Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea Chai Latte Pudding - Think Outside The Box!

2014-01-08T23:01:00.000-08:00

Decades of mediocre mass-produced boxed pudding have led us to believe this dessert is difficult and time-consuming to prepare. Not true! Real pudding is easy to make and much tastier than pudding made from a boxed mix. Preparing it from scratch allows you to try different flavor combinations you won't find on the supermarket shelf. It takes less than 30 minutes to make (not including chilling), and can easily be made the day before serving.

This is my recipe for Chai Latte pudding. While most Chai Lattes use black tea, I have chosen to use green tea. The more mellow flavor allows you to taste the tea and spices in harmony.

Ingredients For Four Servings

1/4 cup of loose green tea
2 star anise pods
1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
4 whole cloves
4 cardamom pods
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon of orange zest
2 cups of whole milk
1/2 cup of sugar
4 teaspoons of cornstarch
3 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Directions

Use a mortar and pestle to crush the star anise, peppercorns, cloves and cardamom. Put into a non-reactive saucepan along with 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the orange zest and sugar. Bring to a simmer, slowly for optimal flavor extraction. Remove from heat, add the green tea, cover and leave to steep for three minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of milk, the cornstarch, egg yolks, sea salt and vanilla in a bowl. After the three minutes have passed, strain the hot mixture. Gradually add the hot mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.

Return to the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until the pudding comes to a full boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and continue whisking until the pudding is thick, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into serving containers, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before eating.

Tips and Suggestions

For an attractive presentation, chill the pudding in tea cups. Top with freshly whipped cream and ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

Constant whisking is crucial to prevent premature coagulation of the eggs. Failure to do so will result in small bits of scrambled eggs in your pudding.

Always remember this never-failing rule of cookery: bad ingredients will always make bad food while great ingredients coupled with proper technique can make outstanding food. Choose your ingredients wisely.

Heather Krasovec own and maintains an informative site about green tea health benefits, http://drinkgreenteaforhealth.com/, which also features an incredible selection of the finest organic green tea available

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How to Make Green Tea - Perfectly

2014-01-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Finding your perfect "Matcha" is easier than you think. There are two main methods to prepare Green Tea. The easy method, or the Traditional Japanese ceremony method. The latter is a bit beyond this article, but more information will soon be available on my website.

Growing your own Green Tea plants

Green Tea plants seem to have originated in China. There is evidence that suggests that Green Tea has been used for more than 5000 years. From China, Green Tea spread around those eastern regions namely Japan, Taiwan, India and even up to Russia.

The Tea Plant (camellia sinensis) prefers high altitudes with a tropical rainfall. But doesn't thrive well at lower altitudes. But with care and attention, you should be able to grow a few Green Tea plants in your back yard, or a green house.

There are a few places that you would be able to buy Green Tea saplings. Picking the young leaves off your own Green Tea plant will make an awesome and fresh brew.

Brewing your perfect cup of loose leaf

There are a few factors that you need to keep in mind when you want to brew your green tea.

The Quality of Water
The quality of Green Tea
Water temperature
And the time needed to steep

If you change any one of these factors, you will have to make adjustments to the others. Or you could end up with a very bitter cup of Green Tea.

The water quality is a major issue. Tap water is generally not considered pure enough. There are very many chemicals in normal tap water that alter and influence the flavour of tea. I highly recommend pure spring water at best, heavily filtered water at worst. And stay away from tap water.

The lower the quality of Green Tea, the longer you have to steep, and the higher temperature water you need to use.

As a rule of thumb, never, ever use boiling water. I usually let my boiling water cool down for a few minutes before adding the loose leaf teas. I follow a few simple steps:

Boil the water. Some people say that boiling water that has cooled down makes tea taste better than water that has not yet been boiled. I have found no differences in taste, but find it easier to let boiling water cool down than trying to gauge the water temperature without a thermometer
Pour the boiling water into your empty Green Tea pot and let it stand for a minute. The cold Tea Pot helps in cooling the water down, while the hot water also warms up the tea pot.
Pour out the water from the tea pot into your drinking mugs. This helps cool the water down even more, and warms up the cups. The warm cups help retain the heat in your cup of tea while you are drinking. Let the water stand in the mugs for about a minute. The added advantage of this, is that you now have the exact amount of water you need for your brew
Discard the remaining water in the tea pot. The exact amount of water is in the drinking mugs. Green Tea can be steeped multiple times, but if you leave the tea to steep in the little bit of extra water, you could get very bitter tea.
Add your Green Tea Loose leaves to the pot. A good indication is about a teaspoonful of tea per cup that you are planning to brew.
Empty the water from the mugs into the tea pot and let brew for 3 to 4 minutes.
Pour out the green tea to fill a quarter of the drinking mugs and rotate or swirl the tea pot gently.
Fill the mugs to half, and gently rotate the tea pot again.
Finally fill the drinking mugs making sure that no water has been left in the tea pot.

By only partially pouring the Green Tea into the mugs ensures that the Green Tea flavour is evenly distributed between you and your Tea partner. Gently swirling your teapot between pours mixes the flavour into the infused water still in the tea pot. But be careful not to swirl to energetically, as that will more than likely give you a stronger brew, and possibly bitter at that.

The best method to judge, is to taste your tea. Subtly altering any of my steps will change either consistency, strength and ultimately flavour. Keep experimenting until you find your balance.

Loose Leaf Green Teas can be re-steeped several time. I usually only go up to 3 time. Add an extra minute each time you re-steep your tea leaves. This will ensure that you get the maximum flavor available from each steep. When the flavor runs out, it is time to use some fresh loose leaves.

How to make Green Tea in Bags

Almost boiling water and a steeping time of 4 to 5 minutes. Tea bags by nature are efficient and easy way to enjoy your Green Tea, especially if you are on the move and don't have the time, or the equipment to follow my (or a similar) brewing method.

The quality of Green Tea in bags is in most cases lower. Especially supermarket bought tea bags.

Also ... the leaves are broken, and the bag itself restricts loose leaves from fully opening. If your tea bags contain particles of tea, then you will need to adjust your brewing method to compensate. More heat and a longer steeping time will be needed.

I personally prefer loose leaf green tea to tea bags, but .. there have been the odd occasion when tea bags have been advantageous.

After finding this miraculous brew in a severe time of need, Green Tea has become an almost obsessive hobby. Within weeks of starting to drink green tea regularly, I was able to notice the beneficial effects in my own body. Slight weight loss, better concentration, and, I am finally rid of that constant bloated feeling.

Join me as I delve into the world of Green Tea, uncovering some of the mysteries, exposing the myths and most of all ... Living Healthier, Living Longer

[http://www.green-tea-health-benefits-exposed.com]

Live healthier ... Live Longer!

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Type 2 Diabetes - Green Tea Dental Strips

2014-01-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Peridontitis, inflammation of the tissue holding the teeth in place, is a problem for many diabetics, and can often lead to tooth loss. Tea extract has been studied as a weapon to guard against periodontitis.

In March 2013, the Journal of the Indian Society on Periontology published an article from Halgekar's Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre in Belgaum, India:

catechins, molecules found in green tea, were applied to the gums of volunteers. Bacteria involved in causing periodontitis were significantly lower in population one week and five weeks after application of the tea extract.

From these results, it was concluded this type of tea extract could be used in addition to standard dental procedures in preventing and treating periodontitis.

In May 2013 the Journal of Medical Food reported the results of a study carried out by investigators on the Faculty of Dentistry at Laval University in Quebec, Canada:

extracts of green, black, white, and oolong tea were shown to inhibit growth of a bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, known to cause periodontitis. They also helped to keep the bacteria from latching on to cells in the mouth, inhibited the bacteria from making detrimental enzymes, and inhibited secretion of molecules involved in inflammation.

It has therefore been suggested tea extracts could be incorporated into oral care products to be delivered to the teeth and gums.

Researchers at Vishnu Dental College in India tested green tea extract in strips placed directly upon the gums. Their study, reported in the Journal of the Indian Society of Peridontology in March 2013, included 50 volunteers with periodontitis; half of the participant had diabetes:

these types of strips were placed onto their gums showed over 10 percent of the extract released within 30 minutes and the balance released by 2 hours. Both groups showed significant improvement.

