Healthy Smoothies and Drinks
Water
is the true elixir of life. Drinking enough water provides a
wellspring to support all aspects of your health. Water is
the number one stop. Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime will bring it
alive. After water, try herbal teas, green tea, smoothies, or our sensational fruit punch
for special occasions. Specialty teas are getter hipper by the pot. We
enjoy several varieties of green tea; try it with lime flavour.
When to drink water?
It is best to drink water between meals, sipping away and consuming 1.5-2 liters a day, depending on weather, and activities. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, so have a glass of water before snacking. See how you feel in ten minutes. Avoid drinking too much at meal times, as excess water dilutes stomach acid, reducing digestive health. Drink water at room temperature. Too much icy fluid also stresses the digestive system, which needs energy to warm up again.
Isn't red wine good for your heart?
According to research a daily glass of wine with dinner is good for the ticker. Records of French heart health attest to this. I was a winemaker's assistant for several years in New Zealand and California, and maintain an appreciation for the art form of winemaking. Personally we often find we haven't had a wine for weeks. Then an occasion arises and we thoroughly enjoy a glass of quality vino. Having seen the winemaking process first hand, I know that the price tag also reflects the care with the grapes, the use of chemicals (less in expensive wine, because the berries are more balanced), and the quality of the product. It is better to drink less, but choose better wine when you do. Of course, organic wine is a great choice.
How much alcohol is healthy?
First of all, see if you can happily go for a week or two without any alcohol. It is important that any favorite food or drink remains something we can easily give up for a while, without cravings. If you are a regular drinker, many studies recommend one or two standard drinks as being compatable with good health. We have friends who feel better without any alcohol.
Is Coffee healthy?
A big subject, and one to be extensively covered by Roger. To summarize, some people do better on coffee than others. If you are energised, fit and have healthy adrenals, a coffee from time to time is fine. If you feel tired almost every day, if you are trying to loose weight, if you can not go without coffee for a few days, it may be time to take a break. Coffee (caffeine) can stress the adrenals and causes the liver to dump glycogen (stored sugar) into the blood. If you're not escaping from a tiger, the glycogen can transform into fat. Dr Mercola has a great article about coffee.
What about soft drinks and sugary drinks? Is fruit juice OK?
Sugary drinks, like sports drinks and soft drinks are a hazard. White sugar in excess, like in soft drinks, leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. Studies show that foods chocker full of white sugar leach minerals from the teeth and bones, as they are digested. This is especially a problem if the diet does not contain enough nutrient dense whole food. Diet drinks are almost as dangerous, particularly those sweetened with Aspartame. This ingredient is reknowned for causing various types of injury over time. Even fruit juice is best diluted with water, especially for children. Eat something with protein and healthy fats at the same time to lower the glycaemic index.
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