Green Tea, Black Tea, Herbal Tea: Healthful Beverage Choices

Even though the claims may be exaggerated, if you're going to drink much of any beverage other than water, tea is probably your best choice. The health benefits of green tea have been trumpeted in the media recently.
Tea is water plus phytochemicals including caffeine, and very little else unless you add a lot of sugar. Both green and black tea come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. To make green tea, the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. For black tea, the leaves are dried, then fermented and fired.
Both green and black tea contain phytochemicals that have been linked to reduced rates of certain types of cancers. When brewed at normal strength, both contain about half of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. If caffeine is a concern, de-caffeinated teas are available.
Herbal teas are dried leaves of a wide variety of plants, which you steep in hot water as you would regular tea. They are generally caffeine free. Many claims are made for the phytochemicals found in herbal teas, but all we can safely say is: yes, they do contain phytochemicals, which may be beneficial or harmful, depending on the plant used and the amount you drink. If you have hay fever or other allergies, be aware that herbal teas made from plants in the family you are sensitive to can trigger the same reactions.
If you need to drink more than a few cups of a beverage, make it water. That's true for all foods, not just tea. So enjoy your tea, but remember, what is beneficial in moderation may be harmful in large amounts.

Tea appears to be healthful and may contribute phytochemicals to your diet that you would not otherwise get.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at
http://www.DrMirkin.com
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Toenail Fungus Tea Tree Oil Remedy

For many people with toenail fungus tea tree oil is like a magic potion. Anecdotal stories abound of people who have used this essential oil to treat fungal nail infections. It is one of the popular natural healing alternatives to expensive oral prescription drugs feared for their possible side effects, and it is readily available because it is also used as a natural healing treatment for other conditions.
Bottled tea tree oil for fungus comes from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly called the Tea Tree. It is being investigated for its abilities to kill bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses, and there is some evidence that it may indeed be an appropriate weapon against toenail fungus; tea tree oil may soon take its place beside the currently accepted prescription medications for this condition.
These treatments all come under the heading of home remedies: no scientific studies validate their effectiveness. In preparations specifically for toenail fungus, tea tree oil orally!). Tea tree oil for fungus infections can be purchased from homeopathic and alternative medicine suppliers.
Before using toenail fungus tea tree oil toenail fungus remedy.
Learn about the options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to use toenail fungus tea tree oil remedy. He or she may also be able to discuss the treatment successes and failures of other patients. A doctor can provide current information on the prescription drug choices for toenail fungus, and advise you about the cost of treatment and risk of side effects.

Talk to your doctor about your options.

How Green Tea Can Help You To Lose Weight

In the recent years green tea benefits scientists indicated that green tea can also help you lose weight. Green tea has been highly valued in Asia for centuries for it's medical properties.
Even though green tea did contain caffeine it have not change the energy expenditure nor it have significantly change a heart rate. During their research they've made an amazing discovery.
In this respect, green tea or green tea extract is different from most of the prescription drugs for obesity or herbal products like ephedra, which can raise heart rates and blood pressure, and are not recommended for many individuals sensitive to stimulants. That led to a conclusion that green tea helps to lose weight naturally and safely.
Green tea causes carbohydrates to be released slowly. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. The secret of such influence on the body lays in high concentrations of catechin polyphenols.
Which is about 8 extra pounds of weight. This adds up to over 28,000 calories in a year. For example, just by drinking one cup of tea a day or by taking green tea extract in the form of supplement you will burn about an extra 78 calories.

I want you to remember that even a small effect can go a long way when you are dealing with your metabolism. As the result fat is burned faster without being "locked" in the fat sells. This prevents sharp increases of insulin in your blood (insulin stimulates the transformation of fatty acids into fat molecules which are stored as fat droplets).
It means that you will get that "I'm full!" felling faster and as a result consume less food. Lower leptin levels decrease the appetite. There is also clear evidence that green tea's polyphenols (EGCG) helps depressing leptin (a protein produced by fats that plays an important role in how the body manages fat storage through brain signals).
Good luck! Drink a cup of your favorite green tea every day and lose those extra pounds easier and faster. It is quite certain that green tea is now holding promise in various areas of weight loss.
Copyright 2005 Arina Nikitina

The Distinctive Flavor of Earl Grey Tea

Many people find the unique flavor of Earl Grey to be their favorite; smoky and fragrant with hints of citrus, it is reputed to be the tea of choice for Captain Picard from Star Trek.
Although many people consider Earl Grey as a type of tea, any black tea with bergamot flavor added is in fact Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
Origin of Earl Grey
The story of how Earl Grey began is shrouded in mystery and contradiction. The popular myth is that Earl Charles Grey, the prime minister of Britain in 1830, was given the recipe from a mandarin he met while touring China. Versions of the story claim that he had saved the life of the mandarin, and the tea was a special gift of gratitude. Earl Grey was then reputed to have demanded his tea supplier in London recreate the tea for him, and the taste became fashionable, eventually spreading worldwide.
It is a good story, but unlikely to contain much truth. Charles Grey never visited China and the Chinese drink very little black tea in any case, which means the true origin of Earl Grey tea is still a mystery.
What is Bergamot
The bergamot used to flavor Earl Grey comes from a tree that is grown in the south of Italy. A citrus fruit, somewhat like lemon, orange and grapefruit mixed together, the scent is often likened to orange blossom. The oil of the fruit is added to perfume including one of the original Eau de Colognes from Germany. It is sometimes called The Prince's Pear although it is inedible. There is also an herb called bergamot with completely different properties.
Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles. Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to treat depression, and also has anti-microbial effects that can strengthen the resistance of the body to colds and illnesses. Specially made cold presses are used to extract the bergamot essence, which is then stored for at least a year. In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand.
Lady Grey
Lady Grey is still a popular blend today, although it is no longer believed to cause any particular impulses among female drinkers! It was believed that the addition of fruit would calm the effects of tea, so Seville orange, lemon and bergamot extracts were added. When Earl Grey tea was invented, it was considered that tea produced "improper impulses" in women, and thus Lady Grey was invented.
Corinne Waldon enjoys writing many
articles about tea
. To read more of her articles, go to
The Tea Spot
.

Tea and Decaffeination Processing

I was taken by surprise when I recently read an excerpt from a newly released book, written by highly recognized tea industry professionals, that was clearly inaccurate when it came to the topic of decaffeination processing and tea. Decaffeination and tea is a subject that has long been misunderstood not only by consumers but also by industry professionals.
I began questioning my own information on decaf processing and decided the best thing to do was to verify what I believed to be true. I decided to talk with the definitive authority on the subject, Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Association of the USA, Inc (TAUS).
So what do those guidelines consist of? If that was unsuccessful the FDA would be notified and would follow up to see that the necessary changes to processing were made. The first line of defense is the TAUS, who would attempt to correct the issue diplomatically.

So what happens if a group is distributing "decaffeinated tea" that does not meet the standard? There is no sanction, legal or otherwise, for non-compliance. The FDA does not have its own set of guidelines but relies on the expertise of the Tea Association Technical Committee (TATC) for the best practices. Unlike what I thought, decaffeination processing is not regulated by the FDA and adhering to industry standards is completely voluntary. So here is what I learned.

I soon was relieved to learn that my critical information was indeed correct although some of the details need fixing.
The Guidelines
Teas labeled Decaffeinated will contain no more than 0.4% caffeine on a dry weight basis.
Caffeine Free Tea is an inappropriate labeling term for any tea regardless of the degree of decaffeination processing.
There are currently only 2 methods approved for decaffeinating tea leaves, solvent extraction using ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide in the supercritical state. Both are selective for extraction and create no toxicity hazard.
Carbon dioxide is considered the better of the two, keeping more of the benefits and flavor intact.
The Facts
Decaffeinated teas have between 1/3 and 2/3 fewer beneficial components than regular, non-decaffeinated teas.
Both ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide are considered, and subsequently labeled, "natural", because trace amounts of both components exist in the tea leaf, a fine line for many of us who rely on natural to mean exactly that.
"Water process" , aka Swiss Water Process, Natural Water Process etc, sometimes used on packaging, is not recognized by the industry as being anymore effective than pouring off the first brew at home.
While this does eliminate caffeine it is difficult to be sure just how much caffeine is still present and likewise how much health benefits. Then steep as you normally would. Decaffeinating at home by the "water process" would be done by infusing the tea leaves for 30 seconds and pouring off that infusion.
Tea bags will deliver more caffeine in your cup than loose teas because they infuse more quickly.
The amount of tea leaves used, brewing time and water temperature help determine the caffeine content in your cup.
Cultivation, environmental factors, region and growing conditions, while out of your control, do affect the caffeine content in your cup.
1 pound of coffee which yields 40-50 cups. The only time coffee has less caffeine then tea is prior to brewing, 1 pound of tea yields 200 cups vs.
The ONLY government approved decaffeination processing is ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide. Methylene chloride is NOT a guideline or government approved processing method in the United States.
While we have a limited selection of decaffeinated teas, we guarantee all of the decaffeinated teas sold by Teas Etc. Inc. are processed using carbon dioxide
In summation, with the growing public interest in issues surrounding health and food, accurate labeling is likely to become a major issue in the future. Be a wise consumer. Beware of slick marketing and misleading information. Most importantly drink good, quality tea everyday.
© 2006 Teas Etc., Inc
This article may be freely reprinted only in it's enterity and must include the resource box and copyright information.
Beth Johnston, owner of Teas Etc., is a noted tea expert, importer and tea enthusiast. To learn more about life style enhancement, health benefits and the ease of brewing loose leaf teas, sign up for our monthly newsletter at
http://www.TeasEtc.com/newsletter.asp
or visit
http://www.TeasEtc.com
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Benefits of Tea- More Than A Drink