From this information, it was seen extract strips containing this type of tea applied directly to the gums, could be a useful treatment for periodontitis in both diabetics and nondiabetics.

It will undoubtedly be some time before the dental strips are available commercially, but several extracts in pill form are available. It would be best to consult your doctor before beginning supplementation.

Green tea is good hot or cold. At http://www.health.com there is a recipe for minty iced green tea. It calls for fresh mint leaves, tea bags, agave, and fresh lavender leaves. There is a recipe for citrus-honey green tea at the website AllRecipes. It includes lemon zest, grapefruit juice, green tea powder, and honey.

The website CoffeeTea.about suggests making iced green tea latte with soymilk. Soymilk with calcium is also good for the teeth and other bones. From the same website comes a recipe for strawberry sencha fresca, with strawberries, lemon juice, honey, mint leaves and green tea. Foodnetwork.com suggests making iced ginger green tea with sugar (substitute) and sliced ginger. Drink healthy.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience. Green Tea could make a difference.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Green Tea Bath

2014-01-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

Green tea can be beneficial to you in two ways.

1. chemically

2. emotionally

Traditionally, the chemical benefit of tea is received by brewing the tea and then sipping it. The emotional benefit is derived from the practice of taking the time to stop and enjoy the aroma and the visual reward of the tea leaves unfurling as they are brewing and then of course from the final enjoyment of drinking the tea. Did you know that many benefits can also be derived from tea by bathing in it?

Green tea contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and anti-bacterial properties. The main antioxidant found in green tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin3-gallate), was found to be 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E. Tea also contains tannins. Tannins are astringent substances that shrink or constrict body tissues usually locally after topical applications.

Why bathe in green tea?

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. For the average adult human, the skin has a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square meters (16.1-21.5 sq ft.), most of it is between 2-3 mm (0.10 inch) thick. The average square inch (6.5 cm²) of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes (cells that produce melanin which is a pigment) and more than a thousand nerve endings.

One of the most important functions of the skin is to provide the body with a defensive barrier from pathogens, which are agents that cause disease, and from harmful elements in the external environment, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun. The skin guards the underlying muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and internal organs and it also protects the body from excessive water loss. Severely damaged skin repairs itself by forming scar tissue.

Skin absorption is a route by which substances can enter the body through the skin. Absorption of substances through the skin depends on a number of factors, the most important of which are concentration, duration of contact, solubility, physical condition of the skin and part of the body exposed. All the natural and beneficial ingredients in green tea make it a perfect choice for bathing in it so the nutrients may be absorbed through the skin.

A green tea bath is very easy to make. First you place six organic green tea bags in a tub of very hot water for ten to twenty minutes. Your bath water will turn a golden brown or dark brown color and this will let you know the antioxidants and vitamins have been released into your bath. Remove the tea bags and adjust the water temperature for your bath. You may also add a quarter to a half cup of olive oil to the bath water. Olive oil contains antioxidants and it will soften and sooth your skin if you tend to have very dry skin. Relax in your health bath for at least thirty minutes.

Research suggests that green tea can inhibit skin cancer due to its protective properties. Tannins in the tea not only heal burns and stop bleeding, but they also stop infection while they continue to heal the wound internally. The ability of tannins to form a protective layer over the exposed tissue keeps the wound from being infected even more. The natural antiseptic qualities in this tea also relieve the itching and swelling in cuts, scrapes, bites, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rashes and acne blemishes. Of course, when dealing with a medical condition. one should always check with their doctor to make sure that bathing is recommended.

An alternative to a tea bath after a hard day at work, especially if you stand on your feet all day, is a green tea foot soak. Using Helen Foster's recipe from The Beauty Book

1.Bring water to just under boiling and pour it in a large foot bath container.

2.Place five green tea bags and a few drops of peppermint oil into the water.

3.Allow water to cool slightly for a few minutes, and then soak your feet.

Green tea baths are nourishing, detoxifying and healing, both chemically and emotionally.

Doreen Storozuk is a hairstylist and business owner who has a keen interest in the amazing health benefits of green tea. She enjoys research and writing and invites you to visit her website at [http://HealthByGreenTea.com] where she promotes green tea in an unbelievable range of products including tea, skin care, green tea bedding and gift baskets.

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Tea Recipes

2014-01-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

If you love tea, you may be interested in tea recipes. Tea is actually an amazing ingredient in a variety of recipes.

Tea leaves are not just for steeping anymore and some of the most tantalizing recipes are being developed by top chefs by using tea leaves as an ingredient.

Here are just some of the types of recipes you can find that include uses leaves or liquid. (and by the way, you sometimes eat the leaves!!)

Marinades - there are becoming more and more marinades and sauces that use tea as an ingredient. You can add some flair to a bland white sauce by adding just a teaspoon of green tea leaves or some stongly brewed black tea.

Cakes - there are some terrific cake recipes that use tea as an ingredient. All you do to create your own fabulous recipe is replace the liquid with strongly brewed tea. I just made some Rooibos Angel Food Cake and it was delicious. My daughter made Spiced Angel Food using a Christmas Chai Tea as the liquid replacment.

Ice Cream - Most of us have heard about Green Tea Ice Cream - it typically uses matcha (powdered green tea) as an ingredient and matcha is excellent in many different recipes. It also gives a beautiful green tea color to your scones, cookies and cakes.

How about a licorice tea ice cream? Sounds delicious doesn't it? Tea can be used as an ingredient in many recipes and dishes. I often use it as I would a spice or herb.

So a few leaves floating in the soup? My family loves it and it is really good for you too. You get all the health properties of the tea you are infusing and cooking with.

So as a general rule of thumb, and in my experimenting with using tea as an ingredient - the easiest thing to do is replace the liquid in the recipe with a strong brew - 4 times strength what you would drink is a great rule of thumb.

Bergamot Scones are simply delicious. The undertone of the bergamot or beebalm is really nice. Just use very strong bergamot tea in place of half the cream.

I hope this article inspired you to do more with tea than just drink it!

For more great tea recipe ideas, visit Teyas website CrazyForTea and her Tea Recipes section. You can add your own recipes to the collection or try out one of the fabulous tea recipes listed. Crazy For Tea is a website dedicated to the tea lover in all of us.

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Enjoy the Benefits of Green Tea with this Green Tea Smoothie Recipe

2014-01-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Studies have shown that green tea helps to build your immune system with its antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of getting various types of cancer and Alzheimers, and all the while it promotes oral health and increases metabolism.

Smoothies are an easy way to enjoy the benefits of green tea, plus fruits for vitamins, antioxidents and fiber. Smoothies are nutritious, easy to make and provide a healthy meal-on-the-go. If you don't have time for breakfast, make it the evening before and take it along. Here's a simple, vitamin-filled smoothie recipe which allows you to add the health benefits of green tea to your daily diet.

Begin with two cups of green tea, made with four tea bags so it's nice and strong.

Pour the green tea into a blender and add any or all of the following:

banana-source of potassium and fiber

four ounces of yogurt, flavor of your choice-great source of probiotics

a handful of nutritious blueberries or strawberries

tablespoon of soy vanilla powder for protein

a dash of cinnamon for your cholesterol and blood sugar

This smoothie is packed with antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals and makes a quick meal. If you'd like to add some fiber, throw in a couple of tablespoons of oatmeal.

Blend until all ingredients are smooth.

Don't limit yourself to these ingredients either. Other possible ingredients are:

orange juice-Great source of vitamin C

mango, kiwi or other fruit or berries-source of vitamins and antioxidants

a spoonful of honey

peanut butter for protein

Let your imagination run wild!

Children love smoothies. It's a wonderful way to give them a healthy meal or snack and can replace sugar-packed sodas and fruit juice.

For more healthy recipes, weight loss tips and healthy living tips, to go http://Path2HealthyLiving.com.

Joan Jones is an award winning freelance journalist who writes feature articles on home and garden, health and nutrition.

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Recipes for Milk Tea

2014-01-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had milk with tea? People spend big bucks purchasing tea with milk from cafes. However, making it yourself is a less expensive way to satisfy your taste buds.

If you haven't tried, you need to try the unique flavor that the combination of tea and milk can provide. Tea drinkers savor each flavorful sip.

Try these tasty recipes...

