Why You Should Never Drink Ice Water

When eating out, I always ask my server for water with no ice and they often look at me like I am crazy. But I am not, and below I explain why.

First, take a minute to close your eyes and imagine the following:

It is spring and you are standing on a wooden dock that extends into a high mountain lake. While the temperature in the air is fairly warm, the top layer of the lake has only recently melted and you can tell by the color of the crystal clear blue water that it is anything but warm. You close your eyes and dive in.

What does your body do? What does your skin do? Are you relaxed and open, or tight and constricted? 

“You probably know that warm water opens your pores and makes your skin feel looser, while cold water closes your pores and constricts your skin. Guess what? Drinking cold water does the same thing to your digestive tract!”

What Happens When You Drink Cold Water

- When you drink cold beverages your blood vessels shrink, your digestion becomes restricted and hydration is hindered.

- Instead of working to digest the food and absorb the nutrients to create energy, your body is expending energy to regulate your temperature. This can lead to water loss.

- Drinking cold water after a meal creates excess mucus in your body, which can lead to a decrease in immune system function, making it easier to catch colds and illnesses.

- If you eat food while drinking cold beverages or immediately after, the water temperature solidifies fats from the foods we’ve just eaten and the body in turn finds it hard to digest the unwanted fats from our bodies.

Some people say that drinking ice water is beneficial because it burns more calories. I argue that we do not want to make our digestive system have to work harder; we want to makes things as easy on it as we can. There are many other ways to burn calories!

Benefits to Drinking Warm Water

Here are some benefits to drinking water that is room temperature or warmer:

- Faster + increased hydration
- Natural digestive enzymes are stimulated and therefore your digestion is enhanced
- Food breaks down more easily
- Your bowels move better (warm water with lemon in the morning is great for this!)
- It purifies your blood and increases your bodies natural detoxification processes via your skin, kidneys and lymphatic system

Once you get into the habit of drinking water at room temperature or warm, you will notice a dramatic improvement in your digestion and the way your body feels while eating and after the meal. Some people have also reported reduction in sugar cravings.

So, the next time you eat out ask your server to “Hold the Ice!”

8 Drinks To Boosts Your Immune System

One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your body from illnesses is to consume foods and drinks that contain substances that have immune system boosting qualities. Many fruits and vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can strengthen the immune system, and you can turn them into nutritional juices that are highly beneficial to your health. By ingesting these drinks on a regular basis, you have a chance of experiencing less health problems.

8 Immune System Boosting Drinks Are:

1. Lemon Juice

Lemon is one of the cheapest fruits that you can find in the grocery store or market, but it can bring amazing benefits to your health. This fruit contains lots of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can improve the immune system, and it also balances the levels of alkali and acids in the body. As such, drinking lemonade or lemon tea regularly will make your body less susceptible to illnesses.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

The main ingredient in apple cider vinegar is apple juice, which has a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body, including calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, sulphur, iron and fluorine. This drink also contains vinegar, an acidic liquid that is known to contribute to the efficiency of the immune system.

3. Green Tea

Green tea is the perfect immune system boosting drink. It introduces a substance called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, into the body, and this substance can fight bacteria and prevent viruses from multiplying. According to recent research, ECGC may be able to control the development of cancer.

4. Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is not only a delicious drink; it is also a great source of potent antioxidants such as flavonoids and vitamin C, which are effective in promoting the immune system. Cranberry juice can also help to prevent heart diseases and improve the urinary track system.

5. Beet Juice

Beet juice does not only enhance the immune system; it can also benefit your health in other ways. Some of the essential nutrients that are present in beet juice are beta carotene, vitamin C, carotenoids, sulphur, calcium, iron, manganese and potassium choline. This drink can improve the function of the brain, cleanse blood and strengthen the gallbladder and liver. It may be too concentrated to make a pleasant drink, but it can be mixed with apple or carrot juice.

6. Kiwi Juice

Another effective immune system boosting drink is kiwi juice. This juice contains high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, which are essential for a healthy immune system. Kiwi fruit also provides lots of fiber and potassium, and it can protect your body from heart illnesses.

7. Broccoli Juice

Regular consumption of broccoli will benefit the immune system, because the vegetable has good amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin B1 and C, calcium, protein, potassium and sulphur. Pure broccoli juice is very concentrated, and it has to be diluted with lighter juices.

8. Carrot Juice

Carrot juice is a sweet drink that is well-liked by both adults and children. Additionally, it can strengthen the immune system and bring other health benefits. It contains vitamin C, vitamin B complex, potassium, iron, sodium and phosphorus, which function to prevent illnesses, improve liver function, provide relief for the nervous system, alkalize blood and tone the walls of the intestines.

