Power of the Sweet Potato (or 'The Supreme Yam')

Sweet potatoes...not just for the holidays anymore. Seriously, we all need a reminder on the power of this colorful potato! One of Dr. Mao's must-eat foods, the sweet potato, and cousin yam, both provide more beta-carotene and vitamin C than carrots, more protein than wheat and rice, and more fiber than oat bran and as much potassium as a banana! A single skin-on sweet potato only contains 120 calories, and has over 1000 mcg of vitamin A (more than our daily requirement), plus good amounts of B6 and folate. Most importantly, both are a rich source of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), the mother lode of all hormones.

DHEA is what we call a "precursor hormone", one that remains latent in the body until it converts to a hormone that our body needs. It can become estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, all so essential for our body's anti-aging defenses to work. DHEA doesn't stop there, it is a potent immunity booster, helps to control auto-immune disorders, and has been shown to possess significant anticancer properties. As the most abundant steroid in our body, DHEA also helps ward off arteriosclerosis, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation to the brain, prevents fat accumulation, and improves heart function. Need I say more??

My favorite way to eat sweet potatoes is simple...puncture a few times with a fork, bake in a hot (400˚ oven) until you see caramelized potato seeping out of your fork holes, slice open, add a little butter and S&P to taste. Depending on my mood, I might add cinnamon and brown sugar (sweet mood) or chili powder (hot mood). Both are delicious! Sweet potato fries are another quick favorite - I simply slice into strips, add a little olive oil and salt, and bake until done. Of course, make sure to keep the yummy skin on, lots of potent vitamins are in the skin!

When buying sweet potatoes (actually slightly healthier and definitely tastier than cousin yam), avoid ones with blemishes, cracks, soft spots and cuts. Store, uncovered, in a cool, dark spot (always hard for me to find!).

Sweet Potato Fries with rosemary

Add chili powder, paprika, thyme or cinnamon!

So, I'm thinking one a day will keep aging away!

Let the Music Play

I'm betting that if you are reading this, you own an iPod or MP3 player.  If not, add one to your next birthday wish list.  It's wonderful, the amount of music available and inexpensive for the masses to enjoy these days, everything from pop to jazz to opera and classical.

Dr. Mao's research shows a large number of centenarians enjoying the sounds of music, but not the fast, "I Gotta Feeling" Black Eyed Pea's stimulating music, but the slow, soothing music of the world's classics. Think "Peter and the Wolf" or "Claire de Lune" or any of the great masters - Beethoven, Bach, Mozart et al.

Music has been a traditional part of healing ceremonies and rituals across the world with a rich history of therapeutic use.  Calming, classical music not only enhances cognitive functions such as memory, concentration and reasoning skills, but it also boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, relaxes muscle tension, regulates stress hormones, elevates mood and increases endurance (Secrets of Longevity).  WOW. And, guess who's among the longest living of all professionals? You got it, the classical musician, especially the orchestra conductor.  Even plants, serenaded with soothing classical music, lived longer on average than plants exposed to harsh, jarring music.

Now, I'm not giving up my favorite Black Eyed Peas, Phoenix, U2, Justin Timberlake (yes, I'm 48 and love him!) or any of the other thousand songs on my iPod, but I will be adding more classical to my music library. Also, I'm hoping that New Age, Opera and soft jazz have the same benefits as classical, as I've already downloaded many a CD in these genres. So, if you're like me and seeking longevity, tune in to music on the softer side of that iPod song list.

My current go-to tunes for relaxation:

Enigma's Love, Sensuality, Devotion Greatest Hits

Available here at Amazon.com

Diana Krall Quiet Nights

Available here at Amazon.com

Luciano Pavarotti Nessun dorma

Available here at Amazon.com

Jem - Finally Woken

Available here at Amazon.com

Love to know your favorites too....now, it's time to relax...

The "Second Spring"

Chinese culture reveres elders. So much so, that "menopause is actually called the 'second spring,' because the end of a woman's childbearing years gives rise to a new phase of life empowered by her accumulated wisdom," says Dr. Maoshing Ni. Now, I do believe I'm in the midst of major peri-menopause. My night sweats leave me soaked and frozen...too cold and tired to get up and change, but miserable for the rest of my beauty sleep (ha). I haven't had a full-on hot flash during the day, and only occasionally do I have an irregular cycle. Also, I promise you, this blog will never become a outlet for my menopausal woes. It's just another part of life that we need to adjust to and everyone needs to do what works for them to make things as least painful as possible.

