Throwback: Warm Water and Lemon

This post first appeared in my blog on March 23, 2015.  I have shared it multiple times since them.  I still do this every morning (even when I am away).

Over the holidays (okay, so maybe before, a few pounds started to creep back on.  I was no longer at my Weight Watcher’s goal weight and I was discouraged.  So, what is a girl to do?  I re-joined online with Weight Watchers and am embracing the new program.  I am now in my second month and it has been a struggle.  I could give you a million excuses but the truth is I haven’t been motivated.  I have been accountable though so I figure that is a step in the right direction.

One of the things I slacked on was drinking my warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.  Yes, before my coffee.  Yes on a totally empty stomach.  For those who don’t know the wonderful powers of this combination, I will admit I didn’t either until an episode of Dr. Oz.

To say the least, I was skeptical it could help my IBS or my hunger or anything. Then came the second confirmation this could work.  We were at the doctor discussing some new meds for IBS. Doc suggested something natural many of his patients were trying – it worked.  Okay, I am game at this point.  Guess what it was?  YUP – warm water and lemon first thing in the AM.

Okay, if one person says it is a duck – you question it.  If two people call it a duck, there is a possibility.  If 3 people say it, guess what?  It is probably a duck.

I heard this saying for years when I was in my early years of recovery.  So, I some bought lemons at the store to try this exact thing.

I wanted to share with the MANY benefits of just a 1/2 cup of lukewarm water with the juice of a lemon slice:

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body.  It balances maintain the pH levels in the body.  Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. Lemon juice helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body and helps keep your urinary tract healthy. 

3) Boosts Your Immune System. Great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.

4) Balances pH Levels. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin. Helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and is vital for healthy glowing skin.

6) Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. Provides your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing. Promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage as well as displaying anti-inflammatory properties. 

8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. 

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. 

10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings.

Health benefits are courtesy of www..positivehealthwellness.com.

So, was this enough to convince you to try a cup of lukewarm water and lemon in the morning? Which of these benefits excite you the most???

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Warm Water and Lemon

Over the holidays (okay, so maybe before, a few pounds started to creep back on.  I was no longer at my Weight Watcher’s goal weight and I was discouraged.  So, what is a girl to do?  I re-joined online with Weight Watchers and am embracing the new program.  I am now in my second month and it has been a struggle.  I could give you a million excuses but the truth is that I haven’t been motivated.  I have been accountable though so I figure that is a step in the right direction.

One of the things that I slacked on was drinking my warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.  Yes, before my coffee.  Yes on a totally empty stomach.  For those that don’t know the wonderful powers of this combination, I will admit I didn’t either until an episode of Dr. Oz.

To say the least, I was skeptical that it could help my IBS or my hunger or anything.  Then came the second confirmation that this could work.  We were at the doctor discussing some new meds for IBS. Doc suggested something natural that many of his patients were trying – that worked.  Okay, I am game at this point.  Guess what it was?  YUP – warm water and lemon first thing in the AM.

Okay, if one person says it is a duck – you question it.  If two people call it a duck, there is a possibility.  If 3 people say it, guess what?  It is probably a duck.

I heard this saying for years when I was in my early years of recovery.  So, I some bought lemons at the store to try this exact thing.

I wanted to share with the MANY benefits of just a 1/2 cup of lukewarm water with the juice of a lemon slice:

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body.  It balances maintain the pH levels in the body.  Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. Lemon juice helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body and helps keep your urinary tract healthy. 

3) Boosts Your Immune System. Great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.

4) Balances pH Levels. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin. Helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and is vital for healthy glowing skin.

6) Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. Provides your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing. Promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage as well as displaying anti-inflammatory properties. 

8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. 

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. 

10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings.

Health benefits are courtesy of www..positivehealthwellness.com.

So, was this enough to convince you to try a cup of lukewarm water and lemon in the morning? Which of these benefits excite you the most???

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

The benefits of Coconut Oil

Did you know that coconut oil might be the most versatile health food on the planet.  The coconut tree is considered the “tree of life” in much of Southeast Asia, India, the Philippines, and other tropical locations. And today, there are over 1,500 studies proving the health benefits of coconut oil.

That being said, it my favorite cooking oil.  I have seen it used for natural beauty treatments. I have heard the rumblings of how great “healthy coffee” is but I was skeptical.  The vision of oil in my coffee was a little more than I could handle.  I LOVE my coffee just the way it is.  I have one cup in the morning and I didn’t want anything to spoil it.

So when hubby STRONGLY suggested that I add 2 TABLESPOONS to my morning coffee to help with some health issues, I was NOT happy.

According to Dr. Oz adding coconut oil to your coffee can give you an extra boost of energy and replace dairy creamer.  Okay, so I wasn’t ready to replace my fat free french vanilla creamer but I was willing to try it.  You know what, it wasn’t bad.  I started with 1 tablespoon but grew to 2 because of the health benefits professed by so many doctors.

Here are the 3 reasons that hubby felt it was important to add it to my diet DESPITE the fact that 2 Tablespoons = 6 points on Weight Watchers.  Of course, I was more worried about how it would effect  my weight loss and maintenance.  Time will tell I guess.

Coconut oil can:

• Prevent bone loss and Osteoporosis risk – Free radicals and oxidative stress are linked to the development of osteoporosis, a metabolic disorder. According to a recent study, virgin coconut oil is effective in maintaining bone structure, and preventing bone loss in estrogen-deficient rats. The report specified virgin coconut oil due to its high polyphenols and exerts antioxidant properties.  I have already shrunk an inch on my first bone density test and didn’t want to become the incredible shrinking lady!
• Help in Alzheimer’s Treatment and Brain Health Protector – There are several reports that coconut oil may be an effective natural treatment for alzheimer’s disease. Since this runs in the family, it can’t hurt, right?
• Be a Fat Burning Supplement – The MCT’s found in coconut oil have been proven to support weight loss and help your body burn fat for energy. The truth is not all fats are created equal. Add a tablespoon a day to reap the benefits of these fatty acids that may help to reduce abdominal fat. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consumption of MCT oil leads to a greater rate of weight and fat mass loss than olive oil.  This one caught my attention BIG time.

I found lots of information online like a list of 77 Coconut Oil Uses, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Field as well as information on WebMD and Dr. Oz.  Yes, hubby is a devoted fan of Dr. Oz.  So despite the fact that I may need to exceed my daily point allowance and use my weekly points on Weight Watchers – I will be using coconut oil in my coffee.

Who else does this?  Share your best recipes for coffee.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!