Sigh. No comment (though, in my defense, last night was a birthday dinner at the Red Lobster…)

Ok, and now for something yummy!

I’m not a huge fan of coffee. In fact, unless it’s a Starbuck’s specialty coffee with enough flavouring, sugar, syrup, and whipped cream to mask the flavour, I don’t drink it at all.

I am, however, a HUGE fan of tea – usually ordinary black tea (sorry for you tea enthusiasts – I don’t currently care whether it’s Orange Pekoe, English Breakfast, or whatever, as long as it’s black) with milk and Sucanat. Yummmm. I’m of the opinion that intravenous tea should be a viable option for all earthlings.

I know that black tea has its benefits, but because I really don’t like it without my milk and sugar (and believe me, I’ve tried!) I choose to look to Green Tea as my “health drink” and let my milky sweet black tea be my main vice! I don’t really like the taste of green tea, to be honest, but to me it’s just a drink, so I don’t mind. My black tea, however, is NOT just a drink. It’s a “moment”. Ahhhh.

Now I don’t know much about green tea, so I did some research, and here’s what I found:

According to an article on WebMD.com,

More than a decade’s worth of research about green tea’s health benefits — particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease — has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea’s role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia.

AmazingGreenTea.com shares that

The 2007 report published by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) compares nearly 400 foods for their flavonoid content.

It shows why regular green tea is the healthiest. It seems that the longer green tea has been processed, the more nutrients it loses.

• 100 millimeters of regular brewed green tea contains 127 milligrams of catechins.
• Decaffeinated green tea contains only 56 milligrams.
• Flavored green tea has 43 milligrams.
• Disappointingly, instant green tea has only 12 milligrams.

Green tea is very high in antioxidants. The “Relax, Sip and Enjoy” site gives us some of the details:

Tea contains vitamins A, C, and E as well as health-promoting compounds called Flavonoids. The flavonoids, called polyphenols, act as antioxidants that counter the effects of reactive oxygen molecules that result from normal body functions and contribute to aging and chronic disease.

One subgroup of polyphenols, called catechins, is abundant in green tea (China Green Tea – Japan Green Tea), especially tea made from the very top of the bush. Catechins were discovered in the 1970s, when medical researchers were looking for the reason people in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture – a major tea-growing area – had much lower rates of cancer than other Japanese, even when they were very heay smokers. One catechin in particular, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), is found in no other plant than tea, and it’s one of the most potent antioxidants yet discovered – up to twenty times stronger than Vitamin E. Numerous studies have found EGCg to be effective in preventing and inhibiting cancer growth.

Catechins make up as much as 30 percent of the dry weight of green tea leaves, but only three to ten percent of black tea. Steeping the leaves for three to five minutes releases the optimal amount of catechins.

The part I like best about drinking green tea is that it’s great for weight loss! ColonHealth.net says that Green Tea Boosts Metabolic Weight Loss by revving up your metabolism, inhibiting fat absorption, regulating your glucose levels, and reducing your appetite (yes!!) Take a look at their site if you want more information.

Now, everyone knows there’s an art to making any kind of tea. If you’re visiting me, I’ll take the time to brew a really nice pot of tea (as long as you don’t tell anyone that when I’m on my own, I just nuke it!) Green tea is a little more effort, however, so I did some research there, too. WikiHow.com will lead you through the process step-by-step (reminding you that for green tea, the water should never boil or it becomes bitter!)

Finally, how much should you drink? Well, I’m never going to give up my black tea – and I drink about 3 cups of that a day – and I drink 2 cups of lemon tea a day, and I drink 3 cups of vinegar tonic, and two glasses of water at least, so my liquid intake is already quite high. My goal is to drink a minimum of 2 large cups of green tea each day – one mid morning, and one mid-afternoon.

How about you? Do you drink green tea? Do you enjoy it? What’s your favourite kind?

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Who is Darlene Hull? Click here: www.darlenehull.com to find out!

Somehow when God created me, He neglected to put in an internal heat supply. I am cold all the time. My feet and hands are like ice, and even in the summer on a warm, sunny day, you’ll find me wearing my beloved “hut booties” around the house. My husband often remarks that he has no idea how a person can be this cold and still be alive.