So, for now at least, I want to do things the natural way, without any synthetic or bio-identical hormone therapy. I'm fortunate to have a few friends in the ob/gyn biz and they both say it's the way to go if you can tolerate the typical symptoms resulting from our lower estrogen production - these include the aforementioned hot flashes, insomnia, headaches, mood swings, dryness, diminished skin elasticity, memory loss...and did I mention mood swings?

Fortunately, there are many foods that are hight in phytoestrogens, the plant estrogens that are a weaker form of the body's hormone. Highest in this category include apples, brown rice, cabbage, carrots, beans, beets, citrus, cornmeal, oatmeal, potatoes, radish, fennel and soy.  Soybean, as well as most other beans, are rich in genistein, which, like estrogen, protects against bone loss and other aging issues. So, let's wait on the hormones while we can, and eat our way through menopause.

Here's a delicious, easy dish that should help with those mood swings..oh wait, I said I only had night sweats...well, just in case.

Chili Chicken over Rice - Recipe from my sister, Sue
I've been making for years now, and the family gives it two-thumbs up.

2 TBS Olive Oil (I cut this down my using organic spray olive oil)
3 Medium carrots, Chopped (I throw in the food processor)
4 Chicken Breasts, cut into thin strips
1 TBS Chili Powder...or more to taste (In Texas, we like it hot, so I put double)
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Diced Tomatoes (again, organic, no added salt)
1/4 cup water


Brown Rice (as side)


Heat oil, cook carrots till tender. Stir in chicken and chili powder, cook until chicken browns. Stir in beans, tomatoes, 1/4 cup water and cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve over brown rice.


ENJOY!! 
PS - Seriously, I was going to make this for dinner last night and instead we had Subway! It's been a crazy week. As soon as I make the dish, I'll post a pic! 

Stop! And buy the flowers.

I've always loved flowers, and love giving and receiving them as gifts. I rarely, however, purchased flowers for my own enjoyment at home. Why not? I guess I was an arrange-aphobic...if I couldn't do it perfectly, I didn't want to try at all. Until I met my dear friend, Kellie (please check out her beautiful blog at www.cashonandcompany.blogspot.com, you won't be disappointed).  Kellie always has flowers at home, usually in every room, even if it's a simple rose bud in a short, silver vase.  Her home is absolutely stunning without flowers, but the beauty is even more breathtaking when filled with her own arrangements.  She fills her vases with confidence and ease, and often uses the most unlikely of containers to hold her lovely designs.

"I can do this!" enters my mind each time I walk into her orchid-filled foyer! So, one day a few years ago, I decided to try, and guess what? It's not as hard as it looks! Don't get me wrong, I don't have a big budget, and I certainly don't try anything that will make it to the pages of Martha Stewart Living. I keep it simple and inexpensive...but just the few flowers that I do purchase make my senses happy . My favorite go-to's are orchids, potted azaleas, roses, hydrangeas and tulips. I love brights and will usually pick out the fuschia or yellow blooms, with an occasional white or blue in the mix.

When arranging, I love finding different looks on floral websites. I just ran across this site the other day - www.l'olivier.com. A big-time florist in NYC with great arrangements that I know all of us can replicate at home (see below). The best thing about home arrangements - the price. Roses at the local grocery store are only $9.99 per dozen,  tulips may run a little higher, and hydrangeas $3-$4 per flower.  I only buy orchids when they are truly beautiful and on sale. Again, at the local grocer I'm only paying between $20 -$25 for a potted, 2 stemmed, beautiful orchid (down the street at the local florist, this could run you $60).  You can often find even better prices at Sam's Warehouse, Costco or Lowes.

So, why are flowers important? Research indicates that colorful flowers can have a powerful influence over moods. Flower bouquets can conjure up love, uplift a patient's mood and even help combat stress. Dr. Mao is a big believer in using beautiful flowers as stress -busters... thereby leading to a longer, happier life. A study had people performing a 5-minute typing assignment next to either a green foliage-only plant or a beautiful bouquet. Sure enough, the participants next to the peonies were more relaxed and therefore performed more accurately on their typing assignment. Wanting to improve your mood and relax? Surround yourself with nature's lovelies!

Miniature azaleas - they can brighten any spot. 

To ensure longevity, take out of container to water. Soak and let drain prior to returning to pot.

