Showing posts with label meal plans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meal plans. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Parent Bloggers Network: The Ultimate Tea Diet

Like most people, I've known about the benefits of drinking Green Tea and tea in general for several years. There have been studies conducted on its effects in a large number of countries plus, Asian countries have been drinking it for thousands of years so that tells me it's worth at least looking into.

Its no secret that I've been trying to become healthier despite my health problems so when Parent Bloggers Network asked for volunteers to review The Ultimate Tea Diet by Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra, I jumped at the chance. I like tea and it's not a crash diet so it's something I could at least give a try and hope to succeed at.

When I began reading The Ultimate Tea Diet I was honestly surprised since I expected it to jump right into how this "diet" works and what all you can and can't have to do on it. Instead this book is filled with possibly everything you could ever want to know about tea. There is info like an in depth history of tea, all the various kinds and flavors that are available, sections that tell you what the benefits of tea are, and even 70 pages dedicated to nothing but recipes! Until you read this book you seriously have no idea how many different ways you can use tea in your food. It is just unreal!

As I said, this is no crash diet. Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra doesn't tell you to drink only tea and immediately lose tons of weight. What he does do is try to help you understand how your body processes certain things and how the chemical compounds in tea can help your body fight their affects. Mr. Ukra knows that along with drinking tea you need to also think positively, exercise, and also eat a healthy well balanced diet. He doesn't offer an overnight miracle cure nor does he send you running to the store to buy the latest fad pill. The advice in this book is some that anyone can understand and follow. Ukra doesn't stop at listing the benefits of tea for weight loss though. He also lists several other health problems that tea can be useful for. That means you can continue to use this book even after you've lost the weight!

One of my favorite things about this book is that Mark Ukra's "tone" reminds me more of talking to a knowledgeable friend than talking to an expert in the field of tea. Any diet book I've ever picked up has read like a medical journal that comes across completely pompous. Dr. Tea on the other hand had me wishing I lived closer so I could come sit in this tea shop and talk to him. Knowing he has had realistic problems in his life too made him easier to warm up to and feel like he really was trying to help you. I like that.

If tea is something you've never really thought much about don't worry, Ukra's book makes it easy for anyone to find a tea they can enjoy. Included in the book is a quiz to help you find the type of tea that suits you best, ideas on how to incorporate tea into your daily life, and even ways to curb cravings for things like chocolate and sweets. The recipes in the back of the book are easy to make and I couldn't even finish reading the book before I had to try a few!

My favorite recipes from the book were the ones for the FrosTEAs and the rubs. You can feel like you're being bad and cheating on your diet while in fact you are helping it right along! Even better, my three children actually begged me to make the FrosTEAs throughout the day and my husband complimented a baked chicken that I used the rub on. AWESOME!

This diet is straightforward, simple, and will actually give you results you can see without worrying about "falling off the diet wagon". There is no set amount of tea you have to drink each day (just drink as much as you can) but the more you drink the better you will feel. It's a win win situation don't you think? The Ultimate Tea Diet is worth reading whether you're trying to lose weight or just want to feel healthier all the way around.

So, has Jo actually lost any weight on this tea diet? Why yes I have. I've lost two pounds in the last week and that is with only adding a few cups of tea in place of a three of my usual glasses of Wild Cherry Pepsi, drinking a few FrosTEAs, and trying a tea rub or two. Considering that doctors told me my chances of losing weight were slim to none because of not having a thyroid or adrenal glands....I'm one excited gal!! Can you imagine what I can do once I've cut down or even cut out soda altogether?

If anyone decides to try The Ultimate Tea Diet please let me know. We can have fun with this together and hold each other accountable. I also plan to put something in my sidebar (right under my Exercise For Comments section) that lists how much weight I've lost on the Tea Diet so keep watching as I hopefully start shrinking. *smile*

Leave a comment telling me what YOUR favorite flavor of tea is. Mine is Moroccan Mint Green Tea. Mmmmmmmm.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Dog Days Of Summer Giveaways From ME!!!

*Sticky Post Please Scroll Down For New Posts*
MORE PRIZES ADDED!!! COME LOOK!
Read through to find out about all the great new prizes
that have been donated PLUS I've added to the ones I'm offering as well!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

To really kick this new blog off I have joined the Dog Days of Summer giveaways hosted by Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer. What better way to say "hello" and thank those who have supported me than to give away free stuff?

Not only will I be giving away FOUR prizes here on Sona Creidhe Reviews but I will also be giving away four more at my site Onorach (foul language possible)!! That's right, a total of EIGHT prizes you can win.

The prizes I am offering here at SCR are:

-Your choice of any THREE books from this list. They will be sent media mail (unless regular postal is cheaper) along with a special treat from me.

- A special gift box put together by MOI (please let me know if you have any food allergies)! This will be a surprise box and will be made with whoever wins in mind (if a mama wins, if a gentleman wins, etc).

- A free blog design by Ro of The Blog Cafe for one lucky Blogspot or Wordpress blogger! Ro did my very first great design at my Life With Heathens blog (I still have it but am not techie enough to convert to new blogger. lol) and she is fantastic to work with. I also consider her a great friend and fantastic mother. Please be sure to check out all of the designs over at The Blog Cafe.

- EMealsForYou.com has donated a gift certificate to one lucky winner for a complimentary membership (prize worth $36)! EMealsForYou.com is a fantastic site and I am very glad they contacted me. Here is what they have to say "Stress relief is at hand. Are you tired of that age-old cry, “What’s for dinner?” We have the answer. We will provide the inspiration; choose from hundreds of easy recipes and meal plans. We’ll scale the recipes based on the number you are cooking for. We’ll prepare and print the shopping list. You get to enjoy a great meal with your family". Their site has meal plans, recipes, kitchen notes, and much much more. I am honored to be able to offer this great prize to one of you.

Also if you would like to go ahead and join EMealsForYou.com, Enter HOMSCL-38 as the Sponsoring Identifier when completing the registration form and receive $5 off the subscription price! If you would like to be an affiliate for them then please email me to find out how. I was offered this chance and as soon as these giveaways are over I believe I will take them up on it! :)

To enter just leave me a comment with your choice of which prize you would like if you win and I will choose two winners by random generator on Friday, July 27th, 2007. Please be sure to leave a URL or email address that I can reach you at in case you win. Good Luck!

To those who have already entered don't worry, you will be included in the drawing to win any new prizes I offer. The only difference will be that if you had specified books or gift box previously then I will give you priority of choice if you win either of those.

I will be holding more book giveaways in the near future so please be sure to bookmark this site for chances to win!