HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--CAN DRINKING GREEN TEA HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

I came across an interesting article the other day. It said that drinking team just might help you lose weight. Since I’m constantly battling the scale—as many women do—I read further. 

Apparently, according to a professor of nutrition at Tufts University, tea, especially green tea, will speed up your metabolism and increase the fat calories your body burns. This is due to a combination of caffeine and the antioxident catechin in tea.

According to the article, you should drink at least two cups of tea a day and let the tea steep for at least three minutes for optimum catechin consumption.

Along with possible weight loss, other studies have found that green tea may reduce the risk of certain cancers, specifically lung, breast, and skin, and also slow the rate of bone loss.

Tea time anyone?

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--WRINKLE PREVENTION

We’re in the middle of summer. Are you slathering on the sun block? Nothing causes wrinkles like the sun (smoking is a close second.) If you want to stay looking young longer (not to mention preventing skin cancer,) you need to prevent all those harmful UV rays from attacking your skin. Hats and staying under an umbrella at the beach won’t do the job. Even keeping to the shade won’t totally protect you. UV rays can reflect off water, sand, rocks, buildings, and cars. They can even penetrate through your clothing. So make sure you’re using a broad spectrum sun block and reapply periodically while outside. And don’t forget your lips!

Another way to fight wrinkles is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants strengthen your skin and can help ward off aging. You can find antioxidants in foods rich in beta-carotene, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein. There are many foods that contain these antioxidants such as avocados, apples, carrots, apricots, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, fish, and walnuts. 

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- EAT YOUR WAY TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is here today with a snack recipe to keep our skin looking young, beautiful, and wrinkle free. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. According to dermatologist David Colbert, “Skin is a matrix of proteins, water, and fats that need a non-processed food supply for replenishment.” So the next time you have the munchies, grab something that will not only crave your hunger but also help you maintain your skin’s health.

When you were growing up, were you told to stay away from chocolate because it causes acne? Lots of us were, but it turns out that’s an old wives tale. Dark chocolate with 72% or higher cacao content is full of antioxidants that are good for your skin. 

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that helps prevent UV damage. A handful of almonds will supply you with a one-two punch of both vitamin E and the fat your skin needs to stay healthy.

 Then there’s the blueberry, full of both antioxidants and vitamin C, which protects collagen.

So mix up a batch of your own very special, skin protecting snack mix -- equal parts almonds, blueberries (dry or fresh) and dark chocolate chips. Your skin will thank you.

Sounds like a great recipe. Thanks, Nicole! Maybe Cloris can whip us up some chocolate-almond-blueberry muffins. -- AP