Bunches of Parrot Tulips in small container.

Just cut on an angle, add water and enjoy!

Parrot Tulips and Roses, a perfect match.

Photo credit www.l'olivier.com

Two Bunches of Tulips

This will be my next arrangement.

Use a tulip leaf to tie.

Photo Credit: www.l'olivier.com

My go-to look. Roses wrapped in banana leafs. 

Photo credit: www.l'olivier.com

So pretty and unique looking.  I'll try this one too.

Roses wrapped with philodendron leaves.

Photo credit - www.l'olivier.com

Blue-tipped Hydrangeas

ANYONE can do this!

I would wrap a banana leaf on inside of glass.

Adding lemons or limes would be an easy, fun addition too.

Sunflowers for summertime. 

Another easy bright solution!

A sure mood pick-me-up!

So, next time you are at your local grocer, indulge in flowers for yourself! Just have fun with the arranging...don't think Martha Stewart, think 'for my own pleasure'.

You and your mood are worth it, and Dr. Mao would be proud.

Apple Juice, Honey and Salmon, oh my!

Yum! As we know, our recommended serving of fatty fish is twice weekly (at least). I'm lucky because I love all fish, but my family is pickier. My son loves fish sticks, swordfish, and salmon, and in that order, so I'm constantly scrambling for new fish entrees that he actually might take more than a bite or two.

 I have to share this recipe that I just tried last night...it was easy, delicious and a crowd pleaser (ok, so I have a small crowd, but the two of them are definitely hard to please).  Again, it was from one of my favorite sites, www.elise.com...I've never been disappointed with any dish a la Elise. I always read the comments section and inevitably they are profuse with adulations for her recipes. This "Glazed Salmon" recipe was no different. I've got it bookmarked already and will be serving it again and again. Enjoy, and know you're reaping the benefits of salmon's Omega 3's!

Glazed Salmon 

 1/2 cup apple juice (I use Organic)

1 1/4 TBS Honey (Again, I use organic, next time I'll try Agave Nectar)
4 skinless wild salmon fillets (approx. 6 oz. each)
1 tsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Lemon - cut in half

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place salmon in baking dish.

2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat,  bring the cider and honey to a boil, allowing the mixture to bubble steadily until decreased by 1/2 volume.

3. Pour cider mixture over salmon and let sit for 10 minutes.

4. Heat olive oil in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salmon with salt & pepper to taste. Place fish in skillet, brush with leftover glaze and cook for 2 minutes or until the glaze begins to carmelize.

5. Turn salmon, brush with glaze, squeeze and add lemons (cut side down) and cook for 2 more minutes.

6. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 6-8 minutes or until salmon easily flakes with a tip of a knife.

Just a reminder, be careful when pulling the hot skillet from oven, the handle will be hot!

Serve with sauteed spinach or a spinach salad and you have a quick, delicious, company worthy meal! If desired, add quinoa or whole wheat rolls for your grains.

The Sapphires of our Food Chain

Sapphires...the most precious and desireable of all blue gems. Sought after for their color, hardness, durability and luster. I just want one...hmm...maybe for my 50th?! So, while waiting, I'll just keep on eating my blueberries...the sapphires of our food chain. Sought after for their anti-oxidant properties (highest of all berries) and neuroprotective properties than can delay the onset of aging and age related memory loss by sheilding brain cells from damage by chemicals, plaque or trauma, says Dr. Maoshing Ni in Secrets of Longevity.

Wild blueberries always make the list of the top 10 foods, usually landing in first or second place...and Cornell University found wild blueberries topped the list for anti-oxidant activity in ALL foods.Why wild? They contain a much higher level of anti-oxidants than the cultivated variety, not to mention that they also taste sweeter and hold up better if you cook them.  Another plus for wild blueberries - at only 80 calories per cup you can snack on them all day long! Aim for a cup a day to receive the benefits..

Notice I keep saying WILD ...the best place to find wild blueberries, especially in the winter since these gems are not in season, is in the frozen food section. Just thaw and eat or cook with like fresh blueberries. Most grocers carry them when in season...you can tell wild blueberries by their size, they are much smaller than the cultivated ones.

My favorite new way to serve blueberries to my family is wild blueberry sauce - super easy and delicious! Serve over whole-wheat waffles, pancakes or toast for a satisfying and healthy breakfast. My 8 year old can't get enough of it!