4 Factors To Set You Up For Optimal Health

As human beings, our bodies are all incredibly unique and therefore there are different things that we each must do in order to improve the quality of our own health. However, here are four key factors that I believe can set anyone up for success in improving their health.

OPTIMAL HEALTH IS A 360 EXPERIENCE

Most people out there focus on only two things when it comes to good health: exercise and diet. And there are even those that just focus on one or the other. The truth is that health is a synergistic relationship between many areas of our lives such as relationships, career, spirituality, nutrition and exercise.

Our main goal is to maintain balance within all of these areas. When one area is lacking, it’s kind of like a domino effect, which throws off the other areas. We often don’t even realize it’s happening. If you’re stressed out from a job you hate, no matter how healthy you eat or how much you exercise, most likely you won’t be feeling as happy or as healthy as you would like. If you’re in a bad relationship, whether it’s with a boyfriend or a friend, that added stress is going to affect other areas of your life as well, preventing you from being your authentic, joyful self. It’s so important to start addressing each area of your life and see where you can start creating more balance.

TRUST YOUR BODY…IT WILL LISTEN TO YOU

The reason that we often have such strong cravings for food that isn’t so good for us is because we’ve starved our bodies of the nutrients it actually needs and replaced them with addicting substances that makes us want more of the bad stuff. Think about how much more you tend to eat if you have a burger and fries and how much more controlled your appetite is with a healthy salad. Trans fats, MSG, and sugar are just a few of the substances that we put into our bodies that have damaging effects on our health and even a drug-like effect on our minds that make us feel “addicted” to foods containing them. This is especially true for sugar.

But there is some good news here. If you slowly start to introduce healthier foods into your diet, even without changing your current diet too much to begin with, you’ll see that in time you will begin craving those healthier options. This is not an addiction but rather that your body will finally be getting the fuel and nutrients it needs to perform daily functions and will begin sending you signals to give it more of the good stuff! You won’t always be thinking “if it tastes good, then it must be bad for you.” Good nutritious food will begin to taste just as delicious!

CHANGE DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

This is probably the most important concept to learn when going on a journey to improve your health. You have to be realistic about time and your expectations. I personally find this comforting because when you set time restrictions that are too tight and you fall off, you’re more likely to get down on yourself. The truth is you very will could have ups and downs in your journey, but as long as you get back up you will see changes.

Now, you can go on a crash diet and lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks, but what’s going to happen after those 2 weeks? You’re more likely to put all that weight and then some back on. This is why diets don’t work. And oftentimes the methods by which they operate are harming your health at the cost of you losing a few pounds.

Optimal health is a journey. That is how I work with my clients in my 3-month Body & Soul Reset program. It’s about looking at our whole life, as mentioned in the beginning of this article, and making gradual changes that stick. These changes will become habits and before you know it you will be leading a healthy lifestyle and not going on crash diets all the time and repeatedly getting frustrated with chronic illnesses that have you running to the doctor every month.

And did I mention you will feel AMAZING!

THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS

The power of the mind is incredible. We can achieve so much just by thinking a certain way. I truly do believe that the more positive vibes you put out there, the more positivity you will attract. I have experienced this personally in my own life and have seen how this concept has worked for so many other people as well. Believe you can and you will! No matter who tries to get you down, or what discouraging thoughts may come into your mind, fight them off with loads of self love and positivity. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Positivity has a tremendous impact on our health and achieving whatever goals we’ve set for ourselves.

I find a great way to stay in this frame of mind is to find a quote or mantra that speaks to you. I love quotes and I post them everywhere…at my work desk, on my iPhone wallpaper, and even around my apartment. There are so many situations and people that can get us down and it’s our job to stay strong and keep going. The way we react to situations is totally in our control so having a some encouraging words around you to remind you that you are strong, amazing and capable is a great way to keep you from falling off track. Whether it’s quotes or meditating or something else, find what works for you.

Amazing Health Benefits Of Green Tea

Many people say that green tea is good for health and is believed that it helps in attaining weight loss. When taken regularly green tea also offers many other health benefits. This tasty beverage contains a potent nutrient called as EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate.

Why Green Tea?

Green tea has originated in China and it is being used as a medicine ever since. This flavorsome beverage is extensively used all over Asia. It benefits of this beverage ranges right from lowering your (BP) blood pressure to cancer prevention. Since the fermentation process is avoided in the green tea, it provides more health benefits compared to black tea, thus retaining high amount of poly-phenols and antioxidants and other useful substances.
Let’s look a little deeper into the benefits green tea and reasons to start drinking green tea

11 amazing benefits of green tea that you are not aware of are listed below:

Weight Loss:

Green tea helps you lose weight by increasing the metabolism.  High amounts of poly-phenols present in green tea increases fat oxidation levels and also intensify the rate of burning food into calories.

