Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Health Benefits of Green Tea

There are a lot of fad "miracle foods," which promise to cure all ailments and problems. While there might be some stake in a few of these claims, and not much evidence to support others, one "health" food that never loses credibility is green tea. Read here about the health benefits associated with one of our favorite tea drinks: 
Green tea is so good for you that it's even got some researchers raving.
"It's the healthiest thing I can think of to drink," says Christopher Ochner, PhD. He's a research scientist in nutrition at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Of course, no one food will protect you from disease. Your health is wrapped up in your lifestyle and your genes, so even if you drink green tea all day long, you also need to take care of yourself in other ways, like not smoking, being active, and eating a healthy diet.
Green tea’s biggest benefit? "It's all about the catechin content," says Beth Reardon, RD, a Boston nutritionist. Catechins are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Green tea is not processed much before it's poured in your cup, so it's rich in catechins.
What the Research Shows
Green tea has been shown to improve bloodflow and lower cholesterol. A 2013 review of many studies found green tea helped prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure.
What’s good for the heart is usually good for the brain; your brain needs healthy blood vessels, too. In one Swiss study, MRIs revealed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Green tea seems to help keep blood sugarstable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause, Ochner says.  
 What About Weight Loss?
Sorry, but no drink or food melts the pounds off. While some evidence suggests that the active ingredient in green tea, EGCG, may help you drop a few pounds, other studies show no effect. 
But green tea is a smart swap for sugary drinks. 
"All things being equal, if you sub 1-2 cups of green tea for one can of soda, over the next year you'd save over 50,000 calories," Ochner says. That's more than 15 pounds. Just don’t swamp it with honey or sugar!
Effects on Cancer?
Studies on green tea’s impact on cancer have been mixed. But green tea is known to aid healthy cells in all stages of growth. There are some clues that green tea may help destroycancer cells, but that research is still in its early stages, so you shouldn’t count on green tea to prevent cancer. In fact, the National Cancer Institute's web site says it "does not recommend for or against the use of tea to reduce the risk of any type of cancer."
Relaxing RitualSipping tea helps you slow down and relax, Reardon says. A natural chemical called theanine found in green tea can provide a calming effect.But perhaps the biggest benefit, which you get right away, is just taking a tea break. Here’s how to make your next cup:
  • Don't add green tea to boiling water. It's bad for catechins, those healthy chemicals, in the tea. Better: 160-170 degree water.
  • Add lemon. Vitamin C makes the catechins a easier to absorb. Dairy, on the other hand, makes it harder to absorb them.
  • Nutrient levels in green tea can vary. Pricier teas usually have more, and canned green-tea drinks generally have less.
You can order t-sleeve to have a box shipped to your house, OR you can find us at Whole Foods Markets. Find ordering information here.


Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

SRC: See the full Web M.D. post about green tea at: www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-of-green-tea?page=1

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Learn About t-sleeve®



t-sleeve® is a versatile tea bag pouch and squeezer, for tea drinkers who use tea bags seeking a mess-free, tea drinking experience on the go.
This handy design starts as a carrying pouch for your favorite tea bag and package sweeteners. Take it with you on the go to work, a restaurant or meeting a friend for a cup of tea. T-Sleeve® then becomes a tea bag squeezer when you steep your tea. After you have steeped the tea, simply pull the tea bag up into the t-sleeve®, fold and squeeze the residual liquid out, and then discard. There’s no mess, no wet fingers and no drippy tea bag. T-Sleeve® is made of recyclable and compost-able materials, so simply dispose of the t-sleeve® and tea bag into the garbage or compost container. T-Sleeve® will compost, so you can feel good about making a difference in the environment. 
You can order t-sleeve to have a box shipped to your house, OR you can find us at Whole Foods Markets. Find ordering information here.


Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

Monday, January 25, 2016

Keep Celebrating: National Hot Tea Month!

