Rishi tea

I love to drink tea. It has so many health benefits and I like the flavor. I have to be careful of the caffeine, my body doesn't tolerate it in large doses, but I like to drink it. Hot or cold, sweet or unsweet. I LOVE chai lattes!

I came across Rishi Teas and have found a new way to drink tea. Tea Powder. Pure tea for sustained energy and health! These are so cool! Tea Powders that come in small, handy packets that you just mix into water and drink! You just empty one packet into 16 oz of water and shake vigorously.

Rishi Tea Powders are made from 100% pure tealeaves that are cold milled into a fine powder. No added colorants, synthetic sweetenes, sugars or flavors, just the antioxidant, vitamin and mineral richness of real tea.

The teas tasted GREAT! The packets are very handy and can be thrown into your purse or wallet to take with you and drink anywhere. I enjoyed all the flavors I tried:

Sencha has long been Japan's most popular green tea, loved for it's refreshing character

Oolong tea is one of the most cherished teas of Asia, adored for its profound aroma and numerous health benefits.

Matcha was originally used by Zen monks to promote clarity and focus during meditation. Rishi matcha is made from premium shade grown Japanses green tea.

Genmai green tea is refreshing and nourishing with the sweet flavor of roasted rice.

Tea is one of the healthiest beverages! All types of high quality loose teas offer health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits associated with teas according to Rishi Tea:

White Tea - contains cancer fighting anti-oxidants, cooling and detoxifying, has the lowest content of caffeine found in all teas, anti-aging and anti-stress properties, high L-theanine amino acide content promotes longevity and concentration.

Green Tea - highest contect of cance fighting anti-oxidants, antiseptic and anti-viral effects, kills oral bacteria that can lead to colds and flu, fights degenerative diseases and suppors immune system function, strengthens tooth enamel and fights bad breat, potent source of viatmins and mineral, effective for slimming and weight loss.

Oolong Tea - high content of te polysaccharides, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, high content of anti-oxidants, strengthens tooth enamel, potent sourece of vitamins and minerals, effective for slimming and weight loss.

Black Tea - heart health, black tea can help prevent heart attacks, helps prevent plaque build-up in arteries, increases bone density, oral health: kills bacteria in mouth that can cause cavities, fights bad breath.

Pu-erh Tea - erhaps the most effective tea for slimming and weight loss, helps metabolize fatty acids and oily foods, believed to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, cleansing and detoxifying to the bloodstream.

Other general benefits - promotes mental clarity and alertness, stimulates neural activity and improves learning function, provides even, sustained energ and sound rest, much lower caffeine content than coffee, strengthen immune system and has anti-stress properties, cleansing, detoxifying and longevity promoting.

The benefits of tea are realized when consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle, on a regular asis over sustained periods of time. Common knowledge is that tea helps to prevent illness more so than recover from it!

If you are a tea lover, you need to try Rishi Tea! Find a retailer new you here! Follow Rishi Tea on Twitter!!

Having Trouble Sleeping? NightWave is the answer!!

Since Brian's accident, we've been having trouble sleeping. Brian is taking prescription medications and I have tried to avoid those, but have taken them on occasion. I was so thrilled to come across the NightWave Sleep Assistant.

The NightWave Sleep Assistant is recommended by sleep specialists, easy to carry - toss it in your purse or luggage when you travel, and can even be used to reduce anxiety during the day.

The Nightwave Sleep Assistant came in the mail and I was excited to give it a try. One of my friends was over and we were talking about it and she wanted to give it a try. I let her try it first (cause that is how I roll LOL!!).

This is her response to me on how she liked it:

"The NightWave worked pretty good when I was going to sleep initially. It helps to shut down all the things going through your head and concentrate on your breathing and to slow yourself down. I'm not a true insomniac so I don't know how helpful it would be for someone who is. One of the benefits would be that there's no hangover, like with meds and you don't need a prescription for it."