Wild Blueberry Sauce

2 cups frozen wild blueberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar (I have substitued splenda and it works great)
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp almond extract (optional)

Combine the blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until berries pop (few minutes). Stir in cinnamon (a little almond extract tastes great too). Spoon blueberry sauce over your favorite whole wheat breakfast item! (And, for a special dessert, this is terrific over ice cream as well!)

Enjoy your wild blueberries - as valuable as sapphires!

The Big Brush Off

Another Dr. Mao tip and something that I would never have guessed is a popular practice among the world's centenarians - body brushing. Using a dry brush with natural (avoid synthetic) bristles to sweep the surface of the entire body. It makes good sense though, as the skin is the largest and most important eliminative organ in the body and is responsible for 25% of the bodies detoxification on a daily basis. The skin receives 1/3rd of all blood circulated in the body and eliminates over 1 lb. of waste acid each day in the average person, mostly via the sweat glands. Seems incredulous, doesn't it? The skin is also last to receive nutrients, but the first to show imbalance or deficiency in nutrients. So, if someone tells you that your skin looks good, you are doing something very right!

The Russians, Turks and Scandanavians have been performing body brushing for centuries (hmmm...that could be why my Swedish friend has ZERO cellulite on her body...). It's very popular in most European spas and many cancer treatment centers throughout the world, as it's a detox program for the skin and other organs. The list of benefits reads like a miracle cure. Decreases cellulite, cleans lymphatic system, removes dead skin layers, strengthens immune system, tightens, tones, stimulates hormone and oil producing glands, increases circulation, increases nervous system function and aids in digestion! Check, check, check - I need everyone one of these!

So, how to brush? Invest in a soft, natural fiber brush with a long handle to reach the hard to get places. Brush before your daily shower (the water will wash away the impurities) from bottom of feet to legs, hands, arms, abdomen, shoulders, back and neck. Take long upward (towards the heart) strokes and form a counter-clockwise motion on the stomach. Breasts get a light sweep and the neck gets a downward motion. Rinse with cold water for the last minute of your shower to further stimulate your circulation system. And lastly, massage your, now softer, skin with lotion and you are good to go.

Of course, I've heard this before, but never knew the full benefits - I assumed my bath puff in the shower was doing the same job.  I've been faithfully brushing for over a week and I have to admit, it feels great and my skin feels baby soft...still waiting for my cellulite to disappear, but isn't soft, dimpled skin better than dry, scaly, dimpled skin?  I think so!

The Perfect Body Brush

Available here at Ulta

Isn't your only body worth the extra 5 minutes per day?

Not just for mama's anymore!

If you're a mom, or have friends that are moms' you probably recall how important the supplement folic acid was before and during pregnancy.  It helps prevent a host of serious birth defects which can occur early in pregnancy. I remember taking it ten years ago, but haven't thought about it much since I had my healthy baby boy.  Well, guess what? Dr. Mao recommends a daily dose of 800 micrograms(mcg) per day for people 50 and older. I'm sure that starting at 48.5 will only be beneficial, right?

The New York Times ( http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/opinion/03kristof.html) has deemed folate as the world's healthiest food based on the profound impact it can have on forming embryos. It makes sense that if folate has this much power that it's benefits would also transend to adults.  Scientists know that older people tend to be deficient in folate, which enables vitamins B6 and B12 to aid in hormone secretion, synthesize DNA, and manufacture the protective coating around the nerves. These three tasks are thought to be the major elements in our bodies' defenses against fatal age-related disorders such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.  So, increase your folate and we can lower our odds of contracting one of these conditions.

The good news is that folate is found in numerous foods, including spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, asparagus, black beans and brocolli, but it is destroyed by heat, so these vegetables have to be eaten raw.  You can also obtain your RDA for folate by eating a morning breakfast cereal (most fortified with 25-100% of your RDA @ 400 mcg, not the 800 mcg needed for over 50). Cereals with the highest levels of folic acid include Whole Grain Total, Cap'n'Crunch Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Life, Frosted Wheaties, Special K, and Raisin Bran.

The good news for any non-cereal eater (like me!) is that this is one case where the natural form of folic acid is not as easily absorbed by the body as the syntheic form. So, simply head to your closest Vitamin store and stock up for good health! I'm headed there now!

Massage Must!

