Change

The birds are molting.  If only man could molt also - his mind once a year its errors, his heart once a year its useless passions.  ~James Allen


A little green bird sat on a limb outside my breakfast window.  Without a word, he convinced me it was time for a change.


My blog is changing and moving. Thank you for following :)


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Take Time for Tea...

We've all read an article or seen a news clip on the the health benefits of tea. You think to yourself "tea seems simple" and head out to buy some. Then you get to the store and suddenly tea is not so simple. Somewhere between the chamomile white tea blend and the jasmine phoenix green you've forgotten why you were going to buy tea in the first place. So here is your quick field guide to buying tea and a quick reminder of the benefits. And in the words of a past co-worker speaking to an impatient customer, "Relax; Its tea".

Loose Leaf or Bags

Loose leaf teas offer greater benefits than bags filled with chopped up bits. Loose leaf teas that are prepared at the proper temperature offer a full array of flavors. Exposure to air decreases the beneficial aspects of bagged teas and they are often over heated in production to make a bolder tasting product. They are marketed as convenient. But boiling water takes the same amount of time either way. Brewing times are the same and rinsing your cup afterwards is also the same. Many would argue that teas bags are cheaper but ounce for ounce this is simply not true. Bottom line: Choose Loose Leaf.

White, Green, Black or Red

If you have ever strained your brain over which color of tea to buy you will be relieved to know that white, green and black teas are all from the leaves of the same plant. There are many differences between them but none too great. Red teas do come from a different plant but have many of the same properties. Overall, you can't go wrong.

White Tea

Flavor: Delicate and smooth.

Caffeine: Almost none. Will not disrupt sleep.

Greatest Benefit: Purification and an antioxidant level that seems to make your cells hum with joy.

Green & Oolong Teas

Flavor: Ranges greatly from delicate florals to bold bitters. Visit a tea bar or house to find the one that's you.

Caffeine: Varies depending on the drying process but generally much lower than a cup of coffee. I wouldn't drink them right before bed but they are great just after dinner or lunch.

Greatest Benefits : Most research done on teas has been on green teas. The health food and medical industries agree that green tea helps in prevention of age related diseases such as prostate cancer and Alzheimer's. And nothing beats an Oolong to aid digestion and cleanse the palate after a meal.

Black Teas

Flavor: Bold 

Caffeine: Generally close to that in a cup of coffee. These are your typical breakfast teas.

Greatest Benefits: Short term energy boost and weight loss.

Red Teas

Flavor: Smooth and rich

Caffeine: Absolutely None!

Greatest Benefits: Red teas are high in antioxidants and are rumored to clear skin and provide allergy relief.

My Love Hate Relationship with Tea

I grew up drinking bottled or powdered teas. You know, the kind you mix like kool-aid. I really didn't care for the bitter sticky after taste that almost always made me car sick at some point later in the day. We moved to the south when I was eight and I still remember the first few times I ordered tea at a restaurant. Why anyone feels the need to add a cup of sugar to any beverage is beyond me! Even as a kid I had a preference for salty over sweet. Fast forward to my first year in a health food store. Every time I even got uncomfortable someone was forcing some kind of tea* down my throat to prevent illness. I did not like tea! I ended up working a short stint at Teavana somehow? And that is where I learned to like tea. There are as many different flavors of tea as there are people. Don't tell me you don't like tea. I will make you try them all. My skin never looked better than when I worked at Teavana. I love white tea for starting a detox program. I have even gone so far as making a white tea poultice to cure viral pink eye. And yes, it worked! But the real reason I love tea is that taking five quiet minutes to do something simple and precise helps me put my thoughts together before I move on in my day.

A Disclaimer of Sorts...

*There are many many flavors and types of tea available. Many of which are not actually tea. These herbs which are sold as "teas" are nature's medicine. They are intended to be used as such. I encourage you to explore the world of tea further but use herbs only for specific ailments. And always consult your pharmacist if you have any concerns about contraindications with your drug regimen.