Apple Cider Vinegar: The Healthiest Way to Start Your Day
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What's the first thing you do when your alarm goes off in the morning? Brush your teeth? Make a cup of coffee? Work out? Or just snooze your alarm and sleep for an extra half hour? I do all those things too (especially that last one.) Mornings are busy and hectic in my house as we both try to get out the door. However, like the crazy person that I am, I've added one additional step to my morning routine. After you read this post, you'll probably want to do the same.
What am I doing? First thing in the morning, as soon as my alarm goes off, before I do anything else, I'm drinking apple cider vinegar. Wait! Wait! Don't leave!!! I know, it sounds disgusting. Let me explain.
My Grandma is 93, and she is absolutely fit as a fiddle. She lives on her own in North Carolina (next door to her sister) and is extremely active and happy. She and her sister walk about 3 miles a day, every single day. They eat out with friends, shop, go to the Casino, travel to the beach, whatever the heck they want. Grandma is never sick- she never even gets a headache.
The last time I visited her, I asked her to tell me the secret to a long healthy life. She said two things: she exercises and walks every day, and she drinks apple cider vinegar every day.
I tried drinking ACV many years ago when I first noticed my grandma did, and I couldn't stomach it. Drink vinegar? VINEGAR? It's so gross. Recently though, I was browsing around on Pinterest as I often do, and came across a "recipe" for an ACV drink that I decided to try since I had all the ingredients on hand.
This is all you need:
1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar (with "the mother")
1 Tbs Lemon Juice
1 Tbs Local Honey
Cinnamon
Cayenne Pepper
Water (as much as you'd like to add)
Don't get freaked out by the cayenne pepper. It sounds weird, but it adds a nice warmth to the drink that I swear makes it better. The combination of the cinnamon and the apple cider vinegar is delightful - it reminds me of a nice apple crisp. I add about 8 ounces of water because I like to drink it fast and move on with my routine. If you really hate the flavor, just add more water to dilute it!
I've heard of people drinking this hot or cold - I love both! I choose my temperature based on the weather that day, and the amount of time I have to consume it (guzzling scalding hot water isn't fun for anyone.)
Why am I drinking this stuff?
For the health benefits! Each of the ingredient is beneficial to your body in many ways. You should seriously do a quick google search of all these ingredients if you want to read in-depth about all the great health benefits. I've listed a few of the health benefits for each ingredient here:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Lowers Blood Sugar
Helps prevent weight gain
Reduces belly fat
Good for digestive health
Increases level of good bacteria in your gut
Lowers Cholesterol
Boosts Energy
Reduces bad breath
Whitens Teeth
Lemon Juice
Aids in digestion
Great source of vitamin C
Improves appearance of skin
Aids in weight loss
Boosts energy
Cinnamon
Loaded with antioxidants
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces risk of heart disease
Reduces insulin resistance
Lowers blood sugar
Anti-fungal and antibacterial (fights infections)
Cayenne Pepper
Helps Digestion
Reduces Migraine Pain
Prevents Blood Clots
Aids in weight loss
Calms an upset stomach
Boosts Metabolism
Contains Vitamins E & A
Prevents allergies
Local Honey
Natural immunity against local allergens
Makes all the stuff I listed above taste better!
So, do you think you'll give this drink a try? Keep in mind, you won't see any kind of instant miraculous change in your body when you drink this. You won't wake up 10 lbs lighter with brilliant white teeth, glowing skin, and low cholesterol after one week. However, there are so many great things that these ingredients are doing for you that it's worth sticking with it. You'll thank me when your 93 and living it up!
(By the way, I'm just spewing information at you that I've read all over the world wide web. I am not a scientist or a doctor, and I haven't done studies on any of the ingredients in this drink. I'm just telling you what my Grandma told me, and she's the best.)
