A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Green’s Your Colour. They wanted to send me one of their bottles! I said yes because it sounded right up my ally! Which it was. Not only did they send me a really pretty coloured bottle but Green’s Your Colour is perfect for my lifestyle! And probably yours if you are reading my blog!
Firstly they are a Canadian company! I love support Canadian products, especially in the health and fitness industy. Not only are they Canadian but they are also very local to me. Green’s Your Colour was founded by Sandy Costa in 2011. She realized that she wanted to design and manufacture her own line of products, which began with GYC bottles! She wanted to offer products that were safe and wanted to continue to promote sustainability.
They sent me a 500mL bottle in limited edition. You can find it here.
A little bit more about the bottles:
- Triple Insulated Vacuum Technology.
- Stainless Steel 18/8 (304) food grade inside & out.
- Keeps temperatures hot for 8+ hours and cold for 36+ hours.
- BPA Free, no toxic inner liner.
- Sweat proof, leak proof, no leaching flavours of any sort.
- Temperature of outer wall remains cool to the touch despite temperature inside of bottle.
- Wide neck able to fit large ice cubes and easy to clean.
- Small drinking spout for easy, clean, and comfortable consumption.
- Carrying handle.
- Screw-on lid attached to the bottle, won’t be misplaced and/or lost.
- Comfortably fits into all standard sized cup holders.
- Tea and ice strainer included.
- Optional universal accessories (sports lid, deep tea strainer, fruit infuser basket and coloured lids - sold separately).
- Designed and tested in Canada.
- 1yr. manufacturer’s warranty.
My favourite feature of the bottle is that it came with a tea strainer! That way I can use it for water and tea!! How cool is that! I was also really impressed with the quality of the bottle along with its aesthetics!
Thank you Green's Your Colour!
If you're familiar with Japanese culture or have visited Japan, you will quickly find how important tea is and how vastly it is used within the culture. I recently participated in the #7daydrinkgreen challenge and the results were pretty eyeopening. When asked, how can I lose more weight without doing anything or what can I do to fight sugar cravings, I always suggest tea. That's why I was so happy to have the chance to try out a Nanami Power Set.
I absolutely LOVE green tea! The health benefits of green tea are endless! It's great for your skin, your energy, your waistline and more! What's so amazing about Nanami Tea is that they offer authentic green tea (no garbage or fillers or blends). Their tea is is carefully picked and crafted from their tea farm in Uji Kyoto, Japan. This company is one of very few that offer green tea at a farm-to-cup experience.
I had the opportunity to try the
Nanami Power Set, in the power set I recieved Matcha (my favorite), Sencha, Hojicha and Genmaicha.
So check out my 7 day review below:
So if I could, I would drink Matcha tea, all day every day. Matcha by far is my favorite kind of tea and was my fav from the Nanami Power Set.
Day 1 - Each one of the teas is numbered and has a different purpose but I wanted to try things a little out of order and drink tea based upon what I felt like drinking for the day. Today I tried the Matcha Tea and all I can say is AMAZING! I've tried many different Matcha teas from ordering at my local tea shop to Starbucks to ordering Matcha off of amazon and this by far is the most cleanest, purest Matcha tea yet! My energy levels were high and I felt amazing.
Day 2 - Once again, I decided to go with some Matcha tea in the morning, but I also decided to mix the Matcha inside of my smoothie that I had for a snack. The taste was very green and exactly what I wanted and was looking for. I really feel like this is going to go into my daily rotation or be used whenever I have a craving for something super green and super clean.
Day 3 - I drink a lot of water every day to ensure I meet my fitness and health goals, but what I love about this challenge is how I'm really focusing on my water intake. Drinking the tea is like a treat! I've also been drinking this tea without any sweeteners. Drinking this way ensures I get a pure taste and get the maximum benefits of the tea which I can really feel.
Day 4 - I decided to try one of the other teas out of the set. Today, I went with Hojicha. This tea is unique because it is roasted. The directions for this tea suggest drinking it before bed and I see why. This tea was very calming and I could tell that it didn't have as much caffeine in it as the matcha because I didn't get an increase in energy. This tea is great for relaxing. The flavor is incredible and one that I never could imagine you could get from a green tea. The flavor was more nutty with a hint of caramel and very soothing! It was a great treat after drinking only water all day.
