Recently the benefits of tea has been all the rage in news articles, blogs, daytime talk shows and more. You can’t go a week without some self proclaimed health guru extolling the benefits of green tea extract, or black tea extract or white tea extract. Pills abound for these and other extracts like coffee and red wine, all proclaiming to be the cure for aging, or heart disease, or some other health problem.
What is the average person to think? Tea in general has been one of the world’s most popular beverages for centuries. Tea has become ingrained in cultures throughout the world in daily life, in ceremonies, and in popular culture.
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For the Love of Lavender
What’s sad to observe is the rapid drop off rate. By January 15th, many of the newcomers aren’t there anymore and by the end of the month, even more have dropped out. Of course a few stay on and join us regulars, but the majority of enthusiastic exercisers have simply gone away; having packed their gym clothes for “maybe later.” 
The answer is fairly simple: Your desire to lose needs to be more important than a plate of scallops or fettuccini alfredo. Sadly, it’s amazing how a goal to fit in a smaller size outfit can go out the window when faced with a plate of sugar cookies. 
Recently while watching the Hallmark Movie Christmas in the Bayou (big thumbs up!), a particular scene caught my attention. One of the main characters, Lilly played by Markie Post was working in her backyard garden when her daughter Katherine played by Hilarie Burton approached her, reached down and ran her fingers through some plants and asked Lilly – “What are these? They smell amazing.” Her answer was, Lemon Verbena. She went on to explain that she dried the leaves and put them in small pouches and sold them at the town’s country store.
Two years ago I went to an Italian Christmas Eve dinner (but not the traditional seven course fish dinner; rather 12 courses!). The event started at 4:00 and went to 11:00 PM. It was an amazing array of food; the hostesses had cooked for weeks ahead. The 14 guests ate and ate and ate. The 15th guest (me!) did not eat one thing.
It’s tough to be on a diet, see others enjoying (even relishing) their high calorie food, and not get a sense of “poor me.” Get over it! Look at it this way – “poor you” has been overeating for years; that’s why you’re on a diet. 
With the holiday season fast upon us, millions of Americans will be going home to spend the holidays with friends and family. And many of us will stay with those very friends and families rather than staying at a hotel or motel. Invitations to stay with family and friends can be a great thing! It can make it easier on the guest, no hotel check-ins and departures, no hotel fees, less traveling back and forth to the parties and hotels.
You have a family that respects your diet effort, but is not willing to join you. Here are a few more survival tips on how to feed them, but not feel you’re cheating yourself.
