This is part of an article on the fat burning ability of Chai tea, from the Dec. 27, 2005 issue of Woman's World Magazine. Now, don't think you can eat yourself senseless if you only drink Chai...but it does seem to cut food cravings and help in weight loss. Stay on program, drink your 6 glasses of water a day and enjoy this delicious Indian tea. This is a great way to get your milk in, if you aren't a milk fan. If you've used your milk allotment for the day...it's also good without milk. Give it a try! Here is my favorite way to make Chai tea...My Morning Chai.Colette
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The Tea That Makes Women Slim

How it works:

Chai-a strong black tea "perfumed" with spices-like cinnamon and giner-benefits dieters in a number of ways...

• Tea is a fat-burning tonic. Studies have found that it's more than just tea's caffeine that boosts calorie burning. Both black and green teas increase metabollism more than caffeinated water. Though the reason is still unclear, "when you drink tea, you turn on the fat-burning spigot," says USDA physiologist William Rumpler, Ph.D.

• Hot drink reduce hunger. "Warm fluids have been shown to make people feel more satisfied and calm, two factors that prevent overeating," notes Jennifer Workman, M.S., R.D., author of "Stop Your Cravings."

• A spicy aroma tricks your brain. Tests have shown that a whiff of any scent we find pleasing seem to trigger a calorie-free feeling of stiety, says Alan Hirsch, M.D., of Chicago's Smell and Taste Treatment Center.

Chai tea contains spices that slim...

All of the spices in traditional chai blends offer their own benefits to dieters. And Jennifer Workman, M.S., R.D., says drinking chai before each meal provided enough of them to make a real difference in your waistline!*

• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Studies show they improve blood-sugar control, helping to reduce hunger and lower levels of fat-storage hormones.

• Ginger: This snappy spice actually makes blood vessels expand, sending heat rising in the body and revving up your metabolism by as much as 20%.

• Vanilla: In one sutdy, dieters wearing vanilla-scented patches experienced dramatically fewer cravings for sweets and lost two times more weight than patch-free dieters.

• Cardamom, Black Pepper and Cloves: All three have thermogenic properties-which means they stimulate extra fat burning.

Brew A Perfect Cup of Tea:

According to Celestial Seasoning's Blendmaster Charlie Baden, here's how to maximize flavor.

Start with Fresh Water: "Purified water is best," say's Baden. Not an option? Let your faucet run for 30 seconds before filling your pot. And stick with cold water, since our home's hot water heater can alter water's taste.

1. Heat it just enough: "Bring water fo a boil, immediatel remove and pour water directly over the tea bad", says the pro. Overheating can also affect the taste of the water.

2. Steep four to six minutes: Any less and the tea will be too weak; any more, and it will be too strong.

3. Give it a squeeze: After removing the tea bad from the water, "squeeze it to ensure all of the flavor is released," says Baden.

4. Keep it warm: If you step away from your freshly brewed tea, try covering the cup with a saucer to retain the heat. Reheating tea can cause bitterness.

-- Edited by Colette at 17:07, 2006-01-09