Monday, January 7, 2008

Teas(e) me!


About 10 years ago, I came upon an article about how green tea is great for revving up a tired metabolism. That's all I needed to hear. I was hooked. If there's a way I can still eat ice cream on occassion without it affecting the size of my butt? I will happily do whatever it is I need to do.

I remain devoted to green tea to this day. Actually? Even more. So when Parent Bloggers Network asked for volunteers to review The Ultimate Tea Diet by Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra, I was very excited. I think I might have even pulled a Tom Cruise and jumped on a couch the day the book was delivered.

The Ultimate Tea Diet is brimming with all sorts of tea info -- from tea history to the various flavors, to the vast benefits. Plus? There are recipies for incorporating tea into many foods. I had no idea you could do that!

The premise of the book (without giving too much info away) is to
  • Find a tea you love and drink it all day

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. (There's a menu plan and recipes that incorporate tea into foods for ideas). Eat when hungry and stop when full.

  • Think positively

  • Exercise a little each day
Much of the information he gives is common sense (see rule #2, 3 and 4). And Ukra's tone throughout the book is friendly and positive.

And if you're new to the idea of tea? There's even a quiz as to what type of tea would best suit you.

You might even be wondering how it is possible to fit all of this tea drinking into your busy lifestyle. Dr. Tea's got some ideas to help you. And if you've got a specific food craving? Ukra's got some ideas for you there too!

And the recipies! Dr. Tea devotes almost 70 pages to recipies and ways you can incorporate tea into your meals. (My favorites were ways he infused tea with apple sauce and corn-on-the-cob.)

But I guess the million dollar question is, "Lisa you lose weight?"

Well... the short version of a long story is... YES! I lost three pounds before Thanksgiving on the program. A five-day Thanksgiving trip threw me off of my diet and exercise plan. The rest of the holidays, the parties, extra outings (aka extra alcohol and decadent foods) and lack of time to exercise meant that I did gain a pound back. But it was ONLY a pound! But within the past week, I was able to lose that pound doing what "Dr. Tea" mentions.

I'm hoping 2008 will usher in a slightly thinner Midwestern Mommy -- or at least a midwestern mommy whose appearance in a swimsuit at the local pool won't leave any one mentally scared for life.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

No comments: