Jasmine Green Tea on a Cold Winter's Day

Jasmine Green Tea

     One of THE most relaxing smells to me in the world is the smell of Jasmine. I always just thought it was a nice smell ... it turns out, there is a reason (or a lot of reasons) why it feels like it is so calming. 

     Jasmine has been known to fight bacteria in your intestines which actually allows healthy bacteria grow and aid in smoother digestion. It can also increase your metabolism and help you burn fat more quickly. So, this not only soothes the stomach, but also shrinks that midline! Win - win!

     The antioxidants in Jasmine Green Tea can drastically reduce the chance of Cancer and slow down the aging process. The healing begins on the inside, but radiates all the way to the outside! 

     As if all that isn't enough to make you love Jasmine Green Tea, here is another big one - it can improve the health of your heart by reducing the bad cholesterol in your body and prevent more from forming. This can reduce the chances of a stroke or heart attack.   The health of your heart doesn't just determine how or when you die, but it can also drastically affect the quality of your life. If drinking a cup of delicious, warm tea on a cold day can reduce stress, calm your emotions, better your heart - then it is such a simple step to take for a better life. Do something great for yourself today.

Enjoy your tea, Loves.

Pomegranate White Tea - Full of More than Just Flavor

Pomegranate White Tea

     When the weather is a little colder outside, it is so nice to have something warm and tasty to drink!  Unfortunately, flavored coffee drinks are often full of preservatives, fillers, sugar and unhealthy fats. It's sad, I agree! And I am NOT saying that I do not indulge in a Starbucks Vanilla Latte from time to time. On a more regular basis though, there are a HUGE variety of teas that you can drink. Drinking tea can be more cost effective and much healthier for your body. I can't go into all of them today, so I'm just going to cover one of my new favorites! I love the color, I love the flavor, and I love what it does for me.

     First, let's talk about White Tea. I'm sure you are familiar with Green Tea and Black Tea, but White Tea gets forgotten many times. That is a shame, since it can put Green Tea and Black Tea to shame as far as nutrients. White Tea actually comes from the same plant as Green Tea, but it is harvested at a younger state while Green Tea is from the plant when it is more ripe and mature. White Tea is also less processed than Green Tea. White Tea is only steamed and then dried. You know that Green Tea is full of antioxidants, but since White Tea is less processed, it contains a higher concentration of all those antioxidants, which have been known to lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, improving heart health and aiding in weight loss. Bonus: it also contains less caffeine than Green Tea and has a smoother taste. 

     Now, as far as pomegranates go, they are fantastic fruits that are also full of antioxidants. There is a compound that is found ONLY in pomegranates, and it is responsible for the antioxidants and for lowering blood pressure and increases the speed at which artery blockages dissolve. 

      I am sure there are a number of places you can get some, I got mine from Trader Joe's Grocery store. So, no matter what ails you, pick up and enjoy yourself some Pomegranate White Tea.

Yummy Superfood Smoothie! - Thirsty Thursday

So delicious! Fruit smoothies are my favorite, and I LOVE adding acai to them. Love the flavor. In fact, this smoothie is full of my favorite fruits!

• 1 cup of blueberries
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp freeze dried acai berries
• 2 scoops Vi Shape Mix
• 2 tbsp Justin's All Natural Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
• Ice
• Water

This is another smoothie that has the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats with nothing unnecessary added! At 418 calories, it is a perfect breakfast with so many vitamins and minerals that you body needs as well as being an exceptional source of brain energy! More effective than that cup of coffee that is going to let you crash in a couple hours. 

I did try a new ingredient in this one - Justin's All Natural Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. Each ingredient listed is organic and sustainably derived. It is certified Gluten Free and Vegan. Besides being all natural, it also has 50% less sugar than Nutella. I LOVE Nutella so I am so excited that I found a new, healthy, guilt-free option! 

     I hope you enjoy my new recipe and try Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Spread! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

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Thirsty Thursday - Cafe Banana Mocha

 Cafe Banana Mocha

Mornings get busy, whether you have kids to get ready, you're trying to beat the traffic, or you just needed those few extra minutes of sleep, we have to face it - sometimes there is just no time to make (or eat!) breakfast.

Fortunately, for those of us who are human yet want to stay healthy, there is a solution! Coffee and breakfast in a cup to go. Oh yes. Here is the recipe: 

5oz of low-fat milk (or Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk)

3oz iced or cooled coffee

2 scoops of ViShape Shake Mix*

1 Spoonful of Nutella (or an all natural alternative)

Half of a Banana

Scoop of Ice

Blend ingredients together and go! For a total of 411 calories, it is a sufficient breakfast meal replacement and includes 20 grams of protein, 48 grams of carbs (8grams of fiber, 37 grams of sugar), and 15 grams of healthy fat. Perfect for getting your metabolism in gear and giving you long lasting energy while keeping you full until your mid-morning healthy snack ;) . It's also great if you did get your workout in the morning with the protein and potassium to help your muscles recover quickly!

 I hope you enjoy it! Keep this in mind the next time you have a full morning and need a little extra energy and time! I hope as you read more of my posts and try more recipes and workouts that you truly do see that living a healthy lifestyle can open up SO many doors for you! It is my goal to help you become healthier, stronger, and more confident in yourself so you are ready to take on whatever life brings you and still have some left to give to your loved ones. Live Healthy - Every Day.

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*For more information on the Visalus ViShape Shake Mix, go to www.tiffanymercer12.myvi.net

Thirsty Thursday! My Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Super Yummy Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Hello again Friends! Diet is every bit as important to your health and fitness as working out, so Thursdays are dedicated to the nutrition you can drink! Could be teas, could be juicing, but today, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite smoothie recipes ever. Try it at home! I recommend it for breakfast because of the amount of (natural) sugar inside. It is a balanced meal to give you energy all day long!

Recipe:

3 frozen strawberries

1/2 frozen banana

1 small scoop of ice

2 scoops Vi Shape Shake Mix

Water

-Blend together, pour into glass and drink OR put it in a bowl and add granola like I did-

With the granola, this shake is a total of 435 calories and includes:

20% Protein (22 grams) - For a healthy amount that your body can absorb for long term energy and to sustain your lean muscles that you are building or toning in your workouts. (Lean muscle mass also burns more calories at rest than unnecessary body fat)

24% Healthy Fat (12 grams) - to keep your organs functioning optimally and for enhanced absorption of other vitamins and minerals as well as keeping you full longer.

56% Good Carbs (62grams) - for instant energy and greater mental focus for a productive day, no matter what life throws at you!

160mg Sodium

565mg Potassium

13 grams Fiber

22 grams Sugar 

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron

So there you go! I hope you enjoy your smoothie as much as I do! 

Healthy can be tasty, too!

P.S. If you would like more information about the Vi Shape Shake mix, check out tiffanymercer12.myvi.net

Tiffany Mercer

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist

NASM Weight Loss Specialist

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