Detox, Lose Weight & Relax in 2009...with tea!

We are dedicating the month of January 2009 to the health benefits of tea. We will be running a special discount of 20% off any 4 ounce purchase of loose tea for both our online and store customers. Our green tea face toner was a real hit and we will be featuring a variety of DIY beauty recipes using tea.

You probably already know that the L-theanine, caffeine and EGCG found in tea can help you burn more calories and curb your appetite but consider using tea to curb food cravings. If you are triggered by chocolate try a chocolate coconut tea or a caramel rooibos. If you crave blueberry pie try a green blueberry tea or if salty snacks are your weakness drink a smoky Lapsang Souchong. Replace dessert with a delicious guilt-free rooibos toddy:

1 rounded teaspoon of Vanilla Rooibos tisane (rooibos is not really a tea)
1 tsp of honey
1 cup of boiled water
1 tablespoon of sugar free whipped topping

Combine the tea, honey and water in a teapot or cup. Steep for 5 minutes and strain into a cup. Top with the whipped topping.

Holiday Chai Eggnog Brandy Punch

Last week during a special event we served an Eggnog Chai punch (with a bit of brandy) and have received numerous requests for the recipe. It is a twist on typical holiday punch recipes.
Here you go:

Serves 14

In a punchbowl mix together:

5 cups of strongly brewed Chai that has been chilled for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator

3 cups of cold eggnog

1 cup of good quality brandy

1/2 cup of ice (large cubes- do not use crushed ice)

Sprinkle of cinnamon & nutmeg on top

Yumm! ENJOY

Stress and Tea

In these difficult times many people are experiencing some level of stress and anxiety. A few signs of stress are sweating (palms especially), trouble sleeping, stiff shoulders, nausea, backache, and headache among other symptoms. To help alleviate stress look for tea with chamomile and lavender. Chamomile's high content of the amino acid tryptophan, has been used for insomnia since the 1600's. The Chamomile plant also contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium, as well as iron, zinc, flavonoids and essential oils which soothe muscles and stress. Lavender comes from the Latin word ‘lavo’, meaning ‘to wash’ and got its name because the Romans liked to sprinkle lavender into their bath water. Lavender relieves tension headaches, bad breath, pain in muscles, wounds of various types and helps insomnia. A tea infusion of chamomile and lavender will surely offer a soothing reprieve!

You are invited to a party on 11/21/2008!

On November 21st come to historic Chestnut Hill for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony and then stroll down the hill to The Hill Tea Bar for a community celebration for the launch of the Germantown Avenue Parent's Blog (5pm-8pm). At 5:30pm Madam Olga will be conducting tea leaf readings, at 6:30pm there will be storytelling performed by local Story Artist Annie Hart and also enjoy live folk music by Michael Mabry. The Germantown Parent's group will be giving out goody bags! See you tomorrow night.

Do It Yourself...Anti-Aging Green Tea Toner

I have had many customers ask me about the benefits of green tea in anti-aging (creams and serums) products for the face. Many expensive (I have seen a particular brand that sells for over $150 for .17ounce- and it only has traces of green tea) and popular anti-aging products contain green tea because of its powerful antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that when applied to the skin green tea helps tighten pores, calms redness and provides anti-aging benefits such as deep wrinkle reduction. It is simple to make a soothing, and inexpensive, green tea toner at home.

Recipe:
- 1/2 cup of spring water
- 2tsp of gunpowder green tea

Steep the gunpowder green in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and allow the tea to cool. Apply to face with a clean cotton ball- and don't rinse it off. You can store the toner in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

Annie Hart

I wanted to thank all of you who made our summer storytelling series such a success! I also wanted to let all of the Annie Hart fans (who knew that a Breakthrough Coach could moonlight as a Love Goddess??) know that Annie has a new series coming in 2009....more information to follow. Cheers!

Live Music on Sunday, November 2nd

Live Folk Music by Michael Mabry on Sunday, November 2nd at 11am in the garden room.

Folksinger Michael Mabry performs an eclectic mix of traditional and
original story songs, drawing on American, British and Celtic roots. An
accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, Michael has been
entertaining audiences in and around Philadelphia for 15 years.