup of cut fruit and a couple tablespoons of herbs (for example, three to four strawberries and 7-10 mint leaves). You can go ahead and refill your jar, keeping the same fruit and herbs inside – they’re good for at least two infusion rounds!

What are your favorite hydration tips? Please share in the comments!

Grab those jars and stay hydrated, friends!