Imagine my chagrin as I continue to stumble upon the benefits of having a cold shower. Yikes! I came across a video on it just the other day, touting the benefits of a cold shower for the sake of fat burning! Sigh. The very thought of a cold shower is enough to send me screaming from the room.

Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a bit of evidence in support of it:

A cold shower will improve your circulation (maybe even solve my inner thermostat issue?) The cold water causes the blood to rush to your organs to keep them warm.

A cold shower helps fight depression by stimulating the release of noradrenaline

A cold shower makes you beautiful by closing up pores in your skin which causes your hair to look shinier and your skin to look younger. It also combats the drying out of too much hot water in a hot shower.

A cold shower strengthens your immunity. As your body fights the cold it releases more white blood cells which combat illness and disease. It also strengthens your mucous membranes which help your body fight colds and allergies.

A cold shower increases your energy and sense of well-being. The temperature invigorates your body, “waking it up” so you are more alert.

A cold shower can detoxify your system by flushing your organs with fresh blood, and by contracting your muscles which causes the release of toxins and poisons.

A cold shower can help you lose weight by revving up your metabolism.

So, always game for a new trick to benefit my health, I have been trying to add this to my routine. I start in a warm bathroom, have a warm shower, and when I’m done, I slowly turn the water cold, allowing my body to get used to each change. When I can no longer stand it, I get out. I’m not quite at 30 seconds yet, but I’m getting there.

BRRR!

I’ll keep you posted! I’m off to have a shower…

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While there’s debate on what’s true and what isn’t (as always in the nutritional/health field) there seems to be some general consensus that Apple Cider Vinegar is worthy of a second look.

Way back in 400 BC Hippocrates thought the two most important remedies were (natural, local) honey, and (organic, unfiltered) Apple Cider Vinegar.

According to “Buzzle.com”‘s article entitled “Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar“, pure, organic, unfiltered  vinegar contains a host of vitamins, beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine.  It also contains  malic acid which is very helpful in fighting fungal and bacterial infections. This acid dissolves uric acid deposits that form around joints, helping relieve joint pains. This dissolved uric acid is gradually eliminated from the body (via your now nicely functioning, non-fatty liver!)

It has also been reported to:

• Balance high cholesterol
• Cure skin conditions such as acne
• Protect against food poisoning
• Fight allergies in both humans and animals
• Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
• Strengthen the immune system
• Increase stamina
• Improve digestion and cure constipation
• Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
• Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

(HomeRemediesWeb.com)
Most importantly for us, it also apparently speeds up weight loss:  According to www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com it is said that

the nutrients, enzymes, and organic acids in apple cider vinegar cause weight reduction by acting as an appetite suppressant, by increasing your body’s metabolic rate, by reducing water retention, and by helping you maintain a feeling of well being.

What do you think – have you tried it? I quite like the flavour without all the sweetening and such. I drink it 3x a day. Even if all of the above is an old-wive’s-tale, taking it 3x a day is another way to get my water in, and that always makes me feel better.  I also really enjoy it on my salads.

Share your thoughts, comments and experiences below! I’m curious to hear what you’ve found.

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And why not pop over to our Facebook page and become a “New And Vital You” by joining our “N.A.V.Y. Challenge” there? We’d love to have you and your friends join the party!

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In the face of all the rage about eating several small meals per day instead of three big ones, comes some interesting research on the benefits of fasting.  Still a little controversial, one of the most popular explanations is found in the e-book “Eat-Stop-Eat” by Brad Pilon, and there is another version of IF running around called “Fast-5” (a free download when you register for a free account), and it’s a large component of paleolithic nutrition, which is also becoming quite popular.

Brad’s version is, by far, the most researched and comprehensive, but the “Fast-5″ is also an interesting twist.  The basic premise is that short-term intermittent fasting is a healthy lifestyle choice not just for weight loss, but for overall health.  The idea is to have 1 or 2 short fasts (ideally 24 hrs) every week, and to structure them so that you still eat every day.  For example, in “Eat-Stop-Eat” you fast from 6pm-6pm – so after dinner to right before dinner the next day, once or twice a week.  In “Fast-5” it’s recommended that you eat only from 5pm -10pm every night, and fast 19 hours a day.

