Smart Sips, Seasonings and Sweeteners

Slimming Beverages Can Help To Reinforce Your Weight Loss Efforts. Here Are The Fastest Fat Burning Brews I Know Of:

Filtered Water
Consuming half your body weight in ounces of water will help the liver metabolize stored fat into energy. As the purest detox and diluting agent, it can take the edge off of appetite, ensure normal bowel and kidney function to rid the body of wastes, and alleviate fluid retention. Drinking cold water will enhance metabolism, while dehydration kicks up cortisol resulting in more tummy fat. It’s best to drink before or between meals to avoid diluting digestive enzymes.

Green Tea
Not only delicious, green tea has many health benefits and is used medicinally in many parts of the world. But when it comes to speeding up fat burning, this ancient brew can’t be beat. Green tea is packed with polyphenols and catechins, two no-nonsense antioxidants that can increase metabolism by 10 percent for two hours. Its high dose of theanine can significantly reduce fat-promoting cortisol levels by almost 50 percent. Studies suggest that at least three eight-ounce cups per day produce ideal fat-burning benefits.

Cran-water
Cran-water is the one and only Fat Flush water. It is at the core of my Fat Flush Plan. Cran-water, thanks to its abundant supply of organic acids (like malic, quinic and citric) acts like a liquefied fat-digesting enzyme to dissolve fatty deposits in the lymphatic tissue. This helps melt away stubborn cellulite and release fluid from waterlogged tissues. Pure cranberry also helps detoxify the liver by opening up the phase one and two detox pathways. To make cran-water, mix one-ounce unsweetened cranberry juice in seven ounces of water. You can drink up to two quarts per day as my successful Fat Flushers have done for years.

Dandelion Root Tea
An herbal tea with earthy notes, roasted dandelion root is a slimming and caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Especially effective as a liver tonic, dandy tea can help lower elevated liver enzymes for those who have overdone alcohol, sugar, transfats and medications. Try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil as a great way to begin your day with metabolism-boosting Smart Fats.

Apple Cider Vinegar
If you haven't already added this miracle in a bottle into your diet, start today. Just add one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water before meals to reduce blood glucose and insulin levels by as much as 30 percent. ACV dramatically slows down carbohydrate digestion, which promotes satiety and helps prevent overeating. Apple cider vinegar's active ingredient is acetic acid, which is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-microbial agent. Taking apple cider vinegar daily will help alkalinize your body, promote a healthy microbiome, improve digestion and release toxins. Besides being a wonderful tonic in water throughout the day, apple cider vinegar adds tangy flavor when added to soups, scrambled eggs, smoothies, and of course makes for a light and zingy dressing combined with extra virgin olive oil.

Smart Seasonings
Herbs and spices transform the simplest meal by providing real soul to your food. However, the Smart Seasonings are not just merely flavor fixers—they are heavy-duty metabolism enhancers. The antioxidants that are abundant in Smart Seasonings are synonymous with good health and a trim waistline. They neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, aid the digestive process, support the liver and help prevent disease.

For example, a study at Oxford Polytechnic Institute proved that cayenne pepper stimulates a 20 percent increase in metabolism! A bit of cayenne, mustard, ginger and turmeric go a long way toward shedding unwanted fat and boosting the nutritional value of your food. Read on for the “smartest” of the Smart Seasonings with the most sure-fire slimming effects.

Cayenne
Cayenne's heat comes from capsicum, which increases the body's metabolic rate and cleans fat out of the arteries. Cayenne does so much more than create a tongue-tingling meal. It is loaded with vitamins C, B, A and E, and also contains calcium, phosphorus and iron. It is high in immune-boosting beta-carotene and is used as a pain-killer, an antiseptic and a digestive aid. It adds a real kick to all your veggies, sauces, dips and soups. I even like a pinch of this hot stuff in my smoothie.

Ginger
According to an Australian study, ginger can cause a metabolic boost of as much as 20 percent. It both energizes and cleanses while providing warmth. Ginger revs circulation and promotes healthy sweating, encouraging detoxification of the body. It supports liver function, clears up clogged arteries and lowers serum cholesterol levels. It is effective for motion sickness and nausea. Ginger lends itself well to cookies (I just love ginger snaps), as well as puddings and custards, and is quite tasty on salmon. Ginger tea settles the stomach.