January is National Hot Tea Month! With the month almost at an end, don't forget to celebrate with us by enjoying a hot cup of tea. With the great variety of teas to choose from, maybe try some new teas you haven't sampled yet! You can read through our previous blog posts about great teas to try!
History of Hot Tea Month 
Tea has been being drunk for thousands of years, originating from deep within the country of China. From there it grew in prominence until it was one of the most important beverages in the world, rivaling coffee as the drink of choice for mornings, and for those who needed a pick-me-up. Tea has been seen as a mark of sophistication, and has practically redefined British culture, having become completely inseparable from what it means to be British.
Tea isn’t just a warm and delicious beverage, it can also be used medicinally. There are thousands of herbal teas out there, and each of them can be used to help fortify the body, and even help you heal and fight infection. One of the most common uses is to help soothe nerves as night time rolls in with a cup of mint and chamomile tea. 
Tea has also been having important studies going on with it, with three glasses of green tea being shown to actually enhance the amount of calories that are burned in 24 hours. Imagine being able to help yourself burn away unwanted fat and combat obesity just by enjoying something you already love. Oh Tea, is there anything you can’t do? 
How to Celebrate Hot Tea Month 
Celebrating Hot Team Month is as simple as brewing up a cup of your favorite tea, and sitting back and relaxing as you sip it down. There is a whole world of teas out there, literally thousands of varieties that are picked at different stages of the Tea bushes growth cycle, and then are mixed or aged carefully to bring about a unique and desirable flavor and aroma. Hot Tea Month is a great opportunity for you to try cutting back on coffee, and instead use a hot cup of tea to get yourself going in the morning! Happy Hot Tea Month!
Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

SRC: Read the full post: www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-tea-month/

Friday, January 22, 2016

Winter Cold Remedies


Winter colds can be tough to beat. If your stock pile of over-the-counter cold medicine isn't doing the trick, try some natural tea remedies to help you stay healthy.
Yarrow
Yarrow is an herb traditionally used by Native Americans to alleviate cold-like symptoms. Fitzgerald says it has a mild woodsy-like flavor. "It's not as intense as say, rosemary. I would say more along the lines of like nettle."
Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of yarrow in a cup of water and drink the tea a couple of times a day.
Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

SRC: Find more at-home remedies like this one here:  wtop.com/health/2016/01/at-home-remedies-recipes-to-ease-your-winter-cold/slide/6/
 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

How You Brew Tea Depends Upon The Type

While you maybe have a favorite tea you stick to, or perhaps you enjoy a variety of teas, it might help you to know there is a bit more science behind brewing tea than you might have thought. Different types of teas have different techniques for optimal taste. Read about the brewing process, and what you might consider changing, here: 
Tea Brew How-To
Got your tea? Got your mug? Ready to relax? Let’s make it simple. To brew tea, use fresh water free of any odd tastes or odors. (It accounts for 95% of every cup of tea, you know.) Use one teaspoon of tea per serving, plus one more for the pot. Pour the water over the tea and steep according to these guidelines:
  • White and Green Tea: Use boiling water that has cooled for a couple of minutes (to about 185°F) and steep for 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Oolong Tea: Use boiling water that has cooled for 1 minute (to about 195°F) and steep 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Black Tea: Use boiling water that has cooled just enough to lose its boil and steep 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Herbal Tea: Use boiling water and steep 3 to 5 minutes.
In a typical infusion, caffeine is extracted from the leaves first, usually within the first 30 seconds, while the more complex polyphenols (antioxidants) take a bit longer. And keep in mind that tea bags infuse more quickly than loose-leaf teas due to greater surface area.
Don’t forget! Loose-leaf tea will keep for several months or longer if kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place. Avoid glass or plastic containers if possible and do not refrigerate or freeze tea. Tea that’s old or mishandled will lose its briskness and aroma and color.
Wondering where you can find t-sleeves to get for yourself or the avid tea drinker you know? Find them now in select Whole Foods stores or order online here!

Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

SRC: Find more tea facts here: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/department/article/guide-tea

