If you enjoy more warm beverages in the winter months
like apple cider, hot cocoa and matcha tea, continue to drink them,
but you may want to add some ingredients to them, to really
make them health-enhancing.

Other ingredients? More health-enhancing?
Yes, now that it’s colder and you’re stuck inside enjoying all of
the foods and beverages that abound this time of year, adding
certain ingredients to the following 3 beverages can help
improve your and your family’s health.

The 3 Beverages:
a) Ginger Apple Cider-
Increase Immunity Levels.
If there’s one beverage to help celebrate Halloween and the fall season,
it’s apple cider. And to help boost immunity levels to ward off all types of
viruses, then make sure you add this spicy veggie to it.
The spicy veggie: Ginger.
It (ginger) is rich in compounds that increase virus-fighting immune
cells by 35%, which help you fend off a number of illnesses.
To make:
Mix 1/4 tsp. of sugar with 1/4 tsp. of orange zest. Dip rim of heatproof mug
in water, then and sugar mixture; add 2 slices. In a pot, mix 1 cup of apple juice,
2 slices of peeled ginger and 1 cup of peeled ginger and 1 cinnamon stick;
simmer, stirring, for 3 to 4 mins. Pour into a mug.
Important tip:
Make sure you buy “real apple cider” and not apple cider vinegar.
It (apple cider) can usually be found in the produce section,
near the apples or winter squashes, (like pumpkin).

b) Chili Hot Cocoa-
Boost Metabolism.
It’s no secret that many Americans love hot foods, but in Mexico, that
percentage may be higher and one of the foods the people of Mexico
love is Chili Hot Cocoa (or Mexican chili). Chili peppers add a hint of heat
to this delectable beverage, plus they’re a good source of capsaicin, a
compound that kick-starts fat burn to raise metabolism by 30%.
To make:
In a pot, mix 1 cup of milk (almond or low-fat), 1 tsp. of sugar, 1/4 cup
of dark choc. chips, 1/4 tsp. of chili and a pinch of cayenne; simmer,
stirring until choc. melts. Pour into a mug; top with whipped cream.

c) Matcha Latte-
Reduce Anxiety.
If the fall and winter holidays cause your anxiety levels to rise and
you want to pass on doctor-prescribed meds, try this tea.
Matcha tea is a powdered form of green tea, and it’s rich in an amino
acid (L-theanine) shown to reduce anxiety while also boosting focus
by 120%.
To make:
In a heatproof mug, whisk together 1 Tbs. of matcha powder, 1/4 tsp. of
vanilla (or almond) extract and 2 Tbs. of hot water. Whisk 1 cup of
frothy. Whisk 1 cup of hot milk until frothy. Pour over matcha mixture.
Sweeten to taste.
Important tip:
You may want to talk to your health-care provider before drinking
matcha tea, it (the tea) may cause blood sugar levels to rise,
cause an allergic reaction, and if you’re pregnant.

Sources:
* Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism
* The Lancet, A Medical Journal
* Mayo Clinic Research

Please make sure to pass this article on to friends and relatives who
love hot beverages and want better health this time of year.
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Thank-You!