Brad Pilon also recommends regular resistance training – like weight training, to avoid the loss of muscle.

There are many benefits to fasting:

• Decreased body fat & body weight

• Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass

• Decreased blood glucose levels

• Decreased insulin levels & increased insulin sensitivity

• Increased lipolysis & fat oxidationIncreased Uncoupling Protein 3 mRNA

• Increased norepinephrine & epinephrine levels

• Increased Glucagon levels Increased growth hormone levels. (Eat-Stop-Eat, page 44)

There is a lot of fear wrapped up in fasting – like muscle loss, lowered metabolism, etc. not all of which is based on science.  Several months ago I came across this interesting podcast “Metabolism Myths” which started me thinking about the benefits of fasting, and of not living in a permanently “fed” state, and in researching IF I also came across this interesting article – a little hard to read, but very informative: An Objective Look at Intermittent Fasting.

All in all, an interesting journey.  The jury isn’t out yet, but it’s definitely worth taking a good look.  I mean, let’s face it, we Westerners are simply too “fed up” in every area.  A little abstention really can’t hurt, now, can it?

Happy Walking!

Darlene

PS – don’t forget to check out my two new programs:  Walking Clubs and Total Body Radiance!

Be A Star! Post your comments below and join in the conversation (or get it started!) and then share this post with your friends using the different share buttons on the blog. I'd sure appreciate it! Thanks!

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It’s a whole new look for PraiseWalker!! What do you think?

My beloved daughter Tina designed it (she used this template as her base) and then my wonderful VA from England put it all together (there are still a few kinks to work out, but we’re getting there!) We’ve done it in celebration of a new (and incredibly exciting!) launch I’m doing. Details later…

I had the immense opportunity to go on an Alaskan Cruise this past summer with my siblings and my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary.  Along with great fellowship, lazy days, stunning scenery, and the fun of hanging out with members of my family I don’t get to see often, we took in some great classes.  One of the classes we took was on weight loss (Sigh – on a cruise ship full of the most amazing food…)  Anyway, I learned something there that totally surprised me.

Your liver is responsible for weight loss.  Who’da thunk it?

I discovered that your liver has two main functions: it detoxes the body and metabolizes fat.  The problem is that with all the C.R.A.P. (Caffeine, Refined Sugar, Additives and Preservatives) we eat, the liver is so exhausted and overwhelmed with its detox job that it has no time for the fat metabolizing.  It then sets up a situation that actually prevents your body from using the fat, and so it just sits there until the liver can get to it (much like the paperwork on my desk…)

Doing a detox is also not always the best answer.  This tends to release too many toxins into your system, and the liver gets totally overloaded trying to keep up (much like the kids adding the piles of paperwork from the kitchen onto my desk…) and then you really get behind.

The trick is to detox slowly and surely, changing your diet to support the liver function and strengthen its ability to work well.

When the liver is functioning well, and you are not stuffing your body with C.R.A.P. you can’t help but lose weight – how cool is that?!

So, how do you know if your liver is the cause of your weight gain?  If you have the “spare tire around the middle” syndrome, it likely is.

What can you do about it?

Tune it tomorrow and I’ll show you, step-by-step.

Coolio.

Darlene

Well, the combination of messed up Internet and the shift to a laptop from my desktop have caused me to be late with this post. So sorry.

However, I’m quite excited about the results:

I’m also down one inch overall.

Ok, so these are not mind-blowing results, but let me tell you about my week!

My sister was in town from out-of-Province. She’s not been out this way for 5 years. We had two family parties – lasagna and Roast Beef dinner – and another guest on Saturday for lunch and supper.
My schedule was completely disrupted, and I had little control over the content of my meals.

HOWEVER, by controlling the content that I DID have control over, and by managing my portions according to the instructions in the diet plan, I STILL managed to lose weight. I am VERY encouraged.

This week is (thankfully)  pretty quiet – no guests, no parties, no coffees out.  Thank goodness.  The following week, however, will be a test for sure – we’re off to N. Ireland for 10 days to visit my in-laws.  That will be a true test of my will!

