Celebrate LOVE!

In the world of existence there is no more powerful magnet than the  magnet of love.  - Abdu'l-Baha

Celebration Love Tea!

A heartwarming blend of organic herbs & spices to create a truly unique tea!  This tea is made in the recognition and celebration of the great gift of Love.

A vibrant blend with a touch of spices and natural sweetness~ Aromatically stimulating and visually appealing.

*Click here to order*
 

 
*Add a heart T-infuser, click here*


*Click here to view our infused Love Honey*

Like the art you see on our labels?
Cards now available!!  *Click here to view*
 
 

~ Holiday Cheer ~

 Wishing you a Joyous Holiday Season


 ~ Holiday Cheer  Tea ~

~Bringing Good Cheer to all!

With a twinkle in his eye and a sparkle in his heart the Merry Little Elf rings in the magic of the season with a cup of Holiday Cheer!


Holiday Cheer Tea© comes bearing the gift's of Peppermint - cool as the glistening snow, the ancient root of Sarsaparilla,Cinnamon, Clove and Ginger to warm the Hearth of your Heart, the chocolaty rich notes of Cacao, sweet and fruity notes of Tibetan Goji Berries, a bit of zest of Orange Peel, the treasured spices of Nutmeg and Cardamom, tied all together with the sweetness of Vanilla Bean and Honey! 


~Click here to order your Holiday Cheer Tea~ 

 
With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.
~William Wordsworth~ 

~ A Cup Of Gratitude ~

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. --Melody Beattie

~Handcrafted Tea Cups~

These handcrafted tea cups are made exclusively for Love & Tea by a New England Potter. To view our collection click here




Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

~Nourishing Mama~

As we settle into the rhythm of fall and celebrate all it has to offer, it's also a good time to nourishing ourselves, Especially new mama's!

  I will briefly discuss some aspects of nourishing the new mama.

"Lactation is the nutritional equivalent to running 10 miles a day" My Ayurvedic post-partum teacher would remind us. Special nourishment is required to assist for all the extra needs of the body, transitions and healing for the new mama.

 Healing foods:

 * Eating  3 Full meal & nutrient rich snacks. When a meal is skipped our  bodies automatically produce an abundance of stress hormones. Stress hormones inhibit milk production and can lead to reflux.
* Eating organic & chemical free foods not only supports your entire body, but your baby's health too.

* Water and proper hyrdation: Getting enough water into your body helps heal and rejuvenate. Herbals teas are another way to keep properly hydrated.

Lactation support can be found through beneficial foods and herbs;
Foods and herbs to support and increase lactation~
* Roasted Cumin seeds
* Dill seeds
* Anise seeds
* Caraway seeds
* Coriander
* Red Beets

In Ayurvedic post-partum care, it is stressed to avoid cold/raw foods during post-partum stage. This helps reduce gas, bloating for mama & baby among other things. Avoiding iced drinks is also advised.

* Proper fats, Yes FATS!!!
Healthy fats play a crucial role in the body. They are used as building blocks to create cell walls, nerves, tissues and hormonal balance.
 Healthy fats keep and stabilize blood sugars-which help protect against mood swings.

Organic Coconut oil, cold pressed & traditional veggie oils have a long shelf life due to the high levels of Monounsaturated acids and naturally occurring Vitamin E. You can find sources of these fats through organic avocados, olive oil, sesame seeds & raw nuts.
Hydrogenated oils change the chemical structure of fatty acids, making them very harmful to the body.

EFA'S or (essential Fatty Acids) play an essential role in brain & body functions. EFA's are metabolized into a hormones like substance called prostaglandins, that inhibit or promote inflammation in cells.
The nerves in the brain are comprised of EFA's. Un-healthy fats congest the nerves. What we eat literally affects how we think and feel!

Foods containing EFA's:
* Eggs
* Whole Fat dairy ( whole milk, butter, cream yogurt))
* Dark leafy greens
* Legumes (beans)
* Nuts & Seeds
* Seaweeds
* Fish ***FISH IS NOT RECOMMENDED***  for pregnant or lactating women due to the high levels of Mercury & other contaminates.

EfA's are divided into 2 structures; Omega 3 & 6. Our bodies require both. Our bodies do not make these fatty acids, so it's crucial to ingest these through the proper foods.

Some food sources that contain Omega 6:
* Whole Fat dairy (butter, milk, cream yogurt)
* Leafy Greens
* Nuts
 * Hemp seeds have Both Omega 6 & Omega 3.

Some food sources that contain Omega 3:
* Leafy greens
* Flax oil
* Walnut oil
* Legumes (beans)
* Hemp seeds have Both Omega 6 & Omega 3.

Nourishing Grains: 
* Barley, Oatmeal, Corn Meal, Buckwheat, Brown Rice, Quiona and Amaranth.

 Some Anti-Lactogenic foods that will decrease milk supply and can cause reflux and other issues in the infant):
* Soft-drinks & carbonated beverages
* Coffee, green & black tea
* Chocolate
* Citric Acids in foods & juice (tomato etc)
* Aspartame  (should be avoided in any case as it is highly toxic)


Potentially Anti-Lactogenic herbs: 
(will dry up breast milk )

* Parsley
* Sage
* Rosemary
* Thyme
* Mints; Peppermint & Spearmint

For the Well Being of Mama:
~New Mama Rejuvenation~

* Herbs to support the New Mama:
 This tea was formulated to nourish, re-store and re-vitalize mama's after giving birth.

~New Mama Rejuvenation~

A bit behind this blend, The New Mama Rejuvenation tea:

*Nettles: High in Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Especially useful with post-partum bleeding. Used traditionally to increase and enrich breast milk.  The minerals and vitamins provide excellent support is restoring and rebuilding the energy levels following birth.

*Dandelion: This little yellow flower is packed full of essential minerals and vitamins very beneficial for new mamas!  High in Vitamin A, Calcium and rich in Iron to name just a few. Dandelion aids in exhaustion and fatigue.

*Lemon Balm: Relaxes and calms the nervous system.  Lemon Balm has been used traditionally for depression and insomnia. Lemon Balms add it's hint of lemon taste to uplift and refresh.  Lemon Balm is considered specific to help one cope with new life situations, IE: a new baby!!!

* Lady's Mantle: Revered as an herb for female system,  Lady's Mantle has an affinity to regulate and decrease post-partum bleeding.

* Jasmine Flowers: Have an affinity for the entire female system as well. Energetically these flowers increase compassion and love. They make the mind receptive, aid and receive and radiate vibrations of mantras.

 To order our New Mama Tea click here






 I couldn't pass up to add this fantastic article :)

Summer Lovin' : Tea Granitas!

Cooling, Refreshing and Delicious!

~ Tea Infused Granitas to please your palate

I'll discuss a little history of granita's, some tea talk including nutritional aspects and, the recipe's to make your own.

Watermelon Jasmine Granita

Sparkling Mojito

Strawberry Ceylon Granita

Granitas:

For thousands of years people saved ice to satisfy their desire for cool drinks, traditionally served in Europe.  this is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavorings. Originally from Sicily.

The word granita comes from the Italian word referring to  "water ice" but with a more granular texture.

Water ices or granitas may be served as a stand-alone refreshment, as a dessert, or as a means of refreshing the palate about halfway through a meal of many courses.

Classic Sicilian granitas are almond and coffee flavours which are served with a brioche like bun called a brioscia used to scoop up coffee flavored ice cream and a glass of coffee granita.
 Traditional Sicilian granitas are made with wild berries, when in season.

The great advantage of granita over other forms of frozen dessert is that they are very easy to make and you don't need special equipment. All you need is a pan, a tray, a fork and a freezer.

 As a small child I have fond memories of eating "Italian ice, hence granitas! Later I traveled to Europe, where I was served granitas in between meals, to cleanse and refresh one's palate.

