Chamomile tea is beneficial for many ailments

The health benefits of chamomile that was first found out by the Egyptians has been given a fresh foundation when British researchers uncovered new evidence that suggests taking the herbal product relieves a wide variety of health disorders that include menstrual cramps and colds. The study found out that drinking chamomile tea gives a significant increase in the urinary levels of the amino acid glycine and a byproduct of some plant based compounds called hippurate. The various beneficial effects of chamomile is so many that it has been used as tea for arthritis, tea for anemia and even tea for cancer. As a home remedy, it has been used as tea for cough and tea for fever by many people. However, the best-known benefit of chamomile tea is its ability to help you sleep and calm down nerves. It has even been claimed that taking the herb will stop nightmares if you drink it before going to bed.

The parts of the plant used in making teas include the chamomile flowers, leaves and even stem, which when mixed with water and brewed produces a fragrant concoction that is effective against many maladies. The active ingredient is bisabolol, an essential oil that has been proven to have various anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-irritant properties.

Drink a cup of chamomile tea a couple hours before you go to sleep. It will help you wind down before bed, and if you drink it early enough you won't have to pee in the middle of the night.

Here are some of the beneficial effects of chamomile:

• Chamomile tea helps in relieving stomach cramps. Because of its strong anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action, the green tea is effective against intestinal and stomach cramps. Preparing a cup of the tea can be done by simply following the instructions printed on the package. Drinking a cup once in the morning before eating breakfast and one in the evening before going to bed, until your symptoms disappear.
• Chamomile is an excellent tea for insomnia. To cure various sleep disorders like insomnia or sleeplessness, take a cup of chamomile tea about half an hour before you go to bed. It is also an effective tea for depression.
• The tea is effective against the headaches caused by migraine as well. As soon as you notice the symptoms of a migraine attack, drink a cup of chamomile tea. The brew is most effective when you take it before the headache actually becomes severe.
• It is an excellent remedy for IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because the tea helps in reducing bowel pain and cramps it is effective for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. In addition, it also relieves bloating and excessive gas. Simply drink a cup of chamomile tea for relieving IBS, as well as gastroenteritis, stomach flu and nausea.
• Chamomile tea is excellent for treating scrapes and burns. Simply make a strong mixture by putting three chamomile tea bags to one cup of boiling water. When it cools down to a comfortable level, dip a cloth into the mixture and apply it on the affected area as a compress. For bad burns, you can use chamomile oil instead. Just take a small amount and use it for rubbing across the burn once each day.
• Another of the tea benefits that you can take advantage of is its effect menstrual cramps and PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome. Just drink a cup of the tea until your symptoms disappears.
• For lightening your skin tone naturally, using chamomile tea is very healthy and effective. A concoction can be made by boiling a couple of quarts of water with two tea bags of chamomile in it. Position your head above the pot to let the steam touch your face. Bathing in water mixed with chamomile tea also benefits the skin.
• You can also use chamomile tea to reduce dark circles around the eyes. Simply put a couple of chamomile tea bags in warm water. Remove them after five minutes and let the mixture cool down to room temperature. You should then apply the mixture as a compress to relieve eye fatigue and reduce dark circles.

Side Effects of Chamomile

Just like any other herbal products, the key to enjoying the benefits of chamomile tea and avoiding the adverse reactions it can cause is moderation. Some of the potential side effects that can be harmful is drowsiness, which makes it dangerous for a person to operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle. High intake of chamomile tea can also cause skin allergies in some people as well as vomiting. If you have hay fever or a known allergy to ragweed pollen, it may not be advisable for you to use chamomile tea.

If you are pregnant, you should avoid using chamomile tea as well since it is an abortifacient, which means that it induces abortion. People who are taking blood-thinning drugs should also refrain from drinking chamomile tea since the herb contains coumarin, a substance that also thins the blood.

Chamomile tea is shown to have a positive effect on people who suffer from anxiety

What is Chamomile?

Chamomile is a name given to a number of daisy-like plants, which are commonly made into chamomile tea and served with lemon or honey. Two varieties, Roman chamomile and German chamomile, are used for herbal treatments but the latter has more common use in the United States. German chamomile or matricaria recutita is also the subject of the majority of scientific researches and can be found almost anywhere except in the UK where Roman chamomile or chamaemelum nobile is better known.

