Tag Archives: Vegetables

Naturally Flavored Waters

Soft drinks, energy drinks and juice. With the plethora of drink choices in front of us, it can be hard to consume the right amount of water daily and frankly it can sometimes feel like a chore. On top of that, we find ourselves consuming large amounts of sugary beverages daily. Infused water allows you to enjoy in the flavor of your favorite fruits/vegetables, while also extracting their beneficial nutrients. Infused waters can assist in curbing your appetite, building up your immunities, aiding in weight loss, helping to relieve day-to-day stress, and boosting your energy levels. And don’t forget the effects infused waters can have on your overall skin completion and hair health. I always use leftover vegetables and fruit which are perfect for throwing in my infused water, which also proves to be cost beneficial.

Points to keep in mind:

For best taste, allow the water to sit for 30-minutes before drinking
You can reuse the fruit/veggies/herbs in your infused water, however discard after 48-hours
Drink at room temperature

Here are a few of my favorite infused water mixtures:

Lime + Orange + Lemon = Great for immunity defense, regulating digestion and heartburn

Cucumber + Lemon + Lime = Great for appetite control, regulating digestion and hydration

Green tea + Mint + Lime = Great for regulating digestion, headaches and fat-burning

Cucumber + Kiwi + Strawberry = Great for regulating digestion and regulating blood sugar

Natural Ways to Feel Energized

We are busy people in a busy world. Sometimes your body cannot keep up with the full nine-hours of work ahead, the long list of chores that need to be handled, the dinner that needs to be cooked, and kids that need to be run to their afternoon activities. Remember, this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and your body needs the energy required to run the marathon. Here are four ways to increase your energy levels throughout the days.

Increase Your Exercise & Decrease Your Stress – You do not necessarily have to run 10 miles, five-days a week. Get out and take a stroll around your neighborhood nightly. Doing a daily 10-minute walk has been shown to increase energy levels and general mood after three-weeks. Exercise also helps deal with stress and anger levels, which is one of the biggest zappers of energy. Don’t have time to get a good exercise in? Then take five-minutes and stretch yourself out. Stretching is an excellent way to decrease stress.

Get A Full Night’s Sleep – I know you want to stay up and catch up on your DVR. However, your body needs an average of seven-hours of sleep a night. Decreased sleep levels equal a very cranky you. I can assure you that your coworkers will thank you for getting a good night’s rest. Sleep also restores brain energy, so you will be sharper come morning.

Don’t Skimp On Meals – Yes, breakfast is in fact the most important meal of the day. People who eat breakfast report better moods and more elevated energy levels. But don’t forget lunch and dinner. Missing one meal a day can lead to increased fatigue by day’s end. Even better, try a power snacking between meals. Nuts, fruits, string-cheese, a hard-boiled egg or a spoonful of peanut butter can be a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Drink More Water –Dehydration can leave you feeling tired and fatigued. It is important to keep your body hydrated. Try drinking a glass of water upon waking up.

Foods That Prevent Wrinkles

Women spend their entire lives chasing the fountain of youth. Most of us find ourselves chasing it at the cosmetic counters. We are never going to be able to stop the aging process, but wouldn’t it be nice to slow down those fine lines and wrinkles? Try opening your fridge. Many foods contain antioxidants and hydrating components that can help your skin look radiant at any age.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes are loaded with Vitamin C, which helps aid in producing collagen. They also hold lycopene, a critical component in protecting your skin from UV damage. Eating a daily dose of tomatoes can increase circulation, thus producing a natural glow.

Water – I am not really sure if you can consider water a “food,” however proper hydration is necessary for your skin. Without proper hydration skin will produce wrinkles and fine lines.

Berries – Raspberries and blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and probiotics. Often called a “super food,” berries have also been known to promote skin regeneration.

Yogurt – Another food containing large amounts of probiotics, which are a skin friendly bacteria. Yogurt will help to prevent/improve redness and irritation, often found in acne, rosacea and dermatitis.

Nuts – Omega-3 rich nuts are great for the skin when eaten in moderation. Nuts are another food that can help improve irritation and inflammation. Inflammatory compounds in the skin aid in the aging process, so eating a handful of nuts can lead to beautiful, healthy skin.

Honey – Honey is loading with antioxidants and anti-viral compounds. Sugar can cause inflammation of the skin. Even though honey is technically a sugar it does not cause additional inflammation.

10 Benefits To The Green Smoothie

Are you feeling tired and rundown? Are you having a hard time keeping up with your day-to-day activities? I have been there. Which is why I had to make a change in my daily living habits. I could write for days on the benefits of the green smoothie, as I am a huge supporter of its nutritional value. I personally drink one every morning to start my day. But besides its amazing nutritional value, here are other ways the green smoothie is liquid gold (or should I say green).

1. A green smoothie a day keeps the sickness at bay. Green smoothies help to build a stronger immune system.

2. Drinking regular green smoothies leads to healthier skin, hair and nails.

3. Green smoothies can help accelerate your metabolism, thus helping to lose or control weight. This does not mean you need to live off a diet of green smoothies to lose weight. It simply means that a green smoothie can act as a wonderful addition to your diet.

4. The green smoothie has many anti-aging properties. It can help your body and skin stay hydrated, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

5. It can help improve joint and bone function.

6. Because the green smoothie requires limited digestion, all its nutritional properties are rapidly absorbed into your digestive system, while also giving your digestive system a rest.

7. Removes impurities such as carcinogens from our body.

8. When you are putting good fruits and vegetables into your body, your body will reward you. Thus why the green smoothie is a wonderful energy booster.

9. Fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer and heart disease, so adding a green smoothie to your daily routine can lower your risk for future diseases.

10. A regular diet of healthy foods will help naturally curb your cravings for junk food.

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