A few tips to keep in mind when making your granita;
* Granitas tend to melt rather quickly, you can chill your serving dish or cup prior to serving.
* Fork Fluffing ;)  .... fluffing with a fork gives it the snow like consistency. 

* Watermelon Jasmine Granita:

 ~Sweet, juicy watermelon paired with the aromatic, floral  jasmine green tea~

Watermelon said to be first introduced among the Hopi's. Revered for it's therapeutic health benefits, watermelon is said to help the weak and ill and one who is recovering from surgery. Watermelon is said to give energy and strength, especially useful for elderly people. Watermelon is said to flush acid from the system and cleanse and renew the blood.

Jasmine Green tea is a scented green tea, rich in antioxidants. Jasmine tea can help protect your body against damage from free radicals.

Jasmine green tea has aromatherapy benefits due to fragrance of jasmine. The fragrance of jasmine tea has calming and soothing effect. The odor of this tea has anti-anxiety effects and is said to be effective than the medications used for treating anxiety.

• Drinking jasmine green tea can boost immune system, prevent allergies and avoids tooth decay.
• Jasmine green tea contains antibacterial properties that helps to kill harmful bacterias like those causing food poisoning and promotes growth of useful bacterias for digestion.
• Gargling with jasmine green tea helps in preventing viral infections like influenza.
• Consuming jasmine green tea can help in avoiding health problems like cholera, dysentery, gastric ulcers, etc. 

Click here to order your Jasmine Green tea

Watermelon-Jasmine Granita

* Watermelon  Jasmine Granita: (we used organic ingredients and raw sugar. These provide more minerals and vitamins with NO toxic pesticides)

*  2- 1/2 cups  organic watermelon
*  1/4 cup  raw sugar or org. sweetener's like agave may be used
*  1 Tbsp. Fresh squeezed lime juice
*  1/2  cup jasmine green tea

Puree all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9x9  metal baking pan. Freeze for an hour, then stir and fluff the mixture with a fork. The mixture will be slush like.  Cover, place back into freezer and for 1-2 hours.  Using a fork with create more icy flakes.
**Make you set a timer for the 1st hour, if you leave it longer it will become a solid block**

* Strawberry Ceylon -Rose Granita:

~A flavorful infusion of fresh strawberries with our Ceylon Rose Tea~

Strawberries have been noted for their high content of minerals and vitamins. Strawberries are high in potassium, a key mineral in successfully controlling high blood pressure problems. Strawberries contain the naturally occurring substance Ellagic acid.  Properties of ellagic acid  directly inhibit the DNA binding of certain carcinogens. Ellagic acid may play a role in decreasing cancer.

Strawberries are also rich in Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and phosphorus. These vitamins and minerals are key to keeping bones and teeth firm, keeping the heart and skin healthy. Strawberries are exceptionally high in trace minerals. Trace minerals are vital for many body functions but extremely important to the glandular's (pineals, thyroid, thymus and adrenals

Strawberries are said to help improve weak vision. The juice eliminates toxins circulating in the blood.

Ceylon Tea:

Ceylon tea was born as the result of a coffee blight in the country that led to tea being introduced as a replacement crop.

 Ceylon Tea contains powerful antioxidants, vitamins that are an important reason to start your day drinking this tea!

Ceylon tea contains poly phenols which give this drink its antioxidant properties. Regular drinking of Ceylon tea may lower the risk of developing cancer, prevents high blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack, strengthens the immune system and helps reduce stress and anxiety.