Tea can do a lot more than taste good. Green, black, and oolong teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols which research has shown to help in preventing several forms of cancer, possible reduction in heart attack and stroke, and aides in overall health and well-being. Herbal teas do not usually carry the same polyphenols, but do contain other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that can help in a variety of ways. Seems for every ailment there's an herb, and it all boils down to a good cup of tea.
Here is a few other ways to use specific herbal teas to our benefit. Enjoy!
Ginger tea
- promotes enzymes that promotes digestion and helps with nausea and upset stomachs
Thyme
Breathe over a warm cup to help clear your sinuses or use in hot bath. - is a natural antihistamine and helps fight infections.
Rosehips
- is rich in vitamin K, bioflavanoids, and citrics. Age defiance at it's best!
Shiny horsetail grass
Sipping on this tea is great for your hair, nails, and skin. - richest in silica, an element in tissue repair.
Rosemary tea
- a great hair rinse that promotes hair growth a gentle removing of hair build up
Oatstraw tea
- great for weight loss due to it's high fiber content and richness in vitamins A,D, B1, and B2
Chicory and dandelion tea
- natural appetite suppressants
Chamomile
- helps you sleep and relax
Apple peels
much of the apples nutrition value lies in the peel - brew some in with your regular tea.
Red clover
- in large amounts emulates female hormone which may help ease menopause symptoms
Lemongrass
- mild diuretic
Sassafras
- helps prevent bronchitis
Birch tea
- helps with rheumatism and headaches

Will Drinking Tea Lower Your Cholesterol?

It not only provides the protective coating to the arteries but also produces sex hormones and many fatty acids required by the body. Firstly if we talk about cholesterol, it is a fatty, lipid and waxy substance circulating in the bloodstream. And some how they are successful too but what they never highlight is the side effects attached to it. By seeing this sudden increase many companies are now in a hurry to produce the drug that can reduce the cholesterol level significantly.

Majority of the American population is said to have high level cholesterol and this makes them to suffer from its related diseases. These days cholesterol is creating havoc, as death toll due to this disease is ever rising.
However this theory too is not supported by any evidences. They feel that tea cannot reduce cholesterol but yes can curb the raising the cholesterol. Many experts feel it do but many discard this theory by calling it as a fluke.

But concrete conclusion is still not out. According to the experts tea can also help in reducing the cholesterol level in the body. Among this whole list of medications the new way which has grown immensely is the tea. Nowadays cholesterol reductions medications are selling are like hot cakes in the American market but still many people are unaware of its side effects. But once this fat exceeds its limit it becomes the real threat.
They tend to have some special herbs and shrubs which not only break down the cholesterol. But not an ordinary tea, only green and herbal tea has this feature. According to the myth, tea can reduce cholesterol level in the body as it breaks down the complex and concentrated plaque on the arteries.
So your health is in your hands and takes a wise step in order to have happy and healthy living. That's why despite being so beneficial people still avoid and go in for pills and drugs which are accompanied with array of side effects. But what make people reluctant in drinking it, is the bitter taste of it.

Being in natural state it has many benefits attached to it. Black tea too is of very good use in terms of reducing high cholesterol as it burn the concentrated fat.

Start a Ritual of Tea Time with Your girls

and big girls do too. Little girls love tea parties... hats, little teacups, beads and bracelets.

It's as if it's just part of being a girl ... Can't you just picture it? Tea time!
There are so many great reasons to join up with our friends
across the Atlantic and begin the tradition of afternoon
tea EVERY day, but realizing that we busy moms aren't
ready for a big step like that, let's start with a once a
week ritual to build a fabulous habit and tradition or our
girls to last a lifetime!
Why have weekly teatime?
peaceful.... You'll see... Provide a once a week respite from the craziness of life around a cup of tea. Even for kids these days between school, homework, extra-curricular activities, sports and more homework, life is anything but peaceful.

For most of us life is just a little nutty. Let's face it ladies. It's peaceful. 1.
2. It's fun! As I said above, girls of all ages LOVE the
ritual of tea. Something about pouring the liquid out of
the pot into lovely cups... it's just a little slice of
heaven.
That translates to graceful, gentle, soft...everything that you think of when you're thinking of tea. I may get some hate mail here but when the woman was created, she was created FEMININE! Tea is an excellent time to focus on gentleness and grace. It's feminine.

3.
4. It's memory building. Think of years from now when your
girls will be recounting the fond memories of your weekly
tea together. Better yet, imagine seeing your girls start
the same tradition with their girls.
Opportunities abound in tea time to show your little ladies how to be kind, quiet and caring, as well as how to use a fork, sip without slurping, etc. There is really no easier way to teach your young ladies manners than at a lovely tea table. It's enriching.

5.
For this reason alone I think tea time should be mandatory for families with teenagers. As your girls get older it will be easier for them to share what's been going on will create a culture of conversation. It encourages conversation. 6.
7. It's memory building. Think of years from now when your
girls will be recounting the fond memories of your weekly
tea together. Better yet, imagine seeing your girls start
the same tradition with their girls.
Maybe it's time for you to think about starting the weekly
tradition of tea in your household this week. It's not a
difficult thing to do and resources and books abound on the
topic. Start simple and you'll see... it will become a habit
in no time.
Annette Yen is a home schooling mom of two beautiful
daughters who enjoy tea with their mom often. Having grown
up with the ritual of tea being passed down throughout the
generations, Annette loves sharing her love of teatime with
other moms. Annette is also the owner of the website

http://www.funevents4girls.com
where you can sign up for
her free "Tips for Tuesday Tea Time" newsletter.

Tea and Friendship Go Hand in Hand

Many of us have that one special person in our life that we can always count on. I am not referring to our spouses or our significant others. I am referring to our best friends. These great friends of ours deserve only the best gifts. They most certainly deserve to receive some wonderful best friend gifts.
You can give best friend gifts for practically any occasion. Give one for a birthday or a holiday; or give one "just because." In fact, the latter reason is the absolute best reason to give gifts. After all, these great friends deserve a gift every day of their lives, just for being who they are.
One wonderful idea for best friend gift is a "Tea for Two" gift basket. In this basket, include a teapot and two teacups and saucers. Include two biscuits (on second thought… including a lot of biscuits! And be sure to include a lot of chocolate, as well! Two good friends can go through these items quite quickly!).
There are some excellent books out there on tea and friendship. To make this best friend gift basket truly special, though, include a book. If you decide to give loose tea, add a tea infuser, as well. Also include sugar cubes, honey, and a great variety of tea.
· "A Cup of Christmas Tea" by Tom Hegg and Warren Hanson
· "The Twelve Teas of Friendship: When Friends are Together, It's Always a Celebration" by Emilie Barnes, et al
· "The Red Hat Society ™: Fun and Friendship After Fifty" by Sue Ellen Cooper
· "Tea and Friendship Journal" by Sandy Lyman Clough
· "The Art of Tea and Friendship: Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together" by Sandy Lynam Clough
· "You're Just My Cup of Tea: Our Friendship Warms My Heart" by Camille Ellerbrook
· "Friendship Teas to Go" by Emilie Barnes and Susan Rios
· "Join Me for Tea: Infusing Friendships with Love and Laughter" by Emilie Barnes
· "Sandy's Tea Society: Delighting in Friendships Steeped in Love" by Sandy Lynam Clough
· "A Little Friendship: A Cup of Tea Together Will Make Us Glad and a Little Friendship is No Small Matter" by Renee Locks
This is just one idea of a great many for gifts for best friends. What you decide to give depends entirely on you and your best friend. The important thing is to give a gift that shows him or her exactly how much you care and how much he or she means to you.
Other great things to give to your best friend are two tickets to sporting events, the symphony, ski resorts, etc. You can also reserve an entire day for your best friend, taking him or her out to dinner, on a hike, to the spa, etc.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on tea and friendship and great gifts, please visit
Distinct Gift Baskets
.

Supermarkets, Kimchi and Tea: Spending Time in Seoul, South Korea

All of these new things you would not find in supermarkets in your home country, but they are popular and part of the diet in Korea. In the fruit and vegetable section you see types of fruit that are unfamiliar to you and a few vegetables that you do not recognise. Pig's heads and types of fish you have not seen before for example, become noticeable. Certain things such as yoghurts, washing powders and soft drinks may be pretty much the same worldwide, but a stroll down the meat section in England or America.

