BENEFITS OF MINT

BENEFITS OF MINT

Improve digestion and reduce dizziness are some of the benefits of mint tea, which can be prepared using two different species of mint, one known as mint and whose scientific name is Mentha spicata, and another known as mint or mint melissa piperita, whose scientific name is Mentha piperita.
Peppermint is an aromatic herb that can be used in the culinary and for medicinal purposes because it has analgesic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac and analgesic action, being a great tea to ingest it after meals because it helps in digestion. It also has antiparasitic action, being useful to combat amoeba and giardia.

What is mint for?

Peppermint tea is excellent for treating various health problems such as:
Bad digestion, nausea or vomiting;
High cholesterol;
Headache;
Menstrual cramps;
Nasal or pulmonary congestion, mainly in cases of flu or cold with cough;
Abdominal pain, for having antispasmodic action;
Insomnia;
Diarrhea with blood;
Genital trichomoniasis

In addition to this, this medicinal plant also helps to eliminate intestinal parasites.

Mint can be used in other ways besides tea, there are capsules with oil or dry extract of the plant, and in the form of essential oil for the skin or to be used for aromatherapy. Its leaves can also be used to mix them with pineapple or lemon juice, and even in dressings made with yogurt for salads.
Also, it is an aromatic herb that is easy to keep at home in a pot, because it requires little care.

Recipes with Mint Tea

Teas can be prepared using the two types of mint, according to the benefits that are intended.

1. Mint tea with cinnamon and ginger to lose weight

The tea should be prepared with any type of mint, adding ginger and cinnamon. The mixture of these ingredients creates a thermogenic effect that helps accelerate the metabolism and consume more calories to promote weight loss.
Ingredients
6 mint leaves;
1 stick of cinnamon;
1 cm of ginger root;
180 ml of water.
Preparation mode
Mix all the ingredients in a pot and let them boil for a few minutes. Then let it rest until it is warm, strain and drink without sweetening throughout the day.

2. Common mint tea for fever

The tea of ​​mint leaves, when combined with filipendula ulmaria and with bitter orange, originates a mixture that can be used in the treatment of fever, since it promotes the increase of sweat. In addition to this, it is also good for respiratory problems, such as cough, asthma, flu, hoarseness, coryza and nasal congestion.
Ingredients:
15 g of mint leaves;
70 g of linden flowers;
10 g of filipéndula;
 5 g of bitter orange.
Preparation mode
In a cup of tea add 1 tbsp of the plant mixture and add 150 ml of boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be taken several times a day and preferably always before bedtime, to promote sweating and reduce fever.

3. Mint tea for stomach pain

Peppermint tea, when combined with licorice root, or also called crushed licorice, and chamomile flowers, originates a mixture that can be used in the treatment of inflammations in the stomach such as gastritis or in cases of gastric ulcer. See how to identify a gastric ulcer.
Ingredients
1 tsp fresh or dried mint leaves;
1 tsp crushed licorice;
1/2 teaspoon of chamomile flowers.
Preparation mode
Mix all the plants in a cup of tea and add 150 ml of boiling water. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be taken 3 to 4 times a day, to help calm the stomach.

4. Peppermint tea for colics or gases

The tea of ​​dried leaves of peppermint can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and intestinal gas.

Ingredients
2 tsp. Dried whole or crushed peppermint leaves or 2 to 3 fresh leaves;
150 ml of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Place the mint leaves in a tea cup and fill it with boiling water. Leave the infusion to rest for 5 to 7 minutes and strain. This tea should be drunk 3 to 4 times a day and preferably after meals.

5. Melissa tea to improve digestion

Peppermint tea, when combined with dried seeds of fennel or anise and lemon balm leaves, can be used for the relief of stomachaches and spasms.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons of dried mint leaves piperita;
2 cd. Seeds of fennel or anise;
2 teaspoons of lemon balm leaves.
Preparation mode
Place 1 tbsp of the previous mixture in a cup and fill with boiling water. Leave the infusion to rest for 10 minutes and strain. This tea should be taken very hot, 2 to 3 times a day, and preferably after or between meals.

BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER WATER

BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER WATER

Cucumber water is a drink that you'll want to try next time you're thirsty. Not only does it truly hydrate the body, but it can help you feel better overall, and even look better. Here are all the benefits you will get and some recipes to help you in this process.

1. Helps you hydrate

When you meet your water needs, you enjoy the benefits of staying hydrated, such as maintaining the right body temperature and purifying toxins. You will have more energy and help each of your organs function better when they have enough water. Cucumber water adds that extra something to plain water that makes you likely to drink more often, and stay hydrated every day. For best results, be sure to use purified water or spring water to prevent the absorption of toxic products.

2. Provides vitamins and minerals in addition

Water is vital for the body, but by itself, it is not a great source of vitamins. When you add cucumber, you add vitamins and minerals that will help you complete your diet. Many cucumber water recipes also include fruit, so you will receive additional antioxidants and vitamins from these fruits, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. As these vitamins come from whole food sources and organic and not synthetic vitamins, they will be much better absorbed and used by the body than if you get them from marketed waters containing added vitamins.

3. Lowers your blood pressure

Maintaining control over your blood pressure is important because it will help you avoid debilitating diseases like stroke, heart attack, kidney disease or vision loss. By drinking cucumber water, you will stay hydrated, and this will help your blood pressure with the 4% DV (= daily value) of potassium that cucumbers contain.

Since they are essentially free of sodium, you will get the most benefit from this important mineral if high blood pressure is a concern. Just make sure you do not consume too much water, just look for the right measure.

4. Curbs the appetite

If you drink a glass of cucumber water when you're hungry, it can help you wait until your next meal if it's not quite time. If you eat when you are not really hungry, this can lead to weight gain, sluggishness, and can disrupt your natural eating patterns. When you feel hungry before the next meal, see if you are not just thirsty. Thirst and hunger use the same signal, and drinking cucumber water can help determine if it's really hungry. By saving you some unjustified meals a week you can give a boost to your health.

5. Softens the skin

Staying hydrated will help your skin stay supple and smooth, and adding cucumbers to your water intake will absorb additional nutrients that will increase the benefits. Cucumber contains silica, which is an essential constituent of the skin. You can also use cucumber after drinking cucumber water. They are great for helping to calm the irritation caused by acne or other problems. You will contribute to the beautiful health of your skin from the inside, and you can also use it on the skin for your daily cosmetic care.

6. Help your muscles

Whether you are trying to get muscles or not, keeping them strong is a guarantee of health. The silica cucumbers that preserve your skin, also contributes to the health of your muscle tissue. It's a great choice too if you've added a workout program to your healthy lifestyle, or if you want to make sure your muscles have all the nutrients they need to work better. A glass of daily cucumber water makes a great contribution to the overall health of your muscles and your body in general.

EXCERSIZE TO REMAIN FIT

EXCERSIZE TO REMAIN FIT

Want to relax without having to pay a subscription in a gym? Do some exercises at home! No need for equipment, your only motivation will be enough to reshape your body.

But before starting, be aware that the sport requires a certain willingness and especially a certain rigour. For this, impose weekly exercise times. It's up to you to determine the pace of your training. The ideal is to leave one or two days of rest between two physical exercises. Your muscles need to rest and relax. Do not try to make long sessions in the first days. Go step by step!

1. A series of crunch abs

A classic but effective exercise that will firm up your belly and eliminate unnecessary bulges. Be careful with your back, you could suffer if you position yourself badly.

How to do them? Lie on a sports mat, place your feet flat in the continuity of your hips, position your hands on each side of your head and spread your elbows to keep your back straight. Raise your bust by tucking in your belly and blowing. Remember to look up, your neck should stay straight. To go down again, inhale through the nose. No need to force a lot when contraction of muscles, the goal is to simply take off your shoulder blades. The lower back should always be in contact with the ground.

2. Alternate elbow to opposite knee movement

Easier than the abdominal crunch, this exercise works the obliques, the muscles located on the sides.

How to do it ? Lying on your back, position yourself as if you were going to do abs. Peel off your shoulders off the floor and move your chest forward. Pivot your torso while bringing your knee to the opposite shoulder. Renew the movement with the other leg.
lows to work only the oblique muscles. Ideal to make small love handles disappear.