In the United States, chamomile has been used extensively as an herbal tea to treat anxiety and panic attacks. It is also used to treat other health problems such as skin infections, stomach upset, sleep problems, colic, diaper rash and wound healing.

Chamomile has been made into various forms to make it more convenient to use. These include tea, liquid extract, capsule and topical cream.

Why Chamomile is better than Prescription Drugs for Anxiety

The usual anxiety disorder treatments are through the use of antidepressants and anti anxiety medicines. However, there is much concern about the side effects that such drugs cause. Among the unpleasant effects that you can feel when using an anti anxiety drug are lightheadedness, dizziness, dry mouth and memory loss. It also causes drowsiness, which affects your ability to drive a car or use machinery. In women, the use of antidepressants has been observed to cause higher incidence of stroke and suicide. On the contrary, the use of chamomile to treat anxiety has been done with little or no side effects. The most common complaint of those who have used the herb to treat problems associated with anxiety is stomach upset with vomiting and nausea, but this is not a common problem. There are also people who are allergic to the herbal supplement but this should be expected since the herb is related to ragweed, a plant that has been identified to cause allergies in people. Those who have seasonal allergies and hay fevers should be cautious when using chamomile. If allergic reactions develop such as wheezing, chest tightness, rash, itching and hives, the use of chamomile should be stopped immediately.

Relaxing and enjoying a cup of chamomile tea can be a great way to prevent or minimize anxiety and panic.

How exactly chamomile work for anxiety is still not clear. What is known is that the herb contains chrysin, which is a flavonoid that has been observed to alleviate anxiety symptoms in rats. In people, chamomile has been and effective treatment against insomnia. As of today, there is still no medical data that supports the use of chamomile in children. In adults though, the recommended dosages have already been established. In capsule form, 400 to 1600 mg of chamomile should be used every day in divided doses. For liquid chamomile extract, one to four ml should be taken three times a day. In tincture form, the herb can be taken three to four times a day in 15 ml dosages. Chamomile tea users should drink from one to four cups a day. For added safety, always read the label first before using chamomile against anxiety disorder. Consulting a health care provider first is also recommended.

Who Should Avoid Chamomile

If you are one of the following, chamomile use in the treatment of anxiety should be avoided.
• If you are allergic to the daisy family of plants such as ragweed, daisy, marigold and chrysanthemum
• If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking a drug that increases the threat of bleeding.
• If you are nursing or pregnant, the use of chamomile should be avoided since it is a uterine stimulant. The herb may also cause abortion.

Chamomile Interaction with Other Medications

At present, there is still not enough research done for fully evaluating the interaction of chamomile with other medications. However, several potential interactions are possible when taking the herb with a medication or dietary supplement. Some of the most common ones are the following:

• Risk of bleeding is increased if chamomile is combined with blood thinning medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen. Chamomile use should also be avoided a couple of weeks before and after surgery.
• Drowsiness when the herb is combined with narcotics, alcohol, antidepressants barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
• Health risks if chamomile is combined with medications affecting blood pressure and sugar level

If you are not sure whether it is safe for you to ingest chamomile, try it as potpourri. This can easily be done by mixing the following ingredients: a cup each of lemon leaves, lavender flowers, rosemary, a couple of teaspoon orris root powder, half a cup thyme, one teaspoon coriander seed, a couple of drops lavender oil and of course, a cup of chamomile. Mix all of the ingredients and put the mixture in a thin bag made of fabric or an old stocking. Place the potpourri near your bed to let the anxiety relieving potential of its aroma give you relaxation and a sound sleep.

Green smoothies are an extremely powerful weapon in the fight against acne

Because of the popularity of green smoothies these days, companies have begun manufacturing them along with green juice drinks. The products they sell can be pasteurized but most people still prefer to make fresh smoothies on their own for health reasons. If you are going to make them yourself, you should consume all of it once it warms to room temperature, although you can make it last for two to three days if you store it in fridge. Blend the ingredients for thirty to 45 seconds, starting low and then gradually increasing to high setting. It is recommended that you use a high-speed blender when making a smoothie because it can easily break up cell walls of leafy veggies. However, if you cannot afford to buy a high-end blender such as Blendec or Vitamix, you can use a regular blender to make green smoothie recipes. Its motor may wear out faster and you may not be able to create organic veggies/fruits smoothies with smooth consistency but it is better than nothing at all.