Mustard
Mustard is a must in my kitchen. In the dried, powdered state or as a prepared mustard spread, it not only gives a burst of tangy spiciness, but helps flush fat by kicking metabolism into high gear. Study data from Oxford Polytechnic Institute shows that mustard spikes metabolic rates by 25 percent. By adding mustard to a meal, participants burned at least 45 extra calories during the next three hours. Try just a pinch of dried mustard in your homemade salad dressings, mayo and pickles. I really love it on my deviled eggs.

Cinnamon
I only recommend Ceylon cinnamon because most commercial cinnamons contain the liver-damaging ingredient coumarin that can be harmful to health when taken in excess. Cinnamon in general, however, is most helpful in controlling blood sugar levels so that insulin spikes are kept in check, and can even reduce the glycemic impact of a meal by nearly 30 percent. As a delicious metabolism booster, cinnamon can rock desserts, lamb, coffee, tea and smoothies.

Turmeric
Turmeric is widely known for its high antioxidant content, thanks to its curcumin content, turmeric’s active ingredient. It is the superstar of the popular curry spice blend. But this natural anti-inflammatory really stands out because it can help thin and decongest bile so your body can metabolize fat more efficiently. Turmeric can be added to curries, beans, meat stews, fish dinners, omelets and soups. It is the best spice for a barbecue because turmeric added to meats before they are grilled reduces toxic compounds up to 40 percent.

Cumin
This peppery biblical spice is a wonderful taste enhancer and catalyst for weight loss. The latest research out of the Middle East, where cumin is popularly consumed, shows that one teaspoon of this spice boosts weight loss by 50 percent, most likely due to its ability to raise body temperature, thereby heating up metabolism. This is one great spice for hummus, beans, chili, and any variation of a Mexican food dish.

Smart Sweeteners
This section presents the very best sweeteners that, unlike sugar and processed carbohydrates (think white rice and bagels), do not raise levels of fat-packing insulin.

Organic SweetLeaf Stevia
This low glycemic plant-based sweetener imparts sweetness with zero calories and zero carbs and does not spike the glycemic index. Stevia is a versatile herb that can be used in place of sugar for baking, smoothies and beverages without raising your blood sugar. SweetLeaf brand stevia offers a range of sweet drops in fun flavors like vanilla crème and berry. As Stevia is 30 times sweeter than sugar, a little goes a long way! When a recipe calls for one teaspoon of sugar, use 1/3 teaspoon of stevia instead.

Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener
If you really want to kick the sugar habit, then search no more because Lakanto looks like sugar, tastes like sugar, bakes like sugar and can be used in a one-to-one ratio to replace sugar. Considered by many to be both the best-tasting and healthiest sugar substitute on the planet, Lakanto is a combination of non-GMO erythritol, and Chinese monkfruit (luo han guo) long touted as the “longevity fruit.” Erythritol is a corn-derived fermented sugar alcohol. Monkfruit is a naturally sweet fruit that is 300 times sweeter than sugar itself. Lakanto contains zero calories, zero additives, and scores zero on the glycemic index. Since your body metabolizes monk fruit differently, it will not raise your insulin level and is perfectly safe for diabetics. This super healthy sweetener is great for baking and tastes a bit like maple syrup. It is also perfect for adding to teas and smoothies. Lakanto has even been shown to prevent tooth decay! How great is that?

The Ultimate Life Xylitol
100 percent pure birch sugar, which has half the calories of refined white sugar. This all-natural sweetener tastes amazing and does not promote tooth decay or gum disease. Xylitol is metabolized very slowly so it will not trigger sugar highs and lows. It is safe for diabetics, chronic fatigue sufferers, and anyone who suffers from hypoglycemia. Use one-for-one in place of sugar in baking and anywhere you want a terrific sweetener.

Now Erythritol
A pure Non-GMO fermented sugar alcohol derived from corn. Erythritol is about 70 percent as sweet as sugar with 95 percent fewer calories and has a very low glycemic impact. This is a delicious reduced-calorie sweetener to be added to any healthconscious kitchen. Can be used in a one-to-one ratio for any recipe requiring sugar, although it is not as sweet, so you may want a little extra.

Now D-ribose
D-ribose is a carbohydrate that initiates the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy molecule that is the driving force behind every cellular process in the body. An amazing supplement to dampen insulin surges and calm inflammation in the body.

Now Glycine
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that supports glycogen storage for readily-available energy.