Honey-Flavored Milk Tea

This is a traditional and ideal cup of tea. It's a very simple recipe using simple ingredients found in most households.

Ingredients

Tea
Water
Milk (skim, condensed, or low-fat varieties)
Sugar (honey or other sweeteners can be substituted)

Directions

Bring about one liter of water to a boil.
Place the loose leaves in the water and let them sit for approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Lower the heat to simmer and let the tea steep for about 20 to 30 minutes. The flavor becomes stronger the longer the leaves are allowed to steep.
Strain the tea thoroughly to remove the leaves. You do not want any of them left in the tea.
Transfer the liquid to your cup. Add your choice of milk whether 2%, while, or skim, and stir to combine with the tea.
Add honey and stir once more to dissolve it into the tea.
You can further enhance this beverage by adding cinnamon or other flavorings to your tea.

Homemade Recipe for Bubble Milk Tea

Bubble milk tea is a very popular beverage today and this recipe is very easy to make.

Ingredients

Make up 3/4 of a cup of brewed tea in jasmine, black, green, red, your favorite variety of tea.
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup of ice cubes
1/2 cup of your choice of milk or milk substitute (rice, soy, or almond milk)
1/4 cup of tapioca pearls cooked

Directions

Blend the ice, tea, sugar, and milk in a blender until the mixture is creamy.
Place the tapioca pearls that have been cooked into the bottom of a tall glass, and add the creamy drink over the tapioca pearls.
Place a fat straw into the drink, so the pearls can be sipped up along with the milk tea.

You really should try these very easy recipes above, if you have not yet made milk tea at home. You will quickly see how money you can save and still manage to get your daily fix of milk tea. Try some today!

Learn how to make the best tea at All Herbal Tea.

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Coconut Water Recipes for Hangover Cures - Coconut Water Green Tea, Coffee, Shaved Ice and Shakes

2014-01-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

Recipes for coconut water hangover cures are important to know. You can't afford to be "hungover" and let a night on the town be an excuse to ruin your next day. There's money to be made, right? Get off your butt!!! It's possible to have fun partying and not be punished for it the whole next day.

Hangover prevention is the key to waking up feeling "better" and the recipes below are just what you need to cure that hangover in the morning. Drinking the water from coconuts before you go to bed, will make you feel better, faster, after any drinking session.

Even after most grueling of drinking sessions, it'll help rehydrate your body during your sleep and make you feel better in the morning. It's better than water and will help relieve you of hangover ailments, naturally, instead of cutting the pain off with a pill.

It replenishes and restores the balance of your electrolytes, making it easier for your body to rehydrate, making you feel better. Headaches, soreness and stomach pains are all ailments that can be relieved by coconut water, 100% naturally.

Here are some recipes that'll help cure your hangover.

Hangover Cure #1: Water from Coconuts with Green Tea

If you have a really bad hangover, drinking slowly is better for your stomach so you don't upset it any further. Hot liquids are a perfect way to drink slowly, because it hurts too badly if you drink fast (genius!).

Just brew green tea in some piping hot coconut water and you've got all the rehydrating properties of coco water to go with a green tea caffeine kick.

Hangover Cure #2: Water from Coconuts with Coffee

Brew your favorite coffee, using the coco water!

Hangover Cure #3: Coconut Water Shaved Ice

This hangover cure is also for a really bad hangover. In fact, this is for what I refer to as "the deathbed hangover." During these unfortunate times, any amount of liquid makes the stomach churn and brings on the nausea. It's very important to rehydrate your body at this point because you will only continue to dehydrate and feel worse.

When your stomach can't hold down any liquid, you need ice, because it melts slowly. The liquid makes it to your stomach slowly, causing less irritation, helping your stomach keep it down. It's also a better alternative than water because it contains essential electrolytes that your body needs to rehydrate.

You do need to have a shaved ice machine to this. If you don't have one, buy one on-line to find the best deals. Then, freeze some blocks of coco water to shave up for the morning after that next big rager and get a jumpstart on your next day.

If you don't have a shaved ice machine, a similar strategy would be to freeze cubes of coco water and crush them up, so you could suck on the crushed ice.

Coconut water has a mild sweetness, so it's best not to dress the shaved ice with anything for those severe hangovers, as they'll probably upset your stomach. If you think your stomach is okay, try using fruits that are low in acid like bananas, blueberries, peaches, nectarines and strawberries for toppings.

If you have little children, coconut water shaved ice is also a healthy, refreshing treat that the kids love!

Hangover Cure #4: Coco Water Breakfast Shake

These breakfast shakes are great for the mild hangover and a healthy option to add to your everyday diet. For a hangover, you're gonna want to use about 2 cups of coconut water, one full banana, a half cup of frozen strawberries or any fruit that is low in acid, 2 tablespoons of all natural, unsalted peanut butter, and one-third of a cup, of raw oatmeal. Put them in the blender for about 30 seconds and you're on the way to feeling better.

For the non-hangover breakfast shake, use a little bit less coco water, only half a banana, a full cup of whatever frozen fruit you choose, and add a splash of orange juice.

These are also great for the kids!

Hangover Cure #5: 100% Natural Coconut Water, All by Itself

Step 1: Drink 8 ounces of chilled coco water before you go to bed, the night of drinking, to help your body start replacing lost electrolytes.

Step 2: Drink 8 ounces of chilled coconut water when you wake up in the morning. You'll be surprised at how good you feel (at whatever time you wake up), when you drink it before you go to bed.

Hopefully you found these coconut water recipes for hangover cures useful. It really works, so do yourself a favor and give it a try. It's called the "fluid of life" for good reason.

[http://www.benefitsofcoconutwater.info] highlights several other benefits of coconut water.

Vita Coco is one of the favorite coconut water companies in the world and has a variety of great coconut water flavors. For Vita Coco flavor reviews and coconut water breakfast shake recipes, check out, [http://www.vitacocococonutwater.info] There's also safe Amazon links for great coconut water deals.

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Free Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream - Green Tea Ice Cream Recipe

2013-12-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

Green tea ice cream is a unique and refreshing change from the regular ice cream flavors. It's commonly served in Asian restaurants.

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons powdered green tea

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup light cream

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of the sugar water with the powdered green tea. Add green tea mixture to the saucepan and stir until all is completely mixed.

Add the heavy cream and the light cream and stir until well mixed. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and follow manufactuer's directions.

=> Free Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream: Cool Lemon Ice Cream Recipe

Like any recipe for making ice cream, this recipe can be adjusted to your own personal tastes. Some like it sweet, and some like it a little bit tart - whichever way you make this ice cream, it'll be delicious.

2 1/2 quarts half and half cream

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon rind

Directions

Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until completely blended. Refrigerate overnight. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and follow manufactuer's directions.

=> Free Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream: Creamy Coconut Ice Cream Recipe

You put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up . . . oh wait. That's for another recipe. Still, you're taste buds will be singing a happy tune when you enjoy a spoonful of this creamy confection.

1 cup milk

1 (14 oz.) can Cream of Coconut (do not use coconut milk)

1 1/2 cups heavy cream or half and half cream

1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Directions

In a blender or food processor, combine the milk and cream of coconut. Blend until completely mixed. Stir in the cream or half and half, the flaked coconut and vanilla (if you are using it).

Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and follow manufactuer's directions.

=> Free Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream: Magnificent Mango Ice Cream Recipe

You'll be doing the mango tango after tasting this refreshingly tropical ice cream.

1 (32 oz.) jar mangos

2 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream (optional)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 pint heavy cream or half and half

1 quart milk

Directions

In a blender or food processor, combine the mangos, mango juice, sugar, sour cream, condensed milk, heavy cream or half and half and milk. Blend until completely mixed. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and follow manufactuer's directions.

Easy to make – fun to drink

[http://www.1st-milkshake-n-smoothie-recipes.com]

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Home-Brewed Green Tea Soda

2013-12-31T05:14:00.000-08:00

There are a myriad of health benefits associated with drinking green tea and health conscious people are always looking for new ways to incorporate it into their diets. Many companies are cashing in on this long-standing health trend by marketing mass-produced sugar laden drinks as "healthy" simply because they have a small amount of green tea included in their long ingredient lists.