So, I got it back from her and gave it a try. Brian likes to sleep with the TV on, this is part of the problem I have with going to sleep easy. I convinced him to give it a try for a short period of time. I have to agree with my friend, it helps to shut down all the thoughts going through my head at night. I'm constantly going over things I didn't get done, things to do the next day, worrying unnecessarily or whatever else is going on. The light is not too bright, I was a little concerned about that. I did have to turn off the bedside clock that shines on our ceiling. I did feel more relaxed and was able to let go of all the thoughts. I fell asleep easier and it seemed that I stayed asleep longer. I think after using it for a period of time that it is going to help with the early morning waking. I like knowing that it won't be waking Brian!!

The NightWave Sleep Assistant helps you to fall asleep by helping you to relax. The light shines on your ceiling is a soft blue light that changes intensity as you match your breathing to the light. I was worried that I would feel like I was holding my breath, but it wasn't like that at all. It was gentle, deep breathing.

I HIGHLY recommend you try the NightWave Sleep Assistant if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It's much cheaper than medication and you will feel better in the morning!

Head over today and order your own NightWave Sleep Assistant and get a good night's rest!

Exercise Plateau's

Everyone has hit the dreaded plateau. How do you overcome it? I have found that if I back off the exercise for a few days (no more than 1 week), then hit it hard again, it helps me break through the plateau.

Diet is key to losing weight. Exercise is another very important part of the process. You must burn more calories than you take in. Most times, this is easier said than done. Since I've gotten the Bodybugg, I've found that I eat more than I thought and move less than I thought! UGH! My weight is staying steady, but I'd like to lose those last 5 lbs.

Eat foods that are high in fiber, whole grains, fruits and veggies for the best results. Weight lifting will turn fat to muscle and muscle as we all know burns more calories. Cardio helps to burn off the fat. A nice balance of diet, cardio and weight lifting will get the best results.

Here are some great tips from Beachbody on breaking through the plateau:

Pirate's Booty Snacks

I am not a huge snack eater. I usually eat 3 meals a day with one snack occasionally. My snack might be a recovery drink after my workout or if I'm starving in the afternoon, I'll have some fruit or veggies and hummus.

I have found a new snack that I am enjoying. Pirate's Booty is a cross between a chip and popcorn. It satisifies my need to crunch :)

Pirate's Booty comes in so many great flavors. At our family birthday party last week, we all tried several of the flavors. The boys liked the White Cheddar and BBQ, while the girls liked the Veggie and Bermuda Onion.

Pirate's Booty has 50% less fat than potato chips, only 130 calories per bag ( I can usually only eat half a bag), and they are baked. So much healthier than regular chips.

You should be able to find Pirate's Booty at most health food stores. Get a bag today and snack healthier!

Gratitude

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. - Henry Ward Beecher

Recent studies have shown that people that are grateful and give thanks are happier! I can't think of a better way to better my mood.

I've been keeping a gratitude journal off and on for several months. Since Brian's accident, I haven't been as faithful about writing in it. I'm going to get it out and put it where I will see it every morning and get back in the habit of writing in it daily. I think it makes such a difference.

I am so grateful that Brian is with me today. He is my true soul mate and I love him with all my heart. I am grateful for a wonderful family and our new grandbaby, Madelyn. We are truly blessed to have such great kids. I love my job, being able to work from home and help others get healthy is more than I could ask for. I am grateful for my health, being able to work out daily and I am also so thankful for my wonderful friends, both personal and online! It's amazing to me how such great connections are made online. I can't wait to meet some of you in person :)

So, get out a notebook and start a gratitude journal today. It will make you happier and more fulfilled! I like to get a really cute notebook. I keep my food journal, my to-do list (this is a MUST if I want to get anything done in my day!!), my gratitufe journal and my call list. It's all there for me to see and go back and review.

Here's a picture of a sample journal entry for me and my cute notebook!

I'm going to start writing in mine everyday again, I hope you will too!

Skinny Dip Candle Giveaway!!

I love finding great new products to try and I have found one that has become a favorite! I just know that you will love it too!

Skinny Dip Candle is a great idea and wonderful product. This is a novel idea, basically you light the candle, enjoy it's scent while burning and after burning for a while, you blow it out. Immediately you can use the melted candle on your skin as a warmed lotion or massage oil. Because the melting point of these candles is 102 degrees, it will not burn you. You let the candle re-solidify and you can use it again next time. You just need to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch.

