Ditch Your Teabags -They May Contain Plastics That Leach Into Your Tea

Are you a tea drinker?  Then you need to read this. 

Alert: Did you know that many popular tea brands of regular, green tea, or herbal teas, use tea bags that contain micro plastics that can leach into your cup of tea when steeped in hot water? I had no idea and it could be serious.

Scary, right?

IN MY KITCHEN- FEBRUARY

         

It's time to take a peek into my kitchen and see what's happening in the month of February. I'm still in my Florida kitchen.

Homemade Vitamin C Drink for Colds and Flu

Tis the season to be jolly,  but the party is over when you have a bad cold or the flu. Did you know you can make your own Immune boosting Vitamin C drink that may help you feel better using some simple ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen.

Herbal Teas- The Perfect Bone Strengthener ?

I wanted to add more bone building and strengthening vitamins and minerals to my diet . I was reading some articles that suggested infusing herbal teas is a great way to do it. 

Herbal teas are made from nutritive herbs that have pleasant tastes and are easy to make.

You are probably most familiar with herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus which are commonly found in commercially sold tea bags, but herbs like dandelion, nettle and oat straw are less familiar and usually need to be ordered on line or purchased in some health food stores .

These wonderful herbal teas come in bulk and are prepared by making an infusion.
Infusing tea is as simple as boiling water, adding the tea and allowing it to steep for a specified amount of time. Generally an hour or longer.

It seems that the vitamins and the minerals that are stored in the roots and leaves of the herb have traditionally been used for centuries by herbalists who suggest remedies to their clients for the medicinal and nutritive benefits.

This formula is known as a bone building formula  because herbs like nettle and dandelion, oatstraw, and horsetail are rich in calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients needed for bone building or mending. Also for hair, teeth, nails.

Bone building Herbal Teas

These are the main nutrients found in each herb, but they also contain other nutrients in lesser amounts plus trace nutrients
***Oatstraw- rich in calcium and magnesium ( oatstraw is not gluten free unless labeled certified gluten free)
Nettle leaf- Vit C and D , Calcium Magnesium and zinc
Dandelion leaf- rich in Vit A , C, and D and iron, zinc, and magnesium
Horsetail- contains silicon which is necessary for good bone density
Stevia leaf tea- a natural herb that adds a sweet taste without affecting blood sugar levels and also contains vitamins and minerals. This is not the powder- this is the actual leaf cut up.

The herbs are often sold in bulk and are dried and cut so they are ready to use for tea. I like making tea because I find it easily digestible making it perfect for me with celiac. ( however, I would never try something new without checking with your medical doctor first especially if you are taking medications)

Recipe for Bone Building Tea Infusion

I like to make my tea infusions in a mason jar. Caution: I Make sure to rinse the jar with warm water first ( so I don't add boiling water to a cold jar) and place a metal spoon to help distribute heat in the jar before adding the boiling water. I cover loosely, but never seal the with its lid ( I use a different cover)

1. Mix together 1 tablepsoon of each herb (  nettle, dandelion, and horsetail ) and add to mason jar.
2. cover with 8 cups  of boiling water ( I let the boiling water cool for a few minutes)
3. Cover and steep for 4 hours or overnight is best.
4. Strain and Drink 3-4 cups daily ( refrigerate to store for up to 3 days)

If you prefer using tea bags: I would only use only when traveling-bc there are only small amounts in each bagNettle leaf tea bag

***Please note that Nettle leaf and Stinging Nettle leaf are the same product ( they use the name interchangeably)

I read more ideas on how to use tea for bone building on Susan Weed  who is an herbalist who teaches about using tea for nutrition. I recently listened to a lecture and she said it is best to steep your tea separately like a container of nettle and a container of horsetail. She also recommends red clover tea .

Read the reviews on Amazon of the benefits people share 
If you read the reviews on Amazon by individuals using these products, they will help you understand how beneficial nutritive herbal teas are. In addition to helping build and mend bone growth, the nutrients in these teas ( and other teas) people are using them for  allergies, edema, hair, nails, joint pain, muscle pain and more -

I am not an expert- I am just starting to use nutritive herbal teas- so I will keep you posted on the results and benefits. I'm looking to strengthen my nails, bring more vitality to my hair, and strengthen my bones - I will let you know as soon as I see ( or don't see) results.

Nettle leaf Tea:

Dandelion Leaf Tea:

Horsetail :

*** my good friend Laura and Co- Author of Food No Matter What is an expert on making herbal tea infusions. She suggested to me that I grind ( not to a powder) the loose tea in a coffee grinder before infusing. ( I believe it is to make the tea stretch further) Laura correct me if I am wrong! - gotta give Laura a plug for her newest book which is an actually an exciting time travel book

Frontier Natural Products Organic Horsetail Herb (Shavegrass) Cut and Sifted -- 16 oz

Frontier Stinging Nettle Leaf - Cut & Sifted - Organic - 16 Ounces

Dandelion Leaf Cut & Sifted Organic - 1 lb,(Frontier)

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I am not trying to diagnose or treat disease. The information in this post and on my blog are strictly for educational purposes. I am sharing what I am doing. Always consult your doctor before taking herbs or making any changes in your diet especially if you are taking medication. Herbs can interfere with medicine- so check with your doctor before trying any herbal tea.


I'm sharing this post on Weekend Cooking at  Beth Fish Reads where anyone can share a food related post!

I am an affiliate for Amazon and like most bloggers will receive a very small compensation from Amazon if you click on a link from my blog and make a purchase. It helps me defray the cost of running a blog. ( this does not affect your cost in any way) I appreciate your support- thanks


Food No Matter What! Stories & Recipes for Perfect Dining in an Imperfect World

The Summerman Time Travel Matchmaking Agency - Book One: Open for Business

Stress Buster: Relax Now

Feeling Stressed Out? 

