NEW Teas!

Two New teas for summer celebrating!



Lemon-Honey-Chamomile

A smooth, light, refreshing,  aromatic, herbal tea.

 Perfect cup for adults and children!!!

Cup notes: Smooth, golden, notes of  Lemon, Chamomile, accented with a touch of sweetness, from real honey granules!

Makes an exceptional cup iced or hot.

Loose Leaf  Tea- 2 oz.   20 servings

Caffeine Free!


Ingredients: Org. Lemongrass., Org. Lemon Balm, Org. Chamomile flowers, Org. Lemon Peel,  Org. Rose Hips, Honey Granules.

*Click here to order*






Organic Mango

 Smooth, Sensational, Aromatic!

 

Organic Black Tea infused with the subtle sweetness of natural mango. A fruity-floral tea with a velvety finish.

Enjoy this tea hot or iced.
2 oz. Loose Leaf (makes over 20 servings)

 Ingredients:  Organic, fair-trade Black tea with natural mango flavor.

*Contains caffeine*

*Click here to order*

Holiday Cheer Tea !

  

Holiday Cheer Tea

~Bringing Good Cheer to all~

*Limited- Seasonal Tea *

 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,  with the ancient roots 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*

 

Art by Donna D'Orio

 

 

Fall Tea SALE!!!!

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all."
-   Stanley Horowitz



We are pleased to announce our fall tea sale!

Stock up on all your favorite teas! Sale is limited- so stock up and save now!

All teas are specially priced at $7.49 each / Reg. $8.90 each
                              30 Servings of tea per container!

Order your Handcrafted, Premium, Full-Leaf, Organic Teas now and SAVE!

                                 Click here to explore our entire collection

                                     Sale effective Oct. 26 - Nov. 1st  
                                            1 week only!!!!!!


*Coupon codes will be disabled during this fall sale-
*Sale is limited to TEA only. (Sale excludes- tea cups, infusers, bath products and infused honey)

~ Celebrate the art ~

Love & Tea is a celebration of the ancient craft and art of tea making . . . it is a celebration of the arts.

Click below to view the artists pages- where inspirations of art come to life for our tea labels:
  www.jlashuaart.com

 www.donnadorioart.com 

 
                                                       www.loveandtea.com

Sencha Cherry Lemonade

Sencha Cherry Lemonade:

 A quintessential green tea, Sencha is one of the most popular teas in Japan.  Sencha accounts for about 80 % of the tea consumed in Japan. It is usually served hot in the winter and chilled in warmer weather.

Sencha literally means "steamed tea", which differs from Chinese green teas, which are typically pan-fired. After the steaming process, Japanese Sencha green tea leaves are hand rolled, shaped, and dried.  The steaming process creates a distinctive difference in the flavor between Chinese and Japanese green tea, with Japanese green tea having a more full-bodied, wholesome flavor. This process of steaming produces a tea more that is vibrant green in color and tealeaves that have higher content of minerals and vitamins.


Health benefits of drinking Sencha;

Sencha green tea is rich in antioxidants, known as polyphenols. These antioxidants are said to have many health related benefits from strengthening the immune system, increasing heart health, skin care and anti-aging benefits along with potential cancer prevention. Sencha tea is also said to help regulate blood sugar levels. Sencha leaves contain fluoride which is used to help maintain oral health and adding to tooth enamel strength.


Please keep in mind, water quality and temperature will greatly affect the flavor of sencha in your cup!.

Flavor characteristics: Sencha green tea has a refreshing mildly sweet, vegetal flavor with subtle herbal notes.

 

Health benefits of cherries;

Cherries are one of the few food sources that contain melatonin, an antioxidant that helps regulate heart rhythms and the body’s sleep cycles.  Cherries are rich key vitamins and minerals; high in beta carotene (vitamin A) , vitamins C, E, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber.

Cherries contain anthocyanins, which are said to be powerful anti-inflammatory’s, which can reduce inflammation and symptoms of arthritis and gout. These anti-inflammatory properties in cherries are said to reduce pain and joint soreness perfect for runners and athletes before and after workouts.

 

Cool down and sip this flavorful tea inspired drink! Sencha tea is a classic Japanese green tea, try a cup today!

Sencha Cherry Lemonade:

* 2 lb fresh or thawed frozen cherries (1qt) or you can use 1 Cup Organic Cherry Juice

* 1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice

* 2-3 Tablespoons of your choice of Sweetener: I used organic raw honey.

* 1-2 Cups of Love & Tea's Brewed Sencha Tea
 

* 1-2 Cups Chilled Sparkling Water

_____________________________________________________

Step 1: Brew Love & Tea's Sencha tea  (enough to make 1-2 Cups) Strain and let cool.

Step 2: For fresh or thawed frozen cherries; blend cherries in a blender at low speed until you reach a brightly colored juice. Pour through a strainer, pressing & discarding the solids.

Step 3: In a large pitcher add Brewed Love & Tea's Sencha tea,  lemon juice, chilled sparkling water, desired sweeter to your cherry juice. Mix well.

Step 4: Serve in tall glasses, fill with ice and garnish as desired.

 

Cheers!

www.loveandtea.com

Spring Renewal

From the end, spring new beginnings.
-Pliny the Elder
 
 Spring, a time of renewal & growth. Welcome in the new energies for the coming year. We shed the old, and make room the new.


As we embark upon this season, we welcome and celebrate our, Spring Renewal Tea

This tea was formulated to assist in cleansing and renewing.


Below is a bit information on some of the herbs in our Spring Renewal Tea, including plant energetics, spiritual properties and color therapy of the plants.


* Dandelion :  One of the best natural sources of potassium! Dandelion is a valuable tonic for the liver, it's bitter action also aids in digestion. Dandelion increases the mineral assimilation (absorption) from foods. Stimulates blood cleansing and flow. Dandelion is traditionally one of the best herbs for toning the liver. Dandelion aids in exhaustion and fatigue. Dandelion is high in Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron.


The flower of the dandelion is colored yellow which is related to the sun. Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra, which is concerned with intellect and judgment. Yellow stimulates mental ability and concentration, and aids detachment.


Yellow activates the motor nerves. It generates energy for the muscles. Yellow affects the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal activity and the left hemisphere brain activity.
Yellow is excellent for the nerves and the brain; It is a motor stimulant and a nerve builder.Yellow rays strengthen the nerves and aid the brain.Yellow has a stimulating, cleansing, and eliminating action on the liver, intestines, and the skin.Yellow purifies the blood stream. It activates the lymphatic system.Yellow is a spleen depressant, cathartic, cholegogue, antheimintic.


* Burdock Root : Aids in digestion and kidney function. Moves the body into a balance of greater health. Traditionally used a nourishing herb for the liver and blood. Burdock is high in minerals and vitamins.

The color of Burdock root when dried is brown.
Brown is an earthy color. It grounds, stabilizes and neutralizes. It is an effective color in healing.Brown is especially effective in stabilizing overexcited states. It calms and grounds emotions and extreme mental conditions. Brown can help awaken common sense and discrimination. It brings us back down to earth.Brown is effective for any kind of spaciness.


*Oat Straw : Contains high levels of Silica Acid, Vitamin B, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous. Oat Straw calms the nervous system, builds healthy teeth and strong bones. Oat Straw is nourishing to the thyroid strengthens the adrenals. A nourishing herbs for the ovaries and uterus. Oat Straw is an exception herb for the skin.

The color of dried Oat Straw is golden, a color energy for the navel chakra healing, nurturing, soothing.

* Red Clover : A beneficial herb to restore and maintain wellness. Red Clover is nourishing to whole system but has a affinity to the blood.  Red Clover improves functions of the liver, gall bladder and circulatory system. The spiritual properties allow emotions to be more conscious, a deeper sense of a purpose toward emotions. The throat chakra energy is released. Clovers focus is also on the root chakra.
The color of the flower is reddish- pink. Pink is a color energy for your root & Heart Chakra; self acceptance, unconditional love, gentleness.


* Nettle :  Contains one of the most natural sources of chlorophyll. Nettles is nourishing to the kidneys. Nettles is an overall tonic for the entire system. Nettles restores and builds energy levels. Nettles is high in Vitamins A, C, D and K. Nettles is also high in Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Sulfur. 

Nettles is a deep green color. The color green is energy for the Heart Chakra  comfort, balance, love.   Green is cooling, soothing, and calming. Green acts upon the sympathetic nervous system. It relieves tension in the blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure. It acts upon the nervous system as a sedative and is helpful in sleeplessness, exhaustion, and irritability.

* Peppermint :  Improves digestion and  is a tonic for the stomach. Peppermint removes mucous build up. Peppermint has an affinity for the plasma, blood, marrow and nervous system. It's mildly soothing action relaxes the body, creates a clear mind.
There is an ability and strong tendency for cleansing of the etheric physical being with Peppermint, so that the vibrations of each chakra and subtle bodies draw energy from the soul and higher self.

The color of peppermint is green; green strongly affects the heart chakra, and it is balancing to the autonomic nervous system. It can be applied beneficially in cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, ulcers, exhaustion, and headaches.
Green harmonizes, life-giving, calms the mind, nerves, fever, and acidity; balances the metabolism, stabilizes the weight, tones liver and spleen; and benefits the pituitary gland.
Green awakens greater friendliness, hope, faith, and peace.
Green is restful and revitalizing to overtaxed mental conditions. It is emotionally soothing.Green loosens and equalizes the etheric body.
Green is the color of energy, youth, growth, inexperience, fertility, hope, and new life.Green is an emotional stabilizer and pituitary stimulant.

Start your Spring Renewal Now: Click here to order

Happy Spring!!!

~ 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

Rooibos Fizzy's~ African Red Tea

Warm weather is finally upon us, and here in New England we created these fabulously, refreshing, energizing, caffeine free drinks for the whole family to ENJOY!!!!  A perfect drink for any picnic or everyday celebration!

Rooibos Fizzy's:

2 teaspoons rooibos (red bush tea)
2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups Fruit juice blend (100% fruit juice)
2 cups sparkling water

Put loose tea in a tea pot or pan and cover with boiling water.  Let steep 5-7 minutes.  Add honey and stir.  Allow tea to cool.  Combine strained tea with juice and sparkling water in a pitcher; serve cold.

Makes 1 quart

Cheers!!!!
 ____________________________

A little bit about African Red Tea:

African Red tea, or commonly refereed to as Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) The leaves are actually green but turn red when oxidized potent antioxidant content protects the body from free radicals. The antioxidants in red bush tea are called poly-phenols. And it’s the catechins in the poly-phenols that support your overall health and boost your immune system

Some Health Benefits of Rooibos:

• Red Tea contains magnesium, which is necessary for a healthy nervous system.

• Red Tea increases the absorption of iron in the body.

• Red Tea contains potassium and copper minerals that are necessary for several metabolic functions.

• Red Tea is often prescribed for nervous tension and mild depression as it makes a relaxing sedative.

A Healthy Tea for Children:

Red Tea is excellent for hyperactive children and relieves insomnia, as it contains no caffeine.  A good source of vitamins and minerals. It can be used as a natural supplement as it contains calcium, magnesium and fluoride, which are essential for the development of strong teeth and bones. The minerals build healthy strong blood vessels, aid digestion and prevent tooth decay.
Red Tea is also an excellent thirst quencher for school children and can be drunk throughout the day.

In 1968, South African mother  fortuitously stumbled across Rooibos teas' ability to calm her baby, relieving the infant of colic and insomnia. Traditionally, given infants suffering from colic, sleeping problems or stomach cramps. Simply add some milk to the tea. (*Please note: it is NOT RECOMMENDED TO GIVE HONEY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 1)

Tea for your skin:

Red Tea contains alpha hydroxyl acid and zinc for healthy, smooth skin. This wonder tea is especially useful when applied to skin irritations like itchy skin, eczema, and sunburns, diaper rash and acne.

Tea for your body:

* Rooibos contains similar amounts of polyphenols and has been shown to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity.  Rooibos contains calcium, manganese and fluoride to help build strong teeth and bones.

* People with kidney stones can drink it because there’s no oxalic acid.
Full of vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium.

*Even more alluring, unconfirmed studies are showing that these flavinoids may be up to 50 times more effective than those found in Green tea.

(*These statements have not been evaluated by FDA and are not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, or mitigate disease.*)

 To order your Rooibos click here

Spring Renewal Tea

Spring, a time of renewal and growth to welcome in the new energies for the coming year.


We shed the old, and make room the new.


As we embark upon this season, we welcome and celebrate our newest creation, Spring Renewal Tea






This tea was formulated to assist in cleansing and renewing.






Below is a bit information on some of the herbs in our Spring Renewal Tea, including plant energetics, spiritual properties and color therapy of the plants.






* Dandelion :  One of the best natural sources of potassium! Dandelion is a valuable tonic for the liver, it's bitter action also aids in digestion. Dandelion increases the mineral assimilation (absorption) from foods. Stimulates blood cleansing and flow. Dandelion is traditionally one of the best herbs for toning the liver. Dandelion aids in exhaustion and fatigue. Dandelion is high in Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron.






The flower of the dandelion is colored yellow which is related to the sun. Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra, which is concerned with intellect and judgment. Yellow stimulates mental ability and concentration, and aids detachment.


Yellow activates the motor nerves. It generates energy for the muscles. .


Yellow affects the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal activity and the left hemisphere brain activity.






Yellow is excellent for the nerves and the brain; It is a motor stimulant and a nerve builder.






Yellow rays strengthen the nerves and aid the brain.






Yellow has a stimulating, cleansing, and eliminating action on the liver, intestines, and the skin.






Yellow purifies the blood stream. It activates the lymphatic system.






Yellow is a spleen depressant, cathartic, cholegogue, antheimintic.






* Burdock Root : Aids in digestion and kidney function. Moves the body into a balance of greater health. Traditionally used a nourishing herb for the liver and blood. Burdock is high in minerals and vitamins.


The color of Burdock root when dried is brown.


Brown is an earthy color. It grounds, stabilizes and neutralizes. It is an effective color in healing.


Brown is especially effective in stabilizing overexcited states. It calms and grounds emotions and extreme mental conditions. Brown can help awaken common sense and discrimination. It brings us back down to earth.


Brown is effective for any kind of spaciness.






* Oat Straw : Contains high levels of Silica Acid, Vitamin B, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous. Oat Straw calms the nervous system, builds healthy teeth and strong bones. Oat Straw is nourishing to the thyroid strengthens the adrenals. A nourishing herbs for the ovaries and uterus. Oat Straw is an exception herb for the skin.

The color of dried Oat Straw is golden, a color energy for the navel chakra healing, nurturing, soothing.






* Red Clover : A beneficial herb to restore and maintain wellness. Red Clover is nourishing to whole system but has a affinity to the blood.  Red Clover improves functions of the liver, gall bladder and circulatory system. The spiritual properties allow emotions to be more conscious, a deeper sense of a purpose toward emotions. The throat chakra energy is released. Clovers focus is also on the root chakra.






The fragrance of Red clover is inciting, you can imagine your self lying in a field of clovers, inhaling it to know it. there is a deep sense of letting go that often results from the fragrance of red clover. The color of the flower is reddish- pink. Pink is a color energy for your root & Heart Chakra; self acceptance, unconditional love, gentleness.










* Nettle :  Contains one of the most natural sources of chlorophyll. Nettles is nourishing to the kidneys. Nettles is an overall tonic for the entire system. Nettles restores and builds energy levels. Nettles is high in Vitamins A, C, D and K. Nettles is also high in Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Sulfur. 

Nettles is a deep green color. The color green is energy for the Heart Chakra  comfort, balance, love.   Green is cooling, soothing, and calming. Green acts upon the sympathetic nervous system. It relieves tension in the blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure. It acts upon the nervous system as a sedative and is helpful in sleeplessness, exhaustion, and irritability.










* Peppermint :  Improves digestion and  is a tonic for the stomach. Peppermint removes mucous build up. Peppermint has an affinity for the plasma, blood, marrow and nervous system. It's mildly soothing action relaxes the body, creates a clear mind.


 There is an ability and strong tendency for cleansing of the etheric physical being with Peppermint, so that the vibrations of each chakra and subtle bodies draw energy from the soul and higher self.






The color of peppermint is green; green strongly affects the heart chakra, and it is balancing to the autonomic nervous system. It can be applied beneficially in cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, ulcers, exhaustion, and headaches.