A tip on creating green smoothies:

If you cannot afford a blender with 1000 watts or more power, chop your greens and fruits into smaller pieces first and then bthem for a longer period of time.

Green Smoothies against Acne

Because of the huge amounts of carotenoids and other nutrients that can be found in green smoothies, they provide a fast and easy way of improving the health of your skin and healing your acne, not to mention that they are delicious as well.

The amount of greens it takes to make a smoothie this green may be too much for someone who is new to green smoothies.

Choose Fruits and Vegetables you Truly Enjoy

Find green leafy vegetables and fruits that you enjoy. This is essential since the key to using green smoothies for basic and effective skin-care is to consume them consistently. If you absolutely dislike a particular vegetable, do not include it in your recipes, no matter how healthful it is. Include only fruits and veggies that you find tasty and delicious. What is good about it is that you will be mixing vegetables with fruit and its taste will overcome any hideous taste that may be in a vegetable. Have an attitude of fun as you experiment with various smoothie recipes that you can include in your daily diet. By making your smoothies delicious, you can stay on track for a long time and look forward to drinking the smoothie every day.

KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Although taste is the key in using smoothie for clear skin, too many complications in your recipe may discourage you from preparing it on a regular basis. It should be noted that only through regular consumption of smoothies could they be effective as acne medications. Your skin and body will improve gradually and until that time, you need to consume all the right nutrients.

Include Greens in the Right Amount

In preparing green smoothies at least, it is tempting to decrease the quantity of green veggies while increasing the amount of fruits, to be able to have better taste. However, if you are going to use green smoothie against acne, it is important that you avoid increasing the sugar level. Even sugar found in fruit can have adverse effects to people who suffer with acne. Try to come up with the right ratio without sacrificing the amount of greens that are in the smoothie.

Effective Skin-care Tips for Using Smoothies

Green smoothies are great for giving your system huge amounts of nutrients that are essential in combating acne and improving the quality of your skin. However, you should not forget taking out the triggers that are included in your regular diet, which are causing acne. These include refined oils, sugar and dairy products.

Some green leafy vegetables have trace amounts of goiterogens and oxalates. They do not have any effect if consumed by a healthy and normal person but if you have a thyroid condition or kidney disorder, you should seek medical advice first before eating such vegetables.

Green smoothies are best eaten on their own or on an empty stomach since fruits are best eaten in such manners. To allow for proper digestion, avoid eating other kinds of foods for thirty minutes. If you want better taste, include some kind of berry in your recipe. Aside from being full of flavor, berries are also rich in antioxidants. Other fruits that are great for smoothies include mango, papaya and banana. They add perfect texture to the smoothie as well.

The wonderful chamomile flower could be a major contributor to your fight against acne.

Chamomile has been used originally by the Egyptians as herbal medicine, and people are still getting benefits from the herb until today. A tea made from chamomile is not as bitter and sweet compared to other kinds of teas. It does not contain caffeine and is very good for people with sleeping disorders. The tea can be taken anytime of the year but it is particularly good on those days when you are feeling ill. Chamomile tea can be bought from many stores packed in individual tea bags. If you have a large sized teapot though, tea pouches and packages would be more appropriate. A higher-grade product would include chamomile flowers, leaves and some stems.

An Introduction to the Chamomile Plant

The chamomile plant is a native of Egypt that belongs to the daisy family. The herb got its name when a botanist found it growing in a Roman Coliseum back in the nineteenth century. Also called camomile, it has white rayed blossoms and apple scented foliage. Because of the various health benefits that have been credited to the plant, chamomile is considered as one of the best botanical medicines in the world. The number of ailments it can cure range from healing of acne to sleep and anxiety disorders treatment. However, even before chamomile was recognized in the western world, the Egyptians already knew about its huge benefits, thus it formed an integral component of their civilization.

Chamomile tea can be used to fight acne topically as a spot treatment, or internally for stress reduction and relaxation

When you use chamomile tea against acne and other health problems, bear in mind that the effect of a chamomile treatment is cumulative. Although you will get the benefits of the herb as soon as you take it, its effects would be greater if you use it regularly and for a longer period. With the right dosage, regular use of chamomile has no side effects, making it perfectly safe to take for long periods of time. In addition, regular consumption of chamomile tea can help prevent certain conditions from occurring and treat other existing disorders before they become worse.

