This week’s post is all about things you can do to upgrade your health! There’s just so much that we can be doing to live a healthier lifestyle, feel and look good, and just shine a little bit brighter…but it’s just a lot, you know? I will say this, well yes, I do a lot for my health…it’s not hard. Not anymore. It’s second nature for me now, and I can truly say that being healthy is as much of a part of me as being Colombian is. So no worries, I promise you that the more you practice these habits, the easier they get. Ready for the four awesome additions that are going to help you lead a healthier lifestyle?
4 Tips To Boost Your Metabolism And Reduce Cravings
The following four tips are going to majorly help boost your metabolism and reduce your cravings. Ultimately, they’re just power packed with all sorts of nutrients for a major health boost! And health is everything! So read on, and then head on out to your local grocery store and stock up!
1. Lemon Tea Tonic
Your first new addition for a healthier lifestyle is starting your morning with warm water, lemon and cayenne pepper. Now, I know that this probably sounds familiar to you, but the thing is, just because you know about it, doesn’t mean you’re actually doing it? Are you? You will be now. Every morning, upon waking, make yourself a glass of warm (not hot!) water, squeeze half a lemon into it, and add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Give it a mix, and drink it through a straw. (The straw will protect your teeth from the acidity of the lemon and prevent enamel wear down). Starting every morning with a glass of warm lemon water is actually a ritual in Ayurveda traditions. It’s used to stimulate digestion and clear the body of any toxins that may have settled in overnight in your digestive tract. Why warm water? According to Ayurvedic medicine, drinking WARM water increases the tightening of the intestines, which optimizes elimination of waste, toxins, and improves circulation. So in the AM, go for warm water. Why lemon? Lemons are high in the antioxidant vitamin C, which is known for its uber important role in healthy immune function. Ascorbic acid (another way of saying vitamin C) found in lemons are anti-inflammatory (where there is inflammation there is disease). Traditionally used as a liver stimulant, lemon water is also believed to help purge toxins from the blood, helping to keep skin clear of blemishes. Whoop whoop! Why cayenne pepper? Cayenne pepper is regarded as one of the most important cardiovascular foods/ herbs ever discovered. The active compound in cayenne pepper is Capsicum, which has hundreds of beneficial impacts on the body. Some of the most notable benefits of Capsicum are:
- Improved circulation
- Allergy relief
- Improved digestion and assimilation
- Anti-inflammatory
- Stimulates apoptosis of cancer cells (elimination of cancer cells)
- Pain reliever
- Effective against ulcers, acid reflux, sore throats, atonic gout, and more
By being a potent cardiovascular stimulant, enhancing digestion, and removing toxins from the body, cayenne pepper is a metabolic miracle. This food allows your body to increase its metabolic fire power and burn fat more efficiently. So, now you why it’s such a critical and amazing health practice for your morning.But, here’s a bonus. Lemon water with cayenne pepper is actually an awesome ENERGY drink! Usually around 3pm I hit a slump. My energy levels start to take a dip. I make myself another glass of warm water with cayenne and squeeze in the other half of my lemon. I don’t sip it… I down it like a freshman at a their first keg party! By downing that drink I get an instant flush of energy and it helps me overcome that afternoon energy slump. You don’t need a 5 hour energy shot, you need some lemon water and cayenne! Try it next time your energy levels are so-so and see for yourself!
2. Avocado
I really hope you’re over the whole “fat makes you fat” rubbish that belongs in the 70s. It is now well known that (healthy) fat does NOT make you fat, and can actually help you lose weight by reducing your cravings, and helping you feel full and sated. I personally can say that I’m an avocado addict! I eat an entire one a day. And according to Dr.Frank Lipman, I’m doing my body a wealth of good – “Don’t be afraid of an avocado because you think it’s fattening! The often over-looked avocado is a delicious, creamy superfood that’s simply too health-boosting to skip. The myriad of healthy fats and nutrients found in avocados–oleic acid, lutein, folate, vitamin E, monounsaturated fats and glutathione among them–can help protect your body from heart disease, cancer, degenerative eye and brain diseases.” In a study published in Nutrition Journal, found that eating half a medium-sized avocado on a daily basis was highly correlated with improved overall diet quality and a 50 percent reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. Not only did the avocado eaters report a reduction in cravings, stable blood sugar levels, lower body mass index and smaller waist circumference, they also consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables, and fiber and vitamin K—nutrients associated with weight loss. Moral of this story – eat an avocado a day for a boost in metabolism, weight loss and reduction in cravings. Different ways I incorporate avocado into my eating style:
- I add half an avocado to my daily green smoothie instead of a banana or fruit. It gives it a great creamy texture and a powerful nutritional boost.
