The Lemongrass plant is often used in foods and beverages and has amazing benefits. I had some room in my garden this year, so I thought I’d give it a try. I have yet to make a wonderful Asian dish with the plant, but I have made delicious tea.

Lemongrass is an abundant source of vitamins including A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; with minute traces of the B vitamins.

Cleanse your body and lose weight with Lemongrass

The anti-oxidant, anti-septic, and diuretic effects of lemongrass make it an important ingredient of any detox diet. It will help cleanse and purify the liver, kidneys, bladder, pancreas, and increases blood circulation.

Lemongrass contains polyphenols that have been known to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Can I get an amen? It is also a great morning detox tea, because it destroys bad bacteria and parasites, and also repopulates the good bacteria in the colon. It also kickstarts your metabolism and why I usually drink it in the morning. I often mix it with my green tea leaves. Lemongrass tea is a natural diuretic, and drinking enough of it can help you drop some water weight. Sipping it during the day can also stop you from overeating.

Make your own (see below) or buy your lemongrass tea in leaves or bags.

Here are 20 reasons I love Lemongrass Tea and Oil

1. Kick-starts your metabolism and help you lose weight.
2. Anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Cleanses the pancreas and improve its functionality.
4. Cleanses the colon and kidneys.
5. Regulates blood pressure.
6. Promotes deep sleep.
7. Alleviates anxiety and depression symptoms.
8. Boosts immunity.
9. Treats headaches.
10. A known diuretic – helps flush your body of excess fluid and sodium. 
11. Relieves abdominal issues and digestive problems.
12. Aids in regulating cholesterol levels.
13. Help lower blood sugar.
14. Contains several antioxidants to help fight diseases.
15. Helps to treat oral infections and cavities.
16. Heals sore throats.
17. Relieves symptoms of PMS.
18. Lessons hot flushes.
19. Boosts the health of your skin and hair.
20. Aids in healing urinary tract infections.

Lemongrass Tea

The process is quite simple. I usually just toss some dried leaves in my tea strainer and steep for 4-5 minutes. It is also great cold, with some added lemon juice.

• 4 cups of water
• 2 cups of chopped lemongrass stalks

It can be served sweetened, unsweetened, hot or cold.

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For example, someone weighing 150 needs 75 ounces of water.

Hydration is essential and will help your body flush out the toxins as well as transport the necessary nutrients to the cells.

Being properly hydrated is helpful for weight loss, too! It is a natural appetite suppressant and it helps the body metabolize fat.

Being thirsty can also be mistaken for hunger. When you feel hungry quickly after eating, or at an unusual time, drink a glass of water and test this theory.

Water is a good remedy for water retention, too. That sounds contraindicative, but the body will hold onto water when it fears it is not getting enough. When you hydrate properly, your body will know it doesn’t need to panic and hoard the water source, so WHOOSH – out it goes

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Eat Your Veggies

Today Carol’s VLOG and question of the week addresses the importance of vegetables in our diet.

You need at least 3-4 cups of vegetables a day or more.

Ways to prepare your vegetables:

The best way to eat your vegetables is raw.  This packs the most nutrients and you get the best benefit from them.  Make big salads and cut up veggies to snack on throughout the day.

The second way is to steam or sautee them on low heat.  This will keep you from losing all the nutrients.

Baking or boiling would be the last way to prepare them but in soups and some recipes this is necessary just offset the nutrients lost in your other meals.

Never microwave your vegetables, this will strip out 97% of its nutrients.

The importance of dark green leafy vegetables are well known.  Adding in Romaine lettuce, spinach and others to your diet will have a huge impact on your health and your waistline.

Today Carol Talks about Vegetables and the Case Study she is doing with some in phase 2 and the results they are seeing.

Related Post:

Peppermint Shake: Click Here

Spinach Meatloaf: Click Here

The post Mom Was Right- Eat Your Veggies! appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Apple Cider Vinegar increases energy consumption in the body and is great for people trying to lose weight. It is recommended that you drink 1 – 2 tsp. with 8 oz of water before each meal. I mix mine with 2 packages of Vanilla Stevia. I also use it in dressings, marinades and I even now add to my protein shakes.

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Extra Virgin Raw Coconut Oil.

Useful for everything from hair conditioner to cooking, Coconut Oil is one of the few products permitted and recommended for dieters.

Benefits of Coconut Oil include promoting healthy thyroid function while reducing sugar cravings. Coconut Oil is a Medium Chain Fatty Acid, or ”GOOD FAT” that breaks down quickly, increasing metabolic rate and promoting natural weight loss. Coconut Oil also helps support a healthy immune system and digestion, helps to promote supple skin and healthy hair.

Use: Coconut oil is great for baking, cooking, sauteing, or in your favorite health shake. Also, amazing as a beauty product- for hair and body. Great supplement for butter. Adults may safely consume 1-4 tablespoons per day.

Nutrition value of Coconut Oil: Low in calories, low in fat, and nutritious, while providing the body with an energy source instead of carbohydrates. Typical stats for 16 oz. inclues: Calories (123 -), Protein, Total Fat (13.97 g), coconut oil (14 g) Coconut Oil Diet ”Gourmet Style” (Raw Organic) by Health Support.