Diabetes:

After your meal, green tea slows your blood sugar by regulating glucose levels. This beverage prevents high insulin levels and the resulting fat deposits.

Heart Disease:

Green tea helps you stay relaxed and also helps you withstand the blood pleasure changes and works on the lining your blood vessels. It prevents clots formation, which is the main cause of heart strokes / attacks.

Esophageal Cancer:

Green tea apparently kills cancer causing cells without damaging healthy tissues that are surrounding the cancer cells and reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.

Cholesterol:

Green tea aids in improving the ratio of good to bad cholesterol. It also helps in reducing bad cholesterol in the blood

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s:

It helps in delaying the deterioration caused by Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It also protects brain cells from dying and restores brain cells that are damaged.

Tooth Decay:

The antioxidants like “catechin” present in green tea, destroys viruses and bacteria that cause infections in throat, dental caries and other tooth conditions.

Blood Pressure:

Consuming green tea on a regular basis will diminish the risk of high BP or blood pressure.

Depression:

Amino acids such as “Theanine”, which is present green tea leaves, provides a soothing and relaxing effect and helps you, get rid of stress or depression.

Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial:

Strong antiviral and antibacterial agents present in green tea are an efficient treatment for many health conditions ranging from common flu to cancer. It also slows down the spread of various diseases.

Skincare:

Green tea protects you skin and prevents it from various signs of aging including wrinkles. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help you in achieving skin care. When applied topically, it helps in reducing the damage caused by sun.

Reasons to drink green tea daily:

• It is a wonderful fat fighter, because of the active ingredients like EGCG. It increases the rate at which your body burns fat
• EGCG present in green tea speeds up weight loss by activating your fat burning genes present in the abdomen, thereby reducing belly fat
• It balances the blood sugar levels and keeps you energy stable. EGCG present in green tea improves the use of insulin in your body, preventing blood sugar crashes and spikes, which may cause petulance, fatigue, and cravings for harmful foods
• It also helps you fight against lung cancer. It is observed that EGCG suppresses the growth of lung cancer causing cells
• EGCG present in green tea stop the progress of colorectal cancer
• EGCG in green tea helps your body in killing prostate cancer cells
• EGCG also prevents the skin from wrinkling and aging. Potent antioxidant present in green tea destroys free radicals that damage skin. So decreasing the number of free radicals will reduce many signs of aging
• It destroys free radicals which may cause chronic illnesses including diabetes, arthritis, and cancer

Green tea can be taken in any form; say you may try iced, hot, by adding natural herbs or dab of lemon juice. In whatever form you may consume, you can reap the full benefits of it. It is recommended to have 2 to 3 cups of it daily. Since it doesn’t contain much caffeine, it is not harmful.

10 Best Drinks That Will Help in Weight Loss

People try to control their weight by controlling the food they eat. It is not only the food that you eat cause weight gain but, you have to watch what you are drinking if you want to lose weight.  Though we think the fruit juices and energy drinks are healthy for our body, many of them have added sugars and other additives which can affect your weight loss plan. So, it is necessary to consume drinks which are less in calories and which will boost your metabolism, if you want to reduce the body weight.

Top Weight Loss Drinks

The following are the top drinks that will help you to stay fit and healthy and to reduce your excess weight.

1.    Vegetable Juices

Vegetable juices are very helpful in reducing weight. Eating raw vegetables, especially vegetables with fiber, aids in weight loss. But, by consuming vegetable juices, you will be able to feel fuller easily. You will also get all the necessary fibers, nutrients from the vegetable juices.

• Regular consumption of fresh fiber rich vegetable juices will reduce food cravings and you will never feel like eating heavily as it will easily fill your stomach.

2.    Grape Juice

Grape juice is considered to be a natural ingredient that is loaded with Vitamin C and it will help in increasing the metabolism of the body. It is a very good detoxifier and is found to be very effective for the liver. The sour tasting sweet grapes in liquid form will help you to reduce weight as well.

•   Take a small bunch of black grapes, wash it properly and then blend the grapes in a blender to extract grape juice.
•   You can drink this juice as it is or can even dilute it with a little bit of water.
•   Drinking grape juice every day in the morning during breakfast will help with weight loss.