Green harmonizes, life-giving, calms the mind, nerves, fever, and acidity; balances the metabolism, stabilizes the weight, tones liver and spleen; and benefits the pituitary gland.


Green awakens greater friendliness, hope, faith, and peace.


Green is restful and revitalizing to overtaxed mental conditions. It is emotionally soothing.


Green loosens and equalizes the etheric body.


Green is the color of energy, youth, growth, inexperience, fertility, hope, and new life.


Green is an emotional stabilizer and pituitary stimulant.






Start your Spring Renewal Now: Click here to order

Happy Spring!!!

*3-Meditation colors for Spring Detoxing click here to learn*

 To learn more about chakra balancing, color therapy and chakra aromatherapy products please visit this website: http://www.consciouscolors.com/

 

 

The Ultimate Cleanse for Women with Busy Lives!

Learn more about spring cleansing by visiting :  http://hannahsharvest.com/cleanse-power/

Celebrating Earth Day!

 

Come Celebrate Earth Day with us!

Did you know, our packaging is made using recyclable paper and is reusable, recyclable and compost-able ! All of our teas and herbs support organic farmers and the earth!!

To honor Earth Day, we are giving you 10% off your entire order! Enter the code "earth" at check out. valid April 22-April 23rd. 
...
Come celebrate the earth and good teas!

Happy Earth day !

 

www.loveandtea.com

Importance of Natural Play

 This month we would like to introduce Daria Gosset of Nobby Organics, who shares our commitment to natural, mindful parenting. 

Nobby Organics offers some of the healthiest and most natural childrens products that stimulate the creative imagination of children. Everything you find at Nobby Organics is 100% Natural, handmade and toxin free.

Importance of Natural Play

By Daira Gosset of Nobby Organics

Born into an artistic family, I have, from an early age, learned to love and cherish the creative process with its ups and downs and often surprising results. Having only a limited number of ready-made toys, my family would use different materials found all around our house to make our own toys. My grandmother would collect scraps of cloth and sew dolls for me and my brother, while old shoeboxes and drawers would serve as doll house furniture. As I grew up, I began to make toys myself, transforming old woolen sweaters into blankets and capes for my dolls and digging up clay from our backyard to make figurines and beads. Looking back, I am very grateful to my grandmother for teaching us to view even the tiniest and seemingly useless piece of cloth as a possible prompt for exploration and inspiring us to follow our own fantastic imaginations in our play.

Today everything aims at providing the most realistic experience, with mass-produced toys overflowing with life-like details, thus, totally dismissing the need for imagination. Toys with specific pre-determined functions utilize electronic features such as light, sound, and motors to engage the child, usually making him or her the passive spectator. But, as research has shown, it is very important for the child to actively participate in his own play, to complete a toy using his own imagination, which, in turn, plays a key factor in his social, moral, and physical development. Thus, for example, tying a silk scarf around the shoulders as a cape or placing it on the floor and playing among its folds as if it were a river allow the child to explore the world around him and communicate his feelings in a stress-free environment. Such open-ended toys also allow the child to adapt the toy to whatever game or situation he most relates to at that moment, again aiding in the development of not only his imagination but also his relationship with the adult world.

Natural materials such as silk, wool, and wood also provide a very different tactile experience from the plastic usually used for manufactured toys. Besides the comfort and warmth afforded by the natural materials, there is a great variety of textures available for the child to explore, further aiding his development, as opposed to the relatively uniform texture and unnatural coolness of plastic. Moreover, natural toys minimize the child’s exposure to harmful toxins which are abundant in mass-produced plastic toys. Especially dangerous are the dioxins contained in #3 PVC plastics, the Bisphenol-A (BPA) added to #7 plastics to make them rigid, and the synthetic dyes, containing heavy metals, used to produce bright, saturated colors. All of these are considered to be some of the most toxic poisons known to man, and now imagine the harm such chemicals can inflict on the developing body and brain of a child at this especially critical stage of his life.

We as parents should try to resist this new technological impulse, not giving into the temptation of using television and computers to keep our children busy but encouraging natural play. Encourage them to spend more time outside, maybe even helping you with yard-work such as raking and gardening, which provides them with inspiration for their own future games and symbolic play. Chose simple toys and teach them various crafts, all of which develop their imagination as well as offer loads of fun. 

