Burn, belly! Burn! A metabolism Tea for YOU!

Here's one for you. I gained about 40 UNWELCOME pounds this year, due to some unprecedented, prolonged grief and loss...and the stress! Oh the stress. The trauma. The feeling of darkness knocking at my soul. It took its toll there for a bit.

So I've been stepping on that scale going, "Um....what the hell is going on? Who did this? How did this happen? Why is the number going up? Why does it still say...[No - I will not share that number with you. You and I are not THAT close. Not yet. Maybe in a few months, when I'm skinny and sultry and succulent, and we can look back and laugh at that one time when I felt like I wasn't.]

Nevertheless, those cantankerous little pounds seem to have latched on -- less due to eating habits, and more due to excess toxin and cortisol production and a resulting temporary change in hormones. So I'm due for a decent detox, and could probably use a little exercise, if we're being honest with each other.

I was online the other night, minding my own business, the way people do when they are 40 pounds overweight, and I came across an advertisement for a special detox tea you drink that helps burn calories and shed belly fat super fast. I did not buy the product...per se. But I was intrigued by the testimonials, and the ingredients were things I was already very familiar with and knew were good for detoxing and raising the caloric heat in the body.

So, I decided I would make my OWN tea. I headed to the health food store, bought everything on the list, mixed it together, and made some soothing tea to drink every night. And it's not too shabby!

Here are the ingredients:

Ceylon Cinnamon

Known for its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to respond to insulin and fight bacteria and fungus.

Cayenne Pepper Extract

Helps reduce hunger, aids in digestion, relieves pain, increases the caloric heat your body produces (boosting metabolism), lowers blood pressure, improves psoriasis, and helps kill parasites.

Turmeric

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties first and foremost, turmeric also aids in triggering the antioxidant capacity of the body, improves brain function, reduces arthritis symptoms and autoimmune activity, fights depression, fights viruses and aging effects on DNA, and contributes to a "healthy glow" in your skin and appearance.

Ginger Root Extract

Reduces muscle pain and soreness, often used by patients with fibromyalsia, treats nausea and morning sickness, is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce joint pain and arthritis, helps body respond to insulin, aids in digestion and gut issues, reduces menstrual pain, helps kill bacteria, fungus and parasites

Coconut Milk Powder

Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that aid in weight loss, increases metabolism, reduces cholesterol, reduces inflammation, fights viruses and bacteria, reduces stomach ulcer sizes and fights off the bacteria and fungus that cause it.

Acacia Prebiotic Fiber

Relieves stomach pain, excellent source of fiber, reduces body fat, provides a prebiotic important in digestion and gut health, reduces inflammation, helps heal wounds, promotes oral health, soothes coughs and sore throats, restricts blood loss and works as an antiseptic when poured on cuts.

Monk Fruit Sweetener

Safe for diabetes due to its low (or zero) affect on blood sugar, no calories or fat, used in teas to reduce sore throats and phlegm, keeps blood sugars stable, reduces inflammation, the taste is surprisingly bright and airy on the tongue. Many say it vibrates at a higher frequency and has healing properties.

All of these ingredients cost me less than $30 at the health food store. No joke. And it gives me enough to make a few month's worth of tea. All I did was add a 1 to 1 ratio of everything -- except the pepper. I actually got everything in powder form except for the pepper extract. I just add one to two drops of cayenne pepper to my tea after I've poured the hot water in and mixed up the powder. It all dissolves really well, and tastes rather soothing and yummy. I quite like it!

I am just really excited to be putting all these wonderful things into my body! I'll be sure and keep you posted with my detox and burn process. Let me know what recipes you've tried to clean the gut and perk up the system.