Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

One of my favorite drinks I’ve been enjoying throughout the week has been a piping hot mug of green tea. I love this beverage for so many reasons. It is soothing, delicious, and provides many health benefits. Plus Santa Barbara’s recent cold and foggy weather has made it even more enjoyable.

If you are a tea lover, or are thinking about becoming one, I highly suggest that you read on and fall in love with green tea the same way I have!

Antioxidants

Green tea is rich in antioxidants which may help reduce the risk of chronic inflammation caused by oxidative damage. Antioxidants overall have been found to reduce the risk of many diseases including heart disease and certain cancers. This is a great addition to this already delightful beverage.

Weight Loss

While the process of losing weight is different for everyone, there are properties in repent tea that may help. Green tea can boost one’s metabolic rate for a temporary period which can be helpful when paired with other healthy lifestyle choices. Although not statistically significant, research shows that green tea can help decrease body fat.

Protects Your Brain

Studies show that the properties in green tea help increase the production of brain cells. This process is great for both improving an individual’s working memory and attention, as well as reducing anxiety levels.Overall, this beverage is a great way to kickstart the morning and begin the day feeling refreshed. 

Whether you enjoy it hot or cold, it is clear that green tea provides several health benefits to those who drink it. I hope that reading this has piqued your interest enough to go give green tea a try. Who knows, maybe you’ll love it!

Fall Favorites

And the countdown begins. We are officially one week away from Halloween and my excitement continues to build! The days have been flying by and my to-do list seems to continuously grow. Nevertheless, while October is always a busy month, that does not mean we should succumb to the work-horse lifestyle as it can be so easy to do. 

Setting time aside to relax and enjoy the little moments can not only make your busy week feel like fun, but also balanced! Here below I will be sharing some of my absolute fall favorites that are easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Burn a Candle

This is a quick and simple way to jump in on the fall festivities. There are so many different scents that I love. One of my favorites is called Fall Leaves. Aside from this, there is Pumpkin Spice, a variety of Vanilla scents and even a yummy Cinnamon Apple. When you find yourself at home looking to take the ambience up a notch, grab that lighter and embrace the cozy candle aroma!

Watch a Halloween Movie

This is a great activity to celebrate the spooky season and reset at the end of a day. I usually will start to play my Halloween favorite, Hocus Pocus, while cooking dinner. However, just make sure you are keeping a good eye on your food and don't burn anything! Whether it be an old classic such as It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, a comedic horror movie such as Cabin in the Woods, or even a family friendly choice like The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is an activity that anyone can make time for.

Explore a Pumpkin Patch

This may take up more time than the other ideas, but nonetheless I wanted to remind you that this is such a fun option to take advantage of. Google search for a local pumpkin patch near you and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Here you will find pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, possibly a train for little kids to ride, and some pumpkin spiced baked goods. Occasionally there may be a corn maze available which I can't help but explore!

Bake a Sweet Treat

Baking can be a fun activity either on your own or with a friend. I enjoy baking at home with some tunes on or having a movie playing in the background. Occasionally I will choose to indulge in a little taste test of the batter or frosting. What can even be more fun than the actual baking itself is sending your goodies off to family and friends. It always warms my heart to see other people’s eyes light up at the fact that you thought about them.