Cause every little thing gonna be alright.

I was never a coconut person.  I have vague memories of being in a swimming pool in the Bahamas and some guy selling coconuts. I bought one from him, because I think that was his source of income and I felt bad.  I drank down the silky smooth coconut water inside and thought to myself that it was quite refreshing on a hot summer day.  It certainly never occurred to me to carry around a few coconuts on my morning runs.

Years passed and the usual sports drinks hit the market.  Gatorade being one of the most popular.  So, I hopped on the sport drink bandwagon and hydrated post run with mostly the lemon/lime gatorade.  I thought that since they chug it at all the major races including marathons, it must be alright.  Don’t get me wrong.  It is alright if not a bit sweet but how else can you get your electrolytes replaced after a run?  What the heck are electrolytes anyway?

Electrolyte is a “medical/scientific” term for salts, specifically ions.

Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body. For example, when you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. So, many sports drinks have sodium chloride or potassium chloride added to them. They also have sugar and flavorings to provide your body with extra energy and to make the drink taste better.

Enough of the science lesson.  I have been extremely lucky to have a great contact over at O.N.E. Lucy, who has been kind enough to send me a 20 years supply of O.N.E. Coconut Water and their newest product O.N.E. Natural Spring Water.  Ok, I am kidding about the 20 year supply but lets just say I am set for a while.  I cannot say enough about the O.N.E. Coconut water.  It is 100% a natural sports drink.  From the container:

Key Health Benefits:

O.N.E. Coconut water is Nature’s original sports and energy drink.  Is excellent for replacing lost electrolytes due to exercise and/or illness.  Can help promote smoother, more hydrated skin.  Is extremely rich in potassium.  Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and heart function.  Has 15 times the amount of potassium as most sports drinks and more potassium than one banana.

Now, I don’t know about you guys but doesn’t this sound perfect for your post run hydration?  If you do not like really sweet drinks than this is the way to go.  Ice cold it tastes terrific.  Refreshing and delicious.  I use it in smoothies as well.

The O.N.E. Natural Spring water is also an awesome product.  Here is what I twittered about it:

O.N.E. coconut water is awesome for post run hydration. And the spring water tastes so pure and clean. A must have for all!

Our sustainably sourced water

O.N.E. Water is pure natural spring water that is sourced from Eastern Canada and packaged in environmentally-friendly, individual Carton Tetra Paks. The water is drawn from the plateau on the Blue Mountains and is sustained by rain and snowfall.  Additionally, the trees planted on the plateau every spring help minimize evaporation, maintain cold temperatures and keep the aquifer clean. There are also no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers used, resulting in 100% natural spring water.

And check this out:

THE POWER OF GOOD – PACKAGING

Mainly made with paper from responsibly managed forests, Tetra Pak carton packaging conceals hidden powers. First, as a newly planted tree, it begins a lifelong work of absorbing harmful CO2 from the air and providing a home to countless species. Then, when harvested, its durable fibres make the carton light – and the carbon footprint small. Once empty, the carton can be recycled, and the power reborn.

THE POWER OF GOOD – PACKAGING

Mainly made with paper from responsibly managed forests, Tetra Pak carton packaging conceals hidden powers. First, as a newly planted tree, it begins a lifelong work of absorbing harmful CO2 from the air and providing a home to countless species. Then, when harvested, its durable fibres make the carton light – and the carbon footprint small. Once empty, the carton can be recycled, and the power reborn.

Carton vs. Plastic

Tetra Pak invented the technology to keep your drinking water fresher, safer, and cooler. Only Tetra Pak cartons use six micro-thin layers to protect your drinking water. Simply put, purity is kept in, impurities out.  The multi-layers of protection also give Tetra Pak cartons superior insulating properties, ensuring your water stays fresher, longer. And with Tetra Pak, there’s absolutely no danger of leeching or ingesting BPA.

Tetra Pak cartons are made mostly of paper, a renewable resource. They’re recyclable, too, so you will be seeing them again, reincarnated as your paper towels, tissues, and napkins. They are also lightweight and compact, making transportation efficient, not to mention better for our planet.

Nobody asked me to write this blog post.  When I find something that is worth talking about especially as it relates to running – I simply cannot keep my mouth shut.

Sipping on O.N.E. Coconut water brings me back to that sunny day in the Bahamas when I awkwardly sucked out the water from a coconut.  I think I even knew back then that in the year 2009 – the month of July – the last day of the month, I would be blogging about it and enjoying it and hoping that with what I write that everybody will try some for themselves.

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”

Be true to who you are!