  Click here order your Ceylon Rose tea

Strawberry Ceylon Granita

* Strawberry Ceylon -Rose Granita: (we used organic ingredients and organic raw sugar, these provide more minerals and vitamins with NO toxic pesticides)

*  2- 1/2 cups  organic strawberries
*  1/4 cup  raw sugar or org. sweetener's like agave
*  1 Tbsp. org. Vanilla extract
*  2/3  cup Ceylon Rose tea

Puree all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9x9  metal baking pan. Freeze for an hour, then stir and fluff the mixture with a fork. The mixture will be slush like.  Cover, place back into freezer and for 1-2 hours.  Using a fork with create more icy flakes.
**Make you set a timer for the 1st hour, if you leave it longer it will become a solid block**

* Sparkling Mojito: 

~White tea infused with fresh Lime & mint~

The mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail. A mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: spearmint, rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, and carbonated water. The drink gets its name from the African word mojo, which means "to cast a spell".

White tea: One of the main health benefits of white tea is that this tea is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are power packed compounds that help to combat and reduce free radicals, which are capable of causing damage to the skin cells and the body. White tea is also said to boost the immune system and is said to also have mild antibacterial and antiviral properties.

White tea is rich in fluoride. Fluoride helps in preventing tooth decay, as it replaces the lost calcium and forms even stronger bonds in the tooth, preventing cavities from occurring.

Click here to order your White tea

Sparkling Mojito Granita

Sparkling Mojito Granita: 

~White tea infused with fresh Lime & mint~

  (we used organic ingredients and organic raw sugar, these provide more minerals and vitamins with NO toxic pesticides)

*  1- cup White Tea
*  2 TBS.  raw sugar or org. sweetener's like agave
*  1 Juice and Zest of a fresh Lime
*  1/4 Fresh Mint leaves, off stem and chopped

Puree all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9x9  metal baking pan. Freeze for an hour, then stir and fluff the mixture with a fork. The mixture will be slush like.  Cover, place back into freezer and for 1-2 hours.  Using a fork with create more icy flakes.
**Make you set a timer for the 1st hour, if you leave it longer it will become a solid block**

Happy Granita making!

Celebrating World Breast Feeding Week!

As a mama of four little ones, I've learned a lot along the journey of breast feeding!

I was fortunate to be able to nurse all my children.  I can relate to the challenges of nursing while pregnant, the toll that nursing takes on your body and mind through multiple children and, not to mention dealing with mastitis.  I'm proud to say four kids later, I'm still nursing my youngest who is almost one.

One remarkable book that came into my life centered around breastfeeding is: "Mother Food" by Hilary Jacobson. This is the first book I've seen to really address issues of nutrition, herbs and mother's health specific to nursing.  She also touches on colic, depression, allergy's and many supply issues. I highly recommend this book to every mama!

Being a nursing mother is one of my inspirations behind these teas and the compress that I created: Mama's Milk Tea, Tandem Tea for Pregnancy and Nursing Mama's Compress. 

This week we honor Mama's and World Breast Feeding Week by doing a giveaway on our Facebook Fan Page: click here to join

We are gifting one lucky Love & Tea Facebook Fan: one Mama's Milk Tea and one Nursing Mama's Compress. Click here to join and leave a comment.

Fairy Celebration!

Celebrating Fairy Magic:

We are celebrating summer sun and new art work on our Fairy Celebration Tea!  join us and enter a chance to win one. Tell us some fairy magic in your life, enter your comment below. Entries will close Tuesday, July 26th EST, winner will be selected via random number generator.

About the art :

After a very exhausting day, I sat down to relax and have some long awaited space to paint, here's what I came up with.....

Come walk with me into the magical and enchanted fairy world. Amidst the tall, green grass is a glistening world.  Tall, curling ferns lead the way up to the brilliant blue sky. The world is alive with color;  glistening sliver, pink, yellow and gold. Sliver clouds dance above, star seeds sparkle with joy, plant life radiates.  Fairy Magic is all around!

To order click here





And the winner  (chosen from random number generator is) :  Valerie, please e-mail us so we can send your tea!

Teething Tea: Tiger Power!

This is a gentle and supportive tea, to help ease the pain and discomfort associated with teething.

