Welcome back to week 3 of the “Try It” Challenge! If you’ve missed the other 2 weeks, check them out here! I won’t have you wait too much longer for our new item for the week. I have a little guy to help me show you! See below!!

There are so many ways that green tea is beneficial –thanks in part to it’s powerful antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), but here are just a few!

♦ Increases metabolism. You want me to say that again? It INCREASES  your metabolism people!!! Catechins are antioxidants in the tea that lend to lower BMI’s and smaller waistlines. Can someone give me a HOLLA?!?!?!

♦ Protects against cancer

♦ Prevents cardiovascular disease

♦ Lowers cholesterol

So now you probably want to know how much Green Tea you should drink a day. I’ve seen anywhere from 3 -10 cups a day!! Crazy isn’t it?! You have some freedom and flexibility in this area, so do what feels right for you. I’m going to gauge for…gulp..3-4 cups a day. That seems like so much on top of my water intake!

So here are some ways you can introduce Green Tea this week:

♦  A twist on your basic Green Tea (I’m making this this week!) for a refreshing afternoon drink

♦ REPLACE your afternoon coffee/soda with Green Tea instead! Do it up hot or cold!

♦ Have you considered using the used tea bags on your eyes to reduce swelling? Or the 3rd use of tea bag as mouthwash? You may be surprised at what you can find out there if you do some research!!

♦ The smoothie I showed in the VLOG:

Salada’s Green Tea Fruit Twist Smoothie (Taken from www.salada.com)

Ingredients:
1 cup Salada Green Tea, chilled (any Salada Green Tea)
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 pineapple rings
1 banana
1 tablespoon honey
Ice cubes as needed

Directions:
In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

I mentioned this in the vlog and I want to mention it again. Please, do not go out and purchase the highly sugared green tea drinks that are out there. And while you’re at it, try not to sugar up your at home green tea either. I don’t want you adding unnecessary calories by introducing something healthy! Try to keep it as basic as possible. Introduce Green Tea 4 out of the 7 days this week for our challenge!

♥♥♥

Spiritual Try It:

Try a Prayer Plank! This week’s spiritual try it incorporates something spiritual and something physical! Yahoo!!

Here’s the challenge. As soon as you wake up in the morning, hit the floor. Get yourself set up in the Plank pose (see instructions below photo) and while you are holding the plank, say some sentence prayers to God! They can be prayers of thanks, praise, help or forgiveness! (“Lord, thank you for this beautiful day. For my family. For my body. Help me focus on You today” etc)  I personally love starting my day out thanking God for the blessing of my life and of everything He’s given me. I feel that it starts my day out in the right frame of mind.

Try to do 3 sets of a Plank hold for as long as you can. Some of you may only hold for 5-7 seconds. Others of you can hold for 30 seconds or longer. After each set, break for a minute or so and do it 2 more times. Introduce the prayer plank for 4 out of the 7 days this week for our challenge!

The Plank Pose: Get on all 4′s. Extend your legs straight behind you to where you are holding on your toes. Straighten your arms out and keep them shoulder-width apart. Keep your bottom in line with your spine. (do not over or under compensate by lifting or lowering too much) Draw your naval into your spine. Keep your gaze ahead. (Do not “crank” on your neck) Breathe and hold the position for as long as you can. Relax to knees. MODIFICATION: Go to your knees and forearms

Look forward to hearing from everyone this week!