As healthy at green tea is by itself, there's a growing body of evidence that suggests adding citrus to your daily spot will promote even greater antioxidant absorption.

Fewer than 20-percent of catechins (antioxidants found in green tea) are able to survive their passage through the small intestines. When combined with citrus -- specifically, and conveniently, lemon juice -- 78-percent of catechins were able to survive this perilous journey. Tea combined with orange juice (or drinking a glass of O.J. along with your cup of tea) kept 71-percent of catechins alive as they passed through the non-acidic environment of the small intestines.

The full study can be read in a 2007 issue of the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.

Source

Lemon slices are often standard in some drinks at restaurants. And since lemons are a pretty healthy way to add some tang to your beverage, we don't think twice about this. But experts caution that we should think about what's in--or at least on--that lemon. Recent studies revealed that 77% of lemons were loaded with a number of alarming microrganisms, as well unwanted add-ons like ... ick ... fecal matter.

What do you think? Should we be worried about the lemons at restaurants, or is this another example of a minor issue blown out of proportion?

Source

I am a sucker for expensive hair care products. Pricey shampoos and conditioners, any kind of serum that promises shiny results and expensive visits to the salon for a new color are all part of my hair routine. But I also know that fancy packaging and a big price tags don't necessarily guarantee quality, and that there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives.

Many of these can be found at home -- in your refrigerator. A couple of years ago I embarked on my only little adventure wherein I tried out a few of the food products that I'd heard were great on your hair to see if they really worked. I was surprised and impressed that most of them did! Although I didn't stick with any of them (lets face it -- hair that smells of mayo isn't as enticing as hair that smells like Aveda), I still think they're worth giving a try if you're curious.

Source

For someone who's trying to lose weight, lemons should be your best friend. No, I'm not talking about that extreme Lemonade diet that Beyonce and a bunch of other celebs followed before big roles -- there's a different type of Lemonade Diet according to the Daily Mail, and yes, you can eat when you're following this plan -- whew!

Here's how you do it:

• Start every morning with a glass of lemon juice and warm water
• Eat lemon at ever meal and snack -- either by squeezing some juice over your meal or eating some peel.
• Eat at least five servings of fruit and veggies a day
• Cut out sugary goods
• Avoid saturated fat, but be sure to get good fats
• Eat whole, organic foods
• Eat slowly.
  

This sounds like a pretty reasonable plan, but does it work? What do you think?

Source

The food sleuths at Good Housekeeping reveal in their October 2007 issue three food items that may appear healthy at first glance but in reality, are really not so good for us.

You might think Sun-Maid's Vanilla Yogurt Raisins are a health food. The raisins are OK. The yogurt is OK. But the white coating mostly consists of sugar and partially hydrogenated palm-kernel oil. A one-ounce box containing about 35 raisins has 120 calories and a pretty hefty dose of saturated fat -- 20 percent of the recommended daily limit, to be exact.

How about some Calbee Snapea Crisps? They're just baked peas. But they're also full of fat. One ounce -- about 22 chips -- packs 150 calories which is the same as regular potato chips. Eat the entire bag and you'll consume 500 calories.

Now get this. There's a lemon lime spritzer out there, made my R.W. Knudsen, that surprisingly contains 170 calories per can. For a seltzer? Yep. It's sweetened with fruit juice concentrates and even has more sugar and 30 more calories than a can of Coca-Cola Classic.

This news certainly inspires me to double check the labels on seemingly healthy food items. It hope it does you too.

Source

I'm wary of detox plans. I think that for the most part they're fads and I don't know if it's really all that healthy to starve yourself for days or even weeks. Having said that however, I've never actually tried one and so really can't comment on their effectiveness.

If you're interested in getting on a detox bandwagon, why not read this author's experience with the Lemon Detox, a program apparently favored by Madonna, Beyonce and Mick Jagger. Also known as the Maple Syrup Detox, the plan's website claims that those who have tried it out report benefits including resistance to illness, weight loss, increased energy, improved concentration and healthier hair and nails.

According to the author of the piece, an essential part of the diet is drinking a palm and maple syrup mixture, along with plenty of water. You don't have to avoid food, but if you do eat, it's got to be organic. The fearless writer claims that she didn't feel hungry, weak or grumpy and she lost weight, slept better and woke up feeling 'perky'. Doesn't sound so bad. Still, I think I'll stick to eating healthy. Would you give it a try?

Source

You gotta love lemons -- they're pretty to look at in a fruit bowl, they smell great, and they make all kinds of things taste so much better. But have you ever thought to exfoliate and wash your feet with lemons? How about treat bad breath or soothe a bee sting? Hippyshopper (gotta love that name) has a list of 10 things you can do with lemons that are not only creative but also eco-friendly. So next time you're browsing the produce section at the grocery store or the farmer's market think about whether or not you need a few lemons to clean out your dishwater and, of course, make yourself some home-made lemonade.

Source

Postnasal drip is a singers worst nightmare. While touring the US, different regions flare up my sinus and allergy problems and I have to pay close attention to when the "drip" starts so I can kick it in the butt before it attacks my respiratory system. One of the first things I pack when I go on tour is a small humidifier. I have a travel one that I can put different scents in like lavender that also helps me sleep. This keeps the air moist and keeps my sinuses from drying out. I make a salt water mixture that I can gargle with and flush out my nose with. The recipe for this mixture is a half teaspoon of salt in about 8 ounces of warm water. I use it to gargle with or to pull up into an aspirator such as an eye dropper and put the tip into your nose while you tilt your head back.

Always remember to gently blow your nose because blowing your nose hard will only result in blowing some of the "drip" back into your throat and sinus cavities. When I start feeling that "drip" coming I also stop drinking milk and eating dairy products and start drinking hot teas with lemon and honey. Since I am a natural remedy person as much as possible, I avoid nasal decongestants, nose drops, etc. because in the long run, they will cause you more trouble than they are worth. Drink lots of purified water to keep your system hydrated and cleansed. Believe it or not stress can also create sinus and postnasal drip problems so learn to relax more often to stay away from "the drip".