Tenderize Tough Meat
Even the toughest cuts of meat will melt in your mouth after you marinate them in black tea. Place 4 tablespoons of black tea in a pot of warm (not boiling) water and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Remove the leaves with a strainer, and stir in 1/2 cup of brown sugar until it dissolves. Set pot aside. Season up to 3 lbs (1.5 kg) of meat with salt, pepper, onion and garlic. Place seasoned meat in a covered pot or plastic zippered bag and cover with the brewed tea. Refrigerate for one hour, then cook over the grill or in the oven at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until meat is fork tender. - Source: Reader's Digest Assoc., 2007
Perk Up Your Eyes!
You can revitalize tired, achy or puffy eyes. Just measure a teaspoon of our "Jasmine" green tea in a paper tea filter, then soak in warm water for 2 minutes. Place it over your closed eyes for about 20 minutes. The tanins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes. The 20 minute break will help you relax, making your challenges more manageable!
Love Your Heart!
The American Heart Association has designated February as the month to raise awareness to heart disease in women. "Go Red Day" is usually the first Friday in February when we are encouraged to celebrate the passion and energy we have to wipe out heart disease and stroke.
For years, research has suggested that tea drinking is associated with improved cardiovascular health. Recently, clinical studies have found similar positive cardiovascular effects among people who include tea as a part of their daily diets. So, be good to your heart and have a cup of tea!
Get Your Sleep On!
For sweet dreams, try the ancient Chinese tradition of using "dream pillows" made with dried tea leaves. Cut 2 pieces of silk fabric about 6" square, and with right side facing each other, then stitch along 3 edges leaving one side open. Turn the fabric pocket right side out and fill with a blend of white tea and lavender like SenTEAmental Moods "Lovely Day". Tamp down lightly, and stitch along the open side with the fabric edges tucked in. If you have a small silk drawstring bag, that will also work. At night, put this in your pillowcase to help you relax, and have a good night sleep.
February 2015
All "Teas" are not Tea
Tea is produced from the leaves and buds of the camellia sinensis plant grown mostly in southern Asia. Did you know that what we often refer to as "tea" is not really tea? Tisane (pronounced "ti-'zan") is a French word for an herbal infusion. Originally made from pearl barley and barley water, over the years "tisane" has become synonymous with all herbal blends - which are technically not teas. We commonly refer to dried mints, chamomile, lavender, etc. as tea when we brew them. One thing for sure, tisanes have no caffeine.
January is Hot Tea Month
The start of a new year serves as a reminder to do something healthy for ourselves. Brewing a hot cup of tea provides a variety of health benefits according to the USA Tea Council. Thermogenic properties in green and oolong teas promote fat oxidation and may work together with other chemicals to increase weight loss. This is potentially good news for folks who want to begin the new year by loosing weight.
Tea Can Help You Fight Colds & Flu
Tea - green, black, white or oolong - all come from the camellia sinensis plant and contain naturally occurring compounds that reduce the risk of flu. Powerful antioxidants like quercetin, and L-theanine, an amino acid are found naturally in whole leaf tea.
DIY Hardwood Floor Cleaner with Tea
To give hardwood floors a new spring shine, Calie Shackleford at the blog Broccoli Cupcake recommends using boiled tea to mop hardwood floors. She say it imparts a natural, light, fresh scent, plus leaves a brilliant shine. Her technique: Drop three black tea bags into a bowl or bucket, add boiling water, then dunk a mop head or towel into the liquid, wring out and mop as usual.
Tea Perks You Up!
When that morning (and afternoon, and evening) cup of coffee gets boring, consider swapping it for hydrating and metabolism-boosting tea. Aside from its anti-inflammatory properties, studies have shown that the soothing cup of green tea, in particular, has the potential to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes and stroke, and stave off dementia. Oh, and did we mention that four cups a day can burn off an extra 80 calories?