Can Drinking Tea Provide Health Benefits?

Do you drink tea? Hot or cold? Being from the South, i definitely LOVE my sweet tea to be iced, but during the winter, a nice warm cup of tea really hits the spot.

My favorite mug.
*Get it here: Amazon

Teas have been used for centuries, by many different cultures, for ceremonial rituals and ailments. Researchers have found evidence of a tea-like concoction in Native American pottery. This tea, called "black drink", is thought to have been used for a purification ritual by the Cahokia men prior to battle or other important events. This drink was made by steeping dried holly leaves and stems. (Source: Daily Mail UK)

According to lore, tea was first discovered by Shen Nung, the second Emperor of China, in 2737 B.C., when the wind blew tea leaves into his pot of hot water. This is said to be the first ever infusion of tea. (Source: China.org)

So, what about medicinal properties? Throughout history, you can find references to tea for a wide range of concerns. Even in the world we live in now, there are many that still use these flavorful concoctions to treat their symptoms. And it's not just tea leaves! You can make a tea out of any herb! Here are a few ideas for you:

Peppermint

Why It’s Powerful:  Helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract and reduce spasms.

Recipe to Try: Chocolate Mint Tea Blend

Chamomile

Why It’s Powerful:  Calming and great for digestion.

Recipe to Try: Chamomile Tea Latte

Turmeric

Turmeric

Why It’s Powerful:  Strongly anti-inflammatory and rich in anti-cancer properties.

Recipe to Try: Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea

Photo by Brigitte Tohm from Pexels

Cinnamon

Why It’s Powerful:  Great for balancing blood sugar. Cinnamon also offers a natural sweetness.

Recipe to Try: Make your own tea bags AND Vanilla Cinnamon Tea

*Or try these disposable tea bags: AMAZON

Ashwagandha

Why It’s Powerful:  Relieves stress, calms the mind, boosts energy levels and reduces inflammation. Also supports thyroid health.

Recipe to Try: Stress-Busting Adaptogen Latte

Marshmallow

Why It’s Powerful:  A mucilaginous herb that soothes the mucus membranes of the digestive system, respiratory tract and urinary tract.

Recipe to Try: Marshmallow Root Tea Recipe

Photo by Brigitte Tohm from Pexels

Lavender

Why It’s Powerful:  Has a calming and sedative effect, helps to relax the muscles.

Recipe to Try: Lavender Chamomile Mint Tea

Do you have a favorite tea? Homemade or store bought? Share in the comments below!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hello again! And a giveaway!

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I visited here. So much has changed, I don't even know where to start! Let's see....

Family....I got remarried in 2014 to the absolute most wonderful guy. We moved in 2016 (for my job), then moved again last October because he started a new job. I swear the next time we move will be the last time and it will be to wherever we are gonna retire at! Oh and the kids! The oldest is graduating this May...where has time gone! Not only graduating, but he has decided that he is going to join the military too! So proud of this kid!

Work...Back in October, I left my super stressful management job! This is huge for me. I really did love my job there..still miss the great people I met and worked with. But leaving has allowed me to focus more on my family and my overall health has improved. When the doc says remove stress, it really does help! Now I work part time at a local vape shop and am focusing on my side hustle-Lemongrass Spa Products! I am in love with these products, people! It's a company committed to greener, cleaner, more natural skincare, haircare, and beauty products!

Speaking of Lemongrass Spa, I am hosting a giveaway! This month we launched our monthly subscription box WITHOUT THE SUBSCRIPTION! How great is that?? Do you like trying great new products? Wanting to go green with your skincare routine?? This is the perfect way to do it! Shipped for FREE to your door! Get your Bliss Box from Lemongrass Spa Products today!

Click the link below to enter to win a March Bliss Box for free between February 10th and February 28th!! Visit my Facebook page and read the pinned post to find more ways to enter!

WIN A FREE MARCH BLISS BOX!!!

February 2019 Bliss Box Sweet Indulgences

It's the season of love and we're reminding you to take time to love yourself! 