I have always felt that visiting a supermarket in a new country is a good way to get an initial insight into the new culture. Before talking more about Kimchi, which I am sure most Koreans have looked for in the index of this book (before considering if this book was worth buying) let's talk first talk about supermarkets in Korea.
In Korea, Chinese medicine seems to be very popular and as a result, supermarkets often stack traditional remedies such as deer antlers, which are thought to be able to give energy and strength. On first seeing them, I thought they looked unappetising, particularly with them being cut into thin bloody slices. They are nevertheless very popular as a remedy and are also quite expensive. I tried a medicine that contained deer antlers extract, ginseng and other herbs and my taste buds did not quite agree with the taste BUT I felt more energetic. I think though that the way in which the taste made me almost jump out of my skin had something to do with the sudden burst of energy I felt. I get the same feeling from drinking a full bottle of Soju!
As well as certain types of meat, Korean supermarkets often offer a great selection of items such as 'Tofu' (dubu) and 'Kimchi'. Tofu comes in many different types in Korea, usually varying according to the consistency. Tofu tastes great in soups, especially in one of my favourite soups 'Sun-Dubu'. I prefer the soft tofu of 'Sun-Dubu', more than the hard Dubu which I also experienced in soups - but cut into slices or diced, and fried.
The speciality of Korea, which I had expected to find everywhere and which was everywhere, is 'Kimchi'. Kimchi may be mentioned many times in this book and it is unavoidable. It is like writing a book about England without mentioning football, pubs and London; or writing about America and not mentioning the 'B' word - Bush or baseball; or writing about the French and not mentioning how much they hate visitors speaking English rather than French in their country.
The importance of Kimchi became clear almost as soon as I arrived in Korea. Not only did the subject of this phenomenon in Korea come up in conversations in classes, but there are also dozens of variations of Kimchi on display in the many supermarkets. It was clear early on from my students, that Kimchi is more than just a food. It is a necessity. A passion. An essential ingredient of Korean culture! Many students told me off how when they go abroad, they miss Kimchi more than anything else. One student said that he missed Kimchi even more than his own family and friends, when abroad.
Ch'ungch'ong Provinces have Gul Ggaktugi (oyster and sliced radishes) and Hobak (pumpkin) Kimchi. Kangwon Province has Chanran (fish paste and sliced radish) Kimchi and Ojingeo Mu-u (squid radish) Kimchi. Cheju island for example, have Haemul (seafood) Kimchi and Nabak (square cut radish). I learned after a few months in Korea that there thought to be over 100 different types of Kimchi and different types of Kimchi according to the area of Korea.
I actually like Kimchi quite a lot and I never hesitated to eat Kimchi when this cabbage, garlic and chilli based food was on the table in front of me. My own favourite is Myeolchi Kimchi - made with a dried fish base and strong seafood taste. Many English teachers in Korea love it as well. I could never eat it for breakfast though. Many people from Anglo countries dislike Myeolchi Kimchi, but they do often like other types of Kimchi. The fact that many Koreans eat Kimchi at every meal including breakfast shows the depth of passion for what is considered a National treasure.
In addition to an amazing colourful display of different varieties of Kimchi, ready-made Korean specialities such as Korean pancakes, cold glass noodles, cooked vegetables and sautéed mushrooms can be found. A warning though! Be careful of Korean bread, as things are not always as they seem. What looks like a normal Western loaf of bread, can when you bite into it, leave you with a mouthful of cream. The centre of the bread is often full of cream and it can be quite a surprise the first time: not because there is anything wrong with cream, but just because you are not expecting it, and you are caught off guard. I do not know why there is cream inside the bread, but there is. It could be because Koreans usually eat rice at every meal, rather than bread, hence bread for Koreans is more like a dessert. Maybe it is a new thing in Korea just to keep the Westerners on their toes!
As an Englishman, the tea section in a supermarket can be very important. Green tea and barley tea are common in many Korean supermarkets and the quality is always good. The problem for an English person though, is that black tea is the most common type of tea drank and in Korea, the only black tea you can normally find is Twinings. Twinings and all other black teas I found in Seoul, were less than half the strength of black teas on sale in England. When I visited the U.S., I always had the same problem finding a good quality cup of black tea so these days when travelling, I usually take some good tea bags (a good brand of Indian tea on sale in England) and a travel kettle. I even have to send it to my English, Australian and South African friends who work in Korea. Tea is probably as important to many British as Kimchi is to Koreans. In the English language there are even expressions which use tea in the expression; such is the importance of tea in British culture. A typical expression is: "I wouldn't visit the South Pole for all the tea in China". Not "(to do something) for all the tea in China" is a common expression in British English to express when there is no way you would do something. Maybe there is a proverb or expression in Korean involving Kimchi.
Travel diary of living in Seoul, South Korea

Making Delicious Iced Tea

It quickly became a drink for all types of weather. It was so refreshing that people realized you could enjoy tea served cold instead of the common hot methods. Louis expo. A tea merchant by the name of Richard Blechynden decided to serve tea over some ice during a St.

Iced tea can trace its' roots back to the heat wave in the year 1904. Many people savor drinking iced tea, especially on a warm summer day.
You can drink these either decaffeinated or not for a little boost in energy when you need it. Some of the popular flavors are peach, mango, strawberry, and raspberry iced tea. It is a refreshing drink when the temperatures are rising.

Simply open the bottle and enjoy. Many of the bottled iced teas you purchase already have these in them for extra flavoring. Iced tea can be sweetened by adding sugar.
Sugar and lemon can be alternatively added to sweeten it up even more. It should be refrigerated for six or seven hours, then strained into a second clean container. With this method, a dry tea leaf should be placed in a clean container that has the right amount of cold water.

The first way is called the cold steeping method. If you are more inclined to make your iced tea there are two methods to try.
The second method of making iced tea is the hot steeping method. One favorite way of doing this is to double the amount of dry tea leaves you would typically use for hot tea, infuse it for approximately 5 minutes, and then pour over a full glass of ice. For the optimum results, let the tea cool down before pouring it over the ice. Alternatively you can try to steep it for approximately 5 minutes in hot water, then pour into a container with a matching amount of cold water. This method will dilute the strong tea flavor and help avoid clouding.
Iced tea can be mixed with lemonade or your favorite fruit juices to create a fruity flavored drink. Bear in mind that by doing this you should make sure that the juice does not overwhelm the flavor of the tea, but complement it instead. Experiment with the mixing ratios for the most desired results. Once you get it right you will be enjoying your iced drink while soaking up the warm sun.
James McDonald writes for findteaonline.com, a website where you can find
flavored tea
products and gift ideas. We have a variety of flavors as well as informative articles on many topics related to tea.

Green Tea - Discover the Benefits Of This Super Antioxidant

"If we do not find time to take care of our health, we will
reluctantly have to find time for our illness"
-Hippocrates
Lately there's a lot of buzz in the news and online about
green tea and its' health benefits, particularly the role of
polyphenols in green tea.
Polyphenols are chemical compounds found in fruits,
vegetables and green tea and further divided into sub groups
called catechins. There are 4 major catechins in green tea
of which EGCG ((-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the
most potent and found in abundance in green tea.
This compound is dubbed the "super antioxidant" because it's
more powerful than the popular antioxidants Vitamin E &
Vitamin C. This super antioxidant eliminates free radicals,
the unstable molecules in the body that are the major cause
of both aging and disease, which continually attack the body
and leave the body vulnerable to disease.
All of which are vital for normal cellular function. They are highly reactive molecules; their activities cause damage to critical structures such as DNA, lipids and proteins. Free radicals indiscriminately kill cells, destroy enzymes and produce toxic chemicals which cause damage to cellular functions. Free radicals disrupt the biochemical processes within cells, and our body's natural defenses become compromised leading to illness.
Free radicals in the body are toxic forms of reactive oxygen
metabolites (ROM). It's ironic that on one hand oxygen
sustains us and on the other hand oxygen can be responsible
for much of the destruction and aging of our cells. Free
radicals are responsible for many ailments including but not
limited to aging, cancer, heart disease, stroke and
arthritis. Without an antioxidant line of defense, your
cells oxidize or breakdown faster thus speeding up the aging
process, it's the free radicals oxidative damage that makes
us age.
Since EGCG contained in green tea is a potent antioxidant it neutralizes free radicals and hence is responsible for the health promoting benefits listed below.
Lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad)-cholesterol levels
Increase HDL (good)-cholesterol levels
Reduce the risk of cancer
Reduce the risk of heart attack
Decrease the risk of stroke
Decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
Enhance immune function
Act as an antibacterial and antiviral agent
Help in weight loss
Boost longevity due to potent antioxidant properties
As mentioned above EGCG is believed to possess 100 times more potency as an antioxidant than vitamin C and at least 25 times more potency as an antioxidant than vitamin C and at least 25 times more potency as an antioxidant than vitamin C and at least 25 times more potency than Vitamin E and protects cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and other potentially fatal illnesses. One cup of green tea usually provides 100-300 mg of polyphenols and contains EGCG in high concentrations.
We're just now scratching the surface of what green tea has to offer, new studies come out constantly that provide data on the effectiveness of green tea can be attributed to polyphenols, particularly EGCG. Green tea has been used for centuries in China for the health benefits it provides.
Green tea comes in various dosage forms but the more popular
versions are the liquid forms and the patch. The patch seems
to be gaining in popularity due to the convenience factor
and delivery of the same amount of the active ingredient of
green tea at a constant rate. Place the patch on the skin
and wear it for 48 hours and replace it every other day. It
can't get any simpler than that :-)
As you can see EGCG is an important component of green tea
responsible for all of the health benefits listed above.
Recent studies also indicate green tea as being effective in
promoting weight loss.
Green tea is truly a 'wonder compound' with a large array
of benefits for improving
health. It's been around for thousands of years and now it
has finally been re-discovered
for our benefit.
For more information please visit the website.
(c)Mayur Vibhakar - All rights reserved.
Mayur Vibhakar is a health professional and editor of

innervibrance.com
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The Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea and Coffee

The Chinese have used green tea to treat disease for many centuries. Today, Western culture is beginning to appreciate the benefits of green tea.
Recent research has revealed some of the health benefits of using green tea including the possible prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cataracts and even cancer.
Studies have shown that drinking green tea helps you burn more calories. Green tea aids weight loss programs.
Green tea can help fight food poisoning, as well. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and subsequent tooth decay. This gives your immune system a boost.