Chamomile Tea Acne Treatment

Pimples are very annoying. They grow unannounced, are very pesky and just plain ugly. A bad case of acne can leave your face scarred for life so treating the disorder as early as possible and with the best kind of treatment is the best option. There are many topical preparations against acne that are available in pharmaceutical stores but you could just be wasting your money on them, since they do not work on all skin types. What is more, some preparations may actually worsen the condition. The best way to treat and prevent acne is to use something natural and that you may already have at home, which is chamomile tea. Here are some ways of using chamomile to treat acne without using medication.

• To reduce the redness of your pimples, chill a chamomile tea bag and press it lightly against the pimple
• Instead of using soap and water, use chamomile tea. It relaxes the skin as well as cleans it thoroughly
• To reduce the effect of acne scars, rub chamomile tea on the marks. Chamomile has a lightening effect, which reduces the visibility of marks left after acne flare-ups.

You can enhance the whitening power of chamomile by adding a dash of lemon juice. Lemon has been used as an astringent because of it is a natural bleaching and skin toning ability. Chamomile on the other hand contains bisabolol, which has a substantial lightening effect on the skin.

Drinking tea has always been associated with purifying and skin healing because of its antioxidant properties. Chamomile tea along with red tea has been found to be particularly therapeutic when it comes to reducing acne, acne scars, blackheads and whiteheads. Chamomile has also been found to be effective in stopping acne, especially if used as an essential oil because of its powerful healing properties. Drinking two to three cups of chamomile tea each day will have your skin thanking you for it. To boost its effectiveness, you can add lemon and honey, which are both considered highly beneficial for skin health.

Aside from its use to treat acne, chamomile is known for other health benefits as well. Aside from being an effective acne treatment, the herb is also an effective treatment for intestinal disorders. Taking chamomile tea has been found to activate the anti bacterial activity of the body. Thus, the immune system is boosted, thereby increasing your ability to fight off various ailments. In addition, people with sinus infections and respiratory ailments can benefit much from drinking chamomile tea regularly. Combine it with other herbs such as lemon grass and peppermint and you will have an effective natural therapy against stress, frayed nerves and digestive disorders as well. So drink your chamomile tea today!

Meditation calms the active mind, which is a contributor to the vicious cycle of panic and anxiety

Anxiety is actually a general term for a number of disorders that cause a person to experience nervousness, apprehension, worry and fear. These feelings are different from the state of fear or worry that you get when facing a challenging situation such as a recital, public speaking or job interview. The feelings of anxiety and fear that you get in these situations are normal and easily justifiable. However, when symptoms are already interfering with your ability to sleep and other normal functions, you have a problem. In general, anxiety is considered abnormal when your reaction is already out of proportion to what is normal in a particular situation.

Treatment Options

Drugs, medications and therapies are just some of the choices that sufferers of anxiety disorder can choose from although in the long term, a change in lifestyle is recommended. Taking drugs and medications for a long time can make you sick because of side effects but there is one therapy that meets every criterion for a healthy life, and that is meditation.

The Meditation Option

Meditation can be defined as the state of being where the mind is calm and the body is relaxed. It involves practicing particular breathing techniques that aids in getting toxins out of the body. Several religions have practiced various meditation techniques and their writings are some of the basis of today’s practices.

Various studies have shown that, when done properly, meditation can be very successful in reducing anxiety. However, there is really no magic behind it. The main cause of anxiety is an out of control or hyperactive thought process. With meditation treatment, the thought process is slowed down thereby reducing the anxiety that you feel.

You can meditate in nature, at home, or wherever you are reading this article

The first step in anxiety meditation treatment is done by finding a comfortable position. Some people find sitting to be comfortable while others are more comfortable in a standing position. Prepare yourself in the first few minutes by doing muscle relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing exercises. This will calm you down physically.

Once you have calmed down, close your eyes. It has been shown in various studies that simply closing your eyes reduce your brain activity by as much as 75 percent. At this time, you may start getting aware of your thought process. Just let the thoughts flow and go away on their own. The key of the exercise is to retain as few of your thoughts a possible. However, do not get anxious if you find it impossible to eliminate all of your thoughts. Just let them go the moment you catch yourself drifting into a thought.

