Shop For A Cause!

On Friday, November 27th (Black Friday) The Hill Tea Bar will be participating in Dignity Housing's annual "Shop for a Cause". Dignity Housing is a Philadelphia based, non-profit organization that works to eliminate homelessness. 15% of all sales made on 11/27 will be donated to the cause. Please join in making a difference this holiday season. For more information: www.dignityhousing.org/ShoppingForDignity

Spirited Eggnog Chai Punch

Tired of the same old cranberry and gingerale punch? Here is a delicious and unique punch to serve at your next holiday dinner or party.

Serves 12

In a punchbowl combine:

6 cups strong brewed chai tea (chilled)
5 cups cold eggnog (purchased in the refrigerator case at the supermarket)
1 cup brandy
2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Stir well. The eggnog will sweeten the punch but add some simple syrup or sugar if you like a sweeter punch.

Star anise can be added for decoration or crush candy canes and sprinkle on top of the punch.

For an extra-spirited punch increase the brandy to 2 cups and reduce the chai to 5 cups.

Use leftover eggnog punch to make wonderful french toast the next morning (add an egg).

CHEERS!

Tulsi Basil

Thank you to everyone who came to the tea lecture and tasting last Sunday! We did not have enough time to discuss herbals and I promised to share more information about the benefits of Tulsi Basil(Ocimum tenuiflorum). In my opinion, tulsi is one of the most beneficial herbals that we know of (plus, it makes delicious tea)! Tulsi has been used for over a thousand years in Ayurveda- most often for balancing the body effects. Tulsi is used for stomach problems, headaches, inflammation, poisoning, heart disease and the common cold. It has anti-bacterial properties and recent studies suggest that tulsi may be a COX-2 inhibitor (pain reliever) as well as being a possible treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. Tulsi is commonly used in South Asia as a medicinal plant. Just be sure you don't confuse tulsi basil with Thai basil- the latter is used for cooking only.

Another Reason To Drink Tea

Just a little tidbit to think about. A 14oz (this is the small size)coffee latte has approximately 150 calories, without any sweetener or syrup. If you drink one a day for a year you have racked up 54,750 calories (if you use syrup and sweetener you can add another 25,000 calories- mochachino anyone??). That equates to 15.6 pounds of body fat per year. Switch to unsweetened (or use Splenda or Stevia) and you could slim down without much effort. Just a thought.


http://www.annecollins.com/weight-loss-support/calories-coffee-latte.htm

Tea Tasting on Sunday, November 8th

Join us at the Springfield Library this Sunday at 1pm for a special tea tasting and discussion. We will taste 5 different tea varieties and discuss the origin of each.
http://fls.mclinc.org/news.shtml#programs

The Hill Tea Bar will be closed on 11/8 for this event.