Thursday, January 14, 2016

16 Herbal Teas for Your Grocery List


There are thousands of varieties of herbal teas in this world, many of which you've heard of, and even more that you probably haven't. Here is a list of 16 herbal teas, and their health benefits, that you can pick up at the grocery store. 
1.    Nettle                                                                                              
Nettle is made with the leaves of stinging nettle, named for the tiny hairs on the fresh leaves which can sting the skin. Despite it’s rough exterior, nettle is one of nature’s best remedies for an assortment of ailments including anemia, high blood pressure, rheumatism, arthritis, coughs and colds, congestion, urinary tract infections, and kidney and bladder problems. 
2.    Chamomile Tea 
Chamomile is a popular herb that’s used in teas worldwide. Chamomile soothes the stomach and relieves bloating and indigestion. Chamomile also calms the mind and helps people relax and deal better with their stresses. Some people are allergic to chamomile and should avoid taking the tea. People who find it hard to go to sleep should drink a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed. Chamomile is known to fight insomnia by relaxing the body and the mind, enabling the person to fall asleep naturally. 
3.    Ginger Tea 
Ginger is an energizer and a stimulator. Drinking ginger tea both stimulates and soothes the digestive system. Ginger has been known to aid people experiencing nausea. Arthritic people have found ginger tea helpful since it has anti-inflammatory properties. 
4.    Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is a fragrant herb that makes for a soothing drink. Peppermint helps you digest foods better and also reduces flatulence and digestive issues. Peppermint is prescribed to people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and gallstones in capsules. A cup of peppermint tea will ease nausea and vomiting, especially if you suffer motion sickness. If you have heartburn, don’t drink peppermint tea as this might aggravate your condition. Peppermint tea brings down the severity of herpes outbreaks. The natural mint flavor of the herb helps to freshen your breath. Other health benefits of this tea are control of muscle aches and chronic pain, clearing of congestion and mild coughs, mild asthma and reduction of stress. 
5.    Lavender Tea 
Lavender tea is made out of the dried purple, pink and white colored flowers that grow on lavender shrubs. Used as a scented herb for many centuries, lavender’s medicinal uses have been appreciated and documented for centuries. A cup of lavender tea can soothe your mind and body, inducing sleep. If you are feeling down and depressed, a cup of lavender tea can help uplift your spirit.
Lavender tea helps sooth and treat flatulence, colic, bowel infections and an upset stomach. Lavender tea can be used as a wash on the chest to help reduce cough, bronchitis, asthma, cold and other respiratory issues. For both children and adults, lavender is used to reduce body temperature during fever. Lavender also has healing properties; use a wash of lavender tea to help heal wounds, cuts, ulcers and sores. 
6.    Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is fragrant to drink and is a very effective tonic to calm nerves and anxiety. Cold lemon balm tea bags help relieve cold sores, or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Mix lemon balm leaves with valerian to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia.  Lemon Balm contains several properties, which control herpes and also regulate the thyroid.
Lemon balm when mixed with peppermint can calm an upset stomach, sooth the digestive track and reduce flatulence. Drink lemon balm tea if you suffer from nerve pain. Drinking lemon balm tea also helps strengthen memory and brain functions and also uplifts one’s mood. 
7.    Rosemary Tea 
Rosemary is not only good for cooking but makes a healthful and highly beneficial tea. Rosemary can help your muscles to relax. Additionally, rosemary is an effective digestive aid as well. If you have gall bladder and liver complaints, drinking rosemary tea regularly will greatly help relieve your symptoms. Rosemary tea also relieves cough and mild asthma symptoms. 
8.    Hibiscus Flower Tea (Sorrel) 
Dried Hibiscus flowers are made into a tea that offers very high health benefits. Hibiscus tea is known to lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol and strengthen the immune system (it’s rich in Vitamin C). Hibiscus flower infusions have known to reduce hypertension as well, in people prone to this condition. A recent study reveals that hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. Red zinger tea and sorrel tea contain hibiscus. 
9.    Green Tea 
Green Tea comes with such a host of health benefits, that it’s called the ‘wonder herb’ by tea drinkers and medical practitioners alike.
Drinking green tea lowers cancer risk and also inhibits carcinogenic in cigarettes and other compounds when imbibed. Green Tea contains potent antioxidants called polyphenols, which help suppress free radicals. Green tea also stops certain tumors from forming. Green tea lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thereby promotes heart health.  Green tea also lowers blood pressure, prevents and fights tooth decay and dental issues, and inhibits different viruses from causing illnesses. 
10.  Cardamom Tea                                                                 
Cardamom is an evergreen plant that’s grown mainly in India and Guatemala. Both dried white cardamom flowers and the sweetly aromatic seeds are used to make tea.
Cardamom tea has a pungent, sweet and aromatic flavor. Cardamom tea helps treat indigestion, prevents stomach pain, and relieves flatulence. It’s also helpful to drink a glass of cardamom tea if you are feeling nauseous. Cardamom tea fights pulmonary disease where lots of phlegm is present. It also works as a good expectorant and relieves coughs. If you have drunk too many cups of coffee, drink a couple of cups of cardamom tea to help detoxify the caffeine from your system. Drinking a cup of cardamom tea is helpful for women who experience mood swings during their menstrual period.
11. Milk thistle 
When consumed as a tea, milk thistle herb, (not as in dairy milk) is a  gentle liver cleanser. It contains properties that help the liver to regenerate and function at a higher capacity. “Milk Thistle can also assist in the production of bile, which can help with our digestive process. 
12. Rosehip tea 
Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant and are one of the best plant sources of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function. Consider reaching for rosehip tea next time you need a health boost.
 You may want to copy and print these tips for the next time you’re in the tea aisle,  so you can make a knowledgeable selection.
13. Lemongrass                                                                                     
The citrusy tang that comes from the lemongrass plant is favored in cooking as well as tea. Lemongrass teas are often served as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion—primarily due to a substance called citral, also the active ingredient in lemon peels. Though typically enjoyed unaccompanied by other herbs, it can also be blended to create lemon-flavored teas like Lemon Zinger.
14.Echinacea
                                                                              
