THE UNSUNG BENEFITS OF WHITE TEA

So by now I'm sure you've heard all the hoopla surrounding green tea and all of its health benefits. Among those tested clinically are:
*Weight loss/increased metabolism
*Immune system support
*Tooth decay prevention
*Cancer prevention (especially skin cancer)
etc., etc., etc.,

Green tea is awesome and it tastes great (try Goji Berry Green Tea from Yogi Teas, very yummy), but did you know that the lesser known White Tea possesses all of these qualities and more??

White tea is freaking amazing! Real white tea (Yin Zhen, or silver needle, READ LABELS! It may say white but it might not be the good stuff) is the least processed of all teas. Basically it is harvested and then dried in the sun... that's it. No chemicals, just antioxidant goodness!

Because of the limited processing and the nature of white tea (it is technically the tea buds before they sprout, therefore they have all of the antioxidants a full grown leaf needs but over a smaller surface area) it has more EGCG (yep, the antioxidant in green tea that boosts metabolism) and higher catechin levels (another antioxidant that helps prevent cancer) than any other tea.

White tea also has less caffeine than green tea, about 1/3 the amount in a cup of coffee. Too much caffeine can mess with your metabolism and lead to adrenal insufficiency, aka it can make it harder for you to lose weight in the long run, making white tea a great option for dieters.

I drink white tea like crazy for the health benefits and because it has such a mild and sweet flavor. Rishi Tea's silver needle is pretty good and you can add stevia to your cup to naturally sweeten it if you want more flavor.

The only downside to White Tea: the cost. It is only able to be harvested 2 days a year in a small province in China, hence making supplies limited. Trust me, the health benefits are worth every penny, but if you're tight on cash like I am in this current economy, you can also try cheaper versions (non-silver needle) that include tea leaves and white tea buds in combination. Similar health effects for a lot less moolah!

FOODS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

HERE's a great article on 20 "superfoods" that can aid you in your quest for a down-sized dress-size. You can read the whole article for details, but here is the list in its entirety:

1. Olive Oil
2. Avacado
3. Parmesan
4. Tarragon
5. Sardines
6. Quinoa
7. Yogurt (especially Greek Yogurt)
8. Chilies
9. Pomegranate
10. Almond Butter
11. Blueberries
12. Buckwheat Pasta
13. Apples
14. Wild Salmon
15. Goji Berries
16. Lentils
17. Oats
18. Kale
19. Eggs
20. Steak

Basically any food that is high in fiber, protein, healthy fats (unsaturated), vitamins, and/or minerals tends to help your body regulate its metabolism.

Fiber helps your body to remove cholesterol (fatty acids) from your blood stream and aids in digestion (the elimination of toxins), both of which are paticularly helpful in getting rid of belly fat. You'll also increase your bowel health and reduce you chances of getting diverticulosis and certain forms of cancer!

Protein helps to support lean muscle and metabolism, but note that all animal based protein (INCLUDING fish) contain saturated fats, which increase overall inflammation in the body. Limiting or eliminating saturated fats from your diet not only helps keep your cardiovascular system healthy, it will reduce your chances of getting cancer, too (even more reasons to go vegetarian or, better yet, vegan) . Hemp protein and soy protein are great vegetarian options.

Healthy fats, or unsaturated fats, like olive oil and canola oil help to reduce overall inflammation in the body, therefore supporting your metabolism and, again, reducing cancer risk. NEVER EVER eat trans fat (partially hydrogenated oils) since these increase LDL, or bad cholesterol and have been linked to obesity (READ YOUR INGREDIENT LABELS! 0 trans fat per serving does not mean NO trans fat!) Also avoid palm oil and animal based fats, like butter, since these tend to increase inflammation throughout the body and are more easily stored in fatty deposits on the body.

I could go on forever about nutrition, but I'll stop here. Happy eating!!

SWEET, GLOWING SKIN

If you dream of having glowing skin and want to reduce the look of cellulite, nothing works better than a basic sugar scrub. The problem with most body scrubs found in your local supermarket is that they either use exfoliating beads made from plastics (NOT biodegradable) and/or they are chock full of chemicals and parabens.

Parabens (methyl-, proply-, etc.) act as a weak estrogen in the human body and some studies suggest they may be linked to certain birth defects and cancers (breast in particular). Avoid parabens and increase the natural radiance of your skin by using a sugar scrub.

