I got hooked on lemon water. Here's why you should too.

Essentials Week spotlights unexpected items that make our daily lives just a little bit better.

Diluted, freshly-squeezed lemon juice has acquired something of a reputation in our diet-obsessed culture. So before we get to the main reason why I've started chugging around four or five pints of the stuff every day, it's important to list the reasons why I'm not.

No, this isn't the "master cleanse" fasting cocktail famously associated with Beyoncé — lemon water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. While I'm a fan of limited fasting (but don't go beyond 16 hours, people!), I tried this concoction during a fast years ago and found it so disgusting that I quit the fast on the spot. I'm talking about unadulterated lemon water, no sweetener or spice required. Read more...