One of the best benefits of green tea is its ability to fight bacteria.
In addition, green tea can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It even helps slow the aging process!
Why is green tea so beneficial? It has to do with the way it is processed.
Steaming the leaves keeps the antioxidants intact. Fermenting oxidizes the antioxidants in the leaves and renders the antioxidant much less effective. Black tea and oolong tea are fermented, but green tea is steamed.
One thing is certain: more is better, so drink as many cups as you like! Recommendations vary from 3 to 10 cups a day. How much green tea do you need to reap all of the great benefits?
Even though green tea has lots of great benefits, many of us are not about to give up our morning cup of coffee. Guess what? No problem!
You will be glad to hear that new studies have shown there are some healthy benefits of coffee drinking.
Coffee seems to offset some of the damage caused by bad habits such as smoking or heavy drinking. Some smokers who also drink coffee have been shown to have less heart disease than other smokers. Some heavy drinkers who also drink coffee regularly have less incidence of liver damage than expected.
Besides the caffeine in coffee, there are other ingredients that are beneficial to our health.
Coffee contains antioxidants including quinines, chlorogenic acid and tocopherols as well as essential minerals such as magnesium. All of these aid glucose metabolism and may, as a result, reduce the risk of diabetes.
Animal studies published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry suggest coffee antioxidants boost the activity of enzymes which may protect against colon cancer.
Trigonelline is another beneficial ingredient in coffee which may help prevent tooth decay. Other benefits of coffee include reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease, helping relieve asthma symptoms and tension headaches, and inhibiting the formation of gallstones.
Now you can enjoy your morning brew with no sense of guilt!

Green Tea: An Effective Weight Loss Solution

Did you know that Green Tea is one of the most effective weight loss supplements that you can consume to help you lose weight?
According to recent studies, when combined with sensible lifestyle changes green tea can help dieters lose weight, burn fat, increase metabolic rate and suppress their appetites. Well, it is.
Unlike black tea which is highly processed and fermented, green tea is made by slightly steaming the freshly gathered leaves, which prevents them from becoming fermented or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are dried by lightly pan frying them in a wok, baking them in an oven or heating them with hot air until they are crispy. The resulting beverage is a greenish-yellow tea with a slightly astringent flavor.
More and more often you'll find extracts of green tea being included in a lot of popular weight loss products today.
One of the main reasons for this is because of one of green tea's chief ingredients. Polyphenols, which are responsible for the color of the leaves of some plants, are a group of substances found in green tea. These polyphenols benefit weight loss by helping the body to burn fat naturally by increasing body heat and energy expenditure.
Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, preventing sharp increases in blood-insulin levels. This promotes the burning of fat.
Another of the main ingredients in green tea is antioxidants. Antioxidants are organic substances, like vitamins A, E and C which are thought to be effective in helping protect the body against the harmful effects of free radicals - which cause the destruction of living cells, cancer, stroke and heart disease.
One of the most extraordinary characteristics about green tea is that studies have shown it is about 200 times more potent an antioxidant than Vitamin A, Vitamin C, E or curcumin in some instances. Additionally, just one cup of green tea has more antioxidant effect than a serving of strawberries, spinach or carrots.
in 8 ounces of coffee. in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg.

in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. of caffeine in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. There are approximately 30 to 60 mg. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee. Caffeine is another component in green tea which scientists think plays an important role in green tea's ability to help people lose weight.
Combined with Polyphenol compounds, caffeine in green tea acts as a stimulant to the body to help promote fat loss. In a recent study, participants taking green tea extract and still following normal diet experienced a significant increase in their energy expenditure.
The researchers concluded that participants using green tea extract had increased fat oxidation beyond what could be attributed to the caffeine they consumed.
This indicates that green tea may be an excellent alternative to many stimulant-based diet aids.
If helping people to lose weight was not enough, green tea provides additional health benefits far and beyond weight loss, including:
Protects against Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's
Fights cavities and helps stop tooth decay and gum disease
Prevents osteoporosis
Protects against ovarian cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and prostate cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Helps the body to fight viruses
Controls high blood pressure
Normalizes healthy bacteria in the intestines
Helps prevent heart disease
Thus far, no harmful side effects have been found in drinking green tea or taking green tea extract capsules. This makes green tea one of the best health supplements available for weight loss and overall health.
Patricia has been interested in health and fitness since the early 70's and knows how to seperate hype from fact.

How To Get Rich In Tea Business

Further more, you may attempt different ways of tea making, of your own, to find out the best suited to your taste buds! Sometimes, you will have some more interest like ‘making a tea drink' also. know you as a tea lover, interested in enjoying the taste and flavor of a tea, sip by sip from a cup.
You will occupy the kitchen with one or two brands of tea and try them differently to make and enjoy the tea drink!
They will never try to make it even for the sake of fun! Some people will limit their efforts only towards drinking a cup of tea made by others at home or restaurants.
But, you have decided to go farther from just tasting tea for getting refreshment!
Soon, you will enter into a business that will make you taste the real richness of tea and richness of money embedded inside the trade. If you are already in this business, you will not hesitate to take in more mantras to make big money!
There are seven mantras (steps) to bring success into any endower; they are very much applicable to this trade also: These principles are drawn from a German concept. We should honestly accept that in any business "the prime thing is people and the ultimate is also people".
Then, we need to adopt these success components one by one to bring in more people into our business and there by more money without loss of time and energy!
These seven wise principles may be described as seven wonders that bring extraordinary success to any business activity!
Now, you are going to learn about their applications in this lucrative tea business! They are: open mind, common sense, concentration, specialization, division of labor, extravert activity, and target oriented approach.
Choose a target of customers and satisfy them to a higher level. By division of labour, one should split the work and do them easily.Do participate in the extravert activity to inform about the super blend to the outside world. Become a specialist by repeatedly doing the skill.

Apply common sense to innovate and concentration to learn the scientific tea tasting. Apply common sense to innovate and concentration to learn the techniques of tea tasting initially. In a short description, I shall tell you that the entrepreneur should have an open mind to learn the techniques of tea tasting initially.
We reiterate that the key factor in this business is learning the scientific tea testing, tasting and blending techniques to be applied in the process of procurement and sales.
You may visit:
http://www.teablends.blogspot.com
RESOURCES:
FROM MY OWN RESEARCH ON THOUSANDS OF TEA SAMPLES AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCES.

Gevalia Kaffe Is In The Coffee And Tea Business

In the United states is the products sold as an expensive and ultra premium coffee brand. Gevalia is a mainstream supermarket brand in Europe. In 1971 it was bought by Kraft foods.

For 120 years it was a family based company. in Sweden in 1853. It was started by Victor Engwall & Co. Gevalia is the large coffee roastery in Scandinavia. Gevalia is based in Gavle, Sweden (Gavle is known by the name Gevalia in Latin).

Gevalia Kaffe is a coffee roastery selling coffee and tea in Europe and North America.
In the United States Gevalia began its sales via mail order delivery service. They are famous for the introductory offer of a free coffeemaker for purchasing its coffee. Gevalia offers more than 30 varieties of coffee and 13 varieties of tea. The wide variety is to satisfy different tastes and occasions of even the most discriminating coffee and tea lovers. In the U.S. The coffee can be purchased by calling 1-800-GEVALIA or by visiting the website at www.gevalia.com. Gevalia coffee and tea is vacuum sealed immediately after roasting to ensure preservation of taste and standards. Gevalia is available by home delivery and a catalog is available on request.
The company is also involved in community service of coffee growing nations like Columbia and is involved in medical aid, food relief and education in these countries.
Product Guarantee: Gevalia gives 100% guarantee on its products and will refund money 100% in case you are not satisfied.
Payment: Payment can be made at the address, Holmparken Square, PO Box 6275, Dover, DE 19905-6275. The catalog can be obtained at the same address. Online payment can be made by Visa, Master card, Diners club car, American Express and Discover card. It is advisable to become a member at Gevalia.com before purchase, as it can help you to locate your shipment.
Customer Care. Customer care service is available at 1-800-438-2542 at all times. Customer service is also available by email on customerservice@gevalia.com
The shipping rates for purchases up to $25 is $7 and increases with the amount of purchase. Expect delivery within 2 weeks. Delivery: Delivery is sent through UPS.
Gift Wrapping and Other Products: You can also gift wrap your purchase if you want to send the premium coffee or tea as a gift to your friends. The gift wrapping cost is around 5$. A message card is also available on the gift wrapping. Gift certificates are also available at Gevalia. Occasionally Gevalia also adds free samples that they want to promote at no extra cost. At Gevalia.com a wide variety of beautiful coffee mugs, tea sets, coffee sets, tea tables, tea pots, wall clocks, crates, flasks etc are available at reasonable rates.
Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.
A related resource is
GEVALIA
Further information can be found at
Tips & News

Gevalia Kaffe Is In The Coffee And Tea Business

Gevalia Kaffe is a coffee roastery selling coffee and tea in Europe and North America. Gevalia is based in Gavle, Sweden (Gavle is known by the name Gevalia in Latin). Gevalia is the large coffee roastery in Scandinavia. It was started by Victor Engwall & Co. in Sweden in 1853. For 120 years it was a family based company. In 1971 it was bought by Kraft foods. Gevalia is a mainstream supermarket brand in Europe. In the United states is the products sold as an expensive and ultra premium coffee brand.
Gevalia is available by home delivery and a catalog is available on request. Gevalia coffee and tea is vacuum sealed immediately after roasting to ensure preservation of taste and standards. The coffee can be purchased by calling 1-800-GEVALIA or by visiting the website at www.gevalia.com.