I'm loving Dr. Mao's tip for the day!  Massage: Not a Luxury Item!  So, no more feeling guilty about spending time or money on this treat. The health benefits of massage are worth every penny spent! Massage can boost your immune system, increase relaxation response (I know we all need this), improve circulation of blood and lymph, relieve muscle pain and spasm, and more.  Dr. Mao considers it essential for good health and fitness.

I've had a difficult week. One of my best friends has been in and out of ICU for the last week. Here's the short list - emergency C-section,  staph infection, e-coli infection, right lung collapsed, pneumonia - all of this and a 3-year old and a brand new baby at home!  I went to visit her in the hospital and one of the greatest gifts I could give her was a neck, shoulder and back massage. I could feel the stress in her body as I started and I could also feel her relaxing in my hands. A very small gesture that made such a big impact. It was a gift to myself too..the power of making someone feel better is a wonderful thing.

So give this gift to yourself - your body needs it! I often treat myself to a manicure (remember, no artificial nails?! Regular manicures help keep my nails strong.), and during my manicure I'll ask for a chair massage at the same time. Just ask - most salons or nail shops can accommodate this request. It's usually only $1/minute, and even 10 minutes can do the trick. Remember, you need this for your health!  Also, many health food stores offer this service at $1 per minute as well. If you google "chair massage" for your area, you'll probably find a host of locations. In fact, I really enjoy a chair massage more than a full body; the focus is on my problem areas and for some reason, the chair posture allows them to really target all areas with equal amounts of pressure and strength. Another great alternative if budget is an issue, and let's face it, budget is always an issue, is massage therapy or cosmetic schools. They offer lower prices to allow students to practice, and a student, new to a task, always wants to do a great job!

There are many types of massage: Swedish, acupressure, shiatsu, Thai, hot stone, aromatherapy, deep tissue, sports, reflexology (foot massage) and many more. When you get your full body massage, experiment with the different types, depending on what's going on with your body. For me, I love deep tissue and hot stone (incorporating hot stones as massage tools).

So, make an appointment today, you'll get an immediate sense of well-being. Enjoy!

Hot Stone Therapy

Peaceful and Relazing

Babies and children need massage too!

Mmm, mmm, Garlic!

I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with garlic. So good in so many things, particularly delicious in Italian and Asian foods, both of which I happen to love. There's never been a good marinara or stir-fry made without this wonderful ingredient. The "hate" part comes from the smell - your breath, your hands (if you are the cook), and your pores the next day. But, we all need to find the love, because it is truly is one of nature's best remedies.

Dr. Mao recommends a clove a day. Allicin is the active ingredient in garlic, and studies have shown it helps to prevent atherosclerosis and coronary blockage, lowers cholesterol, reduce blood clot formation, stimulates the pituitary, regulates blood sugar, and helps to prevent cancer. WOW! And it doesn't end here..garlic is often used as an anti-bacterial to treat minor infections. Definitely a wonder bulb (garlic is a member of the lily family and closely related to onions and leeks), we all need to add more garlic to our daily diets. Also amazing to me is the actual nutritional content of garlic. This small bulb contains manganese, Vitamins B1, B6 and C, protein, phosphorous, selenium, calcium, potassium, iron and copper! So let you love of garlic begin!

Raw, fresh garlic is by far the best way to reap the benefits of this superior herb, and always make sure you store your garlic in a cool, dark place away from heat and light. This prevents sprouting and maximizes taste and freshness. Here are some terrific ways you can add garlic to your daily food intake:

* Raw cloves to salads, marinades and dressings
* To eggs after cooking
* To sour cream for potato topping
* Add to warm butter for bread topping
* To cooked meats for extra flavor
* To all steamed or sauteed vegetables - I particulariy LOVE sauteed spinach with garlic!
* Pureed garlic added to dips/hummus/guacamole

What do you like to put garlic in? I'd love to know!

A couple of my favorite garlic recipes! From Elise, of course! (see blog list)

http://elise.com/recipes/archives/004320spinach.php

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

http://elise.com/recipes/archives/001712roasted_garlic.php

Roasted Garlic

Delicious on bread, in sour cream, mixed in pastas

So, even if you don't believe that garlic with keep away all the vampires and demons out there, add a clove to your daily diet. I, for one, am hoping that it doesn't keep them away...Go Team Edward!

Please don't pass the bubbly!