- In the morning, I enjoy half an avocado as a nutritious “side” to my morning omelet or in place of potatoes or toast.
- As a snack I’ll have it with some smoked or canned salmon and a little salt n pepper.
- I’ll take some applegate turkey deli meat, slice some avocado and put it in the center of the deli meat, roll that up and enjoy.
How do you like to eat avocados?
3. Green Tea
I’ve talked in great depth about green tea in the past and I will talk about it again, because I notice a significant water weight loss and metabolism boost when I drink green tea daily. Green tea has the incredible power to shift your fat fighting metabolism into high gear! All thanks to potent antioxidants called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). This antioxidant increases fat oxidation by 33 percent. 33% more fat burn just from drinking tea? Yes! EGCG inhibits fat cell development, increases fat excretion, and revs ups your metabolism. Green tea helps the body burn calories and fats, and this is the reason why it’s used as an extract in popular weight loss products. Drinking the actual tea is a great way to boost your weight loss without compromising your health like you do with diet pills. You can also give matcha a try if you prefer that over green tea. You can learn more about matcha here. Note: You may have heard of the damaging effects of green tea on the liver, here’s what I need to clarify: the toxicity you’re reading about has to do with Green Tea EXTRACT, the supplement, NOT the actual whole tea. I don’t promote weight loss supplements, only whole foods. Furthermore, people who were taking this pill form EXTRACT reported liver problems due to their high dosage that was equal to 24 cups of green tea a day.
4. Cilantro and Parsley
Time to step up your green smoothie game! Your final new addition for a healthier lifestyle is gonna be to add in a third of a bunch of each cilantro and parsley (with the stems!) into your smoothies! By adding these powerful herbs, you’re going to not just boost your metabolism, but also rejuvenate your skin, slow down the aging process, and increase your energy. It’s such an easy and simple addition! Cilantro and parsley are a power duo! Talk about wonder herbs! These delicate herbs contain vitamins and minerals like beta carotene, chlorophyll, folic acid, iron and are actually considered one of the best foods for fighting disease! This is because studies have shown that cilantro binds to heavy metals in the bloodstream, thereby purifying tissues, organs, and blood. Parsley contains all the chelating vitamins and minerals essential for detox: vitamin C, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin K, and folate. Parsley also boosts levels of the master antioxidant glutathione, which prevents chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Together, they make one hell of a detoxing duo! By incorporating these two herbs into your daily smoothies you will greatly reduce your internal inflammation which as a result, will boost your metabolism! There are many different ways to enjoy parsley and cilantro daily. For me, it’s just super easy to add them into my daily smoothie, which is why I recommend it to you. However, you can add these herbs to juices, salads, soups, sandwiches, or whatever entrees you want. Below is the recipe for my daily green smoothie that incorporates many of the awesome lifestyle additions we’ve talked about here today. It’s filling enough to have for breakfast, lunch, or any meal really.
Energizing Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
Serves ONE Ingredients
- 10-12 ounces of coconut milk
- two HUGE handfuls of swiss chard, spinach, kale or whatever greens you like
- 1/3 bunch of cilantro with stems
- 1/3 bunch of parsley with stems
- half a cucumber
- 1/2 an avocado
- 1 Scoop protein powder (I like the brands Vega or Sunwarrior)
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- squeeze of lemon
- 1/4 cup frozen pineapple or half a frozen banana (optional)
- sprinkle of stevia
Add as much ice as needed to reach desired consistency and blend well. To your health!