How Meditation Helps with Anxiety

Although the practice existed even in the ancient times, it is still a mystery to many people and they want to know how meditation and anxiety are related to each other. Meditation helps in Anxiety by reducing your negative thoughts and making you more composed and calm. It allows you to become emotionally strong and reduces the anxiety feelings that you have.

The Goal of Anxiety Meditation

Anxiety happens when people get too many things into their minds at once. Both the positive and negative thoughts are together and all of these thoughts have an effect on the brain, which are then transmitted all through our body. We then experience a feeling of tiredness, depression and low energy.

Meditation reduces anxiety by conditioning you to stop every thought process that comes into your mind. In practicing meditation, the first thing that is taught is how to relax the body and stop from thinking. With little or no physical movements and with the thought process decreased, the tendency is to feel more at ease.

Once the mind is calm and the body is relaxed, there is less feeling of tension since the mind and body are at ease at the same time. The whole meditation process is done quietly and you are by yourself, which gives you more chance to be conscious of your own self. Thus, meditation aids in giving you a break from your environment and making you have a more calm but active feeling.

Should you attend a Class or Learn Meditation on your Own?

Meditation has often been associated with religious ceremonies and complicated procedures. This creates an idea that one need to have certain requisites in order to achieve meditation goals. However, the fact is that a meditation technique needs not be learned in anxiety management class if your aim is simply to relax. Each day, you can take twenty minutes away from your hectic schedule and go inside a quite room by yourself. If possible, do not entertain any calls and see to it that you do not get disturbed. Go into a comfortable position and close your eyes. If you like, you can dim the light or play some soft music. Breathe deeply and let your thought process go away. This simple procedure can relax you in as little as five minutes and you do not need a teacher to learn it.

green-smoothie-weight-loss

Nowadays, green smoothies have quickly become a hit for weight loss regimens and recipes. At first glance, the term might seem like a turnoff, especially to those who do not want to drink up mush or something that is made out of grass or greens.

However, green smoothies are a delicious fruit and vegetable blend that will help one to start off a new healthy lifestyle by promoting good nutrition and weight loss.

The Green Smoothie Experiment

Though green smoothies seem to be a weight loss fad of the season recently, it was actually invented by Dr. Ann Wigmore back in 1988. The drink was first called the “energy soup,” and later on other ingredients like seaweed and avocado have been added.

Green smoothies are known to be great sources of energy and require little effort to create. You can easily fix yourself some green smoothie and drink it at anywhere and any time.

The best part about green smoothie is that it contains green leaf and bitter greens such as spinach and kale, which are the healthiest ingredients to use. Some can go with sweeter leafy greens such as lettuce and sprouts. Other advocates mix in fresh fruits like peaches, mangoes, or apples to give an extra zing to the taste.

Green smoothies also have a number of benefits for both the body and mind. Whether you are a busy person who does not have time to prepare a hearty meal or even eat right, or if you are just looking for a health care professional advice-, you will find the fresh organic green smoothies to be an advantage to your calorie count, energy content, and overall good nutrition.

Green Smoothies are a great snack for weight loss. They provide energy and nutrition, and the tasty fruit helps quench cravings for sweets.

For those who are always in a hurry but still want to maintain a healthy diet can start with a green smoothie to push himself to better nutrition. As opposed to the usual juicing of greens or fresh fruits, green smoothies are easier to make, quicker to finish and clean up, because all you need to do is to toss your ingredients into a blender, finish with a healthy garnish, and enjoy your drink.

Two popular recipes are the Apple kale lemon smoothie and the strawberry banana romaine. For the former, all you need would be four fresh peeled and cored apples, two cups of water, half a cup of lemon juice, and five leaves of kale. To make strawberry banana romaine, you will need a cup of strawberries, half a bunch of romaine, two cups of water, and two bananas. Just blend the concoctions until you get a smooth consistency. You can blend in some ice if you prefer to have a chilled drink.

Blending your drink also makes these vegetables easier to digest. Instead of having a nightmare of greens on your digestive enzymes, the sources of nutrients are already ground up for easier absorption. This is because the ruptured cells of the fruits and veggies make it easier to assimilate into the body.