Most people do realize they can't achieve optimal health through consumption of the overly processed pre-prepared foods and drinks offered at grocery stores. Foods made at home, from scratch will always nutritionally surpass its mass-produced counterparts. Still, there are certain types of foods and drinks that even most die-hard home cooks won't attempt to make. Sodas fall into this category. Sure, there are those who will make a healthy version of soda by mixing tea with sparkling water, club soda or seltzer. But the problem with that is you dilute the carbonation with the green tea (making it somewhat flat tasting) and you dilute the green tea with the soda water. The result is okay but not outstanding in terms of nutrition or flavor.

Is there a better option out there? There certainly is! Home brewed sodas were commonplace throughout history because they are delicious and easy to make. Modern consumers have been mistakenly led to believe soda can only be produced in a lab. Once you have a basic understanding of how to ferment sugars through the use of yeast, you can easily combine a few simple ingredients and have your own home-brewed soda.

The process is relatively straightforward. When yeast and sugar are combined in a moist, dark environment the yeast will consume the sugar and produce carbon based gasses. If this process occurs in a tightly sealed bottle the resulting gas will carbonate the liquid, providing the sparkly bubbles you want in a soda.

There are two things I must warn you about before proceeding. First, this process also produces a small amount of ethanol. This means the finished product will be slightly alcoholic. Second, anytime you produce natural pressure within a closed container there are inherent risks involved. I will admit to suffering a few burst bottles while I was honing my skills as a soda brewer. You can avoid injury if you are cautious.

You need a very specific balance of acid, sugar and yeast to ensure proper results when fermenting. My basic recipe includes green tea, honey, lemon, water and yeast. I also use various spices and flavorings, but when experimenting you must remember to keep the acid/sugar ratio the same. You will find the detailed recipe HERE

Heather Krasovec own and maintains http://www.drinkgreenteaforhealth.com, an informative site about green tea which also features a compilation of recipes Heather developed to incorporate more green tea into her diet.

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Iced Tea Recipe

2013-12-30T05:24:00.000-08:00

Looking for the ultimate iced tea recipe? Then you come to the right place. Iced tea is the perfect beverage during summertime and on hot, sunny days. It is perfect for days when you just want to chill and freshen up. It is also the perfect partner for every meal and is best shared with family and friends.

Here are a few examples of cool, delicious and healthy iced tea recipes that you can choose from:

Boston Iced Tea

Ingredients:

2 liters water
1/2 cup white sugar
8 tea bags (black tea)
2 cups cranberry juice concentrate

Directions:

In a medium-sized pan or pot, bring the water to a boil. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes. Add teabags and steep for 5 minutes or until desired strength is achieved. Stir in cranberry juice concentrate. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before placing in the refrigerator. Add ice cubes before serving.

Orange Earl Grey Tea

Ingredients:
2 liters water
1/4 cup sugar
8 tea bags (Earl Grey Tea)
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons sliced orange peels or peel of one orange

Directions:

In a small pan, bring 1 liter of water to a boil. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 2 minutes. Steep the teabags and orange peels for 5 minutes or until desired strength is achieved. Remove the teabags and strain the orange peels. Place on a large pitcher. Add orange juice and 1 liter of cold water. Stir. Allow cooling for 5-10 minutes before placing in the refrigerator. Add ice cubes before serving.

Honey-Lemon Iced Green Tea

Ingredients:

2 liters water

2 cups honey

8 teabags (green tea)

1 medium-sized lemon

Directions:

In a small pan or pot, bring to a boil 1 liter of water. Remove from heat and allow cooling for 3 minutes. Steep the teabags for 3 minutes or until desired strength is achieved. Remove teabags. Stir in honey. Add 1 liter of water and stir. Slice lemon into thin wedges and add to mixture. Allow to cool before placing in the refrigerator. Add ice cubes prior to serving.

Place slices of lemon or orange on the rim of the glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes before pouring the ice tea mixture.

If you are preparing this drink for a dinner party one way to really knock it out of the park, and provide the perfect chilled rink is to put the tea in the fridge to let it cool. Then about half an hour before your party begins put the pitcher in the freezer. This will bring down the core temperature and will ensure that the ice cubes don't melt right away. This avoids watering down your drink, while still having a cold beverage ready for your guests!

creamy early grey tea

tea talk

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Green Tea Recipe - Nutritious But Are They Delicious?

2013-12-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

I grew up experiencing the delicious green tea recipes. Did you know that in China, green tea has been used in cooking as long as the tea has been used for drinking? As you have noticed, it has becoming more and more popular to incorporate it into cooking.

The good news is that most of the ingredients you will use in a green tea recipe does not require special ingredients (other than the tea itself) nor special trip to Asian supermarkets.

Eating with this wonderful leaf has a lot of benefits such as preventing cancer and heart disease, restricting the increase of blood cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar levels, controlling inflammation, suppressing the aging process, refreshing your body, fighting virus, and promoting weight loss.

Yes, a nice bonus of including this drink in your diet is the slowing of the absorption of carbohydrates and stimulating fat burning. The other reason is the unforgettable flavor of the food. High quality green tea has a very distinct flavor that many experience that is unique to this wonder drink.

So how do you cook with it? If the recipe calls for brewed tea, make sure that you use fresh bottled spring water when making your tea. Tap water contains chemicals which can change the taste of a brew. Pls. remember that different types of tea require different temperatures of water.

To get the best flavor and the most infusions, pick a high quality leaves and if you can afford it, choose an organic tea. Then brew your green tea with a boiling water at 160 - 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because it is better to steep green tea at a lower temperature for a little longer rather than forcing the tea leaves to open up and release their essence with high temperature. Doing so will result to a bitter brew.

In order to achieve the optimum health benefits of green tea, make sure to wait for 3-4 minutes of brewing time.

To use bags for cooking, add a little steaming water to the teapot and swirl the water to warm the teapot. Place 2 to 4 teabags in the pot and immediately pour 1/4 cups of boiling water over the tea bags. Cover and infuse for 2-3 minutes. This will make 1 cup of very strong tea. Then use this liquid according to the recipe.

To use loose tea leaves, first brew or steam the leaves and infuse for 5 minutes. Do not use a tea ball or strainer because you want the leaves to be fully infused.

Normally, you use dry leaves as a seasoning, the brew as a sauce, and the infused leaves as vegetables. Another way to infuse dry tea leaves is to steam them until infused before adding to the dish.

For more information on health issues and effective natural health solutions, visit [http://www.onehealthonelife.com] It's a great place to ask your own health questions and share your knowledge on health as well. Visit our information site for more tips on green tea [http://www.green-tea-expert.com]

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Healthy Latte Recipes for Chai Tea and Matcha Green Tea Lattes

2013-12-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with Starbuck's drinks a few years back, but couldn't always afford to buy them. The nearest Starbuck's to me is 1 1/2 hours away, so I try a few lattes when I travel, then when I come back home, I make my own healthy versions!

You can learn how to make your own healthy lattes by substituting healthy ingredients for the not so healthy.

Use raw milk, almond or coconut milk instead of soy and pasteurized milk
Use honey, date or coconut sap sugar instead of white refined sugar
You can also buy tea in bulk instead of tea bags to save money and get fresher tea
Make your own whipped cream from heavy cream instead of using processed substitutes

CHAI TEA: Nothing tastes better on a cold wintery day than a cup of hot chai tea. Chai tea originated in India and is made from a blend of spices: cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, boiled with tea and milk.

Hot Chai Tea

2 cups water

2 regular tea bags-black tea, orange pekoe etc

1/8-1/4 teaspoon EACH of ground ginger and cardamom

1 whole clove

1 cinnamon stick

¼ cup date or coconut sugar or honey to taste

2 ½ cups milk

Add water, spices and tea bags to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. This mixture will darken as it boils. Don't worry if a tea bag breaks, you'll be straining this later anyway. Add the sugar or honey. As you make this recipe each time use a little less sweetener and you will get used to the less-sweet taste. Next, add the milk and bring back just to a boil. Be careful it doesn't boil over. Tip: To keep the chai from boiling over, run a stick of butter around the rim of the pan when it's hot. Strain the chai tea into your cup and enjoy!

