The post Tea Time Message from Carol appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Healthy Tea

Question of the Week- What Kind of Teas?

In this weeks VLOG Carol discusses the types of teas and why we drink them.  We get many questions about the detox tea and smooth move.  These teas are very beneficial to your overall health and you can enjoy them even into the lifetime phase.

Detox Tea:

Triple Leaf Herbal detox teas are a great choice if you want to naturally cleanse the body of impurities. As well as being a cleansing tea, these teas can also be relaxing and can put a comforting end to any long day. If you choose an herbal tea with the right ingredients, your tea time can not only be relaxing it can help you rid your body of toxins and poisons.

Detox teas generally perform their detoxing action by acting as both a diuretic and a laxative. This encourages the body to rid itself of waste products more rapidly. It is suggested you supplement your herbal tea with plenty of water to help flush the toxins out.

Probably the best bet if you want a natural detox tea is to try one of the many varieties of herbal teas. These teas are caffeine free, so it is safe to drink as much as you’d like. Be sure, however, you are aware of how these teas will affect you before drinking a large quantity of the tea.  Try some of our other favorite Detox remedies including our favorite Health Pro Detox and the Detox bath.  Related posts section has all these tips below.  Our Favorite Detox Tea (Click Here)

Holy Tea:

Holy Tea has been known in the market today as natural detoxifying tea.  This has been formulated to be natural than the common laxatives found in the stores.  The good thing about this tea is that Dr. Miller, the expert who formulated it, made this from natural ingredients in order to help people lose their toxins without feeling aversive effects.  If you plan to take this product to improve your state of health, the following are its ingredients to ensure consumers that they are 100% natural.

Persimmon Leaf: This ingredient has been popular in the market that prevents people from gaining weight.  According to many experts’ studies, they found out that it has abundant phenolic content and high levels of fiber.  These components have been used by Indians to prepare tea and are known to increase the amount of lipids released from the body.  Aside from having high phenolic content, it also has tannins that are known to help prevent cancer and hypertension.  This ingredient also has different vitamins that are useful for detoxification.

Holy Thistle:This ingredient is known primarily in cleansing the liver from toxins.  This is used in the world of medicine for a very long time and is still regarded as among the best ingredients to use for detoxification.  Thistle was used in creating medications for patients who are suffering from medical problems on the gall bladder and other liver problems.  It will purify blood and make it a healthy blood supply for the body.  Stomach gas problems and constipation are also among the disorders this ingredient can treat.

Malva Leaf: Since detoxification also deals with the digestive system, it’s essential for people to take care of their intestinal walls.  This will soothe intestinal wall membranes to keep it in a relaxed state and avoid further medical problems like aching and gastroenteritis.  It also works as an effective laxative for people who are constipated.  In Tibentin medical arts, Malva Leaf has also been used to prevent renal problems and diarrhea.

Blessed Thistle: This ingredient has been used in the early 16^th century to treat people from fever and indigestion.  Aside from this, it’s also a good help for people who have poor appetite to gain the best nourishment that their body can get.  There are many ingredients used in Holy Tea but they share the same quality of having natural ingredients.  This is a good way for you to finally clean your body from toxins and improve your health without fear of side effects. (Available in the Marketplace)

Organo Gold:

What is Ganoderma?

In Cantonese, “Lingzhi or Reishi”, is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum. It enjoys an honourable place in Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years. In China it’s known as the “Miraculous King of Herbs”.  The scientific name “Ganoderma” is derived from the Ancient Greek   “bright shiny skin”.  The word “Lingzhi”, in Chinese, means “herb of spiritual potency” and has also been described as “mushroom of immortality”. For more information on this tea (Click Here)

Smooth Move:

Because of the restricted diet on the protocol, it is common to have a bowel movement once every two to three days. Constipation is often encountered when you have less food intake. If you stop losing weight and haven’t been regular, it’s probably time to get the bowels moving again. Here is what Dr. Simeons states in Pounds and Inches

“An excess of water keeps the feces soft, and that is very important in the obese, who commonly suffer from constipation and a spastic colon. While a patient is under treatment we never permit the use of any kind of laxative taken by mouth. We explain that owing to the restricted diet it is perfectly satisfactory and normal to have an evacuation of the bowel only once every three to four days and that, provided plenty of fluids are taken, this never leads to any disturbance. Only in those patients who begin to fret after four days do we allow the use of a suppository. Patients who observe this rule find that after treatment they have a perfectly normal bowel action and this delights many of them almost as much as their loss of weight.”(Pounds & Inches, Constipation, Page 36)

Here are a few ideas and products you can try to help this situation. As always, make sure you are drinking enough water, it is recommend 2 liters per day. Increasing fluid intake is all some need to get the bowels moving and keep them regular. There are some herbal teas that can help such as Smooth Move, Licorice, Yogi Get Regular, and Good Earth Laxative Tea. Available in the Marketplace.

Oolong Tea:

Wu Long Tea (Oolong ) is a semi-oxidized tea, occupying the middle ground between green and black teas. Combining the best qualities of green tea and black tea. Wu Long Tea is not only as clear and fragrant as GreenTea,but also as fresh …and strong as Black Tea. If you drink Wu Long Tea, the natural aroma may linger in your mouth and make your throat comfortable. Wu Long Tea is helpful in antiaging, bringing high blood pressure down, improving immunocompetence, anti-heart-disease etc.Wu Long Tea can help you digest food, refresh yourself and sober up. It is also helpful in prolonging your lifespan. To sum up, it is a world-famous natural health drink.