Great Companion for Weight Loss

Green smoothies can also be the best substitute every time you feel the need to indulge in some ice cream or frozen dessert. True, it is not like a creamy ice cream treat, but if you are looking for a good alternative to quench that craving, you can easily whip yourself up a quart of green smoothie. It gives you a filling sensation and cuts down on the craving.

Not only will you be cutting down on the sugars and calories from pure or filtered sweeteners, it provides you a choice with a new lifestyle so that you can assimilate into your eating plan instead of going with a crash course dieting fad.

Green smoothies give you your daily dose of fruits and veggies

Having just one glass of green smoothie a day will give you your allotted organic greens ratio. Of course, this will depend on the recipe that you will be using. It has to be a balance of fruits and vegetables to make sure that you will meet your daily quota.

As you get used to the taste of green smoothie, it can also promote a good organic diet of veggies and fruits, or at least engage those who use to be picky eaters when it comes to vegetables.

It can also be a good training ground for babies who are starting out on their blended baby food. You can easily fix a green smoothie while taking care to make a thicker version for your baby.

Cleanse your body

Most people who go through a diet fad would only keep up the diet until they reach the desirable weight. With the green smoothie experiment, you will be able to accommodate the practice of drinking green smoothies, hence adding more vegetables to your diet while eliminating the need to consume salt and oil for weight loss.

Green smoothies also provide the necessary cleansing to eliminate accumulated toxins in your body. In fact, the more green smoothies you consume, the better your bowel movement would be. You flush out toxins, waste, and lose weight at the same time. This will surely make you feel better both inside and out.

Packed with nutrients

With all the leafy greens and fresh fruits packed inside a green smoothie, research shows that this blended drink can be a great source of protein, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. Plus, since green smoothies contain leafy greens, they slow down the absorption of fruit sugars, hence giving you just the right punch of energy.

Green smoothies may feel like a diet fad now, but if you try it, you will definitely feel the benefits that it will bring to your body and mind. Green smoothie is undoubtedly a great experiment that is worth experiencing.

Smoothies like this delicious strawberry smoothie have had a profoundly positive impact on my life

Smoothies Helped Me Defeat Acne

Acne is a condition that many people deal with. While the condition of acne itself is relatively harmless, the mental effects can be crippling for one’s self esteem. This can result in depression and avoidance behavior, which in turn affects relationships, school, social life, and just about every other aspect of the acne sufferer’s life.

Usually a person suffering from acne will try over-the-counter topical treatments, and/or go to a doctor and receive a prescription for antibiotics, lotions, or even accutane. While these products may alleviate the symptoms of acne, the underlying inflammatory disease still exists. Acne is a battle that needs to be won internally.

I’ve struggled with acne since before I can remember. I’ve been on accutane, antibiotics, creams, gotten zapped by lasers, had peels done, etc. If you’ve struggled with acne I’m sure you can relate. Some of the treatments I’ve tried worked well for a while. The acne, unfortunately, would always return. All of the treatments I was trying were only masking symptoms. The acne was an indication that something was not right inside my body. I began to attack my acne at the source. The one-two punch of a nutritious smoothie and a less-stressful lifestyle has knocked my acne down for the count.

Green smoothies are packed with nutrients. Consuming green smoothies can reduce acne and other inflammatory lesions.

The type of smoothie I recommend for those suffering from acne is called a green smoothie. Green smoothies are named after their key ingredient. Can you guess what it is? You got it; Greens! Before you picture yourself eating a mushy piece of broccoli, let me explain.

A green smoothie usually consists of a cruciferous green and some fruit. Some cruciferous greens are more ‘earthy’ than others. For first-time green smoothie drinkers, there are some greens that are surprisingly mild. When mixed with fruit, the taste of the greens is virtually eliminated, while the great nutritional content is preserved.

Green smoothies are extra nutrient-dense. They contain a high ratio of vitamins and minerals compared to calories. In other words, you get all the benefits (and probably more, if you are eating a typical diet) of your normal food, while also taking in less calories.

Smoothies Help Me Control Weight

Losing weight is hard. I don’t care what any of the infomercials on TV, or Jane down the street who just lost 50 lbs. tells you. It’s hard. What isn’t hard is the formula – live a lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and some physical activity. The hard part is the implementation of a healthy and active lifestyle. Some people don’t know what that means, and some just aren’t able to summon the willpower to make the changes. Smoothies make it easy to cover the ‘healthy foods’ part of the equation.