Easy Iced Chai Tea Latte

2 chai tea bags, there are several brands to choose from

1 cup raw milk, almond or coconut milk

1 cup hot water

Ice Cubes

Put the 2 tea bags in a cup and pour 1 cup boiling water over. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and gently squeeze out all the liquid. If you need it sweetened, add a bit of honey and dissolve while it is warm. Stir in the milk and serve over ice. You can also put the mixture in the blender and blend with ice to make it slushy.

Chai Green Tea Latte

For a variation, add in 2 green tea bags to the above recipe to get all the amazing health benefits of green tea.

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

Japanese Matcha green tea powder is renowned for its superb taste, health benefits plus it's an invigorating drink.

1 cup raw milk, almond or coconut milk

1 cup ice

1 Tbsp warm water

1 Tbsp raw honey

1-2 drops vanilla extract

1 tsp Matcha powdered green tea

*Optional: Light rum (to taste)

First, you will need to make a paste with the Matcha green tea powder, honey and the warm water. Put the powder and honey into a small bowl, add the warm water and use a small whisk or spoon to blend it into a smooth paste.

Put the Matcha paste and the rest of the ingredients in the blender. Blend until smooth for about 1 minute. If the Matcha paste sticks to the side of the blender, stop the blender and scrape the paste down into the milk, and resume blending. Serve over ice.

Learn more about homesteading, traditional foods, herbs, livestock and natural living skills at The Natural Living Site http://thenaturallivingsite.com/blog

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Green Tea Soap Recipe - For Your Healthful Skin Nourishment

2013-12-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

Following a green tea soap recipe allows you to understand the many benefits that this natural product offers. This type of soap is available in different cosmetic stores. The main components of this product are all natural including other essential plant oils. You can be assured that you will get the best benefit from using it as part of your daily beauty routine. If you are interested in preparing your own product, here is a green tea soap recipe to follow.

Homemade soap can be a great way to improve the cleansing ability and health quotient of your beauty care. Here are the things that you will need. Prepare large microwaveable container like 1 to 2 quart Pyrex measuring cup, wooden spoon, soap molds, soap base, strong and warm tea, kitchen scale, essential oil of your choice for example olive oil and soap coloring.

Basically, there are different types of these tea that you can choose from. Dragon Well green tea is named after the popular well in China and has bright green color and strong flavor. Jasmine green tea is a combination of green tea and Jasmine flowers. Herbal green tea such as echinecea or ginseng provides more health benefits than the others.

After you have gathered all the ingredients and equipment, you are now ready to prepare the soap base. The soap base is made from natural glycerin which is good for the skin. Chop this into about inch chunk. Fill the microwaveable cup and weigh to know how much soap you have according to weight. Put it in a microwave with medium heat for two minutes. Stir and heat it again for a minute until it becomes completely liquid. Then, pour the these tea while both solutions are warm. Stir the mixture to blend. After this, add essential oil and a drop of green coloring. You can now pour this in the soap molder and wait until it solidifies.

By following the green tea recipe provided above will lead you to create your personalized soap that is healthy to your skin. You can experiment on coming out with other variation like if you want to add extra texture, you may want to put ground tea leaves. If you want to add scent, you can make use of lavender oil. Learning about these tea soap recipes help you understand better how this organic and healthy soap benefits your skin.

Discover the best buying guide for green tea soap recipe [http://www.greenteasoap.net] at [http://www.greenteasoap.net].

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Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe

2013-12-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

Matcha green tea lattes have become a popular twist on the cafe favorite of the standard latte. They yield a unique smooth flavor and a beautiful deep green color. It is important though to use high quality matcha when making matcha lattes otherwise your latte will have a very bitter or very strong grassy flavor, typically associated with low quality or fake matcha.

Another benefit aside from its great flavor to the matcha latte, is its added health benefits. Matcha is made from extremely finely ground Japanese gyokuro green tea. So the actual powder is the entire green tea leaf, which has been shown many times to have a wide array of vitamins (including C and E), minerals and is very high in antioxidants. Studies suggest that 3 cups or more of green tea daily can provide protection against cancer. However for those with difficulty consuming caffeine, matcha lattes are probably not for you. The typical matcha latte contains half as much caffeine as its espresso counterpart but is still fairly high, at about 35mg.

Here is a simple recipe for a delicious matcha latte. Easy to enjoy every morning.

Ingredients:
-1 Cup Milk (Soy or Almond also work)
-1/2 - 1 tsp Latte Matcha

Prep Time: 2 min
Cooking Time: 1 min

Instructions:
Heat milk. This can be done fairly quickly in a microwave in a heat proof container for one or two minutes. This can also be done on the stove in a pot, or by using a milk steamer.

In a blender, add hot milk and then your matcha. Blend for 30 seconds on medium speed. It is important to add your matcha after the milk, if matcha is added first, it will have a tendency to stick to the container.

Pour and enjoy.

*If you do not wish to use a blender or do not have one, a milk frother also works, so does a whisk in a bowl, a frothing wand or a milk steamer.

Foam tips:
-Skim milk or soy milk produce the most foam with a finer texture. Whole milk produces larger bubbles, and almond milks foam tends to not last as long.
-When using a milk steamer, starting with cold milk will give you a finer texture.
-When using a blender, do not go to high of speed and let it sit for 30 seconds after blended so the larger bubbles will pop and the foam will settle.

This article was written by Dan Garbini who is one of the owners at Teanobi Tea Company. http://www.teanobi.com The article may be used so long as reference is given to the author and a link to our latte matcha is given.

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Health Drink Supplements - Benefits of Health Drinks

2013-08-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago you're lucky to even find one health drink supplement out there, and one that had any good benefits to them. If you look in any store from your local health food store to 7-11 you will find endless amounts of these drinks. Within the next five years these nutritional health drink supplements will be a trillion dollar industry and everyday people like yourself can make a good living and retire early by being involved with one of these companies.

Now some of these drinks are nothing more than a good shot of sugar that give you some energy for 3-4 hours at best, and basically replaces a cup of coffee at the time. But there are a few good companies that have some scientific discoveries and testimonials of their product that have a lot of benefits to them, and have had a ot of research involved into their product.

These health drinks are now being incorporated into your daily diet and replacing coffee, juices, and even daily vitamins. Some of the benefits include rejuvenation, improved eyesight, anti-aging, increased mental clarity, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, helps immune system, eases pain, good for the heart and even might help slow certain cancers.

Now my advice to you is to research the product and find testimonials of the benefits these drinks are doing, because I myself have tried these drinks and know first hand of the health benefits they are doing for me and others I am in contact with. The more testimonials you find the better, and not everyone in this world is the same. What helped cure someone of a specific benefit doesn't mean it will help you in the same way, you might have a different benefit it will help you with.

Also instead of being just a product user of this health drink supplement you believe in, check out to see if it's possible to run your own home based business as a marketer and distributor of your product. There are many people today earning 5 figures a month network marketing these drinks, and if this business is going to be a trillion dollar business, why not get your piece of that pie as well.

Chris Davidson is a very Successful Network Marketer that is guided and driven towards helping others achieve their own Dreams, Goals and Possibilities. [http://helpingfindyourfreedom.com]

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Health Drinks May Not Be So Healthy After All

2013-08-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Health living is now a popular trend and thus emerged many companies offering health products and services. According to experts, taking vitamins and mineral supplements in liquid form can be quite effective in achieving optimum health. This is because in this liquid form, the body can absorb the nutrients it needs easily. This is the reason why health drinks are so popular today, that many companies come up with health drinks in liquid form such as those in juices while others come up with powder form which can be mixed with water, to be consumed.

However, many so-called "healthy drinks," may not be as good as they claimed to be. Some health drinks, for example, energy drinks are high in sugar content and caffeine. Consuming too much energy drinks can lead to heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and irritability. Juice drinks are usually high in sugar content and regular consumption of it will lead to an increase in your waistline as well as the risk of getting diabetes.

So for those who are into healthy drinks, it is time to learn how to determine which are the ones that can help you achieve optimum health and which ones do not. When shopping for health drinks, be sure to check the labels and avoid those which have the following ingredients:

artificial flavors and sweeteners. Artificial flavors are commonly found in colas, sweet juices and candy bars and also in most health drinks that are flavored-based. These artificial flavors and sweeteners can cause pH imbalances in the blood.
high fructose corn syrup. This is the major cause of weight gain as it is a concentrated sugar. Excessive consumption can lead to abnormal blood sugar levels that may eventually cause diabetes.
processed vitamins. These vitamins have been heated, liquefied and isolated and thus they have been broken down and the the body will not benefit from them.
phosphoric acid. This acid is usually found in detergents, fertilizers and other pharmaceuticals products. Consumption of this acid can lead to the irritation of the skin and eyes.
artificial coloring such as the yellow 6, yellow 5 and red 40.
modified food starch.