Ok, I admit it, I grew up on TAB. Remember the pink can? Full of saccharin and who knows what else?! Of course, only later did we learn how detrimental saccharin can be for our health. Lately when I crave some bubbles,  I've been loving Coke Zero; I really think it tastes like the real deal, but with zero calories, zero sodium and zero sugar. If it's zero everything, what's it really made of? Here's a partial list - carbonated water, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, caffeine, phosphoric acid, sucralose, potassium citrate, sodium benzoate, and a host of other "ates".  I think my pool is cleaned with the same ingredients.

Dr. Mao's book has finally given me the answer I always wanted as to why we shouldn't drink carbonated drinks. It's the phosphoric acid, the fifth ingredient listed on my Coke Zero can. Phosphoric acid is harmful to calcium metabolism and diminishes bone mass, therefore increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Even natural carbonation in spring water contains high levels of phosphoric acid. Healthy bones are a key to a long, healthy life, so it's best to stay away from the bubbles and choose teas, pure juices and flat spring water to quench our thirst!

Coke Bubbles

I'm fortunate to have a very pro-active physician who ordered a bone density scan for me last year. Since I'm in a high risk category for osteoporosis (half-Asian, half-Caucasion and small boned), she decided to perform the test early. Sure enough, bone loss is happening. I now take a calcium horse pill daily, and a prescription strength Vitamin D capsule (10,000 units) weekly.  The bone scan was the eye opener I needed to start caring for my bones - eating healthy and working out was not enough.

So, no more bubbles for me. And here's the hard part....I'm a champagne girl. My go-to beverage for girls' night out, holidays, celebrations, and ok, yes, occasionally just hanging out at home.  Champagne or sparkling wine is the second fermentation of wine to induce carbonation. So, I'm going to revise the first sentence of this paragraph. So, no more bubbles for me, except for the occasional glass of champagne. A girl's got to celebrate, right?

As I was researching champagne, I came across these vintage posters, mostly from France, of course! The glamour, beauty and fun that champagne can illicit jumps off the page...how can I completely give that up?!

Coffee, Tea or Me?

Thank you, I'll take the tea please! One of the things I like about Dr. Mao's "Secrets of Longevity" is that he studied centenarians around the world for over twenty years before compiling all of his research on the science of longevity. Of course, diet and nutrition were a major component of his findings. Everything we all know is in his book - drink lots of water, eat a rainbow of colors, limit fat, limit alcohol, love blueberries, and so on and so forth! I won't be boring you with all the obvious facts (but a gentle reminder here or there may be needed - for both of us!).

I always knew that tea was good for you, but I've never been a tea-aholic. Boy, is that going to change! Dr. Mao has found that the number one beverage most commonly enjoyed by centenarians around the globe is tea. "The free radical-inhibiting property of tea is more potent than that of vitamin E, and tea is a proven preventative and treatment for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  The polyphenols in tea are powerful antioxidents that help ward off diabetes and cancer." (Excerpt from "Secrets of Longevity")

So, I did my own investigating and anything and everything I read about tea was encouraging. Aging, allergies, arthritis, bone strength, cancer, cholesterol, heart disease and weight loss, drink 3-4 cups of tea a day or more, and all of these categories are affected in a positive way. Prevention Magazine states that 1 cup of  tea has more anti-oxident power than a serving of brocolli, carrots or spinach!  Black, oolong, and green tea all come from the same tea plant, the camellia sinensis, and most current research concludes that all three types of tea are equally beneficial to your health.

Also, one thing that I had never come across in any prior readings, you MUST brew your tea for at least 3 -5 minutes in order to bring out the beneficial polyphenols..I'm an instant gratification girl and doubt that I've ever let my tea brew that long. I'll also be purchasing organically grown tea (I just watched the movie "Food, Inc."  - I'd consider myself 25% organic in the past, oh, wait this is for another post!)

With this said, I'll start drinking tea - every day and all day. No more decaf coffee after lunch or dinner it's tea all the way. By the way, tea has one-half the caffeine as coffee and findings have shown that taking the caffeine out of tea doesn't diminish the benefits in any way.  Cheerio!

Camellia Sinenis

Beautiful, this has GOT to be healthy!

Elinluv.blogspot.com

Terrific Recipe for Green Tea Ice Cream

Closet Cooking Blog

Green Tea Cake

Taste of Home.com

Green Tea Chicken Teriyaki

Mighty Leaf Tea

I've had this and it's delicious!

Tea leaves are less processed than tea bags.

No excuses...tea lattes, now at Starbucks!