In the U.S. The wide variety is to satisfy different tastes and occasions of even the most discriminating coffee and tea lovers. Gevalia offers more than 30 varieties of coffee and 13 varieties of tea. They are famous for the introductory offer of a free coffeemaker for purchasing its coffee. In the United States Gevalia began its sales via mail order delivery service.
The company is also involved in community service of coffee growing nations like Columbia and is involved in medical aid, food relief and education in these countries.
Product Guarantee: Gevalia gives 100% guarantee on its products and will refund money 100% in case you are not satisfied.
Payment: Payment can be made at the address, Holmparken Square, PO Box 6275, Dover, DE 19905-6275. The catalog can be obtained at the same address. Online payment can be made by Visa, Master card, Diners club car, American Express and Discover card. It is advisable to become a member at Gevalia.com before purchase, as it can help you to locate your shipment.
Customer Care. Customer care service is available at 1-800-438-2542 at all times. Customer service is also available by email on customerservice@gevalia.com
Delivery: Delivery is sent through UPS. Expect delivery within 2 weeks. The shipping rates for purchases up to $25 is $7 and increases with the amount of purchase.
Gift Wrapping and Other Products: You can also gift wrap your purchase if you want to send the premium coffee or tea as a gift to your friends. The gift wrapping cost is around 5$. A message card is also available on the gift wrapping. Gift certificates are also available at Gevalia. Occasionally Gevalia also adds free samples that they want to promote at no extra cost. At Gevalia.com a wide variety of beautiful coffee mugs, tea sets, coffee sets, tea tables, tea pots, wall clocks, crates, flasks etc are available at reasonable rates.
Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.
A related resource is
GEVALIA
Further information can be found at
Tips & News

Green Tea & Caffeine

So you've heard that green tea is good for you, and have considered trying some out to see what the big fuss is all about. If you have checked out what is on the typical grocery store shelf, you most likely have seen green tea bags of various descriptions. Sitting amongst these is usually a decaffeinated type as well. If one wants green tea but at the same time does not want the caffeine, most people would assume all they need to do is go for the decaffeinated version. Unfortunately, it's not quite so simple. What most people are not aware of is that the decaffeination process pretty much ruins the major health benefits associated with green tea. There are numerous reasons for this, but to understand why you need to have an idea on how green tea is processed. It all has to do with oxygen.
Decaffeinated green tea is just about unheard of in Japan, home of the world's finest green teas. There really is no place in the processing where a decaffeination process would work and not ruin the tea. This processing involves steaming, rolling, and drying, and takes about three hours start to finish.

Although it comes from the exact same species of plant (Camellia Sinensis) as black tea, it is picked and then process immediately to prevent oxidation of the leaves. Green tea, however, is not like that. This gives black tea its unique taste. When you drink regular English tea, those leaves have been exposed to oxygen and fermented that way on purpose. That is from contact with the air, or more specifically, the oxygen in the air.

Notice how it starts to turn brown? Think about what an apple looks like after it's been cut and sitting on the counter for an hour.
Quite often, the second infusion is greener than the first, although it won't be quite as aromatic or tasty. Since nearly all of the caffeine is in the first infusion, getting a quality decaf green tea is going to be better than the best decaffeinated green tea out on the market. As much of a shame as it seems to be to dump the first infusion (which has the most taste and best aroma), rest assured that the 2nd infusion of a high quality loose leaf Japanese green tea, preferably from the first harvest. That said, if it's a caffeine free cup of quality green tea is as simple as brewing an infusion, dumping it, and then re-brewing.

That's slightly less than regular black tea just a fraction of the caffeine in coffee. No, it is possible, but first it's important to know that green tea does not have high caffeine content, only about 30mg per cup. So does that mean one cannot drink decaffeinated green tea?
Based out of Japan, in addition to offering a wealth of information on the health benefits of green tea, O-Cha.com offers a large selection of loose leaf green tea, matcha, and tea brewing supplies. Kevin Moore is the founder of O-Cha.com, one of the internet's first and largest websites dedicated to Japanese green tea.
http://www.o-cha.com
Contact him at
kevinrm@o-cha.com

How to Read Tea leaves for Fun or Profit

The ancient art of reading tea leaves in a cup is quite simple, and can be learned in a very short time. Although psychics throughout the ages have used it as a system of divination, any one can learn to master the techniques involved. Before long you will be making predictions about the future for friends and family. You don't need to posses any psychic ability; all that's really required is patience to understand the various symbols and their meanings. However, as with all divinatory systems constant use can have the effect of developing and stimulating your natural intuitive ability.
Adding clairvoyancy to the skill will give you a deeper insight into the metaphysical energy surrounding the process. Reading tealeaves is a fun way of stimulating the imagination and tapping into the unconscious mind and listening to your inner self for answers to problems or dilemmas that you may have. The process also links in with Carl Jung's theory of the ‘Collective uconsciousness', where by ones intuition isn't limited by the constraints of space or time. It's through this that tealeaf readers can look into a persons past, present or future.
The ancient practice of interpreting patterns made by tealeaves in the cup is called Tasseography, otherwise known as tasseomancy or tassology. "Tasse" or "tass" is an Arab word, meaning small cup or goblet. The art also includes the reading of coffee grounds and wine sediments. In China and Japan tea drinking had a ceremonial use and an aid to meditation. A reader would watch for omens in the patterns and shapes left after drinking the tea. Although tealeaf reading is associated with Gypsy fortune-tellers and Victorian parlour games it's roots began in Asia, ancient Greece and the Middle East. In recent history it has close ties with Scottish, and Irish tradition as well as throughout Eastern Europe.
Historically, a psychic often had a special cup that he or she would use for readings. Likewise a special spoon may be used to give it a sense of ritual. The cup, saucer and spoon should be first washed or cleansed by immersing it in hot soap and water and rinsing it with cold. Modern day psychics use cups with astrological markings printed on the inside. This not only gives a reading from the tealeaves but also provides information based on the astrological signs. The cup should have a wide brim and should be plain inside as any pattern would conflict with the interpretation of the leaves
Boiling water is poured over the tea as the person receiving the This is seen as being similar to shuffling tarot cards before a reading. Boiling water is poured over the tea as the person receiving the reading stir the dried leaves before spooning them into the teacup or pot. This is seen as being similar to shuffling tarot cards before a reading. Boiling water is poured over the tea as the person receiving the reading stir the dried leaves before spooning them into the teacup or pot.

This is seen as being similar to shuffling tarot cards before a reading. Some psychics ask that the person receiving the reading stir the dried leaves before spooning them into the teacup or pot. The person having the reading would be asked to spoon a measure of tea into a heated pot or directly into a china cup. Jasmin or Erl Grey etc. Typically psychics choose not to use small commercially produced tealeaves but opt for the larger type i.e.

Part of the ritual of reading tea leaves is in the act of sitting down and enjoying the tea in the company of fellow drinkers as this allows you to relax and gather your thoughts.
When the tea is cool enough to drink the person receiving the reading sips the liquid whilst continuing to concentrate on the question. The person having his or hers tealeaf read should leave about a quarter of an inch of tea at the bottom of the cup. The cup should then be swirled around with the left hand three times in a clockwise direction so that the tealeaves are in a state of suspension. It is then flipped quickly facedown onto a napkin, which has been placed on the saucer thus leaving the tealeaves on the bottom and sides of the cup.
Some psychics say that images facing anticlockwise represent the significance is departing, whilst images facing clockwise mean the person requesting the reading is moving towards the occurrence. The leaves near the brim of the cup have more importance than those near the bottom. The leaves near the brim of the cup is divided into twelve months with the six month position being directly facing the handle.

The leaves near the brim of the cup is divided into twelve months with the six month position being directly facing the handle. Making a mental note of what you see; begin reading the cup clockwise, the handle representing the day of the teacup reading should be facing the reader The rest of the cup is divided into twelve months with the six month position being directly facing the handle. In order to interpret the images it may help if you slightly squint your eyes as you look at the leaves and allow your imagination to roam.
Iterpretation of the symbols can be either exactly as they appear, for example a house, may mean contentment and home, or symbolically ie combined with a bell may mean good news or an invitation on it's way. Contradicting images imply indecision in the person's mind. Sometimes the top of the cup is seen as lucky and the bottom is seen as unlucky, but you should use your intuition and common sense when deciding this. The size of the symbol may give you clue to its importance. The rim represents the present or things that may happen within a few days or weeks. The sides predict the future. The bottom predicts the very distant future.
You may find that certain symbols have a particular meaning for you alone and vary from the meanings listed below The secrete is to trust your intuition and gut feelings. The same applies to the art of tealeaf reading the more proficient you will become at it. Like learning most things the more you practice the better you will get.
Symbols and Interpretations :
Teapot :- Warm-loving friends. Trees :- A new start. Scales :- Decisions need to balance things. Ring :- Changes for the better.

Mountain :- Problems, but conquerable. Ladder :- promotion, improvement. Key :- Solutions revealed soon. Heart :- Happy emotional things. Gate :- Change of circumstance, confidently proceed.

Fish :- Spiritual progress. Flag :- Stay fast for good fortune. Dog :- A faithful friend. Dagger :- Fallout or plotting ahead. Cobweb :- something guarded or secure.

Cross :- Problems but outcome positive. Moon :- Changes. Clock :- Act now, a meeting soon to happen. Butterfly :- None serious about a relationship. Bottle :- Allurement, good social life.

Book :- Look for further information. Bird :- Good fortune on its way. wedding etc. Bell :- Good news i.e.

Angel :- A blessing from your guides. Anchor :- A journey ends. Aeroplane :- Travel, going up in the world.
Paula is a gifted psychic and the owner of
www.email-a-psychic.co.uk
and
www.psychic-trudy.co.uk
where your personal questions will be answered professionally and compassionately by Email.