No doubt that ready-made commercial health drinks are convenient especially for the busy working people, nothing beats making your own health drink. All you need is a juicer, ice, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and you can get fresh, natural health drinks everyday.

To learn more about health drinks, visit http://www.squidoo.com/healthdrinks

Helen is a keen researcher and writer of health and health related topics. Visit her website at [http://www.strongandhealthy.info]

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Health Drinks Aren't Always That Healthy, Especially When Choosing a Diet High in Alkaline Foods

2013-08-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

If your health drinks of choice are those colorful vitamin waters and sport drinks, you will want to read this and pass it on, especially to anyone concerned about consuming more alkaline foods. Look at the ingredients in most commercially advertised sport drinks and vitamin waters, and you will quickly see they are far from being healthy drinks.

Next time you are shopping for health drinks or alkaline foods, here are a few things to avoid:

Phosphoric Acid is just what it says it is - acid. This is a definition of phosphoric acid: "A clear colorless liquid used in fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals and food flavoring, irritating to the skin and eyes and moderately toxic if ingested." When your diet is supposed to be 80% alkaline foods and only 20% acid forming foods for proper pH balance, this really puts you upside down quickly.
High Fructose Corn Syrup - This is concentrated sugar that contributes to weight gain and abnormal blood sugar levels, which can also lead to diabetes. Excess sugars have no place in health drinks, and you certainly won't find processed sugar in any alkaline foods.
Artificial Flavors - We call them Excito-toxins! When artificial flavorings are in health drinks, they begin to resemble sugary juices, soft drinks and candy. These artificial substances will interfere with your pH balance and force you to consume more alkaline foods to neutralize the acid from the toxins in your blood.
Artificial Sweeteners - These are so unnecessary in health drinks today. In addition to the acid forming properties of artificial sweeteners, nutritionists express concerns about their effects on the human body. Many consumers now believe that artificial sweeteners may play a factor in diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer's. That is one reason why corporations such as Pepsico and Coca Cola are beginning to market health drinks and other products containing Stevia, an all natural sweetener that is actually beneficial. You can learn more about Stevia Sweetener and discover alkaline foods for pH balance by taking the Alkaline Food Test at BestHealthFoodStore.net.
Isolated Vitamins - When isolated, processed, heated, liquefied and bottled, vitamins and minerals break down before your body can use them. You need vitamins and minerals from whole foods, not from so called health drinks that are really bottled, heated, highly processed waters with colorful dyes and artificial ingredients.

Someone showed me a well-known sport drink the other day and I couldn't believe the ingredients! This tropical mango flavored health drink didn't mention mango anywhere in the ingredients, but let's take a look at what it did list, along with some things to think about when choosing health drinks:

Sucrose Syrup (this is sugar)
High Fructose Corn Syrup (more sugar) - A total of 56 gms of sugar
Phosphoric Acid (the opposite of alkaline foods)
Glycerol ester of wood rosin (acid forming)
Modified Food Starch (how was it modified?)
Natural and Artificial Flavors (your guess is as good as mine)
Yellow 6, Yellow 5 and Red 40 (artificial dyes)

Another bottle of this not so healthy drink says "Specially Formulated for Tiger Woods" with the same ingredients, but blue dye instead of yellow. I guess that secret blue stuff is what makes Tiger play so well. In fact, experts could argue that Tiger's recent knee problems are because of too many acid forming foods and not enough alkaline foods in his diet. Many medical and health specialists now believe that an acid/alkaline imbalance can contribute to weak bones and damaged joints.

When shopping for a good health drink, here are some important considerations to keep in mind.

Is it liquefied, pasteurized or otherwise heated in the bottling process? If so then the enzymes have been destroyed and the nutrients will not easily be absorbed by the body.
Does it give you chlorophyll from plants to help your cells absorb more oxygen?
Does it provide natural antioxidants to destroy free radicals? Natural antioxidants are essential for anti-aging.
Is it made with whole food ingredients like real fruit or other alkaline foods?

Now, let's take a different look at health drinks on the market today that are not advertised with flashy TV ads or filled with colorful dyes: Here are some of the characteristics of these truly healthy drinks:

Not liquefied or bottled, but in powder form
Processed at low temperatures
Contain live enzymes from whole alkaline foods and chlorophyll from plants
Complex structures of the whole food ingredients are fully intact
Loaded with natural antioxidants to combat free radicals

Does your health drink do that? Not if you bought it in a convenience store or the health food store at the mall.

Cliff Smith, as owner of an online health food store, is constantly researching the latest nutrition information. His Alkaline Food Test is a must for anyone who wants to know if they are eating enough alkaline foods. Cliff's personal success story is highlighted by his natural weight loss and athletic achievements through a combination of concentrated health drinks, all natural foods and alkaline drinks for pH balance. Cliff is also a serious mountain biker, a professional actor and and voiceover artist who operates VoiceCreation.com

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Health Drinks: Experience Healthy Acai Berry Fruit Drinks

2013-08-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

The famous quote 'health is wealth' seems to be a history with the kind of life style most individuals have these days.

Deadlines, work pressures and daily life stress have hardly left an individual with anytime to fix a healthy life style. What comes as a respite for individuals with such stressful routine are various health drinks and nutritional drinks available in the market. These drinks not only provide instant energy but also avoid an individual from indulging in bad eating habits. These drinks can act as a substitute for food and raise our energy levels when required.

Though there are numerous companies in the market offering such drinks but the choice is strictly individual. There are drinks which may taste better than others but the same can be because of artificial sweeteners. The high sugar content not only gives us excessive calories but also defeats the entire purpose of having a health drink. A fruit juice from natural sources is anytime a better drink as compared to a fruit juice with added sweeteners, flavours or additives.

While going for a health drink its ingredients should be studied carefully so as to know its nutritional value. The nutritional juices or fruit juices made from fruits high in antioxidants are a good option as they not only help boost metabolism but also clean toxins from body. A few such fruits which are high in antioxidants include Pomegranate, Acai Berry, Noni Fruit, Pomegranate, Goji Berry and Mangosteen. Fruit juices with such fruit options are ideal for the ones on a fat loss diet as these kick up the metabolism thus causing weight loss. Also the added energy provided by these drinks can be used for diverse jobs.

These drinks provide good nutrition because of the presence of essential minerals as well as vitamins in them. Knowing ones deficiencies also help in choosing a nutritional drink. An individual can go for a drink rich in a particular vitamin, iron or potassium depending upon the deficiency. These drinks provide an additional boost to the health of an individual as at times have minerals etc which are not often found in the daily food consumed. These drinks can also be consumed by someone with a balanced diet for that extra energy.

While choosing such nutritional drinks or fruit juices beside the name of the company, the most important are ingredients listed on the particular drink. Much suited for the ones with a busy life schedule these drinks boost energy levels and give strength and stamina to fight daily stress and work pressures. These drinks further help in coping up with the mood swings caused by stressful way of working. Try these health drinks and fruit juices to experience a better and a healthy lifestyle as including these drinks can give experience of a lifetime.

Experience the health benefits of the antioxidant and delicious healthy fruit juice. Read more how to purchase delicious Health Drink Supplements. It is your all- in-one Nutritional Drinks. Try it Today!

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Sunrider Health Foods and Health Drinks

2013-08-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Sunrider International is a company that has taken the concept of health foods and health drinks to an entirely new level. They work to combine the best of both science and nature in order to develop health foods and drinks that really pack the biggest nutritional punch. Their products are concentrated and surpass the nutritional value of what you find in the supermarket-even the organic section!

Sunrider has been making their health food and health drinks right here in the United States since 1982, and many of those products have won a variety of awards. The company itself was even recognized as the Business of the Year by the City of Los Angeles, Harbor City/Harbor Gateway Chamber of Commerce in 2008. Sunrider International is guided by Drs. Tei-Fu Chen and Oi-Len Chen, who work with a team of scientists to create their life-altering projects. From the research phase, through development, and even into manufacturing, this team oversees the process to ensure the highest quality results.