Black Tea:

What Is Black Tea?

Like green tea, black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are dried and fermented, which gives the tea a darker color and richer flavor than green tea (which does not undergo the fermentation process). Black tea contains a number of antioxidants, which are compounds that help the body fight free radicals (chemical by-products known to damage DNA). These antioxidants include quercetin, a substance said to combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.

Black Tea Benefits (Info from About.com)

Here’s a look at the science behind black tea’s health effects:

1) Black Tea and Cardiovascular Health

To date, research on black tea’s cardiovascular benefits has yielded mixed results. For instance, a 2009 review of nine previously published studies (including a total of nearly 195,000 participants) concluded that drinking three cups of black or green tea daily reduced risk of stroke by 21 percent. However, a 2007 study of 31 adults (ages 55 and older) found that six months of black-tea consumption did not significantly influence any cardiovascular risk factors (such as inflammation and systolic blood pressure). Both the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institutes of Health point to this study as evidence that black tea may have no impact on cardiovascular health.

2) Black Tea and Diabetes

In a laboratory study published in 2009, scientists discovered that compounds extracted from black tea were more effective at slowing the absorption of blood sugar than those extracted from green tea and oolong tea. Additionally, a 2009 population study of 1,040 elderly adults found that long-term intake of black and/or green tea was associated with lower prevalence of diabetes.

3) Black Tea and Cancer Prevention

While some studies indicate that regular consumption of black tea may reduce cancer risk, others report no cancer-related benefits of black tea intake. Furthermore, some research suggests that black tea consumption may be significantly positively associated with increased risk of overall breast cancer and estrogen-receptor positive/progesterone-receptor positive breast tumors.

The post Best Teas for Protocol appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Yerba Mate

Carol’s Quick Tips #41

Yerba Maté tea contains a wealth of health benefits that surpasses even green tea. I’m drinking a cup right now – it is my morning tea everyday! Yerba Maté delivers both energy and nutrition! It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and helps stimulate focus and clarity as well as boosts energy levels. It contains iron, potassium, and magnesium minerals which Green Tea does not. For years, physicians in Europe have been incorporating Yerba Maté in treatments for obesity.

The post Yerba Mate is our Tea of the Week! appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Headaches are normal for the first few days of Phase 2 on the diet as the body adjusts to the low calorie diet. It is also normal during phase 1 loading due to the extra intake of sugars. While on P2 it is okay to take aspirin for headaches and other pains.

If you are drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages (coffee and tea), then be sure to also drink a good amount of water or cut back on the caffeine to avoid dehydration which can cause headaches.  If you take an aspirin be sure to use one that has little or no caffeine.

On the other hand you may be experiencing a headache because your body is craving caffeine.  If you normally drink two cups of coffee but today you skipped them and now have a headache, they try drinking a cup or taking an aspirin that has caffeine.

Many people find that drinking chamomile tea helps keep off headaches and it is best to drink it at the first signs of a headache.

Additional ways to fight off headaches include taking a warm bath or shower or enjoying a relaxing nap.

Visit the WebMD Headache Center for more information on headache prevention and remedies.

The post Headache Relief appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Try a warm cup of tea

I found some great recipes on the Lipton Tea site.  Tea is so essential on the diet and I did not realize there are so many things we can do with tea.  Let’s spice up the tea recipes and please if anyone has any suggestions on how they make their tea please share in the comment section below.  One of the things I do specifically is no matter what kind of tea I am drinking I throw in a detox tea bag with it.

3/4 cup water

Stevia or Raspadura

2/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint

4 cups boiling water

4 Lipton® Cup Size Tea Bags (I used Green Tea Bags)

In small saucepan, bring water, sugar and mint to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool.  Meanwhile, in teapot, pour boiling water over Lipton® Cup Size Tea Bags; cover and brew 5 minutes. Remove Tea Bags and squeeze; cool. To serve, strain mint syrup, then stir into brewed tea. Serve over crushed ice.

Makes: 5 (8-oz.) servings

Related Posts:

Herbal Detox Tea

Tea Time 

Don’t miss any new recipes!  Sign up today for email updates.

The post Mint Tea Julep appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

The post Drinking Tea appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

P2 Chicken Soup

P2 Chicken Soup
100 grams chicken breast, cubed
1  1/2 C. chopped celery
2 C. Chicken broth
1 Tbsp onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil. Simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

The post Chicken Soup appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

100 grams chicken
2 C. Cabbage
2 C. Low Sodium Chicken Broth (or 1 C. Water, 1 C. broth)
2 Tbsp Bragg’s amino acids
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. Chopped onion
Seasonings to taste: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Mrs. Dash, salt & pepper

Cook chicken in broth mixture along with spices. Let simmer for a few minutes after the chicken is fully cooked. Add cabbage and cook until desired tenderness of cabbage.

For those in the house not on protocol, I boil Egg Noodles and made real chicken noodle soup for them.  Even with the cabbage it was well received.

I purchased the Bentley’s Tea Leaves for Life tin at Linens and Things full of antioxidant power green teas, but later found it on Amazon.  Sipping hot tea has always been a great cure for the common cold and green tea is best for this.  The flavors available Oriental Green, Pomegranate, Mango, Papaya, Raspberry and Blueberry.  The kids even loved the fruity teas.

I recommend oranges for their high vitamin C and help in fighting off the common cold.

Note that being sick can make your weight stall, lose more than normal and some may even retain water and gain.  Give yourself three days to recover once you are over your flu to get accurate results on the scale.

The post Dieting and the Flu appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.