With Easter and springtime approaching, a wonderful activity could be dyeing eggs. I still cherish those fond childhood memories of my mother collecting dried onion skins in a basket on the kitchen table and then using them, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, to dye our Easter eggs. Not only does this creative process result in beautiful Easter decorations and presents, but it also teaches the children about the power and beauty of simple nature. Natural ingredients like spices, herbs and vegetables offer an endless variety of hues for dyeing eggs.

To get a beautiful mahogany color, place 10-12 eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered and add the skins of 12-15 yellow onions. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat, and allow the eggs to simmer for 20-30 minutes. The longer you leave the eggs to boil, the deeper the color will be. Remove eggs, rinse in lukewarm water and cool them. If you’d like to add a soft sheen to your eggs, coat them lightly with vegetable oil and polish with a cloth.

If you’d like a more delicate decoration, try tying fresh small leaves to the egg with string. Then follow the previous directions. This process takes a little bit more patience, but the results are stunning!

Happy Spring!

About Daria,  

Mother to five children and the owner of NobbyOrganics. Born in Russia, I moved to the U.S. with my husband, and have been living in Westchester County, NY in a setting surrounded by trees, flowers and lakes for almost half of my life. There’s a lot of creativity and play in our family, and we’re passionate about the environment, brestfeeding, mindful parenting, traveling, crafting and exploring the world.  Having started my business venture less than a year ago, I am very excited about it and carefully choose the products made with only eco-friendly and organic materials such as wood, cotton, wool, and non-toxic dyes from around the globe. I believe that nature provides everything for keeping us comfortable and healthy. 

Visit Daria's shop Nobby Organics to find a fantastic selection of natural, organic products.




Visit our web site to browse our entire collection of teas! www.loveandtea.com

A Bow, A View, A Bowl of Tea

By Donna D’Orio

I was happy to receive my invitation to be a part of Love & Tea through the sharing of my experiences in the practice of Chado. I study the Uresenke tradition with the Waiki Association in Portland Oregon. It is my hope that my posts serve to inform and inspire making more possible an authentic and joyful relationship for the readers with the traditional Chanoyu.

The objective of the Japanese tea ceremony is to purify the soul by becoming one with nature through a ritual that employs the attributes of grace, gentleness, compassion, acceptance and respect of imperfection, regard for all things and also to pay homage to the aesthetic of austere simplicity and refined poverty.  The tea ceremony is part of the spiritual practice of Zen.

Uresenke tradition holds as its father the Zen monk Sen Rikyu (1522-1591). A monk and student of Zen Rikyu brought this influence into his discipline of tea. He emphasized direct experience and held to the principals that are the foundational principals in Chado today. The four main principals in Chado are:

Wa or Harmony

Kei or Respect

Sei or Purity

Jaku or Tranquility

This lovely poem by Fujiwara Ietaka reflects Rikyu’s philosophy nicely.

 “To those who long only for flowers in full bloom, I would show the spring of young shoots pushing through snow in a mountain village.”  by Fujiwara Ietaka.

The spring birds are darting through the woods, lighting on rain soaked branches as the season reaches it climax. The cherry blossoms signal the fullness of spring and become the theme of

April tea. The hearth-pit season comes to a close and the sunken hearth will remain covered until November. I thought this would be a symbolic month to begin the writings for this blog.

The fresh smell of aired tatami mat greets me as I bow (signifying all are equal) and enter the Chashitsu (tea room) on my knees. The Tokonoma (raised alcove) serves as the focal point and houses the hanging scroll holding a calligraphy poem or phrase written with brush strokes and chosen carefully to reflect a theme chosen by the Teishu (host) for this occasion. A  bamboo Chabana holds the delicate display of Camillia. I bow, pause and reflect on the scroll, admire the flower arrangement and then take my place as guest. Practice begins. It is the perfect compliment to sitting practice in the Zen tradition.

The Teishu enters carrying the Chawan (tea bowl) which holds the Chasen (tea whisk), the Chakin (tea cloth) and Chashaku (tea scoop). The bowl represents the moon (yin) and is placed next to the water jar which represents the sun (yang). Placed perfectly the Teishu returns to the Myzuaya (preparation room) to get the Kensui (waste water bowl), Hishaku (bamboo water ladle) and the Futaoki (rest for Kama or kettle lid). It is a lovely procession of beautiful utensils all finding their place under the most gentle direction. The outside world falls away and we are in the grace of direct experience. It is so incredibly nurturing, the most basic acts refined and implemented into a moving meditation, a physical interaction that is tangible and designed to reconnect us to the joy of being. There is no use for the internet or other forms of modern technology here, those things would not serve the fundamental purpose this direct experience fosters. I am so relieved and profoundly grateful for this time in the Chashitsu.

See you next month…A Bow.

 To see our selection of handcrafted cups click here

April

Everywhere

In the hazy field of springtime,

The scent of the flower…

Is it the blossoming cherry?

                                From the Manyoshu

A bit about Donna D'Orio: a Colorado native residing in Western Oregon (the land of rain) as I study Chado, Zen and participate actively with my grandchildren as I continue to pursue my artistic path. I hold a BA in Art and Cultural Studies. I am currently building a body of work to show and make available through my upcoming blog and website currently under construction and hope to see you there in the future.
 

~Celebrate Love~

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

Infused Honey's:

An Infusion of carefully blended Organic Spices into pure Vermont Honey . . . Raw, Unfiltered, Sweet and Organic!


Our Love Honey is a Culinary delight used to bless the taste buds with a rare Natural Sweetness infused with Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Clove, Orange and Lemon Peel, Rose Hips, Nutmeg and Vanilla!
Click here to order your Love Honey

Our Goji Honey is a Culinary delight used to bless the taste buds with a rare Natural Sweetness infused with the revered and health promoting Tibetan Goji Berry.

Click here to order your Tibetan Goji Berry Honey

Enjoy the sweetness!

~ 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. 


Share a cup of love!

Click here to order your celebration Love Tea

add a heart t-infuser click here

~Om Time Tea~

 

Om Time Tea is a Cheerful and Enchanting blend to invoke Peace & Joy . . . serve warm with Love drawing your thoughts inward to experience an awakened serenity~

Order your Om Time Tea click here


art work by J. Lashua

Meaning of Om

"Om, according to the ancient scripts of the Vedic civilization, is the sound of life. It is the infinite vibration that shimmers through the Universe, providing life and sustenance to everything. Om is the beginning and will continue till the end; the one constant that unites all of creation at its deepest level.

The chanting of Om revitalizes the body, soothes the mind and nourishes the soul. Hence, Om is considered the most powerful of all Indian mantras (chants), and is the prefix to or the beginning sound of all other mantras.

The Upanishads (Indian Vedic texts), describe Om (or Aum) as the complete sound that encapsulates the entire range of sounds the human voice can make. It starts with A at the base of the throat, moves on to U with the tongue and the palette, and ends with M where the lips are closed and no more sound emanates.

If Divinity were to be represented in sound codes, it would be Om. Om is the purifier, the all powerful tool that awakens in us the deepest reflection of Spirit, or God, or the Universal energy. This is because Om is the representation of this energy and flows through our breath in our waking and sleeping state. Om is the essence that unites all of us at our most intuitive level." from Om Village

~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 Tea!

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!
Featuring the wonderful art of Donna D'Orio who created this cheerful little elf!

*Limited edition tea*

 Order your holiday cheer tea now by clicking here
  




To celebrate our new tea we are gifting one luck person this tea!

To enter leave a comment below and tell us what holiday cheer means to you!  
Comments will close on Sunday Dec. 12 midnight EST.

Congratulations to Sara!!!!! Please e-mail us!!!

~Happy Holidays to all~


www.loveandtea.com

~Blends for the fall & teas for digestive health~

~Tasty teas for digestive health~

Our Tummy Tea was formulated to enhance greater digestive power and ease tummy discomfort. A tasty cup of  tea for children and adults!

Herbs behind this blend:

* Chamomile: Is said to uplift the spirits, soothes and calm's the soul. Traditionally used as a carminative, while toning and balancing the stomach.

* Fennel Seed: Is used in many cultures to ease and settle digestion, especially in new mothers and infants.

