What's in My Arsenal? by Liimu

So, after a rocky weekend galavanting around Wildwood feasting on boardwalk munchies, I am back on track this week. Hey, it happens. Don't judge me.

I realized that one of the things that makes the difference between a good week and a not-so-good week is whether I've prepared myself for the week with food and beverages that support my healthy lifestyle. One of the things I have in my arsenal is green tea extract. My trainer has me putting it in my water and I drink 4 liters a day. He still says I can't get enough, as far as he's concerned.

This week, I had the opportunity to try a new green tea product that's on the market, called Tea's Tea. They have sweetened, lightly sweetened, and unsweetened. As I'm trying to limit my sugar intake, I opted for the lightly sweetened and the unsweetened. The unsweetened jasmine green tea tasted very pure - like hot tea that had been chilled, and I was thrilled to find that when I added a splash of liquid stevia, it tasted just like Arizona Iced Tea (do they still make that stuff?). The lightly sweetened was totally yummylicious, and is made with just a little bit of raw cane sugar. The drinks are all natural, organic, and best of all, caffeinated. I now have something new in my arsenal other than coffee to kickstart my workouts and it is yummy and it is green tea, people!

Tea's Tea is sold at Whole Foods, Wegmans, Safeway, among other stores for $1.99, just slightly more than spring water. You can also check it out online at http://www.teastea.com/. I will definitely be buying it on a regular basis. I love it!

FAMILY FINDS: FOR MOM + DAD: Drinks and Eats (FREE SAMPLES) by Robin Gorman Newman

Periodically I will be blogging about some discoveries I've made that I can't wait to share, so here goes my take on some notable beverages and edibles, and there are sampling opportunities, so read on:

NEW YORK NATURALS KALE CHIPS
I was recently introduced to these by a gal at my gym, and both my husband and I have turned into fans.  Thin and glazed with various seasonings, they not only are snack worthy and packed with nutrients, but they also can be used for dipping or as a salad topping or a garnish for all sorts of dishes (since they're kinda flaky). Amy Hamberry and Joe Orr make them by dehydrating kale in their Brooklyn plant, where some magic makes than taste fried. They come in three flavors: spicy miso, vegan cheese and bombay ranch.. Each has a bit of kick. New York Naturals Kale Chips are sold at various locations for $7.49 for 3.5 ounces, and at http://www.nynshop.com/, where they are sold individually and also in a pack of three for $19.95.  What a pleasure to have something to much on that doesn't feel decadent....especially with holiday season approaching.  In fact, this might make a cool edible gift for health-conscious friends.  And what a great way to eat a veggie!  My personal favorite is the cheese flavor.

HINT WATER
You can never drink enough water, and HINT is simple: Premium essence water with a HINT of flavor. HINT offers beverages with no calories, sweeteners or preservatives and is a great alternative to juice and soda. HINT was launched in April 2005 by current CEO Kara Goldin, a former AOL executive and mother of four. HINT is available in high-end grocery stores, cafes and food retailers nationwide, including Pax, Dean & Deluca, Food Emporium, Stop & Shop, Morton Williams Associated Supermarkets. HINT is available in 10 flavors: Watermelon, Honeydew Hibiscus, Blackberry, Mango-Grapefruit, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime, Pear, Cucumber and Strawberry Kiwi.  My personal favorite is the raspberry-lime.  My son liked them as well.  A nice alternative to unflavored water....yet still healthy. For more information, visit www.drinkHINT.com.

V8 V-FUSION + TEA JUICE BEVERAGES
V8’s latest product: V8 V-Fusion +Tea. My whole family, including my son, really liked these.  My personal favorite is the pomegranate green tea blend. The juice beverages provide a combined serving of vegetables and fruit in each 8-ounce glass, along with the antioxidants and cool, crisp taste of natural green tea, all for 50 calories per serving. V8 V-Fusion +Tea juice beverages are available in three flavors: Raspberry Green Tea, Pomegranate Green Tea and Pineapple Mango Green Tea. Each meets the American Heart Association’s criteria to display its heart-check mark and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.  It is sold at supermarkets, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a 46-ounce bottle. For more information, visit http://www.v8juice.com/ and www.facebook.com/V8VFusion.

CELSIUS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT DRINK
Celsius®, Your Ultimate Fitness Partner™, is a ready-to-drink nutritional supplement powered by a proprietary MetaPlus® blend of ingredients, including green tea with EGCG, ginger, caffeine, calcium, chromium, B Vitamins and Vitamin C. Celsius contains no sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, no aspartame, no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and is very low in sodium.  It is clinically shown to burn calories and reduce fat while building more lean muscle when combined with exercise. Celsius is available at retail locations nationwide and online at www.celsius.com.  It comes in four sparkling flavors—orange, wild berry, cola and ginger ale—as well as non-carbonated green tea raspberry acai and green tea peach mango flavors. Celsius On-the-Go Berry Flavored stick packets can be added to regular bottled water for a refreshing berry taste. My personal favorite is the green tea peach mango blend.  My husband liked it as well.


NOTE: WE ARE GIVING AWAY SAMPLES OF EACH PRODUCT. IF INTERESTED, DROP A NOTE NOW TO ROBIN@MOTHERHOODLATER.COM AND INDICATE YOUR PRODUCT PREFERENCE.  INCLUDE YOUR FULL MAILING ADDRESS, AND TELL US BRIEFLY WHY YOU'D LIKE TO TRY OUT THAT ITEM.  ONE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN PER PRODUCT.
 
 
 
 
(Note: Motherhood Later...Than Sooner assumes no liability should you consume these products.  Thanks to the featured products for providing samples.)