Healthy Eating || Becoming a Tea Drinker

I've never been a tea drinker (and, I mean never), but in mid-October, I decided to get to work on some tea I purchased under hypnosis.  (Okay, maybe I wasn't under hypnosis, but I was under something I guess.)  The tea is actually really good quality and tastes exquisite relative to your average store-bought tea.  However, what I also like about it are the health benefits.  For me, the biggest one I am noticing within myself is the stress reduction.

Below is an excerpt of the article on WebMD.  Full article: TEA TYPES AND THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS

• Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
• Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
• White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
• Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
• Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.

Another article (excerpt below): TEA BENEFITS

Studies of humans, animals, and petri-dish experiments show that tea is high beneficial to our health. Research suggests that regular tea drinkers -- people who drink two cups or more a day -- have less heart disease and stroke, lower total and LDL cholesterol, and recover from heart attacks faster. There's also evidence that tea may help fight ovarian and breast cancers.

Tea also helps soothe stress and keep us relaxed. One British study found that people who drank black tea were able to de-stress faster than those who drank a fake tea substitute. The tea drinkers had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

Healthy Recipes || My Very Berry Smoothie

In my determination to create a berry-laden (and antioxidant-filled) smoothie, I came up with the following delicious recipe:

Organic strawberries, blueberries, blackberries (optional),
cranberry juice (or cranberries), water, and ice. 

ABOUT STRAWBERRIES: Strawberries are loaded with Vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is beneficial for the skin, hair, and immune system. It is said to improve scalp circulation. Manganese is said to be a factor in hair growth.

ABOUT CRANBERRIES: Studies have suggested that cranberries 1) provide maximum effect on suppressing the growth of various human cancer cells, 2) may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), 3) have the most antioxidant activity, 4) help keep certain bacteria (like E. coli) from attaching to the urinary tract wall, and 5) decrease symptomatic urinary tract infections in women.

ABOUT BLUEBERRIES & BLACKBERRIES: Antioxidants galore.

Ingredients
1/2 cup of organic strawberries
1/2 cup of organic blueberries
a few organic blackberries (optional)
1-1 1/2 cup of distilled water (depending on desired consistency)
1 cup of 100% pure cranberry juice (with no added sugar)
4 ice cubes

Instructions
Blend and voila!

*Creates 1 large smoothie or 2 small smoothies.
*You can use less cranberry juice and more water or use actual cranberries in place of the juice.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CRANBERRIES

Beet Juice, Beet Smoothie: Blood Pressure & Stamina

Don't sleep on beet juice. Studies performed over the past several years suggest that drinking beetroot juice may lower blood pressure and thus have implications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.  What is the underlying cause of this lowering of blood pressure?  It is the nitrate content of beetroot.  Additionally, other studies suggest that this juice boosts stamina, which can prolong exercising.

So how does one incorporate this vegetable into one's diet?  Well below is a recipe for a delicious, beet smoothie.  As always, please consult with your doctor before adjusting your diet or lifestyle.

{Source}

BEET SMOOTHIE -

Ingredients:
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 cup mixed frozen berries or blueberries
2 tablespoons granola
1/3 cup diced beet, raw (50 grams)
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt or low-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
2 or 3 ice cubes
sliced orange for garnish (optional)

Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 full minute. Pour into a glass, garnish with an orange slice and enjoy.

Yield: 1 generous serving.
{Recipe Source}

SOURCES:
STUDY: NITRATE IN BEETROOT & BLOOD PRESSURE
STUDY: BEETROOT & BLOOD PRESSURE
STUDY: BEETROOT & STAMINA
STUDY: STAMINA CONTINUED

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