Echinacea is widely used to prevent or cure the common cold. It’s a powerful herb that contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and have antioxidant effects. The leaves and flowers of the uppermost part of the plant are the section believed to contain polysaccharides (a substance known to trigger the activity of the immune system). 
15.Blackberry leaves                                                                    
 
Picked, dried in the sun and infused with boiling water, blackberry leaves are the essence of most berry-flavored teas. Studies suggest that the leaves contain a healthy dose of flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant activity. 
16. Hawthorn                                                                                      
 
The leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant are used in a variety of peach- and berry-flavored teas. The plant is believed to contain flavonoid-like complexes that help improve cardiovascular health by helping to relax and dilate blood vessels, which increases blood circulation and lessens stress on the heart. Hawthorn berries are also believed to relieve water retention by draining the body of excess salt.
 Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

SRC: See the complete post here: rbgsocialclub.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/16-herbal-teas-with-health-facts-to-put-on-your-grocery-list/

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Tea Drinking Simplified with t-sleeve®


Make drinking tea mess-free, and simplify taking tea on the go with t-sleeve®. Tea sleeve allows you to dispose your tea bag in a recyclable pouch, and transport your tea bag and sweeteners with you when you are on the move. 
The goal of t-sleeve® is to be not only a convenient way to enjoy tea, but to be as eco-friendly as possible. Both the box packaging and t-sleeve® are recyclable. Once t-sleeve®  comes in contact with the moist tea bag, it becomes a compostable product.  Feel good about doing your part for the environment and reducing your carbon footprint.
Product Details
Step by step instructions for t-sleeve®
  1. Place your favorite tea bag and packaged sweeteners into t-sleeve®. Close pouch and take it on the go.
  2. Prior to steeping the tea, remove tea bag from pouch. Feed tea tab through opening at top.
  3. Steep the tea, allowing t-sleeve® to rest outside of cup on string and tea tab
  4. After steeping, pull tea tab up, drawing tea bag into the t-sleeve®.
  5. Once the tea bag is inside, fold in half and squeeze the residual liquid into cup.
  6. Discard the pouch/tea bag into trash receptacle or compost container.
  7. Enjoy your cup of tea!
Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

Russian Tea Recipe

A yummy tea recipe with spices and real juices, packed with vitamin C to fight off the pesty cold that you've been dealing with.


  • 1 gallon + 2 cups of filtered water
  • ½ tsp organic whole cloves
  • ½ tsp organic ground cinnamon
  • 4 bags of organic black tea
  • 6 cups of organic orange juice
  • 6 cups of organic pineapple juice, or one 46 oz can
  • 4 cups of organic apple juice
  • ½ cup of organic lemon juice
  • Optional: ½ to 1 cup of organic cane sugar or other natural sweetener of your choice
  • Directions

    1. Get out two pots – a large stock pot to start your water mixture, and a small one in which to brew your tea.
    2. In the large pot, pour one gallon of water. Bring to a boil on high heat.
    3. In the small pot, pour two cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the four tea bags and reduce heat to low. Let the tea bags steep as you wait for the large pot of water to boil.
    4. When the large pot of water has come to a boil, add the ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and the ½ teaspoon of whole cloves. If you know for sure that you want to add sugar, this is a good time to add it. Once all of these ingredients are combined, pour in the tea that has been brewing.
    5. Next, you’re going to start adding juices. It doesn’t matter what order in which you pour them – just get them all in and stir them well.
    6. If you didn’t add sugar before, now you’ll need to taste the tea and make sure you’re happy with that decision. It’s good without sugar, but a little sour, and my family prefers it with half a cup of sugar added. If you do add sugar, stir well.
    7. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and allow the tea to simmer for a few more minutes to make sure everything is fully combined. This also concentrates the taste more.

