A Word on Tea Decaffeination

I love tea and I love the subtle invigoration it gives
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"A cup of tea usually only contains half the caffeine that coffee does and retains all the restorative properties that the polyphenols provide. However, the research thus far does not have much to say in regards to decaffeinated teas. Tests are still being conducted to see if the decaf versions of these teas retain the antioxidant properties that the fully caffeinated versions have. Therefore, for now, stick with the caffeinated versions to take advantage of all the health benefits these teas provides."

- Natural Holistic Health

Yet again another example where nature is best left alone. 

Working Out Again. Scratch that. Doing everything Again

The other week I went on a burst running.. I've been meaning to do this for while. We all know how for a while works lol. Once I was home I stretched thoroughly and did this work out video:

I discovered Cassey Ho's blogilates.com website on twitter while looking through suggestions. This work out it amazing and blogilates is full of other ones I will be doing also!

I slacked off this fall. In between trying to process high school senior stuff and life related stress I allowed myself to do things I normally do not. Traveling alot last month postponed everything also. I did not had a huge pitfall, but I need to come back to my senses or else! 

 I am going to eliminate gains from my diet and stop eating late. This may sound like alot at once but you have to keep in mind that this is nothing new to me. 

You could call what happened to me a set back. Since I am going be as positive as possible, lets say that I learned from my mistakes. Whichever perspective your favor, I have no excuse now.  

A Mint (tea) Mood

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My "tea purchasing fast" ended recently. I stopped buying tea for a month or so in order to drink all that I accumulated. This stuff is not cheap. 

One of the benefits was that I experienced teas that I would have overlooked in new ways.

After starting to buy tea again I noticed that I had bought tea's with minty flavors:

• Lemon Lavender Mint 

• Mint Fusion

• Moroccan Mint 

Mint, in its many variations, aids in easing digestion, cleansing blood, and (raw mint leaves are for) freshening breath, just to mention a few benefits. It has medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic uses. Mint and herbs in general are a win win situation. Add them to your life and you will not regret it!

So, as I like to say, Let the steeping began! Hopefully with as little honey as possible.

Oasis Video: Food, Emotions, & Life

Our friend Miss Piggy

This is such an important subject!

How to Deal with Dietary Mistakes

Eaten something you were not supposed to lately? Join the club. That’s human nature, we make mistakes, we do things we shouldn't. However, that does mean we can give up on our goals. Maybe you’re trying to eliminate something from your diet or stop over eating (easier said than done). Rome was not build in a day. Your amazing new healthy lifestyle will not appear as soon as you click your heels three times.

Even though I have been on my fitness journey for a long time now I estimate that I average at least a setback a week. When you strike out on radical healthy lifestyle you are not only fighting your old habits/cravings, you are declaring war on the unhealthy society we live in.

Very effort is a victory. Every accomplishment, large or small, is something to be proud of. Each day can only become better.

Don't give up!

Farmers Market

Lots of beautiful fresh produce 

The wonderful verity of vegetables and fruits you'll find that you never see in a normal grocery store. Yes, purple okra is real. Something to consider for your next dinner party.  

Of course I was enjoying some newly harvested goodness. Ok, not quite... There was a bakery selling also.  In my defense I only had one. When you eat quality less quantity is required. Yep you can quote me on that *cheesy smile*.

I ate the peaches and string beans later.

Water Yourself

I was trying to start 2012 off the right way.   

Water consumption is one of those areas almost everyone can improve upon. A good deal of this is plane laziness; on the other hand, becoming/being an unpracticed hydrator is easy in a beverage laden society. 

Dangerous since our bodies are mostly made of water and consequently need it. 

As I have increased my water intake I have noticed that I actually crave it when I am not drinking enough. So seriously, try the water thing. 

Buy (BIG and small) water bottles. 

 When you are out for long periods it is best to carry a sizable water bottle. Then there are those times when you are caring smaller bags and might like to use a smaller water bottle that will fit in your bag. Bringing a water bottle can really help you hydrate more (your body is smiling ^__^). 

Pay attention to the materials used to make you water bottle.

Glass water bottles are the healthiest.. Water tastes better after some time in a glass water bottle. Literally. There are other types of water bottles that are ok also. Make sure you identify them.

The plastics that are used in most water bottles have very negative side effects. VERY. I invite you to google this right now. Crazy right?

All water is not equal (quality wise), but, that doesn't give you an excuse.

Yep, water quality is not all roses. However, it’s better to drink mediocre water than none at all.

Wishing you blue bliss

The Three W's in Weight

think "double-u" before you make your next meal choice.
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Yes, there are three w's in wwweight. Three things that are involved in everyone eating habits. If you decided to lose weight the three w's are here help you -when used wisely.

1. What you eat
If you are eating a healthy diet your body will began to eliminate extra pounds. When I say "what you eat" I mean food. Not anything that comes from a vending machine, but, something that naturally occurs in nature. Unprocessed foods are easier for our body to convert into nutrients. Which means not being hungry all the time. Not being hungry all the time makes one less likely to overeat (overeat = eating when not hungry). Now, I did not say portion control. Because, we should eat until we are full. After you are full stop ( I know, so simple yet so hard without practice!). Restricting health foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains (other than wheat), and high quality meats, is like telling someone that they can only drink eight glasses of water a day. Some things you can ever get to much of, and others you cant get to little of. Balance! Hard to find. Worth the effort.

2. Where you eat
Do the people at Mcdonald's know your name? How often are you eating out?  The best place to eat is at your table. There is no other way to be sure about exactly what your eating. There are very few healthy restaurants. Began to experament with recipes and find healthy foods you enjoy. By healthy I don't mean low calorie. I mean ingredients that occur in nature. Basically: if it never had a heartbeat or never needed dirt to grow you probably don't want to swallow it.

3. When you eat
I'm sure you've heard allegations about late night eating being a source of fast weight gain. This is more fact that fiction (more on this later)... I was first introduced to this by watching youtube videos about a book called "the daylight diet." I will find the lecture I liked best and post it later. Basically your body processes food best in daylight. When the sun goes down the metabolism slows as your body prepares to sleep and concentrate its energies on other parts of itself that need attention besides your metabolism. When we eat late we disturb this whole process and gain weight. I can testify it works like a charm. Stop eating late gradually. You will see a difference.

FYI: scales belong on reptiles. Not in bathrooms.