Results like these are typiical when smoothies are properly incorporated into your lifestyle

Smoothies are incredibly nutrient dense, they are very low in calories, high in fiber, and, surprise, they taste great too! They are made from fresh ingredients, so there are no artificial sweeteners or other chemicals in your food. The main attribute that makes smoothies great for weight loss, though, is that they are low in calories.

When I was tipping the scales at 220 lbs. (I’m 170 now), one simple substitution really cascaded into an altered lifestyle that allowed me to shed my excess weight for good. I started drinking a smoothie before I went to work in the morning. I used to eat eggs, a piece of meat, some wheat toast, and some cottage cheese with a piece of fruit for breakfast. This sounds pretty healthy right? I guess it could be worse, but if you add up all the calories, I was eating about 600-700 calories for breakfast.

To lose weight, I got rid of the meat, cottage cheese, and fruit, and replaced it with a smoothie. Now, eating an egg, a half-piece of toast, and about 2.5 or 3 cups of smoothie, my caloric intake for breakfast is in the 350-450 range. Just that simple switch, leaving everything else constant, would result in losing weight. Something funny happened when I made that switch though…

I found that I had more energy! I wasn’t just more energetic right after drinking the smoothie either. My energy ‘high’ lasted for hours. I started drinking a smoothie when I got home from work instead of snacking. With all the extra energy I had, I began to do some exercise and more work around the house. In a mere 3 months, I lost all of my excess weight. You can do it too.

The right smoothie provides the necessary protein and nutrients to maximize your efforts in the gym and produce lean muscle mass

While smoothies are a great weight loss tool, they can also be tweaked to accommodate an individual who wants to gain weight. Usually when someone wants to gain weight, they would like to gain lean mass, aka muscle. The smoothie is the perfect ‘food’ for weight gain; it is packed with nutrients, and can provide the necessary calories and protein to facilitate lean mass gain.

When I lost a bunch of weight, I wasn’t in the best athletic shape. I decided to join a recreational soccer league to get in shape and have some fun. After several games, I realized my body wasn’t able to keep up. I wasn’t feeding it the fuel it needed to perform well. After a few weeks of tweaking a smoothie regimen, I was able to go from huffing and puffing throughout a 1-hour game, to playing three 1-hour games with plenty of energy to spare at the end.

It is important to eat healthy when gaining weight. If the goal is to gain muscle, eating a bunch of big macs and chicken nuggets will not give you the energy or the nutrition your body needs to gain muscle. Training to gain weight causes small tears in your muscles. Your body needs protein and nutrients to build them back up; not a bunch of saturated fat.

Smoothies for weight gain provide you with all of the nutrition you need. They can be made high in protein and calories, while still remaining a nutrient-dense treat. I recommend eating a healthy meal with lean protein and vegetables, and using a smoothie as a sort of dessert. They are also great for after a workout.

No Acne, Healthy Weight, Athletic Machine…
Pretty Big Impact, Right?

Smoothies solved my problems with acne, weight loss and lean mass gain. The benefits have never stopped amazing me, and there are no negative side effects. I hope that by sharing the impact that smoothies have had on my life, others who suffer from the same problems as me can see some light at the end of the tunnel. It’s never too late to incorporate smoothies into your daily regimen.

Smoothies will help you increase lean muscle mass by providing good protein and many nutrients for proper recovery

It is important to eat healthy when gaining weight. If the goal is to gain muscle, eating a bunch of big macs and chicken nuggets will not give you the energy or the nutrition your body needs to gain muscle. Training to gain weight causes small tears in your muscles. Your body needs protein and nutrients to build them back up; not a bunch of saturated fat.

Smoothies for weight gain provide you with all of the nutrition you need. They can be made high in protein and calories, while still remaining a nutrient-dense treat. I recommend eating a healthy meal with lean protein and vegetables, and using a smoothie as a sort of dessert. They are also great for after a workout.

