Healthy Hollywood: Fab Food Friday – Brew A Healthier Drink!

Healthy Hollywood is a major coffee hound. The first thing I do every morning is fire up the coffee machine. I need a cup (or two or even three) to get things moving.

Lately, Healthy Hollywood has been eating a more plant-based diet and a side effect I have noticed is that my usual coffee consumption is making me jittery.

Now, there’s lots of debate over whether coffee is good or bad for your health. But, the more Health Hollywood dives into the wellness world; the more I hear about the benefits of tea. “I find that people get hooked on coffee and find it hard to cut back, even when they get the jitters or have trouble sleeping at night. I rarely encounter a patient who goes overboard with tea,” reveals one of Healthy Hollywood’s favorite wellness gurus, Dr. Frank Lipman, who founded the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in Manhattan. While, his roster of famous clients, include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kyra Sedwick, Dr. Lipman’s advice is accessible for all of us.

“One reason I prefer tea over coffee is that it’s less acidic. Since it is so acidic, people tend to add lots of milk and sugar. Meanwhile, tea tastes great without adding any dairy or sugar,” adds Dr. Lipman.

Stars are no strangers to the magical powers of green tea. Fergie is said to drink it before her concerts. Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and Rachel Bilson are also fans. It’s said to be high in antioxidants and revs up the metabolism. Yet, there’s more to healthy teas than just going green.

Dr. Lipman shared a few of his favorite medicinal brews. ”Hibiscus is a refreshing floral tea that has been found to lower blood pressure. Mint tea is cool and refreshing for the hot summer months. It’s also great for settling the stomach if you’re feeling queasy. Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants, which protect your skin from sun damage.”

In the hot summer weather, it’s easy to overdo it on sweet drinks and cocktails. Instead, Dr. Lipman suggests making a pitcher of one of his favorite iced teas to serve at your next party or simply leave in the refrigerator.

Rooibos Iced Tea:

Ingredients

• 6 Rooibos tea bags
• 1 lemon sliced
• Stevia or honey, to taste
• 1 gallon boiling water

Boil one gallon of water, add tea bags, lemon and stevia (or honey). Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the tea bags when the tea is cold and refrigerate. Serve over ice.

Mint Iced Tea:

Ingredients

• 6 green tea bags
• 6 cups of water
• 1 bunch of fresh mint, washed.
• 1 lemon, sliced

Boil 2 cups of water, add 6 tea bags to boiling water and let the tea steep for about 3 to 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and combine with remaining water and fresh mint. Refrigerate. Serve over ice with fresh mint.

For more of Dr. Lipman healthy living tips & recipes, check out www.drfranklipman.com

— Terri MacLeod