Can tea help you be healthy? Yes!

So pour yourself a cup and read on to learn the possible benefits of drinking tea...

Whenever you are in desperate need of energy and looking to stay awake, what do you reach for: coffee or tea? For me, it's both. I love coffee but I've never been one to brew an excellent cup of coffee; so unless I'm willing to spend three dollars on a latte or have the time to sip an espresso, I reach for tea.

Did you know that tea can do more than just warm us up on a chilly day? Tea, especially green tea is full of antioxidant polyphenols called catechins. These catechins are what scientists and researchers have linked to anti-cancer activity. I'm not saying tea can cure but if the antioxidants in tea can help fight free radicals then why not give it a swig?!

Many people also say that tea can help with weightloss. Whether that is true or not I think the simple act of replacing fatty snacks with tea can definitely help that particular statement to be true!

Want to know more about how tea can help us on the road to lasting health? Check out Huffington Post's, Tea Health Benefits: 8 Ways It Could Benefit Our Bodies and Time's 13 Reasons Tea is Good for You.

I'm off to give my tea bag his great moment of glory and brew a mug of chai (made from black tea, which is supposedly good for the lungs and reduce the risk of stroke).

Image source: Twinings Tea UK, Facebook Timeline

Make smart choices at meal times. Fill up on the good stuff!

How much space does 400 calories occupy in the stomach?

I truly dislike the thought of dieting. But with a looming deadline to fit into a costume that doesn't quite zip up all the way for a performance, I really have no choice but to make a conscious effort to change my eating habits.

What is it about diets that have people dreading them? Hunger? Cravings? Guess what?! You don't need to feel hungry when you are making the change for a healthier lifestyle. And if you aren't feeling hungry, you will most likely have fewer cravings as well! There is no need to fear healthy eating! All we need to do is learn how to make smart choices. If we look for low calorie but dense foods full of nutrients and fibre (think low-GI foods), we'll definitely be better off! Take a look at what 400 calories of various foods look like in the stomach!

Add PGX to your food and the fibre will help you feel full and you won't feel the "diet hunger and cravings." Right now you you can get a free BONUS pack of PGX Singles with purchase of PGX Daily in Canadian stores! Stay healthy everyone; make smart food choices and be sure to get your daily dose of fibre!

Original image source unknown.

You loved the guilt-free dessert so much that we're excited to bring you another, crazy good low-cal. dessert!

We absolulely believe that just because you're watching what you eat, it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. Just love them in moderation.

At only 188 calories this recipe will have you saying rock 'n rollie, bring on the Strawberry Cannoli! 

Strawberry Cannoli

• 1 pint(s)  (12 oz) strawberries, rinsed, hulled and halved
• 2 tablespoon(s) granulated sugar
• 1 tub(s)  (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 4 ounce(s) cream cheese
• 1 cup(s) confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) almond extract
• 1 box(es)  (4 or 5 1⁄4 oz) sugar cones (12 cones)
• 1/2 teaspoon of PGX
• Garnish: chocolate mini chips and sliced strawberries

Directions

1. At least 1 day before serving, proceed through Step 3. Line a colander and a medium-size strainer with a sturdy paper towel; set each in a bowl.
2. Pulse strawberries and granulated sugar in food processor until coarsely chopped. Scrape into colander, top with a paper towel and refrigerate overnight to drain well (this is important). Clean processor.
3. Put ricotta, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in processor; pulse until smooth. Transfer to strainer, cover with a paper towel and refrigerate overnight.
4. Just before serving: Prop cones upright in tall glasses partially filled with granulated sugar to support cones. Fold drained berries, almond extract and PGX into ricotta mixture. Spoon into a gallon-size ziplock bag. Cut 1⁄2 in. off a corner; pipe filling into cones and garnish. The sugar cones replace the usual pastry shells, which can be hard to make or find in stores.

Enjoy!

Image and Recipe: Woman's Day 

Try our delicious Saag Chicken recipe - the perfect dish for Fall!

With autumn fast approaching, everyone is looking for that perfect new fall dish to try. Well, great news! PGX would like to introduce you to our fabulous Supreme Savory Saag Chicken recipe. Tasty, healthy and (if you so choose) a little bit spicy, this dish is a wonderful recipe to try on a chilly night this fall!

Ingredients:

• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 med onions, minced or extremely finely chopped 
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 lb chicken pieces, skinned and cubed
  
• 2 cups (500 mL) crushed tomatoes
  
• 2 tbsp ginger, grated and divided*
  
• 1⁄4 cup coconut milk
  
• 1 cup Greek fat free yogurt
  
• 20 oz (600 g) spinach, thawed from frozen
  
• 1⁄2 tsp ground coriander
  
• 1⁄2 tsp turmeric powder
  
• 1⁄2 tsp cardamom powder
  
• 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon powder
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 10-15 g PGX
  
• 1 tsp curry powder
  
• 2 tsp lemon juice

Add some wild rice or quinoa for the ultimate high protein meal.

*If you would like to make the dish spicier (and with added health benefits!) use 1 tbsp of grated ginger while cooking and add another tbsp of raw ginger right before serving.

Method:

1. Using a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil for 3-4 minutes until transparent. Add chicken and reduce heat and simmer with lid on for 10 minutes until chicken is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. 
2. Put the spinach, coconut milk and spices into a food processor and blend until smooth. 
3. Addspinach, tomatoes, PGX granules and salt to the chicken mixture for an additional 20 minutes on a low heat to blend flavours and ensure chicken is well cooked. Add the extra ginger at this time if you want extra heat and health benefits.
4. Enjoy as a main dish on top of brown rice, quinoa or rice noodles.
   

Yield: 13 servings

Nutritional Information:

Serving size: 3⁄4 cup
Calories: 120
Fat: 7 g
Carbs: 7.5 g
Protein: 6 g
Fibre: 4 g

Did you know? Turmeric is the ultimate anti-inflammatory herb! Use this herbal combination in chilis and sauces to help prevent the joint pain associated with arthritis or athletic injuries.

Enjoy! And let us know what you think!

Fall weather is here and we're thinking about comfort food and PGX!

Is it possible to eat all those yummy comfort foods and stay slim? Yes! And it's easy too.

Well, it looks like fall is fully arrived: overcast skies, shorter days, people dressed up in jackets and scarves, the shower of yellow and oranges leaves... to be followed with actual rain showers I'm sure. I'd love to say no rain but it'll come for sure. What does this weather do to me? I want to hibernate and eat thick, hearty stews and drink hot chocolate and become a couch potato in front of the fire.

Well, enjoy some couch potato time but make sure you get your exercise. As for the comfort food part, I'm happy to say that we don't have to completely avoid it if we want to stay slim! Food Network star, Ellie Krieger's So Easy cookbook has great and healthy recipes for us to enjoy!

How about a spicy and sweet Moroccan Beef Stew? Ward off the cold and get a ton of immune boosting iron with a bowl of this! Enjoy!

And guess what! This dish is full of fibre! With a little PGX you can have a day's worth all in one go!