You can also use the candle without burning, straight out of the tin. They include a little scoop and you can massage the solid ingredients into your skind just as you would a lotion or balm. I like to use it on my cuticles. They are so soft this way and it smells divine!

Skinny Dip Candle has been kind enough to offer a Pamper Pack for a giveaway. You are going to love this!! It includes:

Skinny Dip Candle - 6 oz as described above

Skinny Dip Salts - Dead Sea Salts with therapeutic effects and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Lip Balm - all natural except for the flavor oil which is enhanced with man-made flavoring.

All of the ingredients are natural and eco-friendly! These are great for people with sensitive skin.

I have been enjoying all of the products and I know that you are going to love them too! I have the Mango Papaya scent and love it!

Skinny Dip Candles also come in Skinny Mini tins. These are perfect to throw in your purse, give as gifts or as wedding or baby shower favors. The Skinny Minis would also make great stocking stuffers!! Skinny Dip Candle offers bulk purchase pricing to make these more affordable when you buy 20 or more! Great savings!!

I have a Skinny mini in a scent that men will love. It smells great and I'm sure that Brian will enjoy the benefits of a massage.

I am going to give you several chances to win a Skinny Dip Candle Pamper Pack:

1) Go to Skinny Dip Candle and tell me which flavor/scent you would choose if you win (This is a MUST to be entered!!!)

Additional Entries:

1) Become a facebook fan of SkinnyDip Candle and come back a post that you are a fan.

2) Follow Skinny Dip Candle on Twitter: leave a comment telling me you are following and your twitter name.

3) Become a follower of my blog: if you already are - let me know

4) Sign up to be a free member at Beachbody with me as your coach - be sure to comment and let me know you signed up, if you already are my customer, let me know!

It's that easy, 5 chances to enter - BE SURE TO LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!

Drawing will be on October 26, 2009. Winner will be chosen by random.org!

You are going to LOVE these products. Skinny Dip Candle is a must for all! Guys - this would be a great gift for your special someone!

Xtrema Healthy Ceramic Cookware!

I have found some of the best cookware ever! Xtrema cookware is non-stick cookware that addresses today's growing desire for a healthier cooking alternatives. I don't like using the standard non-stick cookware that stratches and can leach into your food.

Xtrema is also very functional. You can use them in the microwave, under the broiler and on the stovetop. This versatility means less clean up - I am all about that!!! The Xtrema cookware is also pretty! The tea pot is so beautiful, I leave it on my stovetop for everyone to see.

Xtrema is made of Extreme Temperature Ceramics (high temperature ceramic)which provides the healthiest non-stick cookware and promotes healthy, nutritional cooking.

Versatility, durability, can withstand high temperatures, longer heat retention and a 50 year warranty against breakage resulting from hot or cold thermal shock. What more could you ask for in your cookware?

I have been using the baker pan, the skillet and 3 1/2 quart saucepot and the tea pot. I LOVE them all. I made cornbread in the baker, all kinds of things in the skillet and made a big pot of veggie soup in the saucepot. They are so easy to use and the clean up is a breeze!

If you are on facebook, become a fan of their page.
Follow Xtrema Healthy Cookware on twitter.

Head over to http://www.ceramcor.com/ and check them out. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner (Mom if you are reading - that is a hint!!!!) Great gifts!!

Hearty Pinto Bean Stew - The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone
Serves 2
1 c pinto beans, soaked overnight in water to cover
2 cups tomato soup ( Imagine brand is good)
2 tsp shoyu
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 onion, cut in chunks
1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dried
dash of dried oregano
dash of red pepper flakes
fine sea salt to taste

Combine the tomato soup, 1 cup water, shoyu and oil in large soup pot. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Drain the soaked beans and add them to the stock. When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to med low, cover and simmer for 30 mins.

After 30 mins of simmering, add the onion, garlic, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes. If the stew seems too thick, add more tomato soup or water. Place cover slightly askew over pot, and simmer 30 to 40 mins longer or until the beans are very tender. Season to taste with salt.