The Sunrider Difference

Sunrider products are able to surpass the nutritional quality of other foods for multiple reasons. First of all, the health foods and health drinks developed use concentrated whole foods. Rather than creating chemical versions of nutrients, Sunrider health foods come from naturally occurring plants. In fact, some of those plants are so "natural" that they are harvested right from the wild.

The ingredients that are farmed, such as certain herbs, are done so under strict guidelines and parameters. Sunrider does believe in the importance of organic farming, although they believe that these practices alone are not enough to boost nutritional value. Therefore, they implement additional strategies to attain the significant differences that their health foods and health drinks can make.

Another difference between Sunrider and many other food and drink manufacturers is that Sunrider does not rely heavily on only one ingredient. Instead, they strive to provide a blend of nutrient sources, allowing for a more natural balance within the body. Compare this to so-called "miracle" health drinks like acai berry juice, and you'll see why the Sunrider approach is so much better for the human body. Rather than overdosing yourself on one particular vitamin or nutrient, you are introducing a variety of healthful components that work together naturally.

Sunrider Foods and Drinks Promote Better Overall Health

Some of the most commonly reported benefits of using Sunrider products include:

• An increase in energy directly caused by high levels of concentrated nutrients

• Even blood sugar levels, which leads to consistent moods

• A lack of cravings for less healthy foods

• Clearer thought processes and a better ability to concentrate

• Healthy weight loss and maintenance

• Better digestion of the natural nutrients found in the products

• Support for the immune system for better resistance to illness

In addition, Sunrider health foods and health drinks have anti-oxidant properties that help to slow down the aging process. Those who use the products find that not only do they feel younger on the inside, but they start looking younger on the outside, too. Softer skin and more restful sleep are just two of the benefits that so many Sunrider users are experiencing every day.

Cliff Smith operates an online health food store dedicated to offering the best Sunrider health foods and drinks. Cliff is also an actor, voiceover artist, and serious mountain biking enthusiast who covers hundreds of miles of rugged terrain, fueled by Sunrider.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Sunrider-Health-Foods-and-Health-Drinks&id=4069946

Health Drinks With the Cupuacu Berry Provide Better Energy

2013-08-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

Health drinks are for individuals who want more.

• More time
• More energy
• More, more, more, more!

Calling all energy addicts, caffeine freaks, type A's in search of the A+.

If this is you - attempting to cram more into your 24 hours than is humanly possible and you're in the habit of reaching for the energy drink for help, then listen up!

If you could have your energy drink's same energizing benefits, along with healthy, natural, superfoods in a single nutritional beverage, would you try it? NASA did!

It's true. NASA actually endorses a healthy energy drink in their nutritional sciences. The astronauts drink this during earth-bound conditioning and in-flight physical maintenance. NASA spends a lot of money training and conditioning their astronauts and since the US space program began they have been the leaders in health and technology.

While many drinks contain beneficial ingredients such as vitamins, and natural products such as ginseng, almost all contain something called "energy blend." Quite the opposite of energy drinks filled with large amounts of caffeine which gives you temporary energy but is followed by a sudden crash and jittery feeling, healthy energy blends will help your body's immune system and provide long lasting energy.

Forget about the crash after real health drinks with natural fruits that are known to provide energy. As Americans have become more and more health conscious they have found that many natural fruits provide a large amount of antioxidants and other health benefits in just one serving. You may have already heard of the Acai berry from the Brazilian rainforest.

Another fruit that is up and coming in the natural health industry is the Cupuacu berry. It's pronounced, "coo poo wa sue". It's been used for many, many years by in Brazil and is known as the "pharmacy in a fruit". They use it in deserts such as ice cream and parfaits. The fruit is so new to America that you can only get it at Brazilian restaurants and on the internet. It has been said that the Cupuacu berry is the superfood of superfoods.

Energy drinks that contain this fruit combined will actually boost your immune system, WHILE pumping your energy! And it has a great taste when combined with other sweet fruits and berries! Some say a little chocolaty. (Think chocolate covered kiwis.) You will feel energized but not jittery. Allowing you to be alert, productive and calm at the same time.

For a free sample of the health drink AS10 Fusion with the Cupuacu berry, go to the [http://nextgenerationnutritionvitamins.com/blog/].

Visit our website for all they information you need on the new health drinks [http://nextgenerationnutritionvitamins.com/].

Robert Peters is a healthy entrepreneur who uses AS10 for himself and his family, including his 2 year old grandson!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_B_Peters
http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Drinks-With-the-Cupuacu-Berry-Provide-Better-Energy&id=4728595

Health Drinks On The Rise

2013-08-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Health drinks come in all shapes and sizes. Over the years the label on our food and drink products has always been there but not always filled out with what we need to know. The FDA has done a nice job in developing rules on labeling consumer products to allow for comparison and make sure that what is in the product won't cause harm to the buyer. Science through research and development funding has uncovered many new finds when it comes to our health and nutrition related to food and drinks. However, when we are talking food and drinks we are not as regulated as say the pharmaceutical industry and some say we need to rethink our position on this. Over the past twenty years we have seen many new supplements enter the market. From Herbalife(TM) to Mona Vie International(TM) we have an abundance of choices to make that are not FDA certified as they are not in a class of products required to be certified. Whether this is right or wrong is not the purpose of this article but we need to start paying closer attention to these products and integrate our choices with our overall life decisions when it comes to food and prescribed medications. The combinations can be lethal if you mix the wrong combinations at the wrong time depending on your situation. However, on a positive note we are starting to see great progress with all natural supplements in the fight against inflammation. As more and more studies take shape and gather scientific proof we could very well be heading in a direction whereby nature provides many of the essential nutritional products to aide in the relief of many chronic diseases and ultimately perhaps cures.

Health drinks also offer flexibility. They are portable by design and can be in powder or liquid formulations. Companies are taking more consumer appreciation by providing more and more labeling information right on the packaging. This has evolved very swiftly over the past 10 years and shows signs of maturing in a very positive direction from a consumer and government perspective. Again, health drinks do not fall into the category of close FDA requirements as noted above. If more manufacturers practice deeper and wider disclosure we will all have shelf visibility at time of purchase that we can compare for quality and price let alone make sure that the ingredients won't mix harmfully with our current medications prescribed. As always, you should consult your personal physician before adding any new food or drinks as supplements.

The explosive growth and new findings by companies such as Mona Vie International(TM) show us that natures own products when combined (19 fruits in this case lead by the acai berry) can offer a very healthy and antioxidant rich formulation for a healthy alternative for our diets. The FDA recommends we eat five servings a day from the food and vegetable groups. Studies conducted show that we (in the US) are nowhere near this recommendation on a daily basis. Why is that? First of all cost. Food prices, like everything else are escalating. If you were to consume 5 servings a day every day you could be staring at $5-10/day in added expenses depending on organic versus non-organic supplied products. Multiply this by the average family of 4 and you have a whole new budget category. So, health drinks like the acai berry from MonaVie(TM) shows a promising alternative as it accomplishes in 2 ounces a day (one ounce in the morning and one again in the late afternoon) the FDA daily recommendation and at a cost of about $2.50-$3.50/day. So, not only are you achieving the FDA's daily targets but you are also saving your precious budgetary spend to the tune of $2-7/day or $10-28/week!
Look for market share leaders such as Coca Cola(TM), Pepsi(TM), etc to enter the market with more and more health juice supplemental offerings. The day of the soft drink is clearly challenged as the nation shifts to a more healthy approach and better overall lifestyle. Competition on the shelf will mount and thus provide more alternatives to the consumer and thus more choices. This will only benefit early phase companies such as MonaVie(TM) as the positive impact to all this exposure will break down those barriers on the consumer side from trying alternatives to a better health alternative!