3. The exercise of the "heel touch"

How to do it ? Always lie on your back, position your feet in the continuity of your hips. Put your arms around your body, lift your torso slightly and rotate to bring your hand closer to your foot. Do the same thing on the other side.

4. Pumps, knees on the ground

Often practised by men to gain pecs, this exercise allows girls to get a higher bust. Ladies, be careful not to abuse the pumps, you could have an unwanted effect: take muscle, yes, but especially lose chest volume.

How to do them? Put on your stomach, cross your ankles and lift yourself with your hands.

5. The Bur-pees, you know?

Very quickly exhausting, the Bur-pees will make you work your legs, your buttocks, your abs and your pecs. A good way to refine your silhouette.

How to do it ? This exercise is composed of several movements. First, make a pump and bring your feet closer to your hands to get into a squatting position. Finally, jump upwards stretching as far as possible. Repeat the steps as many times as you can.

6. The bridge for the gluts

To have a curved gluten, this exercise is ideal. It helps to strengthen your buttocks and firm your lower stomach abdominal.

How to do it ? Lie on your back and position your feet in continuity with your pelvis. Leave your arms around your body and lift your buttocks and lower back. Remember to exhale when you contract your muscles and inhale when you relax.

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT

Want to lose weight and do not really know how to do it? To lose weight permanently, it is better to make some food adjustments and some exercises rather than deprive oneself unnecessarily.

Summary

The basic rules for losing weight
Cooking to be preferred
How to lose weight permanently?
To slim down, determination above all!

You can lose a few pounds on two conditions: change your eating habits and increase your physical activity. If you do not practice any physical exercise today, you do not necessarily have to play sports, but a daily walk or a little swimming every week can already do a lot.

Warning !

 If you need to lose five pounds or more, consult a doctor or dietitian because you need regular follow-up.

The basic rules for losing weight

To change your diet, it is necessary to reduce the caloric intake moderately, i.e first the fat and the fast sugars. It is essential to respect good dietary practices (see "The guide to good food practices") by adding some simple rules.

Do not skip meals, especially the breakfast that must stay copious. Make a light meal in the evening;
Do not eat anything apart from meals. If you are hungry between meals, drink a large glass of water, coffee or tea without sugar. Drink also before the meal and in the middle of the meal;
Continue to eat starchy foods at every meal: pasta, rice, potatoes or bread. They provide a sense of satiety and provide the energy you need, as well as fibre. On the other hand all that accompanies them is to limit: fat sauces, butter, cheese, fresh cream, etc. It is therefore necessary to consume these starchy foods alone or with a seasoning without sugar or fat

Remove sugary soft drinks

Remove alcohol and beer. You can continue to drink wine, preferably red, limiting yourself to one drink a day;
Avoid eating out of your home because it is harder to control your diet. In the restaurant it is sometimes possible, with friends it is more difficult ... If you make a good meal with several, it is necessary to try to reduce the quantities and especially never to serve you a dish;
Choose lean meats and focus on poultry without skin, fish and shellfish;
Beware of hidden fats: avoid all meats in sauce, greasy sausages, gratins rich in milk, butter or cream, Gruyere and eggs, fries, pastries and pastries, sweets and chocolate, ice cream, cakes aperitifs;
Eat vegetables at will and in all their forms: raw, cooked, in soup;
Eat two fruits a day, but no more;
Cooking to be preferred

Meats: grilled or roasted

Fish: grilled, baked or microwaved, or foil;

Vegetables: steamed, smothered or microwave;

Make the seasonings and sauces the least greasy possible: put some oil, butter or cream, then use lemon, yogurt, bouillon cube and soy sauce, finally season to taste with herbs and spices.
How to lose weight permanently?
To lose weight you have to rely on some solid principles:

Give yourself time, at least a month to lose 2 to 3 kilos;
Prevent cravings and fatigue
Stick to the rules set at the start
Avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Do not use drugs or special diet foods
Keep a maximum of pleasure to eat.
To slim down, determination above all!
While respecting these nutritional rules, to lose weight it is good to know how to choose the least energy foods. It is therefore useful to know roughly the nutritional value of some common foods (see "discover the nutritional value of food").

