Water is the fountain of life. It is the most important drink for your body. Forget the most expensive, luxurious drinks and learn to enjoy the simplicity of water.
Do you recognise this scenario? Get up in the morning, drink tea, or coffee. Get to work, drink tea, or coffee. Feeling low mid-morning? Drink tea, of coffee. It’s time to wean yourself off the caffeinated drinks.
Maintaining a healthy balance of fluid in the body is important; provided it is the right type of fluid. Try starting the day with a glass of water and a slice of lemon. The result of not giving the body the water it needs is that the body gradually stops sending signals to drink water, and learns to manage on less and less water. Then you start feeling tired; start feeling lethargic. This can then promote the circle of - “I’m tired, therefore I reach for a caffeine laden drink to stimulate me into action.” It is a vicious circle, so take a step forward.
Decide to Drink Water
You will have noticeably more energy and your skin will improve in just a few days. But how does water help in weight management? Water helps stimulate the body’s metabolism, which goes toward burning off excess carbohydrates. Weight management is all about making small changes that gradually become part of your every day routine.
Deciding to improve your intake of water is a small achievable goal that will significantly improve your health. It is only a little step, but it makes you feel good about yourself. You feel less tired and so less tempted to eat food to give you energy. Also, it takes your mind off food because instead of thinking “I need to eat”, you are thinking about water, and water fills you up.
Simply making one small change toward taking good care of your body makes you feel good and positive in your quest for a healthier, fitter you. And as a consequence, you start to lose weight.
Recipe of the Week
Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Capers
Serves 6
Ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 4 to 6 ounces each
2 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
flour for dredging
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes rehydrated and chopped
3 tablespoons capers
3 tbsp chopped parsley
Method
Lay the chicken between two pieces of waxed paper and flatten each cutlet with the flat end of a mallet until thin. Heat the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet until hot. While the oil is heating, season the chicken with salt and pepper and dredge it in flour. Sauté the chicken over high heat, about 1 minute on each side. Remove to a warm platter and keep warm. Quickly add the chicken broth to the pan and stir with a wooden spoon to release any caramelised bits that may be stuck to the pan. Add the tomatoes and cook until the broth has reduced by half. Add the lemon juice and capers. Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley and serve. NOTE: You may have to sauté the chicken in two batches. If so, use a clean pan for each batch. Make the sauce in one of the pans.
Ask Alva
I am a teenage girl. My legs are very flabby and this is embarrassing when I wear short skirts. Could you please tell me how I could tone them? Nita
Teenagers often eat an unhealthy diet with lots of fizzy drinks, chips, and sweets. I would never suggest that a young girl went on a diet, but I do suggest that you eat 3 healthy, well-balanced meals a day. Food that is not used for energy is stored in the body as fat. Girls tend to store fat around the hips and thighs. Running is the fastest way to tone up your thighs. Start with stretching, then brisk walking, and then jogging. Finish with more stretching. Lots of young people suddenly realise that they can’t eat so many snacks, and need to think about healthy food and exercise for a toned body and good skin. Alva
For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at:
Selected letters will be replied to in this column.