Make the Switch! Coffee to Tea

Research shows that green and black teas have up to 8-10 times the antioxidants as fruits and vegetables which can add significantly to your health. The health benefit of drinking tea is chalked up to one explanation, antioxidants. Evidence shows by switching to tea you can add some significant health benefits. Having a hard time giving up your 4 cups of coffee each day?
Beware of doctoring up your tea with too much milk because this has been found to decrease the antioxidants. You can find these benefits in black, green, oolong and even iced teas! The research has found that regular tea drinkers - people who drink two or more cups per day - have less heart disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels, and they may recover from heart attacks faster.
Don't despair coffee lovers! There are some teas out there that you may find match up to your love of coffee. For instance, Chai tea uses ginger and cardamom which overpowers the taste of the black tea but offers a rich, full bodied taste which is perfect for coffee consumers! Vanilla nut teas also tend to override the black tea taste for a richer flavor. Try some tea today to better your health!
©, 2005 Meri Raffetto
About the Author

Green Tea and Your Health

Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in China since ancient times. It was said to have many health benefits and be a remedy for many ailments. It is also said that the Japanese owe their slim figures to green tea.
Today, scientist in Asia and the west are providing scientific evidence that green tea is the main cause of this.
Green tea has been shown to do many things including:
- Inhibit the growth of new cancer cells and kill existing cancer cells
- Promote weight loss helping the body burn up to 10 percent more body fat.
- Increase energy expenditure up to 4 percent.
- Prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
- Reduce the risk of colon, breast, and lung cancer.
- Boost the immune system.
- Have an anti-inflammatory effect making it a good supplement for those with arthritis.
- Help in the prevention of tooth decay.
Green Tea Differs from Other Types of Tea
By doing this the leaves remain green and active substances that are contained in the leaves keep their healthful qualities. Made from the plant so that oxidation of the leaves is prevented. What makes green tea different from other tea is the process in which it is made.
Side Effects of Green Tea
Thus making green tea one of the best supplements available. There are no reported harmful side effects in drinking green tea or taking green tea extract capsules.
Use of Green Tea
There are 2 ways of supplementing your diet with green tea:
- Drinking green tea: 2 to 3 cups daily.
- Green tea capsules or tablets: 2 capsules or tablets of green tea extract daily.

How To Properly Plan And Host A Bridal Shower Tea Party

In case you want an elaborate party, it is best to outsource the entire preparation to the wedding planner who you have chosen for the wedding. To avoid too elaborate planning and arrangements simply plan a bridal shower tea party, which can be a lot of fun with little confusion or headache. But in this day and age people have very little time for too complicated affairs to be arranged.

A bridal shower is meant to pamper your little girl or your best friend before they begin a whole new life. All weddings are special occasions.
The history of Tea Parties
The other is the "high" tea party where the tea is served with heavy snacks or a meal later in the evening. Most people enjoy snacks being served with tea. It soon spread to all classes and all countries around the world as an immensely popular and extravagant affair.

The British working class, who loved to relish their tea in leisure during breaks, originally established tea parties.
Most of the time the best of linen, teapot warmers, silver ware and china are used to add grace to the party. If the bridal shower is over high tea, use fine silver, scented candles and small dim lights along with mellow music. This lends an air of refined and elegant ambience. But if you like a lot of jazz and dance then you should definitely arrange for a groovy DJ who will rock your party with the latest music and shaking bodies.
Add the personal touch with the bride's name on the special cake and decor. Snacks for the afternoon tea party should be fluffy and tasty biscuits, sandwiches, sweets, teacakes, salads and cookies with very light desserts. For an afternoon tea party, serve in a buffet style with appropriate decorations for the various dishes on offer.
Guests can also narrate various stories and anecdotes on love to celebrate the eternal joy of wedding. Bridal shower games are meant to be entertaining and fun. One other thing that most people like to do at bridal showers is to play games.

You can also make it memorable with jazzy songs and performances for entertainment. Create fantastic favors for the bridal shower with innovative flower and gift arrangement.
The sky is the limit! You can pick from any colors and play any type of games that you think would be something the bride would enjoy. You do not have to stick with the usual bridal shower. There are numerous different styles of bridal showers you can throw.
Find more about this as well as Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida.
gourmet party appetizers
at
http://www.gourmetpartyappetizers.com

Coffee Or Tea - Which Is Better For You?

Most people cannot function without either their morning cup of coffee or tea. While, it's mostly the caffeine that gets people going, a side benefit from drinking these beverages is that you may be boosting your immune system and helping to fight disease.
While the health benefits of drinking green tea have been much publicized, few people realize that drinking coffee can have health benefits as well but recent studies show that coffee may share some of the healthy attributes that green tea has shown.
Both coffee and green tea have been shown to contain compounds which have antibacterial properties that can help prevent tooth decay and may help to fight food poisoning. All of which help in glucose metabolism and result in those who regularly drink coffee having a reduced risk of diabetes. Like green tea, coffee has antioxidants including quinines, chlorogenic acid and tocopherols as well as essential minerals such as magnesium.
Green tea has been shown to have a role in the prevention of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and to help boost your immune system. In addition, green tea may also help you lose weight and is said to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol as well as slow the aging process.
Coffee is said to contain compounds that boost the activity of enzymes which may protect against colon cancer (according to animal studies published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry). Other health benefits of coffee include a reduced risk of developing Parkinsons Disease, help in relieving asthma symptoms, stopping tension headaches, and inhibiting the formation of gallstones.
Some say 10 cups a day, others say you can experience the benefits with 3 cups a day. While most everyone agrees that the caffeinated should only be taken in small amounts (no more than 3 cups of coffee a day) to avoid the addictive qualities of the caffeine, it's a bit more vague on how much tea is recommended. When it comes to the question of how much coffee or tea you need to benefit the answers can be a bit confusing.

TEA for TWO, For BABY and YOU!

It can help relieve the following conditions: It is an anti-allergic nutritional supplementary drink and is suitable for babies from birth. Baby Rooibos Tea is naturally good for your baby.
Colic Insomnia Food Allergies Stomach Cramps Eczema
Rooibos Tea has been a trusted solution for the above conditions for the last three decades amongst South African mothers and more recently, mothers worldwide.
Rooibos Tea contains the soothing and relaxing flavonoid quercetin with anti-spasmodic properties and luteolin an anti-inflammatory antioxidant. Rooibos tea has a dramatic calming and soothing effect when added to allergic babies' bottles and promotes good sleeping patterns.
Furthermore, Rooibos has anti-allergic properties because it contains the unique flavonoid aspalathin, which only occurs in the Rooibos plant.
Scientists have found that Rooibos Tea has the following properties:
 Anti-allergic  Anti-bacterial  Anti-ageing  Anti-spasmodic  Anti-viral  Anti-oxidant  No caffeine  Low tannin  Rich in Minerals  Anti-carcinogenic
The tea goes through strict pasteurisation and sterilisation processes to ensure it is up to baby's standards! The Tea has a naturally sweet and fruity taste. Even better, no sweeteners are necessary. Because Rooibos Tea is low in tannin, it will not deplete baby's own natural iron reserves.

The Tea does not replace baby's normal bottle or breastfeeding, but is a Nutritional, Anti-Allergic, Calming Supplementary drink. Replace juice or water with Baby tea for a nutritional supplementary drink, you can even use Baby tea instead of water, when mixing baby's normal bottle-feed. Rooibos Baby Tea contains all the essential minerals and trace elements needed to give your baby the best start in life.
Favoured by families worldwide, Rooibos Tea is highly regarded for its unique health benefits and has powerful rejuvenating and antioxidant properties. ROOIBOS TEA IS GOOD FOR MUM & DAD TOO!
In combination with the tea's naturally high Vitamin C content (1,5mg/ml), they act as anti-oxidant compounds to protect your family against diseases like cancer. The Rooibos plant contains a number of different flavonoids, which help to neutralise the effect of these free radicals. Anti-oxidants help to reverse and prevent free radical damage to our bodies.
The Japanese, who have studied Rooibos Tea extensively, and in particular its anti-ageing qualities, actually call Rooibos tea "Long Life Tea".
She strived to gain all the knowledge she could and to utilise the full potential of the plant's unique properties. At that time, there was hardly any information available on the natural therapeutic properties of Rooibos Tea and Dr Theron set out to find out as much as she could about this remarkable plant through her own investigations. The Tea had such a calming and soothing effect on her own allergic baby daughter that she felt she wanted to share it with mothers all over the world.

In 1968, Dr Annique Theron made the amazing discovery that Rooibos Tea not only alleviates allergies internally, but also externally.
Dr Theron published a book: Allergies: an Amazing Discovery on the anti-allergic qualities of the Rooibos Plant.
Dr Theron received International Acclaim from the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 1997 and received the Woman Inventor of the Year Award for her discovery of the beneficial properties of the Rooibos Plant, Aspalathus linearis and for the application of her Patented Rooibos Extract in skin-and healthcare products.
Rooibos Tea is a healthy and nutritious drink for the whole family, from Baby to Grandma and Grandpa.

Private Label Loose Teas vs Private Label Tea bags

More choices, options, colors and kinds can make any decision difficult. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas, as the number of companies grow, so to does the difficulty. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas.

In a rapidly growing tea industry, a variety of companies are looking to expand their product base by adding a line of private label teas.
But now with the rise of Gourmet tea bags, where a high quality loose tea is included in the tea bags, all of the sudden this is a very real, and potentially better option. Though originally the choice was private label loose teas, now many companies are looking to add a line of private label tea bags was far lower than the private label loose teas.
This is where a vast majority of competition is. Either high quality loose teas that are green tea, black tea or oolong tea, or regular tea bags with low quality green tea and black teas in them. For those looking to enter into the tea industry, and have done their research have found that there are a vast number of "standard" teas on the market.

