Infused Water For Fat-Burning, Metabolism Boosters

Photo credit: yahoo images

I tried drinking infused water for a month before the holiday came. I must say, during the first few days, I find the infused water (with cucumber, lemon and  mint leaves) a bit odd until I got used to the taste. I miss it now so I will go back to drinking infused water again.

It is known that cucumber and lemon are great way to boost metabolism and blast those fats. It doesn't happen overnight.  While I was drinking infused water, I did notice a positive change in my physique. I was more energetic, had good sleep and my waist size went down a notch. Again, that was before I enjoyed the holiday celebration.

Cucumber and lemon are two of the metabolism boosting food around. Cucumbers are high in Vitamin C and A. It is a natural diuretics so you flush out excess water and toxins.

Lemon is another food rich in Vitamin C and great in burning fats as it assist in the cellular level. Vitamin C helps in transporting the fatty acids in the system by using up those energy to burn fats.

Next time you are tempted to drink soda or processed fruit juices, consider this option - infused water.

Health Benefits of Drinking Sambong Tea (Blumea Balsamifera)

I have heard of Sambong's medicinal properties many times when I was young. Little did I know what I will soon be drinking it's very aromatic and slightly sweetish brew.

Sambong or Blumea Balsamifera as scientifically known is a weed and generally grows in the Southeast Asian region. This plant from the genus Blumea is described to be softly hair with half woody shrub and very aromatic. The leaves are elongated and the small flowers are scattered along leafy branches of the plant.

This weed is widely popular in the Philippines where the leaves are brewed for medicinal reasons. It is one of the few herbal plants approved by the Department of Health in the Philippines as an alternative treatment to some disorders. And because of the many medicinal and benefits of this plant, it is widely drank by many Filipinos.

Here are some benefits of drinking Sambong tea:

• Acts as a diuretic agent
• Reduces edema
• Effective in dissolving kidney stones
• Effective in the management of mild cases of hypertension & rheumatism
• Helps treat colds & fever
• Has anti-diarrheic and anti-gastralgic properties
• Helps remove worms and boils
• Relief of stomach pains

Tips to Minimize Feeling Bloated

There are days when we can't fit to our favorite clothes. There are days when the same clothes almost fall off our waists. It is not because we gained weight overnight but it could be what we ate during the day or the previous days.

Here are tips to deflate being bloated:

1. Eat potassium-rich food like bananas, mangoes, cantaloupe, tomatoes, nuts, asparagus, and spinach. These food contain amino acid called asparagine which acts as diuretics helping our bodies expel excess liquid in our system.

2. Close your mouth. Habits like chewing gum, smoking and talking while you are eating can make us swallow more air than usual.

3. Take probiotic. This can be found in yogurts like Dannon Activia. Probiotic is the good bacteria which aids in proper digestion.

4. Prepare yourself for Pre-menstrual symptom (PMS). If you are the kind of person who suffers being bloated before the period, you can take enough calcium and magnesium to help relieve PMS.