As someone who loves her cuppa-chai, I’m quite
finicky about the tea I drink. But I’m also willing to experiment. I’ve tried
some very interesting blends. And some that are incredibly underwhelming. In my endeavour to health it up, I started drinking more green tea, substituting my second and third cups of sweet, milky tea
(that’s as many as I’m willing to admit to) with their healthier avatars. But
I’ll be honest; I’m not the biggest fan of green tea. It’s ok. And for a tea
lover, ‘ok’ just doesn’t cut it. So after many tastings and testings, here are 5
teas I discovered are super alternatives to green tea and are best enjoyed sans
milk and a sweetener. 1.Chamomile
Tea: Trouble sleeping? Tough day? Or just need a happy warm beverage. Chamomile
is the way to go. Just the smell of chamomile makes me happy. It has mild
sedative properties and is also good for immunity. And while many save it for
their sundown cuppa, I think it’s the perfect tea for any time of the day. 2.Lemongrass
Tea: This one’s light and fresh, and a good lemongrass tea is one where the flavour
isn’t overwhelming. Everything about this tea feels healthy. You can either opt
for adding your own lemongrass stalks to a green, white or first flush tea base
or buy a lemongrass variant of white tea. 3.Lavender
Tea: This white tea, is subtle and mildly fragrant. I prefer to drink this
light (2 minutes steeped in hot water). It’s soothing, and like chamomile, a
great tea to enjoy in the evening or before bedtime. A lavender iced tea is
also quite lovely on a summer afternoon. 4.Mint
Tea: This one’s a complete pick-me-up. I prefer mint white tea to mint green
tea, because it’s so much more subtle, and happier on my taste buds. This is also
a great tea for when you’re feeling sluggish or too full from a big meal. 5.Jasmine Tea: Served with love in most Asian restaurants, this naturally sweet, floral
infusion is familiar and comforting. I like my Jasmine tea really light and
enjoy both its brewed and iced avatars. Again, I prefer jasmine tea with a
white tea base. White
teas and green teas come from the same plant. White teas are harvested earlier
and are processed lesser than their green cousins. It has also been
claimed that white teas are healthier than green.White
tea has a more subtle and gentle flavour, which makes it a favoured base for
flavoured teas. Image source: Shutterstock
Every time the movie Madagascar plays on
the TV, I wait eagerly for the dance bit and do my moves to ‘I like to move it,
move it’. It’s not a pretty sight.
But in that moment, I’m just enjoying the
music and letting it drive me, without really thinking of how hard it is to
heft my body around.
I can’t say enough about the power of music
during a workout.
Some of the best group instructors in the
business are known as much for the playlists as much as for their exercise
mojo. You just have to walk into a packed class to know what I’m talking about.
You may not be master of the music is a group class, but
when you’re working out by yourself, spend a little time playing DJ before you
hit the gym. Here’s why:
Music is a super workout buddy: A great set
of songs will keep you company through a gruelling workout. And you’ll wonder
where the time went.
Add variety to monotony: If you’re walking
or running or doing an activity that's mostly one dimensional, music can make
all the difference. Alter your mood, speed, tempo and pace with a quick flick
of the ipod.
Ditch the timer, turn on the tunes: Music is a great way to change from one exercise to another, to increase the intensity of
your reps or simply to count down to the end of your workout. It’s more
fun than looking at a clock.
If you feel it, you’ll show it: Doing some
bag work? Try Eye of the Tiger. Yes, it’s a cliché, but it works. Legs day? How
about some rock? Cardio? EDM can be your best friend. Music is a great
motivator. And the right kind of music will help you have the best kind of workout.
P.S. Don’t ever depend on the gym’s music. There’s
nothing more off putting than trying to match your moves to someones else’s
groove. But, prepare your playlist in advance. You don't want to be spending all your energy and attention on the music player.
Hit the gym with some sexy tunes. I guarantee you'll like to move it, move it.
Since I said it, here's team Madagascar with an encore. Watch and enjoy :)
As someone who loves her cuppa-chai, I’m quite
finicky about the tea I drink. But I’m also willing to experiment. I’ve tried
some very interesting blends. And some that are incredibly underwhelming.