Irene has been servicing the Health and Wellness industry since graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 1982. Through her professional experiences in primarily the Physical Therapy field (presently working) she has gathered deep understandings on nutrition, exercise and overall healthy programs to share with her readers and clients of Planet Berry LLC. To learn more on Irene or Planet Berry please visit their corporate web site at http://www.planetberries.com or email at info@planetberries.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Levy
http://EzineArticles.com/?Health-Drinks-On-The-Rise&id=565853

All Natural Foods, Alkaline Foods and Health Drinks - Part of 5 Steps to Naturally Perfect Health

2013-08-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

When searching for health drinks, all natural foods or hard to find alkaline foods it just doesn't pay to shop in traditional stores any longer. Famous actors, world-class athletes, and millions of other healthy people around the world use superior products that you simply can't find in the usual places. This is their secret to perfect health, and when you read this you will know the secret, too.

Health is Wealth Many of us baby boomers now realize that we have to take care of our bodies for financial reasons and to enjoy a long, healthy life. When you focus on better habits, eating all natural foods, guzzling health drinks instead of sodas, or researching things like alkaline foods, the advantages are profound. Among the benefits are that we get to keep our youthful hearts and minds for as long as possible.

When you take control of your health and fitness you make conscious choices that really do improve your overall well being.

Your self-esteem grows each time you give your body the most nutritious alkaline foods or health drinks.
You wake up with a smile, feeling alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic.
You find the energy to exercise.
Your joints, bones and muscles begin to feel more supple and strong.
You hear friends saying, "Wow, you look great, what are you doing?"
You become part of something bigger by consuming all natural foods and using products that are better for the planet.

Here are 5 steps you can take today to be in control of your health:

1. Eat more alkaline foods-Experts recommend a balance of 80% alkaline foods to only 20% acid forming foods for optimal health. Do you know how your diet weighs in on the pH balance scale? Take the Alkaline Food Test at an online health food store to find out.

2. Drink natural health drinks-Avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners and caffeine. Load up on antioxidants, live enzymes, real flavor and nutrition. There is a beverage mix used by world-class athletes, celebrities and millions of other healthy people. This all-natural formula was recently named to a list of Top 100 Health Products in the World. However, not that many people in America are familiar with it, yet.

3. Use environmentally friendly household products-You can't get them in stores, but on the Internet you have access to all natural soaps, shampoos, laundry detergent, multi-purpose cleaners and natural toothpaste without harmful chemicals. Look for an online health food store instead of shopping for the usual mass produced items at a grocery store.

4. Keep your diet closer to nature-All natural foods are considered to be minimally processed and do not contain artificial ingredients. They are not "enriched" with man made, isolated vitamins and minerals. All natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, artificial food colors, or artificial flavorings. Proponents of natural-food diets argue that refined ingredients promote obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

5. Buy from responsible manufacturers-Stop giving your money to corporations that are making products filled with trans fats, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, too much sugar, genetically altered ingredients or toxic chemicals. Shop differently from a company that uses all natural ingredients and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes. Again, you won't find them locally, but you can easily find an online health food store that carries products made by responsible manufacturers.

If you're like me, you are not waiting for the next president to fix health care in America. Instead, you are taking responsibility for your own health by first and foremost, taking care of yourself physically and financially. Just remember, shopping in the same old places for nutritional products will give you the same old results. Instead, do some searching for an online health food store. You will discover excellent choices for all natural foods, alkaline foods and health drinks that the average consumer has not yet stumbled upon.

Cliff Smith is the owner of an online health food store with all natural foods and health drinks not sold in other stores. Discover alkaline foods and check the balance of your diet with the alkaline food test at BestHealthFoodStore.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?All-Natural-Foods,-Alkaline-Foods-and-Health-Drinks---Part-of-5-Steps-to-Naturally-Perfect-Health&id=1075255

Champion Juicer Review: Making Health Drinks

2013-08-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

Do you drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice every day? Perhaps you make these yourself. Some of you may prefer to visit a juice bar. Even though the cost of a juice is not all that much, about $5, it soon adds up. That is why getting your own juicing appliance might be the more convenient option. You are then able to make fruit and vegetable drinks any time you choose.

We can give our bodies such a health boost simply by making a great tasting fruit and vegetable drink each day. Of course it is best if we mix up the types of juices that we drink or even combine a range of ingredients in one drink. Some of my favorites include, carrot, orange and ginger juice; and apple, spinach and ginger juice. Adding a bit of ginger to the mix is a good way to get extra flavor in there. The nutrients that we can get from this type of health drink keep our bodies in great shape and provide the quality nutrition that we require to feel and operate at our best on a daily basis.

What type of juicer should we get? This really depends upon whether you already have a juicer and are looking for a replacement or you are do not have one of these appliances and want to get into a healthier lifestyle. My suggestions are different depending upon which category you are in.

For those of you that currently make your own fruit and vegetable juices, what sort of juicer do you have? I imagine many of you are like me and chose a centrifugal juicer as your first purchase. If this is the case then now might be a good time to look into masticating juicers such as the Omega J8003 and the Champion juicer. Both of these machines can do roughly the same sort of juicing tasks, the cost about the same amount of money and the even look similar. Masticating juicers cope with leafy green vegetables better than centrifugal machines so they can help you increase the nutrition coming from this sort of ingredient.

If you are yet to purchase your first juicer then perhaps the Omega and Champion masticating machines are less than optimum at this time. This is because they take longer to make juices than centrifugal machines.

Regardless of what type of machine you end up getting, I would suggest that the important thing is to start or continue juicing for health.

Juicing for health is such an important aspect of our diet. I have written a Champion juicer review if you want to find out more about this specific brand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_John_Cowan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Champion-Juicer-Review:-Making-Health-Drinks&id=5143228

Guide to Buying Health Drinks

2013-08-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

While most people believe that water is the king of all health drinks, there are smarter options that make water consumption more productive. For instance, have you heard about alkaline drinks? These help the body support a healthy pH balance. While most drinking water is slightly alkaline, many health conscious consumers choose to boost the alkalinity of their water with herbal health drinks.

These herbal drinks can act as agents to make sure the water gets to the cells and is not just flushed away down the toilet. When processed correctly and mixed with water, herbal ingredients can contain active plant enzymes. These plant enzymes help the water permeate the walls of your cells and deliver nutrients, including H2O to the right places.

When the cells can efficiently absorb the water you consume then waste and toxins can be washed away at a faster rate. This provides an advanced, yet simple solution for detoxifying and rehydrating internal cells, organs and tissues to feel significant results throughout the body. The key is to find the right health drinks that contain properly processed herbal ingredients.

Of course, there are so many health drinks to pick from today that it is confusing to distinguish the serious options from the imposters. So, here are a few tips for selecting the highest quality options without falling victim to hype and slick advertising.

Avoid these ingredients:

Sugar (unnecessary calories from things like high fructose corn syrup, cane juice, and even honey, unless it is raw)
Chemical preservatives, additives, excito-toxins and flavorings (like MSG)
Caffeine (real health drinks don't need caffeine to give you a boost)
Guarana, Taurine or medicinal herbs (food grade herbs are better for the body)
Isolated vitamins (Man-made recreations of vitamins and minerals do not offer the same benefits as whole food nutrients. In fact, isolated vitamins are often flushed out in urine before absorption)
Phosphoric acid or other acidic ingredients (these lead to pH imbalances)

Beyond the nutrition facts label, it is also a good idea to know how your health drinks are processed. Is it possible to know whether they contain active plant enzymes? Can you discern if the nutrients are protected from high heat in the manufacturing processes? Are the ingredients more alkaline than acid?

The answer to these questions is usually, "no". However, there are a few select alternatives made with this kind of attention to detail. Searching online for natural health drinks or concentrated natural drinks will yield results.

Here are some common characteristics of herbal health drinks:

No sugar
No artificial sweeteners
No chemicals
Very low in calories
Whole food nutrients
Active plant enzymes
Chlorophyll
Carefully processed and packaged
Natural antioxidants, not isolated vitamins
Alkaline by nature, not acidic

Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and sports drinks are all typically very acidic. Focusing on alkaline drinks with the most natural ingredients will help offset all the acid foods and drinks that most people consume. The alkalinity of your health drinks can play a major role in total body wellness, so selecting your beverages carefully is worth the extra effort.

Cliff Everett Smith is the managing partner for http://www.besthealthfoodstore.net, the online health food store. He offers naturally alkaline, herbal health drinks not sold in conventional stores.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Guide-to-Buying-Health-Drinks&id=7210215