One of the reasons that the market is growing so fast however, is the nearly endless number of possibilities; differentiation. An industry such as tea is rapidly growing, which means the number of competitors is also, rapidly growing; a barrier to entry.
And as non tea drinkers are looking to improve their health, but have been turned away by the bitter taste of green teas, your Private Label Herbal Teas will be their to save them. Also high health benefits of the herbal teas and smooth taste makes them a favorite among tea drinkers as well as chunk of the population, non-tea drinkers. The reason is due to a significantly lower number of competitors and a potentially endless number of herbal blend options.

This is where a high percentage of growth in the tea industry can be found. If a company is interested adding Private Label Loose Teas to their product base, the best option would be to have loose Organic Herbal Teas, and Organic Herbal Tea Blends. But now, we can look at the options.
So if we could mix the two, High quality Loose Tea (either herbal or standard) and the easy use of a tea bag, then this would allow the company to differentiate their product whether using "Standard" teas or unique herbal blends, instead of with loose teas where only the unique herbal blends will allow your Private Label Tea to truly stand out. This is large reason why commercial tea bags have become so popular despite their general low quality. Loose tea takes more time to make, special tea utensils, all of which may not work well in this every day reality. But for any tea drinker, and especially non tea drinker, who lives in the modern day reality of a hustling and bustling business world, loose tea may not be the best option.
And overall, which is best for you ? Which part of the industry do you see fits with not only today's market, but also tomorrow's ? Which part of the industry do you see the most growth and most potential?

This is a very important part of the decision tree when looking to either add a new product to your already established company, or looking to start a company from scratch.

Insomnia Fighters - Tea Recipe And Home Made Sachet Instruction To Help You Sleep Better

Excerpt from "...Healthy Sleep: A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies!"
Lavender
angustifolia and others) is a shrubby flowering bush indigenous to the mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean and is considered have been first domesticated by the Arabians, then later spread across Europe by the Romans. Lavender (L.
Lavender was brought to North America by the Pilgrims and was one of the first garden plants imported to Australia in the 19th century. It can be found in abundance in the wild in many parts of the world as well as being garden grown in a sunny, well-drained area, preferably in mildly alkaline soil. The smaller species will also grow quite easily in well-drained pots. This popular flowering herb's essential oil has been demonstrated to depress the central nervous system in a manner comparable to pharmaceutical tranquilizers.
In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a brewed tea, it may also used in the form of an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant. Lavender is very useful and effective in its usage as a sleep aid.
Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is absorbed quickly. Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the muscles or its aroma can be inhaled for a calming effect.
The essential oil leaves and flowers can also be employed in a sachet underneath the pillow. It is widely used in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply dabbed on a tissue and breathed in.
It should be noted that allergic contact dermatitis has been documented in some individuals applying lavender products externally.
To safely detect an allergic reaction it is always a good idea to do a spot test before administering a full application.
Also note that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing — some, such as Spanish lavender, can have just the opposite effect.
Lavender Mint Tea (One serving)
Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers)
* 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried mint)
* 1 cup boiling water
* Rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose geranium may also be added for an interesting multi-herb herbal tea.
Preparation:
The infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed with a strainer. Pour boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes. In a teapot or saucepan combine the lavender flowers and mint (either loose or using a tea infuser).
Homemade Lavender Sachet
You will need:
* Lavender plant (stems, leaves or buds)
* Lavender essential oil
* A handkerchief
* 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4" ribbon and 1 regular size)
* Thread
* Ribbon (1/4" wide)
It should be easy to find all the necessary items listed above from your local craft or floral supply store. You may use lavender harvested from your own plants or order the lavender buds online (just enter "lavender" or "lavender buds" into your favorite search engine to find an online retailer).
Instructions:
You can iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or simply leave it as is. Fold handkerchief in half, and then fold it in half again. 1.
Now, sew three sides together using needle and thread (or a sewing machine). 2.
The end result will be a lot like a beanbag. Be sure to use a lot of plant material, but don't stuff it too tight. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and proceed to fill it (like a pillow) with lavender plant pieces and/or buds.

3.
Sprinkle the pieces with lavender essential oil. 8 to 10 drops should be more than enough.
Thread your large needle with 1/4" ribbon and loosely thread to keep the plant materials inside your homemade sachet. 4.
Tie the whole thing off with a knot. 5.
6. Enjoy your new sachet
Valerian Root
It flowers in late spring. In the wild, Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is found in high pastures and dry heath land.
The principle components used for medicinal purposes are the roots and rhizomes, which are typically harvested in September and then dried to produce the commonly available herbal product.
George's Herb, Sets Wale, Set Well, and Vandal Root. Valerian is also known by various folk names: All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon's Trailer, Cat's Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St.
Unlike many other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of the effects of valerian root it is necessary to use it on a regular basis, with the full effects coming to fruition slowly and steadily over time.
Regular use of valerian root promotes deep relaxation and sleep. It should be used for about one month to produce results.
Studies suggest that valerian is by far the best natural solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness for most individuals.
Chauffard, Ph.D., at Nestlé Research Laboratories in Switzerland, determined that a 450 mg dose of valerian in an aqueous extract is the optimum dose as an insomnia treatment; a higher dose typically results in grogginess without increasing effectiveness, and therefore care should be taken when administering valerian as a treatment for insomnia. Leatherwood, Ph.D., and F. Research by P.D.
Furthermore, in 1982 Leatherwood and colleagues performed a double-blind crossover study of 128 subjects, which found valerian root to not only be effective as a sedative for insomnia, but also effective in improving the overall quality of sleep in test subjects.
The effects of valerian on the body are similar to that of benzodiazepine, an active ingredient in Valium™, but without dulling effects or next-day lethargy (it has been suggested that Valium's name was inspired by valerian, although the two are completely different chemically and should not be confused as being the same or even related).
Valerian is commonly prescribed as a calming sleep aid and widely recommended for treating anxiety-related sleep problems.
Unlike other commonly prescribed sleep medication, it is entirely nontoxic, does not impair the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, nor does it exaggerate the effects of alcohol.
It has been documented that valerian can act as a delayed stimulant for some individuals depending on body chemistry.
In the case of certain metabolic conditions, the effect is one of initially calming them down only to cause a surge of energy several hours later - not an effect desired by those interested in using valerian as a nighttime sleeping remedy.
Some professional herbalists suggest taking fresh valerian root extract as opposed to extract from dried valerian, as it is less likely to cause such a reaction.
http://www.sleepsecrets.info
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How to Unlock the Power of the Not so Humbe Tea Light

There are two keys to using tea lights successfully.
First, when you think tea lights, think quantity. A single tea light is a poor, lonely thing, pining for its fellows.
Glass or metal in particular completely transform the self-effacing tea light. Second, think containers.
Enhance the effect by grouping glowing glasses on a polished tray- silver for preference, but other colors work equally well. Even inexpensive embossed glasses are transformed with a tea light inside. Put them inside cut-glass wineglasses.
And remember that although they are comparatively tiny, they can burn for four (or even more) hours.
Put them in transparent holders. Arranged around a table centerpiece, they will provide lots of light at the table level - but remember to add taller candles to light your guests' faces as well.
There are plenty designed especially for tea lights; equally, you might spot something you can adapt to achieve a totally unusual effect. Or look for colored glass containers.
What about arranging tea lights in a long shallow container (glass, metal, wood or pottery work equally well) surrounded by decorative objects - stones, shells, balls, even unshelled nuts.
You can put tea lights in shallow glass containers and float them in water-filled bowls.
Then build up the centerpiece using herbs, berries and flowers. Soak the foam in water to soften, drain, and then press the tea lights into the foam, spacing them carefully. If you're dining al fresco, create a centerpiece using florist's foam (either a ring or a block) as a base.
If you're going to use them near food, remember to choose the unscented variety.
And there's that wonderful trick of using candles in a brown paper bag that nowadays seems relegated to lighting the way to youthful parties, but is far too good to be wasted on teenagers.
Put a little sand in a bag, fold over the top a few times to make a more rigid top, cut some holes (or not, as you please) in the sides, and you have a wonderful way to light a drive, highlight a staircase or line the perimeter of a deck.
Tea lights liquefy quickly because they are made of a less refined wax, so make sure you spend a few cents more on getting the right quality, but do throw away any that show signs of smoking.
You can get more helpful information at her website, Justine van Zyl provides information for people who want to make better decisions about the candles they buy online.
http://www.buybettercandlesonline.com

Benefit of Green Tea

Introduction
There has been an influx of media coverage about the health benefits of green tea. Most green tea enthusiasts may base their opinions on green tea around their own experiences of the beverage. The Chinese have been drinking green tea for thousands of years due to its miracle working abilities. Green tea has been used by the Chinese for treating minor headaches to much larger matters such as preventing cancer. Many health studies are beginning to shine some light on the facets and benefits of green tea. What are the benefits from green tea that can affect your life? The following are five major benefits of green tea that may substantially change your life.
First Health of Green Tea - Weight Loss
The high concentration of polyphenols in green tea helps to oxidize fat and encourage thermogenesis. Thermogenesis in the body is the rate which the body burns calories. Green tea results in an increase of energy which raises the metabolism, therefore, more weight is lost than normal. As a morning beverage, green tea has a small amount of calories compared to most other beverages that Americans drink in the morning. The constant barrage of coffee as most peoples' morning beverage results in a higher amount of daily calories compared to green tea as a beverage in the morning. A substitution of green tea instead of reaching for a cup of joe will make a big difference in the size of your waistline.
Second Benefit of Green Tea - Prevention of Cancer
The polyphenols in green tea prevent the birth This oxidation damages healthy cells of the body and have been linked to illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and even strokes. The polyphenols of green tea constantly search for free radicals and they prevent the formation of unstable oxygen molecules in a process known as oxidation. These free radicals cause aging and cancer.