Day 5 - Things have been so busy for me these last few days and I felt like I needed a boost, so I decided to try the Sencha tea today. This was a great choice! This tea gave me the pick me up I needed to tackle the rest of my day. I had a cup of this tea after I finished my fasted cardio, and it gave me a boost of energy that I needed. It was like a pick-me up. I also noticed that I wasn't as tired as I normally would have been. This was probably attributed to the the high amount of caffeine. This is also a great tasting tea!
Day 6 - I'm almost at the end of the challenge and I don't think I want to stop! Drinking all of this water and green tea has definitely helped me feel MUCH better! Not only do I feel healthier but I feel more alert and positive. The effects of green tea!! I absolutely loved how the Sencha made me feel so I decided to start with a cup this morning and also during mid-day! So refreshing! I ended he day with Hojicha and once again, it was an amazing treat! The smell of the Hojicha is so comforting and warm! It's a must for a relaxing evening before bed.
Day 7 - Drinking water all day has many health benefits and I've really grown to appreciate them over the past few days! Drinking only water and green tea as a treat periodically throughout the day has been a treat! I would suggest this challenge to anyone that is trying to reset their system or just get a bit healthier. It's so important to limit the amount of soda and sugary drinks you intake (juices filled with high fructose syrup, hot chocolates and fraps). I started the day with my ultimate fav... MATCHA!! And ended the day with my new evening fav Hojicha.
My overall review:
These teas are amazing and I suggest every tea connoisseur try them!
Tonica Kombucha - Review
What is Kombucha?
According to Wikipedia:
Kombucha is a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks that are commonly intended as functional beverages for their supposed health benefits. Kombucha is produced by fermenting tea using a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY). Actual contributing microbial populations in SCOBY cultures vary, but the yeast component generally includes Saccharomyces and other species, and the bacterial component almost always includes Gluconacetobacter xylinus to oxidize yeast-produced alcohols to acetic and other acids.
Although it has been claimed to have numerous health benefits, there is no good evidence that drinking kombucha has such effects.[1] By contrast, there are several documented cases of serious adverse effects, including fatalities, related to kombucha drinking, possibly arising from contamination during home preparation.[2][3] Since the mostly unclear benefits of kombucha drinking do not outweigh the known risks, it is not recommended for therapeutic use.[1]
Despite their being claims there is no good evidence. I think it affects other people differently. The Tonica is naturally carbonated, only 45 calories per bottle, organic, raw and GMO free. Its also made in Canada. However a lot of carbs for a drink. I would rather not drink my carbs personally. However, it was really tasty and thirst quenching. But then again so is water. Until theres some good scientific background to its claims I probably wont be drinking any more kombucha any time soon.
The Tonica is bowed and bottled with natural carbonation over the course of a full 10 day ferment. According to them their brew preserves the integrity of ancient kombucha and delights todays customer with their certified organic tea infusions.
Its certified USDA Organic, Canada Organic and certified Raw.
Visit the website for more information www.tonicakombucha.com
Tetley Tea Talks - #TetleyFindYourBalance
Recently Tetley Tea hosted a Tea Talk Event in Toronto which I got to attend. Think about Ted Talks but for tea. They had healthy snacks, tea samples and talks on Ayurvedic and tea topics. This was a unique one of a kind experience and I learned a lot about Tea Ayurveda that I did not know. The new line is divided into the 3 categories called Dosha's : vata, pitta and kapha. To find out your dosa click here.
They sent me home with a care package that includes all three of the teas from their new line. I love them all but the cool pitta is my fav! Let me know if you pick them up and give them a try! Trust me when I say they will help you find your balance and that they are delicious as well!
So we're all on our fitness kick right now and it's going strong... UNTIL you start craving a midnight snack. Though eating at night isn't as bad as you might think, if your patterns are like the average persons, you're more inclined to eat sugary, salty, processed, unhealthy foods when hunger strikes at night (after dinner). I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but it happens, and the best way to handle attacks are to be prepared for them. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So here are 5 'surprise I'm hungry' midnight guilt free snacks that you can have in your house so that you're not tempted to run to the Convenience Store and grab chips, candy and all the processed junk that will set you back.
#1 Water - Often times we think we're hungry but in actuality we're just a little parched. Did you know the same signal from our brain that's released for thirst is also released for hunger? So before you reach for something to eat, try something to drink. It's so helpful to keep a bottle or glass of water near your bed. Not only for those 'I'm feeling hungry moments, but also for the morning... But we will talk about that another time.