Smoothie Recipes for Lean Mass Gain

Almond-Butter Vanilla Smoothie:
 1 cup Quaker Oatmeal (cook with boiling water)
 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
 1 banana
 2 tablespoons almond butter
 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
 4 Ice Cubes
 8 oz water

Almond-Butter Berry Smoothie:
 1/2 cup Quaker Oatmeal (cook with boiling water)
 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
 1 teaspoon creatine powder
 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
 1 teaspoon coconut oil
 1 teaspoon peanut butter
 1 banana
 6 mixed frozen berries

You don't need toilet paper like this to be able to afford green smoothies.

All that’s left now is to sack up and make yourself some smoothies. But there’s one problem; Can you afford it?

Green Smoothies are Affordable

If you have money to spend on beer, wine, coke, bottled water, etc. then you should be able to afford green smoothies. They are a bit more expensive than coca cola or bottled water, but with some careful budgeting, the added expense should be marginal.

For this green smoothie cost analysis, I’m going to analyze how much 5 cups (about 3 servings) of my favorite smoothie, kale with a banana and some frozen strawberries and mangoes costs.

All of the ingredients for a great green smoothie. Just add water!

Ingredients for 48 oz. of Green Smoothie

At the rates above, the total cost of one blender-full (48 oz.) of green smoothie comes to $2.38. If you choose to drink a solid 16 oz. of green smoothie per serving, then you are only paying around $.80 for it.

Also keep in mind, the rates I’ve quited above are from my local Meijer grocery. I don’t do too much shopping around, because I am comfortable in that particular store, and it is less than half a mile from my house. The cost may be more or less in your area.

Your Smoothie May Be More Expensive

One huge variable affecting green smoothie affordability is possession of a blender. For my cost analysis, I assume that a blender is available.

Another thing that could make your green smoothie more expensive is organic produce. I buy my greens organic, but the bananas and frozen fruits are not organic. If you want to save a little money and buy non-organic, that’s up to you. Remember, non-organic produce is better than coca cola and corn syrup. Do what you have to do!

Healthy and Delicious

Buy non-perishable ingredients like Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Cinnamon, etc. from Amazon.com

Green Smoothies can be made in advance to ease the trouble of making them every single day.

Making green smoothies in advance is a great way to make sure that you are enjoying all the benefits of green smoothies, without the hassle of preparing them once or even several times per day.  Green smoothies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be prepared in advance and kept for up to 2 days.

Tips for Preparing Green Smoothies in Advance

While your green smoothie will taste good for up to 2 days after initially preparing it, I recommend drinking it within 24 hours. I normally drink one blender full of green smoothie per day; half in the morning on the way to work, and half when I get home from work. I do this for several reasons; first, I get a generous amount of smoothie per day, second, I only spend about 8 minutes to prepare and clean up the entire thing, and last, because I do this daily, my afternoon smoothie is very fresh.

Have Ingredients Prepared

The ingredients for my daily green smoothie are already prepared. I throw a banana and some carrots into the blender, and throw some greens on top of that. I always have a pitcher of filtered water handy, so I pour some of that in the blender, and blend it up. Once it gets a nice consistency, I just add the type of frozen fruit that I feel like drinking that day, and blend for about a minute.

Use Cups With Screw-On Lids

For optimal fresh storage of your green smoothie, you’ll need a nice airtight container. My favorite thing to use is a plastic cup with a ring that screws on the outside of it. When my smoothie is ready to serve, I pour a large cup for myself to drink, and pour the rest into the plastic cup for storage. Then, all I have to do to keep the smoothie fresh is place a piece of shrink-wrap over the top of the cup, and screw the ring over the shrink-wrap. It creates a great seal, and when I’m ready to drink it, all I have to do is take the ring off and remove the shrink-wrap. This Sun’s Tea (TM) 18oz Spill Proof Ultra Clear Strong Double-wall Glass Travel Mug/cooler Glass/thermal Glass with Glass See-through Screw-on Cap. Ideal for Icy Cold Soda, Water, Iced Tea, Lemonade, or Hot Tea and Coffee is a good example of one that you might want.

Cleanup After Making Your Green Smoothie

I prefer to clean up immediately after I make my smoothies. If you let the remains of the smoothie sit in the blender for too long, it becomes a burden to clean. In order to avoid this, I simply rinse the blender and blender cap off with warm water and soap immediately after pouring my smoothies. It literally takes less than a minute, and all of the equipment will air dry and be ready for me to use the next morning!