A pic is worth a thousand words....

Click on pic to enlarge for better viewing...  Scary, huh?

Bottled tea vs. home brewed cup.....

An American Chemical Society report found home-brewed green or black tea contains more polyphenols, chemicals linked to fighting cancer, than bottled teas. (Los Angeles TImes)  By Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times

This news is hard to swallow: 

Drinkers would have to down up to 50 bottles (!)

of the stuff to get the same amount of beneficial substances found in a single cup of humble, home-brewed tea. 






The average 16-ounce bottle of commercial tea contained as little as 3 milligrams of polyphenols, a beneficial compound linked with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties.

A simple cup of home-brewed green or black tea contains up to 150 milligrams.

Water - you know it's good for you....

What I discovered today is that the eight, 8-oz. glasses of water that all the experts say we should consume each day is actually 8 CUPS of water! Yep, if you look at a measuring cup, which is not really that big - that's 8 ounces. Heck, I think that I really do get my requirement of water if you look at it that way. All the pictures of water show a large GLASS, (16 oz.) ---not a cup. I just had 2 cups of tea while writing this. CUPS of water go down easier that way.

Almond butter sammy

Thought I would post today about a quick protein lunch - the all American favorite -  nut butter sandwich!

1 slice of toasted Brownberry Bread. Either the 12 Grain or Double Fiber. Mine today was the 12 Grain.

1 Tablespoon Woodstock Farms natural almond butter.

2 teaspoons Vlasic dill relish

calories: 200
fat grams: 9.5
carbs: 21.5
sugar: 4
protein: 7.5

The dill relish has no calories, fat or carbs. But it does have lots of salt. But 2 teaspoons is 1/2 a "serving size".

Most of the calories come from the bread (110) and so I'm learning to use just 1 slice of bread for my sandwiches. And you know what? It's just as good. And I save 110 calories that I can to use elsewhere.

UPDATE:
I found an even better bread!

Healthy Life Double Fiber
Flaxseed with Omega-3 Bread

* 70 Calories per Slice
* Excellent Source of Fiber
* 40% Daily Intake of Fiber in Two Slices
* Good Source of Omega-3 ALA
* Low Fat
* No Trans Fat
* No Saturated Fat
* No Cholesterol
* Good Source of Calcium & Vitamin D
* No High Fructose Corn Syrup
* Double Wrapped for Freshness
* 13 grams of Whole Grains per Slice (The daily recommendation for dietary fiber is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.)
* 10 net carbs
* 3 grams sugar
* 4 grams protein

Twice the Fiber of Regular Whole Wheat Bread!

Found at most grocery stores, including Walmart.

Healthy Life Original
100% Whole Grain
Flaxseed with Omega-3 Bread

* 40 Calories per Slice
* 6 Net Carbs
* Good Source Of Omega-2 ALA
* 90mg of Omega-3
* Low Fat
* 98% Fat Free
* No Trans Fat
* No Saturated Fat
* No Cholesterol
* Excellent Source of Fiber
* No High Fructose Corn Syrup
* 14 grams of Whole Grain per Serving

Vinegar Nutrition facts.....

What Is the Nutritional Value of Vinegar?

By Marissa Willman, eHow Contributor

I want to do this! What's This?

Vinegar is a fermented and acidic liquid used in a variety of recipes. There are many variations of vinegar, such as white, rice and apple cider. Most types of vinegar are fat-free and low in sodium and calories. Vinegar is also devoid of vitamins but contains minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Vinegar contains carbohydrates and sugar, so consumption should be moderated by those watching their sugar intake.

Calories

1. One cup of distilled vinegar contains about 30 calories. Red wine and cider vinegar have approximately 50 calories per cup, while balsamic vinegar contains over 200 calories per cup.

Sugar

2. A cup of white vinegar contains approximately 12 grams of sugar. Balsamic vinegar has about 50 grams of sugar per cup.

Potassium

3. Most types of vinegar contain a small amount of potassium. A cup of distilled vinegar contains 36 milligrams of potassium. A cup of apple cider vinegar contains 175 milligrams of potassium.

Sodium

4. Vinegar has almost no sodium content, which makes it a popular staple in sodium-free diets. A cup of white vinegar contains less than three milligrams of sodium.

Magnesium

5. One cup of distilled white vinegar contains about 53 milligrams of magnesium, which is 13 percent of the daily recommended value.

Read more: What Is the Nutritional Value of Vinegar? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5002644_what-nutritional-value-vinegar.html#ixzz0xOpX6LPY

Spicy Tea

I just had my very first taste of Chai Tea and I'm HOOKED! I will be experimenting with Chai Tea during the upcoming winter nights, for sure. I googled Chai Tea and found this interesting recipe of Chocolate Chai Tea:

Things You'll Need:

• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1 Chai Tea Bag
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup milk 

1. BOIL WATER - POUR OVER TEA BAG
   Steep for 5 minutes. Squeeze excess out of the teabag.
   
2. POUR TEA IN SAUCEPAN
   Add cocoa, sugar with tea mixture stir until disolved.
   
3. STIR MILK INTO TEA MIXTURE
   Continue to stir until warm.
   
4. POUR INTO A LARGE MUG and ENJOY!!!!
   
   Add cinnamon stick and whipped cream if desired.