You can make one at home with a few drops of essential oil (or olive oil) and some Sugar in the Raw, or you can check out some of the natural and organic products mentioned HERE

By the way, Natural Health Magazine is my FAVORITE! If you want the latest and greatest information on natural health and beauty, you should seriously subscribe. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

AT HOME REMEDIES

HERE is a set of articles and photos about natural home remedies for everything from upset stomach to psoriasis and allergies. My favorites:

*For BLEMISHES/ACNE: Scrub face gently with coarse salt and a few drops of neem oil. Then apply a mask of plain yogurt for 15-30 minutes. The salt is an antiseptic and helps to exfoliate, the neem oil has antifungal properties, and the lactic acid in the yogurt further exfoliates.

*For UPSET STOMACH: Sip tea made with pomegranate skin or oak bark. If using pomegranate, use 1 tbsp dried pomegranate skin steeped in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. If using oak bark, boil 1 tbsp in water for 3 minutes, then let it steep for 30 minutes, strain and enjoy. Apparently the high level of tannins helps ease stomach discomfort.

*For HANGOVERS: Drink a glass of tomato juice with a splash of tabasco (or Frank's) sauce. The antioxidants in the tomato juice and the metabolic stimulation of the tabasco/frank's aid the body in eliminating toxins post alcohol binge. NOTE: don't expect a miracle. If you drink heavily, only time, rest, electrolytes, and water will do the trick. This remedy merely helps to ease symptoms and support your body while it takes care of the mess left over from the night before.

CURES IN YOUR CUPBOARD

Here's a cool, short, and informative piece on 8 natural herbal remedies you probably have floating around your kitchen.

Read it HERE

CHILI PEPPERS ARE HOT

On top of helping to boost your metabolism, chili peppers have a ton of other health benefits including... soothing your stomach?? Yep! Read about the benefits studies have uncovered in the article below.

Some of the Chili benefits:
*Help to keep you cool when temperatures outside are scorching
*Help alleviate arthritis and other types of pain
*Cause you body to release endorphins, giving you a natural high!
*Increase metabolism and help you burn off excess weight
*Provide a boost to your immune system

Add chilis to any dish to add a nice zing. My favorite is drizzling Frank's brand hot sauce on sweet potato fries from Trader Joes. Mmm mmm mmm!

Read the whole article HERE

(image from CNN )

WELCOME HOME, BABY

A new study out of the UK show that overall outcomes in home births vs. hospital births are EXACTLY THE SAME! That's right: home births are SAFE!

Having worked in a hospital, I was not surprised by this finding. In a hospital, which is dirtier than most home environments (and many of the hospital bugs are antibiotic resistant!), so many unnecessary interventions are used that serve no purpose but to speed up the delivery. This is not in the interest of the mother or the baby's health, it's merely a way to get people in and out of the hospital faster, therefore saving the hospital and the insurance companies money.

Nursing midwives and home births are far more relaxed and far less toxic to all those involved. Hospitals are not all bad, however, since they are very good at taking over when a complication does arise. But even when issues arose, the study showed that home births with complications had equal outcomes with hospital births of a similar nature since people headed to the hospital from their homes to seek additional care when necessary.

So sit back, relax, and have your baby in your own living room! Just make sure you have a nursing midwife present to help out with the whole process.

NOTE: Discuss all birthing options with your midwife or doctor (or both!) to see if home birthing is a possibility for you!

The article is available HERE

(image from bbcnews )

WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR WAIST LINE IS GOOD FOR BABY

A study released today confirms that exercising during pregnancy is beneficial to the development of the fetus. The study states that moderate aerobic exercise, like vigourous walking and using a stationary bike, 30 minutes at least 3 times per week increased fetal nervous system development and heart health. The caveat: do NOT over-exercise! Maintaining a heart rate above 130 bpm in the mother was shown to be detrimental to the unborn baby, reducing it's supply of oxygen.

So what do you take away from this?? Preventing pregnancy weight gain via exercise can also help your baby! So now there's no excuse to delay signing up for that pre-natal yoga class...

NOTE: Remember to check with you doctor before you start any exercise regimen.

The full article is available HERE

(image from bbcnews )

ALCOHOL: CALORIES, SCHMALORIES!

A study released today confirms what seemed blatantly obvious: very few people really know how many calories are in the alcohol they consume! With the obesity epidemic only getting worse, something I've seen first hand is that very few people realize what they are really putting into their bodies when they pull up to a McyD's or, apparently, start a tab at the local bar.

Having trouble losing weight? Just do the math:

5 beers + Nachos at the bar + Late-night fast food burger and fries = 2,650 calories!!!

So what is a party-person to do with this information? Either change your life-style and quit drinking (I find Perrier with a lime is a great substitute at bars), or pay closer attention to what you have and seek out lower calorie alternatives. 2 low calorie alternatives include:

1. Vodka and Diet Coke (55 calories, high alcohol content)

2. Miller Lite (94 calories, highest alcohol content of any light beer)

The article is available HERE

(image from bbcnews )