Breakfast at Starbucks

Breakfast at Starbucks!

I used to teach 6am Pure Barre classes every other week.  I am a morning person sometimes, but definitely not when I have to wake up at 5am.  Sleep to me is what confetti cake is to a 3 yr old birthday boy.  I take as much as I need & I savor it!  So, to make up for the early morning and less than desired sleep, I would make a trip to Starbucks.  There happens to be one just down the street from the studio.  Starbucks market researchers- good job on that one!

Did you know that Starbucks has some tasty breakfast options?  I have two favorites that I get whenever I need something quick and do not have time to eat at home before heading out the door.  One is the Turkey bacon, Egg white, Cheddar on an English Muffin and another is the Steel Cut Oatmeal.  Not that you have to count calories, but they are both under 350 calories too!

Now, the trick with places like Starbucks is not falling into the sugar drink trap.  Make sure your favorite drink there is not overloaded with calories and sugar.  Try it skinny or find another favorite drink.  There are lots of options and plenty are fine for the waistline. My favorite?  Hot tea... duh!

I have to mention something else because my brother and I talked about this recently.  I know Starbucks stores are everywhere and it is hard for the smaller coffee/tea companies to build a biz.  If you have a favorite small biz, by all means support it.  I personally try to support both- I love that I can find a Starbucks anytime I want a hot tea, but I also love the vibe of a local coffee/tea place. 

Eat well,
Bri

Some Like It Smooth!

Have you jumped on the smoothie train yet?  If not, hop on.  It's about time.  Choo choo!

Why are smoothies so great?  Well, for those of you who have a hard time getting fruits and vegetables into your body on a daily basis, it is a super fast and easy way!  And did I mention tasty?  Oh so tasty!

Ready to mix!!

One of my favorite smoothie recipes happens to have plenty of green good stuff in it that even Popeye would approve.  All you need is a blender, 1 cup green tea or coconut water, 2 c spinach leaves, 1 c of frozen strawberries or other favorite fruit, 1 tsp agave to sweeten, 1 TB coconut oil, & 1 TB chia seeds.  Mix it up and enjoy!  I like my smoothies super cold so if I use fruit that is not frozen I definitely put ice in mine.

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe?  If so, please share!

Try the Green Machine.  Yum!

For a grab and go smoothie I can get at the grocery store, I like the brand Naked.  Be sure to stick with the serving size though, as the calories are 270 in one bottle (2 servings).  No big deal.. just account for them!  

Keep in mind that when a smoothie has the green good stuff in it, the smoothie WILL be green. Don't let this freak you out.  Give it a try and I promise you will like the stuff just as much as your body does.

Eat well,

Bri

Tea It Up!

Drink Up!

Tea for two and two for tea! If you're keeping score in the game of health benefits, tea is a top contender.  If you aren't already drinking tea, consider this...

The Scoop:  Let's get back to the basics.  There are 4 types of tea: white, green, oolong, & black. White is not fermented at all and black is the most fermented, while green and oolong are in the middle.  Despite fermentation, they ALL have flavonoids (big word, I know).  What is so great about this?? Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help prevent various diseases and fight aging.  Think Ninja Warrior in a cup!

Extra factoid- herbal tea isn't technically tea.. or at east it doesn't come from the same plant as the other four.  You can still drink herbal tea- nothing wrong with that my friend, but just know when I speak of tea benefits I am referring to white, green, oolong, or black.

Study after study has shown other health benefits of tea consumption.  Too many to list, but a few of my favorites:

• 2012 study associated tea with increased work performance and reduced tiredness.... hello productivity, hello raise!
• 2006 study showed that when women drank 5 cups of green tea/day, they lowered their risk of heart disease by 31%... take that #1 killer of women in the US!
• 2003 study showed that 4 or more cups of tea/day increased the mineral content of bones... no bone fractures here!
• Study with oolong tea and elderly showed that regular consumption of tea decreased body fat and weight by improving fat metabolism... kicking butt & looking svelte!

Favorite tea right now!

Bri's Take:  I love tea, especially green tea.  I even have my favorite brands, but that's just my taste buds talking.  If you do not like tea or have not tried many brands, flavors, etc. here are a few tips for you:

1. Try tea at a coffee/tea shop first.  Many teas you find here will also be at grocery stores, but this gives you the opportunity to taste before you buy.
2. Follow the brewing time.  Brew time is essential when it comes to the taste of tea.  If you brew for too long, the tea can taste too bitter or strong. If you brew for too little, you might as well be drinking hot water.  Brew time is listed on any box/bag of tea or ask your barista if at a coffee/tea shop.
3. Add if you need to.  I like most of my tea plain, but many times I will try a tea that just needs that extra oomph.  My favorite tea additives?  A squeeze of lemon, a couple drops of lemon juice if out of a lemon, a squirt of honey, or a couple drops of skim milk.  I stay away from sugar, creamer, high fat milk, etc. but if those are your go to staples, just be sure to use small amounts.  A little goes a long way!
4. Some like it hot, some like it not.  Iced tea works too!  If you are not a fan of hot tea, drink unsweet iced tea and add your own additives (see #3).  

For the most "health" bang for your buck, try to drink between 3 to 8 cups a day.  Any more than 8 cups a day and you start taking in too much caffeine and decreasing your absorption of iron.

Drink up & eat well!

Bri

Resource: "Tea Time: The Health Benefits of Tea." -Joanna Pruess & Neva Cochran, MS, RD, LD