Drink Up! The Top 5 Drinks Of Summer
by TheDinnerDiva
Most people have a drinking problem.
I hope that got your attention! What I am talking about has nothing to do with martinis. I’m talking about developing a good water drinking habit. Water is first and foremost, the beverage of choice, especially when you’re trying to lose a few (or a lot) of weight. We can also add a few other refreshments that will tote up your liquid quota, without putting on the pounds or rotting your teeth.
But before I give you those lovely libations, let’s talk about water, shall we?
The fact is, your body NEEDS water. If you’re interested in making sure your body uses the nutrients you give it via food, you gotta drink water.
If you’re battling blemishes and want nicer skin, you gotta drink water.
If you’re wanting to avoid constipation -- or what I like to call the ultimate form of procrastination -- you’re gonna want to get friendly with water.
And the best part of being a water drinker is that water totally helps you to pare down the pounds. Never underestimate the very powerful tool of a handy water bottle.
But even a devoted water drinker is going to want a little something else in her glass -- yes, even me!
Top 5 Go-To Drinks For Summer And Anytime!
1) Smoothie Patrol! I love slurping a smoothie, especially first thing in the morning. Just a little plain kefir (good for your digestion) a big handful of frozen blueberries, a scoop of protein powder and some OJ and you’re good to go.
Sometimes I like it thicker and sweeter, so I’ll add a little overly ripe frozen banana. And sometimes, I add a secret ingredient that will make you gag (but you can’t taste it) but ratchet up the nutrients. Wanna know what it is?
Here’s the link to watch me make it!
2) Cranberry Cosmo. We all know the girls from Sex And The City liked theirs straight up, cold and with plenty of vodka! My version is sans vodka and mixed with a little orange juice. Take a glass, add crushed ice, fill half way with orange juice (orange juice is a super food, by the way!) and top with cranberry juice. For optimal nutritional punch, buy the kind in the health food store with no sugar.
3) Lemon Up Iced Tea. This one is simple, easy and extra lemon really helps with the vitamin C quota. Simply brew regular tea, let it cool, squeeze two lemons in a glass, add crushed ice and pour your tea over the top. If you prefer it a little sweeter, try using xylitol to sweeten it up. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and is available in health food stores. This is a safe alternative to artificial sweeteners for both diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
4) Green Gingered Tea. Brew some green, tea and set aside to cool. In a glass, add some crushed ice, grate a little ginger or sprinkle some dried ginger (you don’t need much!) and then add the cooled tea. You’ll be getting the health benefits of both green tea and ginger in one glass, as well as refreshing beverage.
5) Pomegranate Punch. The new darling of the nutrition world, pomegranate offers much more than a bunch of seeds that are hard to eat. The delicious juice actually has more antioxidants than green tea. Mix the juice half and half with either green or black brewed tea and you’ve got a wonderful (and powerful) antioxidant drink that is both refreshing and very healthy.
That’s it from me on the beverage front. I do need to mention however, that while I love everything listed above, water is my go-to beverage and it should be yours, too.
True Lemon also makes True Lime and True Orange. I have all of them. I can tell you they really do add that extra something to my water.
Stay cool this summer and remember, drink up!
Leanne Ely is New York Times Bestselling author and the Dinner Diva at SavingDinner.com. For more information, check out the website, www.savingdinner.com |
June 28, 2010
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Diet Tips: Benefits of Breakfast
by Stephen Cabral
I don't want you to make this mistake...
If I had to think of one slip up that people make every day that is holding them back from seeing truly amazing results in terms of health and creating a better body, it’s how they start their day. Even the successful people still struggle with this one mistake that I’m about to reveal...
I’m not going to get into the mindset of how you should prepare for the day that lies ahead, but I do want to focus today on your morning nutrition.
“They” don’t say breakfast is the most important meal of the day for nothing…
What you choose for breakfast is literally going to make or break your day – it’s that important.
If you choose a food that is highly inflammatory or high glycemic you are setting yourself up for failure in terms of maintaining energy levels, and burning body fat for that day.
However, if you pick a meal that contains fiber, protein, and some good fats you are sure to ward off hunger, and maintain great energy.
Here’s a sample of my “OFF-LIMITS” list for traditional breakfast foods:
* Muffins
* Box Cereal
* Pastries
* Juices
Now here’s a partial list of my HEALTHY breakfast options:
* Egg omelet with veggies
* Low fat, low sugar yogurt with berries
* Low fat, low sugar cottage cheese with berries
* Protein shake with fruit and fiber to go
Now, there are dozens of other options that you could choose, but the point is that if you start your day STRONG you are far more likely to finish strong and not fade throughout the day. A great breakfast doesn’t have to take long to make and can even be taken on the go. Plus, having this extra energy will keep you more focused and in a better mindset when it comes to gearing up for your workout.
So tomorrow morning when you walk into your kitchen take a second to think about how you want to start your day…
Committed to success,
Stephen Cabral, CSCS, CPT, NS
Author of Lose5in7 & Founder of Trim, Tone & Tighten
Health Consultant for MTV, NutritionData, Diet.com, Gather
http://www.StephenCabral.com
http://www.Lose5in7.com
Watch my Free Video on How to Burn "5 Pounds of Body Fat in Less Than 7 Days" at: Click here to Lose 5 Pounds in Less than a Week! |
September 28, 2009
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10 Ways To Boost Weight Loss Success
by JohnMc
A few weeks back I challenged my Diet.com colleague Bailey Apple to come up with 10 great ways a Diet.com Premium Membership can boost weight loss. Mission accomplished!
Wouldn't you love to shout out those words when you step on the scale and see the needle come to rest on the number you WANT to see? You can get there. And you can get there quicker if you link up with our premium membership and dive into these 10 great diet-boosting benefits.
1) Take The Quiz! Take Your True Diet Personality Quiz to discover the bad habits you need to combat before you can lose weight for good. Created by renowned obesity expert Dr. Robert Kushner, this insightful 70-question quiz reveals your dieting personality PLUS your fitness and coping personalities too. Take it today!
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7) Rate My Plate. Post your nutrition and diet questions to the message board forum hosted by our Registered Dietitian Janel Ovrut. She is there to help make good nutrition fun, easy and tasty! Leave her a post with a typical daily meal, and she'll weigh-in on it and make suggestions.
8) Video Demonstrations of Exercises. Conquer your unique fitness obstacles with an exercise plan customized to your exercise personality. Watch our video demonstrations and you can feel like you've got your own personal trainer right in the comfort of your home! You can also print out workout routines that you can bring with you to the gym!
9) Grand Prizes. Diet.com hands out many prizes to our premium members. Did you know that to be considered for a grand prize for any of our weight loss challenges, you must be a premium member? Keep yourself motivated with these challenges and maintain an edge over the competition with your premium membership.
10) Premium Tips Newsletter. As a premium member, you have access to this set of healthy lifestyle tips every single week! Consider creating a special inbox folder for these newsletters. You'll have a convenient archive of tips right at your fingertips, whenever and wherever you need them!
Don't get overwhelmed by the vast content here at Diet.com. Knowing what to look for and where your resources are will keep you on the right track towards your diet and healthy lifestyle goals. For a video guide to your premium membership, click here.
To JOIN NOW and start losing weight today, click here! |
June 5, 2009
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