Fit FactorY: Always in front of the PC? Drink tea! + Other health benefits of tea

Tea is a good source of antioxidants, and I just learned last week that it can help ward off UV rays (thus preventing skin cancer) or radiation from being in front of the computer too long (Which is why I immediately rushed to the grocery to buy me some tea boxes)

If you're going down with flu or cough, tea will also help tame the sickness by cooling down your system.

Aside from that, tea will help you with your blood pressure, and clears out your lungs, etc.

Tea can also aid in your digestion - this is why the Chinese love to drink tea after/during their meals, esp. when you're eating oily food.

Some teas have special abilities, too. For example:
Chamomile Tea helps you relax, relieves women of menstrual cramps, and cures insomnia.
Lavender Tea also helps you relax, and takes care of your headaches.
Rosehip Tea is a good tea to drink for headaches and vertigo.
Echinacea combats colds and flu.
Peppermint Tea is the tea to drink when you get heartburn.
Green Tea is a very good tea to drink - it helps combat arthritis, lowers cholesterol levels, heals infections, and improves immune functions

Fit FactorY: Foods to Combat Aging

Aging is something us Generation Y people must think about as early as now, especially when you're as vain as I am ;) The general idea is to pack your diet with as many fruits and vegetables, and whole foods as possible. You should also think about regularly taking natural antioxidants.

The easiest rule to live by when purchasing your fruits and vegetables is to think of your diet as a color palette! When going to the grocery, get reds (tomatoes, apples, etc), purples (beets, eggplants, etc), greens (spinach, broccoli, etc), yellows (yellow peppers, etc), the list goes on.

For your whole foods, you may choose from a list of cereals, whole-grain products, and whole-wheat products. Basically, you need to buy products that have been least refined/processed.

Here is a list of munchies and drinks that are high in antioxidants:
Green / Black Tea
Spices like Cinnamon, Oregano, Cloves
Dry Fruits like Apricots, Prunes, and Dates

You should also get your daily dosage of protein, of course, from fish products like salmon and tuna. Salmon has an additional benefit of providing calcium.

The good thing about this diet is that you keep fit, without letting go of the comforts of variety!

To view the actual menu plan, head on over to the Yahoo Health article:
Yahoo Health Article Anti-Aging Menu Plan