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Serve these two recipes together for a tasty meal or mix and match them with other recipes to create a new dish!  This recipe is designed for phase 2 but can be adjusted for phase 3.

Grilled Skirt Steak/Flank Steak

The post P2 Grilled Skirt/Flank Steak with Roasted Asparagus appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

This dish is designed for phase 3 but will satisfy the whole family at the dinner table!

• 1/2 Onion, diced
• 2 Tomatoes, diced
• doz. eggs
• 2 handfuls of Spinach
• tbl. Butter
• 2 cups shredded cheese of choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an oven proof pan, sautee the diced onions in the butter.  Add diced tomatoes and spinach.  Season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.  When spinach becomes wilted, add the eggs and shredded cheese.  Give the pan a good stir to make sure the ingredients are evenly dispersed.   Set pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until frittata appears fluffy and dry.

Slice into pie shaped pieces and enjoy!

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3.5 oz or 100 grams of chicken

1 T. lemon juice

1 cup celery

2T. Liquid Aminos

1 Apple

1/4 – 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Onion powder or onions (optional)

Garlic powder to taste

Curry powder to taste

Cut chicken into bite size pieces. You can marinate them in the liquid amino’s for an hour or so, or  add it to the pan and sauté chicken with a little bit of water, chicken broth.  Once you have cooked the chicken, drain and let it cool.

Cut celery and apple into bite size pieces.  Mix the apple with the lemon juice and then add the rest of the ingredients adding the curry and more Amino’s to taste.  You may also add other spices for taste.

1 protein, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable. Total 285 Calories Cals Fat (g) 8.1 Carbs (g) 22.6 Prot (g) 30.5

Enjoy, I made 2 batches and took one to work with me the next day.  Great for on the go.

The post Asian Chicken Salad appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

I have personally lost 1-2 lbs with every detox bath I have done and I try to do them a few times a week. I feel much better after getting the toxins out of my system. Go light a candle, relax, and enjoy the detox bath knowing that you are helping the process of your weight loss move along that much quicker!

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Hi everyone, my name is Jacob and I am on day 3 of loading for the hCG diet plan.  So far so good!  This seems like the easiest part of the diet.  I basically just continue with my bad eating habits, throw in some extra junk food and chocolate, and take the hCG drops.

As I am writing this it is 5pm here in sunny Arizona and I am just 7 hours away from going on the low calorie diet.  Being a true procrastinator, I have yet to buy a single item on the hCG shopping list.  It seems a little strange to be munching on junk food while preparing a grocery list of food that would make any health doctor proud, but it is all part of the “Simeons protocol”.  I am really excited about some of the foods like shrimp, crab, and chicken which I love, and a little nervous about what is not on the list like fettuccine alfredo, mashed potatoes, and dark chocolate.  One of the advantages of this diet not being “fresh off the shelf” though is that there is a plethora of recipes that sound delicious.

I actually found a recipe for grissini a few days ago and decided to give it a try before I start the diet since I had never heard of grissini before and it turns out they are pretty good.  A little too good since my family managed to eat them all up, so I will have to make some more now!

I have asked Jacob to share the Grissini recipe with us and will update this post with it when I receive it.

The post Getting started – P1 appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

It is important to stay away from these items while on this program. This includes lotions, oils or lubricants. This also includes all oil-based cosmetics. Fats, oils, creams, lotions and ointments applied to the skin are absorbed and interfere with weight reduction just as if they had been eaten. The body will stop burning fat and digest these oils instead. Using these items can stall weight loss for 1-3 days.

Watch all cosmetics. Lipsticks and powders are fine. You may also use oil-free foundation or a mineral powder is a good substitute.

Here are a few items you can use if you have dry skin.

Corn Huskers Lotion

An oil-free all over body lotion as well as great hand treatment. Inexpensive, oil-free and does not leave hands with a greasy feel. You will find this at WalMart, Walgreens, etc.

Alba Oil-free Lotion
A daily moisturizer that infuses the skin with rejuvenating aloe vera. Available from your local health food store or a store such as Whole Foods is a great alternative. Make sure you check the ingredients for oils of any type from of any Alba products or ask someone at the health food store to advise you.

Na-PCA
A natural moisturizing factor found in the human skin. Contains pure aloe vera gel and can be used on the face and other skin areas. Available at Whole Foods.

Mineral Oil (baby oil)

This works well applying it to your body after a shower or a bath. You will find this at WalMart, Target, CVS, etc.

The post Skin Care Solutions appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Mix one tablespoon of ACV in water and drink before each meal. If you don’t like the taste, so you can mix in some stevia or a little lemon juice.

You can use ACV as your liquid while cooking or sprinkle over your vegetables and salads. Here is a great dressing recipe many love.

Sweet ‘n Sour Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

1-3 Tbsp. Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Seasonings of choice (Salt, pepper, or LCM seasonings)

A few drops (to taste) of stevia

Mix ingredients in a small container and shake well. Drizzle over salad, spinach, vegetables, etc.

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