It’s almost 2013!!! New Year’s Resolution time! Lots of people try to give up an addiction like smoking, chocolate, french fries or soda. For some it’s a new beginning, a career change, moving to a new city, perhaps a new love. For many it’s to lose weight and be healthier. For health clubs and gyms across the US, January 1st is their Black Friday. Now is the time to join a club! Many gyms have reduced or no cost membership fees and some even offer free training with a personal trainer when joining. Get moving! Get healthy!
My New Year’s Resolution is simply to ‘Smile, breath and go slowly’ ~Thich Nhat Hahn. We live in a society that moves 90 miles an hour, eats in their cars while driving and cursing at other drivers in rush hour traffic, addicted to caffeine, stressed out, medicated to the max etc…..STOP!!! Breathe.
Everyone wants a magic pill to lose weight, to wave a magic wand and the fat will disapear, to drink a magic potion that melts away fat….STOP!! That doesn’t work. Breathe.
I have had several friends ask if I had a good detox drink for them to get rid of the holiday food blues and to kick start their New Year’s Resolution and guess what?!? I do. This is my favorite:
Chamomile tea with Lemon, Honey and Cayenne Pepper.
Lemon juice contains high amounts of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps the immune system. Lemon also acts as a purifier and supplies potassium and may also boost fat burning. Cayenne pepper has many healing properties and ingredients, such as capsicum, which helps with stomach problems, circulation, and heart problems and provides B and C vitamins.
The directions are simple (because I like simple) brew a cup of hot chamomile tea and let steep for 3-5 minutes. Add a tablespoon on honey, 1/4 of a fresh squeezed lemon and as much cayenne as you can handle, without sneezing haha! I like it cold too. I brew a gallon of tea, put it in a pitcher, toss in a few cubes of ice and save it in the refridgator so that way I can sip on it all day.
DO NOT use a cleanse. Although this may help you to lose weight, you shouldn’t just drink this beverage without eating. Detox diets can cause harmful side effects including dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vitamin deficiencies, muscle breakdown and blood-sugar problems. Consult
your doctor to determine if following a detox diet for any length of time is
safe for you.
Check out these sites for more detox recipes:
http://life.gaiam.com/article/5-natural-detox-drink-recipes (I love everything Gaiam!)
http://www.justcleansing.com/recipes.htm
http://healthcoach.integrativenutrition.com/sites/default/files/home_made_detox_drinks.pdf
Here’s to a New Year, a new you and great health! Peace!
Healthy Hilgers 