Yes, it's been hammered into our heads at an exhaustive rate that water is good for us, moreover it is important, even moreover, it is a must to a healthy, vibrant lifestyle. I don't blame you if hearing it one more time evokes an audible Uggg from deep in your belly. I am about to push the fact and even I am sick of hearing about it...but please don't stop reading here, because I have other great-fun-important tidbits to share about other delicious beverages besides the ol' H2O...even our good pal Java.
Let's get the whole water thing out of the way first. Did you know that adequate water consumption can keep you young, help you lose weight and build muscle, is good for your joints, and can even make you smarter? I was surprised by a few those myself. You can learn the details here, if you're interested.
Next up, drink your veggies and fruits. I start almost every day with a glass of green juice. Now don't give me the virtual stink-eye, it might not sound appetizing but I say don't knock it 'til you try it. My fave combo is romaine lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, green apple, and lemon. Mmmm. Sometimes I add a little ginger root as well for better circulation, among other benefits.
Juicing is an excellent way to feed nutrients directly into your bloodstream while giving your digestive system a break. Your body doesn't have to expend so much energy on break down, so the goodness gets quickly to where it needs to go in your beautiful bod. "But what about the fiber?" people often ask that question, my answer is: Yes, of course fiber is very important to our diets, but no one (at least not here) is suggesting that you only take your fruits and veggies in juice form, one should continue to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, this is just one great way to get them into your system fast and friendly.
Remember, the U.S. recommended standard is to fill half your plate at each meal with fruits and veggies and that still isn't really enough, check out MyPlate.gov Are you getting that many? One way that I make up for that lack is by eating a wonderful product called JuicePlus+, I've had it in my diet for 6 months now and all I can say is, I am converted! JuicePlus+ is backed by over 31 peer reviewed studies that prove that it's contents are bioavailable and reduce oxidative stress. Learn more here.
Another yummy, quick, and easy way to add fruits and veggies to the diet without losing the fiber is through smoothies. I make a smoothie part of my mid-morning routine. You can blend up things like milk/soy milk/almond milk etc with a good protein powder (I use JuicePlus+ Complete) or a couple of tablespoons of nut-butter, with kale and frozen wild blueberries. This is one of my favorite smoothies and the blueberries totally mask the flavor of the kale--I promise! I even add a bit of ground flax seed for added fiber and a good dose of Omega-3's. My kids love a smoothie as "part of their complete breakfast." For a fun video with a yummy recipe by my healthy minded go-to gal Kris Carr of CrazySexyLife.com go here.
Okay, lastly and as promised: Coffee!!! We all know that too much can be a big no-no, but did you know that new research has found that coffee actually as health benefits that for most people outweigh the risks? This was great news for me because, dang it, I just like it. I don't want to give it up. Okay, I LOVE it.
Apparently coffee is full of antioxidants and other goodness too. Now, I like my Starbucks lattes and Dunkin Donuts iced-hazelnut-with-cream-and-sugar-thank-you-very-much, just like anyone else does. But let's face it, those are dessert coffees and we probably shouldn't be eating dessert for breakfast...plus more for an afternoon pick-me-up. Try to save your dessert coffee for a once in awhile treat, that's what I do now. I try to take the rest of my coffee home-made. Whether you prefer your Keurig, a french-press, or a drip filter coffee machine, find what works for you and find a brand that you adore. Make it at home and even make it a ritual if you like, I am certainly not one to pull a steaming cup of beautiful coffee out of anyone's hands, because I know what the consequences of that scenario could be and it ain't pretty!
If you take your coffee black then you are in luck because you'll get the benefits and none of the fat or sugar, at 2 calories a cup that is a great deal. If you're like me though and you're going for that sweet creamy goodness with your coffee aroma therapy, then just keep track of what you're spilling and spooning into your cup. This is another boon to preparing it at home, you are in control of what goes in. One day I decided to throw the info about what I was putting into my coffee into a calorie calculator, just out of curiosity. I had no idea I was adding so much and that even with only a couple of teaspoons of sugar I was doing my body a ton of bad, so many calories and the cream in the amount I was using? So much fat and calories. Oh boy, time for a change. It took only a little getting used to and I realized that I really needed a lot less than I was previously using in order to enjoy a delicious cup. I cut down to no more than 2 cups a day and I've found it's all I need and I can rest assured that I am getting more of the benefits of coffee than the not-so-pretty possible down-side. So fill'er up, just use wisdom and moderation. The Mayo Clinic has a great little article with more details on the benefits vs. risks of coffee, you can find that here.
Thanks for reading this week's post and I hope to see you in class this week. Check out my "Yoga and Pilates" link in the tool bar at the top to get info about class times and locations.If you are coming for the first time then please pop me and email at tamar.wellness@gmail.com and let me know and I will be ready for you. Don't forget to check out my Ah-Maz-Ing June promotion by scrolling two posts back from this one.
Have a delicious day & eat your fruits and veggies! :-)
Namaste,
Tamar
*I am not a doctor and none of the information shared here should be used in place of or without a physicians care.
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