Losing weight presents a real challenge for many people. While weight loss in the short term is often more achievable, losing weight and keeping it off is a far greater challenge. With so many fad diets that promise quick and easy solutions to losing weight, yo-yo dieting is inevitable.
- A short term fix: In an attempt to lose weight quickly we often drastically cut our calorie intake or restrict certain food groups. This normally only works for so long before we grow tired of a restrictive diet and subsequently abandon all efforts. Instead of setting a goal to lose weight in time for bikini season, it’s more beneficial long term to adopt a different lifestyle that involves a permanent commitment to healthy eating and exercise. Most importantly it must be a plan that’s easy to stick to!
- No support system: Too many people try to lose weight without a support system. Research shows that people who have the support of family and friends to keep them on track, are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off. [click to continue reading…]
When you hear the phrase “thermogenic foods,” you probably think of spicy, hot foods that heat up the body and often leave an unpleasant burning sensation in the mouth. Hot spices and peppers are thermogenic foods that help boost the metabolism, but there are many other foods that offer thermogenic benefits that may not come to mind. 
Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. All foods are thermogenic if we consider how the body must use energy to digest them. However, not all foods are created equal where thermogenesis is concerned. The best thermogenic foods require more energy to digest them than what they provide, thus they increase metabolism and cause the body to burn more calories. Brilliant, who knew you could burn calories while you eat!
Here’s a break down of the top thermogenic foods that can help turn your body into a fat burning machine: [click to continue reading…]
Here are the four main ingredients for my anti-inflammatory tea; ginger, turmeric, cloves and green tea. Turmeric is the yellowish spice that’s unfortunately sat in your cupboard for years… just in case. Well, its time for a ‘coming out’ party! Turmeric is in the top three of my superfoods list.
Turmeric is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine and has numerous beneficial properties. Curcumin is the constituent within turmeric believed to have the majority of the anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects to be comparable to drugs like hydrocortisone and ibuprofen, without the side effects.
Ginger contains gingerols, a compound with very potent anti-inflammatory properties . Many of my patients who consume this anti-inflammatory tea and eat ginger regularly experience a lessening of their pain levels from musculoskeletal and arthritic conditions. Inflammation can reside in many tissues in the body, not just joints and muscles. Ginger is also on my list of superfoods.
Next is green tea, you guessed it-superfood. In the August 2006 edition of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, they found that green tea is a healthier choice than almost any beverage, including pure water, because tea not only rehydrates as well as water, but provides a rich supply of polyhenols protective against heart disease.
Cloves give this tea a nice spicy taste. Cloves contain Eugenol, which is the primary component of clove’s volatile oils, and is anti-inflammatory. Cloves also contain flavonoids , which further contribute to the anti-inflammatory (and antioxidant) properties of this tea. There you have it, three superfoods and one super spice in one drink… what’s not to love?
I like to make a big batch and drink it over several days.
P.S. It’s great iced in the summer.
Dr. Ron’s Anti-Inflammatory Spiced Green Tea
2 whole turmeric roots, peeled and cut in 1/4 inch slices
4 inches whole ginger root, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch slices (or just get one of the biggest and freshest whole roots available and use the whole thing)
6 whole cloves
10-12 green tea bags or similar amount of whole leaf tea
Juice of 2 lemons
To make the tea, boil about a gallon of water in a big pot. Once it’s boiling add the cloves, ginger and turmeric and immediately reduce to a simmer. Cover and continue simmer for 15-20 minutes. Put the green tea bags in for the final two minutes to steep. Strain and add lemon to taste.
You can also add stevia or raw agave nectar as natural sugar substitutes if you like it sweetened. Feel free to play with the green tea recommendations (i.e. use different whole leaf green teas with a tea ball infuser, caffeinated vs. non-caffeinated etc.)
Enjoy!
P.S. I really like this Royal Matcha Green Tea
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