The polyphenols in green tea eliminate free radicals that plague the body. This oxidation damages healthy cells of the body and have been linked to illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and even strokes. The polyphenols of green tea constantly search for free radicals and they prevent the formation of unstable oxygen molecules in a process known as oxidation. These free radicals cause aging and cancer.

The polyphenols in green tea eliminate free radicals that plague the body. This oxidation damages healthy cells of the body and have been linked to illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and even strokes. The polyphenols of green tea constantly search for free radicals and they prevent the formation of unstable oxygen molecules in a process known as oxidation. These free radicals cause aging and cancer.

The antioxidants in green tea eliminate free radicals that plague the body.
Third Benefit of Green Tea - Healthy Teeth
The oral health of teeth can be vastly improved with the consumption of green tea. This cannot be about coffee which stains the teeth with an ugly yellow tinge. This helps to prevent general tooth decay inside of the mouth.

Also, fluoride helps to maintain healthy, cavity-free teeth. The fluoride kills the bacteria in the mouth that causes plaque. Green tea is well known for keeping teeth clean because of one of its ingredients, fluoride.
Fourth Benefit of Green Tea - Lowers Cholesterol
Also, the catechins help to maintain a healthy good cholesterol to bad cholesterol ratio improving the overall health of the body. The catechins in green tea help to decrease the amount of bad cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol flows through the liver and cells forming heavy deposits on artery walls. Green tea lowers the bad cholesterol's levels, LDL cholesterol and prevents the occurrence of blood clots in the body.

Drinking green tea could possibly lower this stunning high risk. Heart attacks are one of the most common problems associated with bad cholesterol. Green tea may be a possible solution for all those suffering from conditions of high cholesterol.
Benefit of Green Tea Conclusion
So, we hope that you begin a daily green tea regimen tomorrow! Green tea can be taken in a pill form with all the benefits of normal green tea. This problem has been addressed through the usage of green tea extract.

The only side effect that has been clearly recognized is the daily overdose of caffeine. A couple of cups of tea in addition to your normal daily beverage will greatly decrease the risk of any bad conditions. If weight loss, the prevention of cancer, healthy teeth, and the idea of low cholesterol does not give you an idea that green tea is a miracle worker, you must be working with some pretty powerful magic.
Learn more about the
Benefit of Green Tea

Chamomile Tea - Medicinal Tisane!

Need to unwind from a busy day?

Chamomile tea will soothe your nerves and rest your mind.
Chamomile is one of the oldest garden and the safest medicinal herb. It has a mild honey-flowery aroma, golden yellow hue, and a delicate semi-sweet smooth taste. The name chamomile is derived from the Greek kamai-melon, meaning ground apple.
Chamomile tea
is a naturally caffeine-free tisane (herbal tea) and has a comparable amount of health benefits to its cousin, green tea. One of the safest medicinal herbs, chamomile is a soothing, gentle relaxant that has been shown to work for a variety of complaints from stress to menstrual cramps.
Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Best known as a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic, chamomile also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
Health benefits are:
Help induce sleep.
Calm nervous stomach and improve digestion.

Soothe skin irritations, including sunburn, heat rash and haemorrhoids.
Relieve toothache.

Improve bronchitis.
Help with bladder troubles.

Treat eye inflammation and infection
Heal mouth sores and prevent gum disease
Treat irritable bowel problems and various gastrointestinal complaints

Help Regulate menstrual periods.

Reduce menstrual cramps

Good for the kidneys and spleen health.
Help alleviate symptoms of the common cold.

Promote relaxation and alleviate stress.
Help to expel worms and other parasites.

Improve liver function and relieve jaundice.
Help prevent gangrene.

Relieve back pain.

Improve rheumatism.
Chamomile & Cranberry Tea
This unlikely combination is a great after-dinner quaff, as cranberry juice cleanses the palate while chamomile settles the stomach.
This after-dinner "'drink" will surely become a habit in your house! Make a one-cup serving for yourself (with one teacup of chamomile and 1/4 cup cranberry juice) or a full teapot to share with family and friends.
Makes 4 servings
4 chamomile teabags
4 cups boiling water
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail, at room temperature
Sugar to taste
Add sugar to taste. Stir and serve immediately in teacups. Discard the teabags and add the cranberry juice. Steep the teabags in the boiling water in a teapot, for 8 minutes.
Uma Mays is married with two young children and lives in England. She has over 15 years experience in IT Project Management working for mainly Telecommunications companies. Since becoming a mother and wanting to work from home, she has developed an online Tea business retailing Speciality Teas. Teaworld has been operational just over two months is growing steadily.

Weight Loss With the Help of Green Tea

Studies show that the relation between green tea and weight loss are substantially linked together through the plant's thermogenic properties. Thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces heat by speeding up metabolism, burning calories, and breaking down fat. Certain substances in green tea are believed to help in the body's thermogenesis, thus contributing to weight loss.
Weight Loss in Other Herbs
Other than green tea, there are other natural herbs that contribute to weight loss. Gugulipid for instance has been shown to augment the metabolic rate of the body and help with thermogenesis, thus leading to weight loss. Gugulipid has also been reported as a catalyst for lowering down cholesterol levels.
Derived from a Japanese plant, Maitaki helps promote weight loss by targeting the liver, which is a major digestive part of the body. Another herb that aids in weight loss is Maitaki.
Maximizing Weight Loss Benefits in Green Tea
A standardized weight loss herbal extract of pure green tea is needed in order to maximize the weight loss benefits of green tea. The market offers several green tea weight loss products that do not use standardized extract. These non-standardized green tea weight loss products are cheaper but do not contain enough active green tea substances to have any significant weight loss benefits.
Scientists and traditional herbalists believe that better weight loss results are achieved when green tea is used in conjunction with other weight loss herbs and with other nutrients. So before buying a green tea weight loss product, it is advisable that you choose a product that contains a rich blend of green tea herbs, minerals and nutrient that aid in weight loss.
By mixing green tea with CoQ 10, you will not only achieve maximum weight loss but you will also be able maintain the health of several body systems at one time. Green tea helps stop blood vessel constriction while CoQ 10 protects the heart and ensure blood pressure levels. Green tea when combined with ginger and olive leaf helps lower cholesterol and promotes weight loss.
The Ideal Green Tea Weight Loss Product
The first thing to make sure of when buying green tea products assures you that you are getting a product of the highest quality.
Companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their green tea products are doing false advertising and should not be patronized. This means that the success or effectiveness of these products do not have any guarantees. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products such as green tea are considered dietary supplements.
For assurance that you're getting your money's worth when you buy a green tea product, find a product that is using standardized green tea extract. Look for strict GMP compliance and make sure that the manufacturer of the green tea product has all the proper credentials in product formulation.

Hosting a Victorian Tea Bridal Shower

This is a wonderful way to honor the bride-to-be amid luxurious surroundings. And little is more elegant than an afternoon Victorian tea. When I think of a bridal shower, I get the image of a very elegant event.
For this type of bridal shower, you should use fine linens, china dishes, and silver. If you don't have any of your own, check with other women friends or a rental equipment business. Also, this type of shower works best with a limited guest list. Too many guests will destroy the cozy and elegant atmosphere usual with afternoon teas.
Invitations
Invitations to your Victorian tea bridal shower should be custom printed and don't forget to include an RSVP card. Also, you might consider ordering matching thank-you notes for the bride-to-be at this time.
Decorations
But a large abundance of flowers should be avoided; one large bouquet on your main table and perhaps a couple smaller bouquets on side tables is all that is necessary. Fresh flowers are the best decoration for a tea.
Food and Drink
Victorian teas traditonally serve an assortment of finger sandwiches with the crusts removed. Sandwich fillings such as chicken salad, tuna salad, or egg salad are typical at a tea. Beverly Clark, in her book
Showers
also suggests using cream cheese with walnuts, avocado and diced olives, and sliced hard-boiled egg and cucumber. Lunchmeats, such as ham, roast beef, and turkey are not usually served.
I suggest having some kind of cake and a variety of pastries, such as eclairs, scones, madeleines, individual tarts, and fancy cookies. Other than sandwiches, the only other food served at a tea is dessert.
Choose a brand of tea which is favored by connoisseurs, such as Earl Grey or Darjeeling. Have cream, sugar, lemon, and an artificial sweetener on hand for the tea. It's also a good idea to provide some kind of punch, just in case some guests prefer a cold drink rather than hot tea.
Shower Themes
Examples include kitchen shower, lingerie shower, linen shower, etc. Since a bride-to-be usually is given several bridal showers, it's good to choose a specific theme for your shower.
Check with the bride to see if she'd prefer china serving dishes or silver. Items such as a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, serving trays, silver serving utensils are a good choice. In keeping with a Victorian tea, suggest to your guests they bring shower gifts that would help the bride-to-be host her own afternoon tea.
Warm sunshine, nice wind, and beautiful flowers make a wonderful scene for an afternoon tea party shower. One final suggestion: If the weather permits, consider having your tea party outside in a garden.
Mary Arnold is an author on
http://www.Writing.Com/