2014 Genghis Grill Health Kwest
This blog will journal my journey through the 4th Annual Genghis Grill Health Kwest. Photos, struggles, and accomplishments will all be discussed here! Please join me on my journey to a healthier (and possibly wealthier) me!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Wanna Know How I'm Feeling? I'll Tell You How I'm Feeling!
And no, I'm not tired of Genghis yet. At this point, 43 days into it, I don't think I'll get tired of it. It's actually a relief for me to have one meal that I don't have to plan every day. So, when the contest is over I am likely going to miss going to Genghis everyday. My husband says it's like a little escape for me. Lol. I guess he's right. For the last 60 days I've been obligated to get away from the busyness of life for at least 45 min., eat healthy, and relax. It's been nice!
My sponsors Premier Fitness and Clay's Fencing have been totally awesome in showing their support throughout the contest. I definitely couldn't have done it without them!
So, everyone whose thinking about taking that first step towards getting healthy, I want to encourage you to do it. It is worth it! I mean, honestly, what do you have to lose? Nothing! But you have everything to gain. Don't do it for vanity but do it to be healthy! You'll be sooooo glad that you did! Much Love! xoxo
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Music that motivates me to move!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Forget the blue... Go for the Red...Diamond tea that is!
Huge shout out to Red Diamond tea for supporting the 2014 Genghis Grill Health Kwest! Check out their website: www.reddiamond.com.
Health Benefits of Tea: Green, Black, and White Tea
Tea is a name given to a lot of brews, but purists consider only green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea the real thing. They are all derived from theCamellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India, and contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids. The most potent of these, known as ECGC, may help against free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.
All these teas also have caffeine and theanine, which affect the brain and seem to heighten mental alertness.
The more processed the tea leaves, usually the less polyphenol content. Polyphenols include flavonoids. Oolong and black teas are oxidized or fermented, so they have lower concentrations of polyphenols than green tea; but their antioxidizing power is still high.
Here's what some studies have found about the potential health benefits of tea:
- Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
- Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
- White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
- Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
- Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Whole grains help you become whole and healthy
So, I'll be honest and admit that brown rice doesn't taste as good as white rice, but it is definitely better for you.
THE MAIN BENEFITS OF WHOLE GRAINS
The benefits of whole grains most documented by repeated studies include:
- stroke risk reduced 30-36%
- type 2 diabetes risk reduced 21-30%
- heart disease risk reduced 25-28%
- better weight maintenance
Other benefits indicated by recent studies include:
- reduced risk of asthma
- healthier carotid arteries
- reduction of inflammatory disease risk
- lower risk of colorectal cancer
- healthier blood pressure levels
- less gum disease and tooth loss
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Stress? What's that?
Saturday, February 22, 2014
3 Things I Hope to Attain from the Health Kwest
Above is a picture of me at my largest weight and I pray to never be their ever again!! And Genghis Grill has made that even more possible. #genghisgrill #healthkwest #INON
Thursday, February 20, 2014
I Have A Dream...Remixed
DISCLAIMER: This speech has obviously been altered from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and is in no way meant to be disrespectful to him or what he stood for. Everything in RED is what I changed.