    Storage

    Keep in mind that this recipe will make just over two gallons of Russian tea. You’ll need to have a few large containers to hold it all. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat by the cup. The ingredients have a tendency to settle, so shake or stir well before serving.
    Since this is such a big recipe, you may want to save a few jars full of it to give to your neighbors or friends. Even when I’ve kept all of mine, though, it has never gone bad before we finished it.
    Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

    SRC: Find the post for the recipe here: www.diynatural.com/russian-tea-recipe/

    Monday, January 11, 2016

    Celebrate! National Hot Tea Month

    Celebrate with us! This month is National Hot Tea Month. Celebrating entails putting your kettle on the stove, picking out your favorite tea, and kick back to relax with a cup of hot tea. 
    Nothing is quite as relaxing, reassuring or satisfying as a cup of hot tea. Hot Tea Month encourages you to branch out and try new types of tea to fit different moods, tastes and environments; English breakfast tea is great, but why not give green tea, chai tea or other varieties a try?
     Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

    SRC: See more celebrations throughout the year: www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-tea-month/
    SRC Photo: craftedportla.com/national-hot-tea-month/

    Tuesday, January 5, 2016

    Green Tea Facial Toner

    A quick and easy at-home project, this green tea toner is something to refresh your pores anytime. With a few simple ingredients, this toner will save you money on otherwise expensive beauty products. 
    You’ll need: 
    ·2 cups of brewed green tea, cooled
    ·Some sort of essential oil (optional)
    ·A clean spray bottle 
    Brew your green tea and let it cool for a while. Then, water it down a bit and pour it into the spray bottle. If you’d like, mix it with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. I chose lavender (sorry, Marci) because it’s relaxing and fine for all skin types.
    If you’re having issues with breakouts, you could go with tea tree oil. If your skin is oily, try peppermint or rosemary. Or don’t add any oil at all. Do whatever you want. I don’t care. 
    I like to keep the spray bottle in the fridge, because the cool green tea feels very soothing on my skin, which has been irritated lately from stress and a nonstop barrage of tissues and sweater sleeves. Don’t forget to label the bottle just in case your curious roommate (slash boyfriend) should get too curious. It won’t hurt them to consume it, but it’s for your FACE and not their tummy!
     Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

    SRC: Find more green tea at-home recipes here: www.xovain.com/skin/diy-green-tea-beauty-treatments

    10 Teas to Boost Health

    Beyond simply being a beverage that is easy to enjoy, tea has the potential to boost our response to a number of health ailments. Look through this list of 10 herbal teas which can help you boost your health: 
    Chamomile 
    Chamomile flower tea is one of the most consumed teas in the world behind regular black tea. Chamomile flowers have a naturally sweet taste with a hint of an apple flavor. 
    Chamomile is a good herbal source of  Magnesium, and is known as a soothing and relaxing herb. 
    It makes an excellent in the evening or in times of stress because of its mildly sedative and soothing properties. It is an excellent herb for children and can even be an effective remedy for pink eye. 
    Chamomile can be made into a tincture for a more potent effect and to extend shelf life. 
    Mint 
    Mint tea is probably second to Chamomile in popularity among herbal teas. Peppermint tea soothes the digestive track and is helpful for heartburn, nausea and indigestion. I drink it daily in early pregnancy to help alleviate nausea and use it in a homemade digestive tincture. 
    While it is especially helpful during illness, Peppermint is a delicious tea anytime and can be consumed alone or with other herbs to help increase their effectiveness. 