* Ginger:  Is used traditionally as a tonic for the entire female reproductive system. Also used to help ward off colds and sore throats. This root is utilized in many cultures for it's ability to increase digestive power. Ginger has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties and, has a healing effect on the stomach.

* Peppermint & Spearmint: Mints are known to refresh and invigorate the mind. Toning and balancing to the stomach, while dispelling gas.

~order your tummy tea now and get 10% off your entire order, through Oct. 10th. Enter the code "tummy" at checkout~

www.loveandtea.com




Check these other teas for greater digestive power:

* Chai

* Sweet Relief

* Green Mt. mint

* Ginger Mountain Ginseng



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Featured Tea; New Mama Rejevenation!

"To take care of ourselves, we take care of those around us."- Thich Nhat Hanh




I have yet to meet a mama who does not need a little TLC!

This tea was formulated to nourish, re-store and re-vitalize mama's after giving birth.

~New Mama Rejuvenation~

A few notes on a few herbs in this 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, insomnia.

A great gift for any New mama or Mama-to-be!

www.loveadtea.com


and a great read for any mama,  that I couldn't pass up to add:

Eat, Pray, Love, & Tea; Culinary creations with Happy Citrus

These fantastic dishes were inspired by one of our customers, Donna Schwenk 
with our Happy Citrus Tea!


Check out Donna's blog for more great recipes!  blog@culturedfoodlife.com


Donna writes this beautiful post:


 Before human beings knew or understood nutrition or any type of medicine , all they could do was pray.~ Alex Loyd 

It didn't take them long to figure out that certain leaves, twigs roots and leaves were valuable and healing. Things involved until the era of drugs and medicine. The way most drugs are developed is to take and herb that has a benefit. Then break it down and find out the active ingredient and then make a synthetic version with none of the original herb in the mix. Hence we have a drug that the body no longer can break down easily. This is what the body calls a toxin.

In my garden last week I was walking through my herbs realizing that just like cultured foods these herbs have been around for thousands of years.  The wisdom still resides within these beautiful plants an herbs.  Later that afternoon I was making a new herbal tea that I had gotten in the mail from Love & Tea  I was looking at the ingredients and, ( All Organic, Lemon grass, Lemon peel,Chamomile, Cinnamon Rose hips & Petals,Hibiscus, Elderberry, Lavender, Spearmint)


I was reminded how many wonderful things that come from the earth, are here to help us be healthy and thrive. So inspiration hit and I revamped one of my favorite recipes using these wonderful herbal teas.
 Hope you like it. 



 Coconut curry is so delicious!

Eat The best quality foods you can find.
Pray and be thankful that God has given us a rich and wonderful bounty of wisdom growing in our back yards.
Love one another .
Drink some herbal tea it will enhance these beautiful bodies that house our souls.



Brown Tea Rice

1 teaspoon of Happy Citrus tea placed in a tea bag
1 teaspoon  butter
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro
2/3 cup brown basmati rice
1 1/2  cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 Lime

In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, add rice, tea bag. and butter. Add water and salt, bring to a full rolling boil. At boiling, cover, turn down to simmer over low heat until rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 25  to 45 minutes. Remove tea bag squeeze lime over rice. Fluff rice with a fork and add chopped cilantro.


Coconut Chicken Curry

1/2 cup of tea made with Happy Citrus tea
1 small onion, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 small red bell pepper, cubed
1 cup halved mushrooms
2 ounces (1 1/2 cups) broccoli
1 cup thinly sliced carrots or whole sugar snap peas
1 cup sliced zucchini or yellow squash

2 boneless chicken sliced into bite size pieces

Coconut-Curry Sauce
1/2 cup canned coconut milk*
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tbsp curry paste ( I use more but I like it spicy)
1 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp arrowroot
1/2 cup chopped cashews

Add tea to pan and turn heat to medium high add chicken and cook till meat is no longer pink. Add vegetables to pan and cover and turn heat to simmer and cook till vegetables are tender. Remove lid and cook for 5 minutes.

Blend all coconut curry sauce in blender. Add to chicken and vegetables. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

 Serve with brown tea rice and chopped cashews.


Submitted by  Donna Schwenk.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you Donna for your wonderful recipes and all inspiring words!

 order your happy citrus tea and make this delicious recipe now!

www.loveandtea.com