This week I have been full of smiles. Yes, even with this super strict clean eating plan that I am undertaking! To celebrate, in lieu of that glass of wine that I have been day dreaming of, I'm featuring not just one but three favorite things today. Ahh, the simple feel good things in life! These three things also coincide quite perfectly with today's rainy forecast.
Big Mugs
I like big mugs and I cannot lie...okay, sorry just had to write that! But for real, I love big mugs. There's just something comforting about wrapping both hands around a big mug filled with steaming, hot green tea. With everything in life, when you can take an every day "go through the motions" task and instead make it an experience...then you can begin to master the skills of living life with purpose and intent. Pretty deep for a Friday, eh? While I do love the taste (and enormous health benefits) of green tea, I also thoroughly enjoy the experience of drinking the tea (or at times coffee-black) in my favorite go-to big mug - quite simply, drinking out of an ordinary coffee cup no longer has the same, "Ahhh, life is bliss", effect on my mood!
I like big mugs and I cannot lie...okay, sorry just had to write that! But for real, I love big mugs. There's just something comforting about wrapping both hands around a big mug filled with steaming, hot green tea. With everything in life, when you can take an every day "go through the motions" task and instead make it an experience...then you can begin to master the skills of living life with purpose and intent. Pretty deep for a Friday, eh? While I do love the taste (and enormous health benefits) of green tea, I also thoroughly enjoy the experience of drinking the tea (or at times coffee-black) in my favorite go-to big mug - quite simply, drinking out of an ordinary coffee cup no longer has the same, "Ahhh, life is bliss", effect on my mood!
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| One of my favorite green teas paired with one of my favorite mugs. Mug above is sentimental as I purchased it during a trip in Miami in which my mother-in-law and I ran the 13.1 Miami Beach half-marathon! |
Green Tea
"...green tea is like a wonder drug. Its anti-aging and antibacterial qualities are as renowned as its reputation for fighting cancer, combating allergies, and lowering blood pressure." - Skinny Bitch
It seems that I have known even as a child that the consumption of green tea is good for me. I now look at it is a "miracle" in a cup. The health benefits are numerous; ranging from lowering cholesterol, blood sugar levels and managing obesity to being a possible preventative of high blood pressure, certain cancers and neurological disorders. Just do a quick Google search and you'll be amazed at the outpour of information and research done on green tea....the results are astonishing - in a extremely positive way!
With a regular, daily dose of green tea, you could reap hundreds of health benefits. While it was difficult to narrow down, here are my top 3 health benefits via nutritional supplements:
1. Promotes weight loss.
Both green tea and green tea extract have been shown to fight obesity and lower LDL cholesterol – both of which ultimately lead to a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. The polyphenols in green tea are extremely useful for dissolving triglycerides, a substance in the liver and small intestine made up of mostly sugar and fat, and this is thought to be the reason green tea benefits fat loss. EGCG is also known to stimulate your metabolism and accelerate weight loss. When combined with the caffeine in green tea, this causes your central nervous system to release fat into the bloodstream to be used as fuel which burns your body fat off.
2. Reduces and prevents acne.
Green tea benefits acne in a number of different ways. It’s antibacterial properties attack and kill the acne bacteria while the anti-inflammatory benefits of green tea reduce the swelling and redness. Antioxidants fight against free radicals which damage the skin and make it more susceptible to acne also help to balance hormone levels to help prevent future breakouts from happening.
3. Slows the aging process to prevent wrinkles.
One of the latest benefits of green tea is the effect it has on your skin and the aging process. It is again down to the antioxidants that prevent cell oxidation and damage that can make you look older than you really are. Studies are mixed on this particular green tea benefit as new research has come to light which suggests the full benefits can only be had by applying green tea topically to your skin. However, many people have found that potent green tea extracts do have a positive effect on their skin, leaving it softer, more supply and younger looking.
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I'm a lover for caffeine green tea in the morning and as a
mid-day pick me up with and caffeine-free green tea for evening hours. Enjoyed best with a splash of lemon! |
Lemon
Many people don't realize the magnitude of health benefits reaped from adding lemon to your water (or herbal tea). I like to add lemon to my water several times a day. Once you know the benefits, you too will want in on the prize...or prizes for that matter!
Here are my top 5 health benefits of lemon water (via LifeMojo)
1. Good for stomach
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
5. Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
5. Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
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| Big Mugs, Green Tea, & Lemons .... Good for the Mind, Body, & Soul! |
Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,
Mrs. Skinny Fat
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