You can get a copy of the plan I’m following for free, below, by clicking on the banner.  May you have even greater success than I’m having!

Darlene

Ok, I have to say, I am THRILLED with my results.  Rarely does a diet last this long (due to boredom, overwhelm, or bad results) and rarely do I continue to lose weight at this pace while coping with “life” (you know, the invite to Starbucks, dinner at a friend’s, etc.)

So, on that note, I am delighted to show you this week’s results:

I’ve also lost a total of 10.7 inches. Woohoo!

I’m still “tweaking as I go” to get the very best results and method down to almost a science, but I must say, this is by far the easiest and most forgiving diet I’ve ever been on.

Remember, I’m offering the first month’s steps for free and will update it month by month as I continue on to my goal. Click the big banner below to get your copy.

Happy walking!

Darlene

Ok, so I’ve decided I really need to slow down on appointments with friends/family/others and stay home if I’m going to make this weight loss thing work! LOL! A full social calendar wreaks havoc on weight loss plans – just FYI!

Here are this week’s results:

I’m happy I’ve not gained more weight. This week I was on a “buffet style” retreat – lots of great food, and (sigh) LOTS of chocolate. A weight loss nightmare! I also had two other coffee/lunch engagements and other desperate temptations – I’m thinking of joining a convent for the remainder of this exercise! LOL!

Two good things, though:

1. my life is now “back to normal” with regards to appointments/coffees/dinners out, etc. Maybe once a week. I’ve also learned to order the “short” size of whatever beverage I’m drinking at Starbucks. Saves money, and is much lower in calories and all the other bad stuff.
2. Secondly, the plan is getting serious about exercise this week – not overwhelmingly, as we’ve been increasing slowly over the past 4 weeks, but moving up, all the same. I’m hoping to see some great results this week because of it.

Remember, you can get both the exercise plan (The PraiseWalker Primer) and the Diet plan I’m following for FREE by clicking the banner below.

Why not get yourself a copy, and join me in the adventure? I mean, they’re free, so you have nothing to lose – except that spare tire around your middle . . .

Happy Walking!

Darlene

So here are the results after 4 weeks on my diet plan . . .

I also lost an inch “all over” which brings my total inch loss to 8.25 inches.

Now let me tell you the amazing part: this has been a “bad week” for us. We’ve had some family crisis (not really serious, but serious enough to force us to not be working on anything else, if you know what I mean) I’ve had no fewer than 4 coffee dates (I told you this was unusual last week – it’s still unusual, and it’s happening again next week, but after that, it’s over!) a guest living in for 4 days, and a dinner guest again on Sunday. We literally “put the diet on hold” for the entire week. I did NOTHING from the plan.

However, in three weeks my stomach has shrunk so much that I just can’t consume anything like the same amount of food I could get away with before. Also, through the last three weeks I’ve been “training my eye” so I could make the right choices without stress. That’s all I’ve done this week – even when we had pizza (and I really could only eat one piece of my favourite kind . . .)

I’m buzzed. I’m pumped. I’m believing this is possible. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this year I WILL be a Total Loser – just watch me!

Oh, and by the way, I promised you I would “release” the plan I’m on. I’m hoping to have it all nicely packaged for you by the end of the week – I’m waiting for one “key ingredient” and then it’s all yours – of course, it will be free . . .

Darlene

Well, here are my results for week three:

I’ve also lost a total of 7.25 inches across my body – in all the places that count!

I’ve been amazed at how little I’m even thinking about food!  I don’t even have any cravings, which is amazing for me.  A couple of days back I took my kids to Tim Horton’s and didn’t even want anything.  THAT’s amazing, because I am totally infatuated with their blueberry fritters (which is why I don’t go there very often . . .)

My energy is good, I’m sleeping well, and I’m losing weight.

Can’t complain about that, now can you?

If you’re looking for even more motivation to get started, check out this great post:

http://www.elements4health.com/how-to-lose-weight-with-walking.html

Bye for now!  Come back next Monday to see more results!

Wishing you physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, simply through walking!

Darlene