3.    Green Tea

One of the most effective drinks that you can think of whenever it comes to reducing excess weight is green tea. It is loaded with antioxidants and also offers metabolism boosters. The green herbal tea is a very effective natural ingredient that will help in weight loss. You can drink hot or chilled green tea and make sure that you do not add sugar to it.

•   Boil a glass of water and then add a teaspoon of green tea into it. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
•   Strain the green tea and drink it hot. Repeat this once in the morning and evening every day to enjoy weight loss.
•   You can also sip cold green tea in the morning and evening to enjoy quick fat burn that will help in effective weight loss.

4.    Yoghurt Smoothies

Yoghurt is rich in calcium and is very effective in reducing weight. Yoghurt has the properties of burning fat easily and it is an ideal ingredient that will help your body to lower the fat production.

•   Add about half a cup of yoghurt in your favorite smoothie and blend it in a mixer.
•   Drink this special yoghurt smoothie once or twice a day to reduce fat deposits in your body.

5.    Water

Water is a natural health drink that will work for many ailments and it is the best known weight loss drink. It is important for you to drink about 8 to 12 glasses of water every day so that your body will flush out all the toxins in your body in the form of urine. It will also help your body to stay hydrated at all times.

•   It is believed that cold water will help to burn more calories and it would be effective to have it with lime or honey every day to see better results.
•   Hot water is also very effective in burning fat deposits in your body and flushing it out in the form of urine.

6.    Whey Protein

There have been studies conducted on many women that have revealed that whey protein is an effective ingredient that will help in reducing body fat in women which will in turn help in weight loss. Whey protein is high in protein and less in carbohydrates and will help in boosting the metabolism of the body.

•   Whey protein consumption on a regular basis will help in curbing food craving in men and women.
•   It will also help in controlling the appetite for over two hours.

7.    Coconut Water

One of the natural and energized drinks that you will come across on this planet is tender coconut water. It will help in boosting your metabolism and is loaded with electrolytes. It is normally suggested drink for people suffering from stomach problems and ulcers.

•   Drinking one to two glasses of coconut water everyday will provide all the necessary energy boost that you need for an entire day.
•   It will help in speeding the metabolism and also helps in flushing out all the toxins produced in your body.

8.    Black Coffee

Black coffee is also considered to be a very effective drink that will help in reducing weight effectively. It is an effective drink that will help in boosting the metabolism of your body as it raises the body temperature easily. It will help in reducing your hunger and to suppress it for a long time.

•   Drinking two cups of black coffee without adding sugar everyday will help in reducing your excess body weight after a few weeks.

9.    Skimmed Milk

Skimmed milk is an excellent drink to have if you are looking to reduce the weight. Skimmed milk is the milk from which most of the fat content is removed. This will prevent the addition of calories to your body when you are using skimmed milk.  It is necessary to select skimmed with less than 1 % fat to get maximum weight reduction.

•   Calcium enriched skimmed milk helps to increase the speed of fat break down in the body.
•   Calcium resent in the milk keeps the muscles stronger which helps in increasing the metabolic rate.
•   Calcium present in milk keeps your bones strong. The proteins, vitamins and calcium present in skimmed milk helps in weight loss.

10.    Cranberry Juice

Fresh Cranberry juice is one of the best drinks to help in weight loss. Cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants which will help to remove free radicals present in our body which causes cell damage.  This juice also has diuretic properties which prevents the water retention in our body. The organic acids present in cranberry juice helps to dissolve the fats and flush it out from the body. It also helps to remove other toxins from the body.

•   It is necessary to avoid bottled or canned cranberry juices to attain weight reduction as it may contain preservatives and added sugar.
•   Use fresh homemade sugar free cranberry juice to get the best result.

Are you worried that you are a bit overweight? Do you want to easily get rid of the excess fat deposits accumulated in your body? If you are looking for the ideal easy drinks that will help in effectively reducing your body weight, then you can try out some of the above mentioned drinks to boost your body metabolism and to reduce the excess weight you are carrying. If you want to see quick and effective results, then you will have to combine the use of these powerful health drinks with a good workout regime and a healthy diet.

Morning Glass Of Health – Green Smoothie That Will Charge Your Batteries

The so called “Super 7 green juice”, is made up of seven ultra-healthy foods, which together constitute vitamin bomb with nutritious fiber. The green juice is a great way to start the day, and what you need to make this juice is

• 2 cups almond milk
• 1 banana
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 5 strawberries with a size medium
• 3 cups leaves of fresh spinach
• 2 cups full with ice cubes

Preparation:

Wash all ingredients, peel them and put them in a blender. Blend until the ingredients are milled and serve fresh and cool.

Advice

Do not use a juicer, because with juicer is losing significant portion of fibers.