    Raspberry Leaf
    Raspberry leaf is my favorite tea and I drink it daily. It is highly nutritious and especially beneficial for women as it helps balance hormones and is good for the skin. It is often consumed during pregnancy as it can strengthen the uterus and is a good source of Magnesium, Potassium, and B-Vitamins (all important during pregnancy). 
    Raspberry Leaf Tea has a taste similar to regular black tea and can be combined with Stevia leaf to make a naturally sweet tea. I drink it hot in the winer and cold during the summer months and my kids like it iced (and sometimes with chia seeds in it). 
     Herbalists often recommend Raspberry Leaf tea or tincture to women suffering from infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, or painful menses. 
    Sleep Easy Blend 
    My go-to tea when I am having trouble sleeping is an equal mixture of Chamomile, Mint, and Catnip herbs. Catnip has natural relaxing and soothing properties. It is one of the ingredients in my Sweet Dreams Sleep Tincture, which is great at helping kids relax and sleep better, especially during illness. 
    I mix a teaspoon each of Chamomile, Mint, and Catnip herbs in a glass of water for a relaxing nighttime tea that is also great during illness. This same mixture can be used to fill a homemade eye pillow to aid in sleep as well. 
    Lavender Tea
    Lavender is my favorite scent and essential oil but it is too strong to be used alone in a tea. My favorite Lavender Tea recipe is:
    • 1/2 cup Mint Leaf
    • 2 Tablespoons Dried Lavender
    • 2 Tablespoons Stevia (optional)
    Mix all and store in an air-tight container. Use 1-2 tsp per cup of water to make hot or iced tea.
    Chai Tea
    Chai tea is a favorite around our house and we usually make it with Raspberry Leaf tea instead of black tea and with coconut milk instead of regular milk. There are many variations of chai tea recipes and with a little experimenting, you can find the one that you like best. Here is my basic recipe to give you some ideas. 
    When I don’t feel like making my own, I love this caffeine free Firefly Chai that is slightly sweeter than regular Chai and is great for nighttime. If you add a little chamomile and catnip to it, it is a delicious evening drink for kids.
    Herbal Coffee
    Have trouble kicking the coffee habit? While I still love coffee once in a while, an herbal coffee is a great alternative without the caffeine. My favorite one packs a powerful nutritional punch too with Maca powder and dandelion root!
    Stomach Soother 
    For stomach aches or for those prone to digestive troubles, this tea is very calming. The recipe is also very easy:
    • 2 teaspoons mint leaf
    • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
    • Pinch of dried ginger (optional) 
    Pour 1 cup of boiling water over it, steep, covered for 5 minutes and consume. You can also add some grass-fed gelatin powder (about a tablespoon) for a long-lasting soothing effect. 
    Pregnan-Tea
    During pregnancy I drink a special tea that helps keep nausea and digestive troubles at bay and also helps strengthen the uterus. The nettle also provides Vitamin K, an essential nutrient for pregnancy and birth to help with clotting. 
    Many women report having easier and faster labors from using this tea, though my labors are typically 24+ hours even though I go natural, so I may not be the best example! This tea is delicious anytime, but especially during pregnancy. 
    What you need:
    • 4 cups Raspberry Leaf
    • 1/2 cup Mint Leaf
    • 1/4 cup Stevia Leaf
    • 1 cup Nettle Leaf
    Mix and use 1 tablespoon to brew by the glass or 1 cup to brew by the gallon. Add more or less Stevia to taste. Enjoy! 
    Kombucha Tea 
    This herbal tea is consumed cold and requires a culture to make but it is packed with vitamins and probiotics. It is made with regular black tea, though I’m experimenting with making it with coffee as well. Kombucha is a slightly sweet, slightly tangy drink that can be made fizzy like soda if a secondary fermentation is done.
    Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

    SRC: See the full post here: wellnessmama.com/5442/health-boosting-herbal-teas/

    Monday, January 4, 2016

    Enjoy a Cup of Tea with t-sleeve®

    Take a moment to sit back, relax, and enjoy a hot cup of tea. t-sleeve® simplifies enjoying tea by providing a convenient to-go pouch to hold your tea and sweetener through the day, and an easy place to dispose of your dripping tea bag once you're through. 

    Read more about t-sleeve® below and visit www.tsleeve.com/product-details.html to watch it in action. 
    The goal of t-sleeve® is to be not only a convenient way to enjoy tea, but to be as eco-friendly as possible. Both the box packaging and t-sleeve® are recyclable. Once t-sleeve®  comes in contact with the moist tea bag, it becomes a compostable product.  Feel good about doing your part for the environment and reducing your carbon footprint.
    Enjoy Drinking Tea? Try the Best Tea Accessory for enjoying mess-free tea while on the go, with t-sleeve. Order your t-sleeve today at: www.tsleeve.com/purchase-t-sleeve.html

    SRC: Find everything you want to know about t-sleeve® at:www.tsleeve.com/product-details.html