This month's box will include one of our feminine favorites plus three exclusive items only offered here. 

We created 5000 February Bliss Boxes, and once they're gone, they're gone! 

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Twelve Days of Sweets - Day 9

I am trying to catch up.......

Day 9 is............

Wait for it.......

Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cookies!

This is a recipe that just came to me.
I was minding my own business and POW! It hit me, apple oatmeal cookies.
Things like this happen to me often. And most of the time it happens around midnight when everyone else is sleeping and I have just finished cleaning my kitchen.

anyway, on to the recipe!

Peel and dice 1 apple.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add apples and saute until soft but they still hold their shape. sprinkle with clove and cinnamon. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, beat together the sugars and butter.

Add egg and vanilla.

Combine flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Incorporate slowly into the wet ingredients.

Fold in the apples.

With a cookie scoop, place dough on a cookie sheet.

Bake until golden brown.

Here is the printable.

Enjoy! More will be coming soon!

Twelve Days of Sweets - Day 8

I know I am WAY behind! Christmas shopping at the last possible minute is not a great idea.


Anyhow, here is day 8!

Meringue Cookies

  Let the egg whites stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper if you have it. I use aluminum foil and they still turn out fine.

  In a small bowl mix together the cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

  In a medium mixing bowl combine egg whites until soft peaks form.

  Add , almond extract, and salt.

  Beat again until when lifting the beater out of the whites the peaks curl. I look for them to "flop over a bit"

  Add the cinnamon-sugar mixture ONE tablespoon at a time. Beat the egg whites until the peaks stand up straight.

  Using a tablespoon, drop well-rounded spoonfuls of the meringue mixture onto cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart.

  Bake at 250 F for 30 minutes.

Turn off the oven and allow the cookies to dry in the closed oven for 40 minutes. If it's a dry day with almost NO humidity - then I let these dry on the counter top while I start the next cookie sheet.

* When you remove the cookie sheets from the oven gently peel the cookies off the cookie sheets.

Twelve Days of Sweets-Day 7

Today starts the second half of the 12 Days of Sweets, and what could be better than chocolate?

Uh huh. I said chocolate.

Today's treat is super simple. So simple anyone can make it!


We are making Chocolate bark!

This is a fun treat to make. You can customize it anyway you want! Add miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips, toasted fennel seed, crushed peppermint candy....the sky is the limit!

Every time we make this, it is different. This is normally one of the last candies I make for the holidays. The reason is because I use whatever I have leftover. A little bit of chopped nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut.

To start, chop and melt a block of Almond Bark. It can be found in the baking section of your local supermarket.

Once melted, pour it onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula.

Sprinkle the top with whatever you like. Mine typically has peanuts, walnuts, or pecans. Almond slivers are a good choice, too. Shredded coconut and dried cranberries are a wonderful addition. If you want something with a little salt, try adding crushed pretzels.....it's REALLY good!

Not enough chocolate for you? Go ahead and toss on a handful of mini chocolate chips. Or maybe butterscotch? You can even drizzle on some melted chocolate- try white chocolate over milk chocolate or dark chocolate over white chocolate. Heck, try dark and white chocolate over milk chocolate.

Allow the bark to cool and harden. If needed stick it in the freezer for a few minutes. Lift the bark out of the pan by the parchment paper. Break into pieces. You really don't want them bigger than a couple bites. This will definitely melt in your hands!

Store in an airtight container with parchment between the layers to prevent them from sticking.

Make several variations.....you won't be disappointed!

My camera is being a pain, so pictures will be coming shortly!

Twelve Days of Sweets - Day 6

Today is the half-way point in the series!

This one is another classic. When else would you think about spicy cookies? Yeah, that's right. These cookies pack a punch!

We are making Gingerbread cookies!

Twelve Days of Sweets- Day 5

Day 5 has arrived! And it's on time to boot! Thanks for hanging in there with me. It has been crazy around here!

Today's sweet would feel right at home with a big scoop of ice cream. You could use them layered in a fancy napoleon for your next dinner party. Today we are making........