Last summer, Hibiscus Tea became my caffeine-free substitute for morning coffee. But this winter, it's become my primary drink, a couple of quarts a day. Drinking a lot of water is a goal that's common to Weight Watchers, Medifast and other weight-loss programs. If water just doesn't do it for you, Hibiscus Tea with Ginger & Vanilla just might be the answer. These past weeks, it's been my savior! ~ Skip Straight to the Recipe ~ But First, A Thank You I so appreciate all your stories and encouragement and commiseration from last week's post about switching from Weight Watchers to Medifast . It means the world to hear from you. In fact, it was just two years ago this month when Kitchen Parade readers named the "healthy habits" they wanted to develop during the coming year. So-so-so many of us wanted to drink more water. (Remember? Check the comments here, Quick 'n' Easy Raw Salad .) Read on ... Coffee Failed Me. Aiii, people. Las...

There are three ways to start this story, even if it's not one easy to admit, even as I grapple with the compromises I make. I'm not entirely proud – except that I’ve taken charge of my body weight albeit AGAIN. In these words, I hope, is a story of Choice and Hope and Compromise. INTRO NUMBER ONE: The Dr Phil Effect. Back before Dr Phil was Somebody, before Oprah, before the Dr Phil Show day-time trash, before the Britney Spears intervention, my sister asked, “Have you heard of this guy, Dr. Phil? When you repeat the same behavior again and again, he’ll ask, ‘How’s that workin’ out for ya?’ It’s absurd to expect different results from the same behavior.” And the truth is, even though I believe in it, Weight Watchers hasn’t been working for me. But wait, let me put that more carefully, more honestly: despite numerous hopeful starts and re-starts, for the last few years, I haven’t been working Weight Watchers. It’s not the fault of Weight Watchers, it’s mine. INTRO...