#2 Berries - Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries... Though they're a fruit, and if your goal is to lose weight, you shouldn't consume LOADS of it, it's totally okay to snack on a few berries if hunger strikes and it's late. Just don't go overboard. Not to mention, they're low glycemic foods, so snack away.
#3 Tea - There's nothing like an evening cup of tea. Not only can it help curb your appetite, it can be soothing and can help you relax. Who doesn't want that at night? Try a chamomile tea, or one of your favorites. Just remember to stay away from anything with a high amount of caffeine that'll keep you up all night.
#4 Nuts - If you're not allergic, nuts are always a good choice for a midnight snack. Feel free to grab a hand full of nuts with a glass of water and it's sure enough to take off the hunger edge and not heavy enough to keep you up or make you feel uncomfortable. This food full of healthy fats is not only a good midnight snack, but a snack that's great anytime in moderation!
#5 Banana Ice Cream - If you're on a fitness journey, it's important to keep a few bananas around the house. Especially frozen. Not only are frozen bananas great to throw in for your smoothie, they're great to make ice cream with. Grab those frozen bananas, blend them up until they're creamy and there you have it... Banana Ice Cream. Definitely a fan favorite.
How I fight My Sugar Cravings
Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you constantly sabotaging your fitness goals by giving in to your cravings? I love chocolate and sweets. I use to spend hours in the gym working out only to be craving chocolate or candy after my workouts. I had little or no self control. Everyone can benefit from fighting those sweet cravings with tea instead of a high calorie sweets.
What type of tea can help with sweet cravings?
It is all about personal preference. One day I was out shopping with a friend and we went into a specialty tea store called DAVIDS TEA. This store has every type of tea imaginable. It doesn’t matter if you are craving sweet, bitter, salty they can find the tea for you. They also carry every type of tea roobios, black, green and many more types. You can choose caffeinated or decaffeinated. The options are endless. Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have a Davids Tea you can order online or visit a local tea shop for similar options.
Why is tea good for you?
Scientists have found that the antioxidants in green tea extract increase the body’s ability to burn fat as fuel, reduce waist circumference and lower your BMI. Scientists have also found that drinking tea could help reduce the risk of heart attacks, lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, help prevent against cardiovascular disease, and help combat certain types of cancer. What is even more important is that tea is hydrating to the body (even caffeinated tea as opposed to coffee).
If you find the tea that you choose is not sweet enough you can add natural sweeteners like stevia, agave or even a bit of honey instead of sugar. My favorite tea is called “red velvet” and it tastes just as delicious as the cake. When I am craving something sweet it hits the spot. I add in some coconut milk and it is almost as good as the real thing.
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What Are The Best Foods For Digestion?
Do you suffer from indigestion, heart burn, bloating or gas? You are not alone. According to Yahoo around 70 million of American’s suffer from different types of digestive problems each year.
It is important to your overall health to maintain a healthy digestive system. GESA reports that “Although the digestive system can withstand a lot of stress (from the foods you eat to emotional stresses), it can only do so for a limited period. Over time, the negative effects will accumulate and create health problems in the long-term.” Therefore you should watch your diet and take preventative measures to limit the risk of problematic situations occurring.
Although the best way to diagnose and take care of digestive problems is to promptly report any that appear to your doctor, research on nutrition has found that certain foods effect your digestion positively than others. According to Inside Fitness some of these foods include the following five:
Apples: This tasty fruit has a magic combination of both soluble and insoluble fibre helps you eat and digest quickly and easily.
Tumeric: Has been known to help with inflammation which can help smooth out the digestion process as your food travels through your system.
Almonds: These little nuts are filled with digestion enhancing fibre and calcium which also supports many functions in the body.
Peppermint Tea: Is known to calm the stomach muscles and improve the flow of your bile. Try to refrain from the use sweetener or milk.
Coconut Oil: This natural oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids that can help with digestion. You can take it as a supplement, cook with it, add it to smoothies or even use it as a replacement for butter.
For more tips on fitness and healthy eating check out
Alicia Bell is a Toronto based Personal Trainer
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The kind folks at Unico Nutrition sent me the best tasting natural pre workout that I have had to date. They have also been kind enough to provide me with a discount code for you to get 25% off at check out if you want to try your own! I love the coconut lime one. To me it tastes like pina colada. mmmm
Unico Nutrition 25% Discount With ALICIA25 at Checkout
http://uniconutrition.com
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