About the art ;

When I first sat down to feel out what would be appropriate for this label, I had few animals that came to mind, but one that I kept coming back to was the Tiger.  I was also reflecting on some things in my personal life, like the journey of mothering and my tea business: holding my ground and voicing up my power.  One animal that really stood out to me, was the Tiger.

  "The Tiger power"

The tiger represents power, force, and the nurturing /gentle aspect of  mothering and tending to cubs.  The tiger is strong and very powerful,  they are able to be still and calm, carry through chaos and be fierce when she needs to defend her cubs and or her territory.

As a mother of 4 little ones, I can't count how many sleepless nights I've spent awake easing and supporting my children through teething.

Teething can make a baby howl, moan and most mama's feel like this after a couple straight nights of being sleep deprived!

Eastern culture is filled with myth and legends associated with tiger lore. I found this except very interesting, especially pertaining to my life and even applied to a new babe teething!



 From the book Animal Speaks by Ted Andrews

"When a tiger has entered your life, you can expect new adventures. It will awaken new passion and power within. Expect it to begin within 6-8 weeks and last for a year and a half. If the Tiger has shown up in your life, there will begin to manifest new adventures and renewed devotion and passion for life"

This tea is especially relaxing for mama as well.  I've made my self many cups of this blend to relax and be more calm.  And if you are nursing, your babe will also get the benefits of this tea through your milk :)


Let the adventures begin!




Click here to order some Tiger Teething Power

Could the common tea bag be hazardous to your health?

The Potential Toxicity of Tea Bags:

By Kristie Leong MD

 

Although tea appears to have a variety of health benefits, the same can’t be said for some of the tea bags used to hold it. Here’s what you need to know about the health risks of tea bags made of paper.

If you enjoy sipping a hot cup of tea, you’re not alone. Tea has a long history of being enjoyed for its pleasing taste and aroma. Not only is tea a tasty drink to enjoy, the health benefits are being increasingly recognized. The catechin polyphenols found in green and white teas, are being studied for their potential to not only reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, but also as a metabolism booster. While a cup of black, white, or green tea provides a healthy alternative to soft drinks, there may be good reason to brew your next cup of tea from loose leaf tea leaves rather than tea bags. Why? It appears that the paper used in the manufacture of commercial tea bags may be a source of a cancer causing chemical known as epichlorohydrin.

The Potential Toxicity of Tea Bags:

Many people choose to brew their own tea from loose leaf tea leaves simply because it produces a better tasting cup of tea. The tea leaves packed into commercial tea bags are usually tea fragments and dustings of inferior quality and produce a cup of tea that lacks the full-bodied taste of tea produced from loose leaves. Not only is the taste compromised when tea bags are used, but the health benefits may be reduced by the toxicity of the bag itself.
Many tea bags made of paper are manufactured with a chemical known as epichlorohydrin, a compound used in the manufacture of plastics and used as an insecticide. When this chemical comes into contact with water it forms a chemical called 3-MCPD, a known cancer causing agent. Not only is epichlorohydrin found in paper tea bags, it’s also used in the manufacture of paper coffee filters. While this chemical in and of itself is troubling, when it comes into contact with water as when steeping tea, it becomes of even greater concern because of the cancer causing 3-MCPD it produces.

How to Avoid Epichlorohydrin

While not all tea bags made of paper contain epichlorohydrin, many of them do. The best way to find out if your particular brand of tea uses tea bags manufactured with epichlorohydrin is to call and ask. One tea company that states that they don’t is Bigelow Tea Company. Hopefully, in the future, other tea manufacturers will also eliminate this harmful chemical from their tea bags so that the health benefits of tea can be enjoyed without exposure to cancer causing chemicals. Until then, it may be best to enjoy tea in its loose leaf form.

 Read more: http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-hidden-health-risks-of-tea-bags/#ixzz1RWUIda

 

Annoucing Our NEW Organic Mango Tea!

Our New Organic Mango tea is simply delightful!

Organic, fair-trade black tea is infused with the fruity essence of natural mango.

This tea is super iced! 

To order click here