It remains for you to be determined and not to yield to all temptations. The first week is often difficult but the first kilo lost is encouraging! However small differences are allowed provided that they are exceptional. It's up to you to find a balance without falling into the obsession with food and frustration. Otherwise, you risk cracking and nibbling impulsively, then feel guilty and put off depriving yourself, and thus fall into a completely unproductive cycle compared to your goal of weight loss!

BEST TIPS TO BE HEALTHY

best tips to be healthy

Base your meals on starchy carbohydrates

starchy carbohydrates  should make up just over one third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.

Choose wholegrain varieties (or eat potatoes with their skins on) when you can: they contain more fibre, and can help you feel full for longer.

Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate they contain provides fewer than half the calories of fat.

Keep an eye on the fats you add when you're cooking or serving these types of foods because that's what increases the calorie content, for example oil on chips, butter on bread and creamy sauces on pasta.

Eat lots of fruit and veg

Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit?

Unsweetened 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies can only ever count as a maximum of one portion of your 5 A DAY. For example, if you have two glasses of fruit juice and a smoothie in one day, that still only counts as one portion.

Eat more fish – including a portion of oily fish

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least two portion of fish a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish contains omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. 

Oily fish include:

• salmon
• mackerel
• trout
• herring
• sardines
• pilchards.

Non-oily fish include:

• haddock
• plaice
• coley
• cod
• tuna
• skate
• hake

If you regularly eat a lot of fish, try to choose as wide a variety as possible.

You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned: but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Saturated fat in our diet

We all need some fat in our diet, but it's important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat we're eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.

The average man should have no more than 30 g saturated fat a day. The average woman should have no more than 20 g saturated fat a day, and children should have less than adults.

Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as:

• hard cheese
• cakes
• biscuits
• sausages
• cream
• butter
• lard
• pies.

Try to cut down on your saturated fat intake, and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados.

For a healthier choice, use just a small amount of vegetable oil or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat. 

Sugar in our diet

Regularly consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity and tooth decay.

Sugary foods and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are often high in energy, and if eaten too often, can contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals.

Many packaged foods and drinks contain surprisingly high amounts of free sugars. Free sugars are any sugars added to foods or drinks, or found naturally in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices.

Cut down on:

• sugary fizzy drinks
• alcoholic drinks
• sugary breakfast cereals
• cakes
• biscuits
• pastries

These foods contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on, rather than sugars that are found in things such as fruit and milk.

food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 22.5 g of total sugars per 100 g means that the food is high in sugar, while 5 g of total sugars or less per 100 g means that the food is low in sugar.

Eat less salt – no more than 6 g a day for adults

Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces.

Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5 g of salt per 100 g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6 g of salt (about a teaspoonful) a day. Younger children should have even less.

Get active and be a healthy weight

Eating a healthy, balanced diet plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health.

Being overweight or obese can lead to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health.

Most adults need to lose weight and need to eat fewer calories to do this. If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in saturated fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Don't forget that alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down can help you to control your weight. 

Physical activity can help you to maintain weight loss or be a healthy weight. Being active doesn't have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking.

Being physically active may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 

After getting active, remember not to reward yourself with a treat that is high in energy. If you feel hungry after activity, choose foods or drinks that are lower in calories, but still filling.

If you're underweight, see our page on underweight adult. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.

Don't get thirsty

We need to drink plenty of fluids to stop us getting dehydrated – the government recommends 6-8 glasses every day. 

This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water and lower-fat milk are healthier choices. 

Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars and calories, and are also bad for teeth. 

Even unsweetened fruit juice and smoothies are high in free sugar. Your combined total of drinks from fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies should not be more than 150 ml a day – which is a small glass.

For example, if you have 150 ml of orange juice and 150 ml smoothie in one day, you'll have exceeded the recommendation by 150 ml.

When the weather is warm, or when we get active, we may need more fluids.

Don't skip breakfast

Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that people who regularly eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight.

Breakfast has also been shown to have positive effects on children’s mental performance and increase their concentration throughout the morning.

A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health.