Relax with this incredible piano performance from YouTube (link below). I can't get enough of the music and the performance. You will watch it over and over again. And while I'm listening and watching, I sip a relaxing cup of homemade herbal tea to sooth my tummy and my frazzled nerves. 

I was just browsing around Youtube and found this video: 

After hearing and watching this music performance on Youtube- I wanted to share it because it is so uplifting and relaxing at the same time!!

It's music to soothe your soul.. so beautiful

So grab a cup of herbal tea ( see my favorite recipe below)  or coffee- relax- and listen!!

Two Choices to Listen to Right Now on Youtube: 

Want upbeat, invigorating, and fun- Listen to the first Youtube- Let It Go!

Want something slower and more classical? Listen to the 2nd one- classical music

Let it Go from Frozen!! Upbeat and Inspiring

                                      

 This group is called "The Piano Guys"

                   The Piano Guys have about 20 Videos on Youtube 

                       They also have a beautiful Christmas Album!

Christmas Album

Play the music!!

What did you think?

 Have you heard them before?

The Tea

Anise is great for better digestion-

drink a cup after meals!

My favorite home brewed herbal tea recipe- 

For a step by step tutorial: 

Ayurvedic Cardamom and Anise Tea 

My friend Vicki introduced me to this simple delicious herbal tea.

 It's made from two ingredients: Anise seeds and cardamom pods

Vicki serves it with a little raw honey- 

You can make it in just 7 minutes

I posted the recipe years ago, so here is the link if you missed it- 

Ayurvedic Cardamom and Anise Tea 

You can purchase cardamom pods ( organic) online;

I buy these:  Cardamom Pods Whole Organic - 2 oz 

                                                               Anise Seed Tin

I buy this : Organic Anise Seeds Whole -

Are you an herbal tea drinker?

 Do you make your own, buy teabags? 

Which one is your favorite??

Shared on Weekend Cooking at The Intrepid Reader and Baker where anyone can share a food related post.

Just so you know: I am an affiliate for Amazon. If you click on a link and then buy something from Amazon, I will be compensated a very tiny amount but at no additional cost to you. I appreciate the support as it helps me defray the costs of running a blog. 

Anti-Aging Herbal Tea- Rooibos Tea

    
                

Rooibos ( pronounced Roy-boss) Herbal Tea

Rooibos tea is an herbal tea that has many medicinal and anti-aging benefits. Herbs can be very good for our health and herbal tea is relaxing to drink. This mild tasting tea is available in most supermarkets, health food stores, Trader Joe's and Whole Food Markets.  ( I bought Twinning brand in the supermarket). It has a pleasing taste and a  rich red color that can be enjoyed hot or cold any time of the day, since it has no caffeine. It comes from South Africa and is also called Red Bush Tea.



When you want something hot to relax with think about herbal tea.
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This is my new favorite tea. Who doesn't need help with wrinkles!! 

What are the benefits? 

•  greater amount of antioxidants than regular tea and less tannins.
•  contains an ingredient that protects against UV rays from the sun.
•  anti-aging agent for the skin
•  helps fight wrinkles  and fine lines
•  helps fight dry skin
•  helps rashes, eczema and psoriasis topically or internally
• has lots of minerals:  magnesium which supports a healthy nervous system, calcium & manganese which is essential for strong bones and teeth, zinc which helps regulate metabolism and iron.
• Drinking rooibos tea may lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  

So, if you go in the sun, if you want to protect your skin, drink at least a cup of rooibos tea daily. It will naturally help protect  you against UV rays...

Puffy under the eyes? try using your wet rooibos tea bag

Rooibos tea is a natural antioxidant and helps as a natural sunscreen.. Many people don't realize that the antioxidants in many foods actually protect against sun's rays.

Did you know that many summer fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that can help protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun? In fact, many  people report that they stopped getting sunburns when when they consciously fortified  their diets with these foods.

Although sunscreen can block harmful UV rays, sunscreen is also questionable because of the toxins it also contains. Smearing it all over your body, or you child's body may not be the perfect solution. After all,  sunscreen contains harmful toxins that absorb into your skin and consequently into your body. Sometimes you just need to wear it to be protected, sometimes you don't really need to wear it.

I usually use sunscreen on my face,  but I wear long sleeves to cover my arms and upper body when I am exposed to the sun. I also wear a wide brimmed hat to shade my face and neck as much as possible. Once a year , I get a check up with my dermatologist to check my skin.

Some sun is good for you. I try to get at least 20 minutes of early morning sun to absorb vitamin D.. which is needed for strong bones, teeth, and skin.

Don't be totally afraid of the sun.. we some sun to get sufficient Vitamin D. Most of the population is deficient in this essential body building vitamin.. so let yourself and your kids get some sun.. The sun is natural . Sunscreen is not.

There are many foods, including watermelon that provide essential antioxidants to help protect the skin from the sun's rays. search the web for natural sunscreen rich foods that help protect against UV rays.This is a great article that informs you about foods that protect against sunburn and the sun's rays
 Foods that Protect Against Sunburn

Pin ItPlease leave a comment so I know you stopped by. Scroll down to the end of the post and click on comments.

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Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor before making any changes in your diet. The information in this post is for educational purposes only.

  may be shared on a few of the following blog carnivals

Ayurvedic Anise and Cardamom Tea

Do you enjoy herbal tea?
This herbal tea is not only soothing, but good for your digestion.

This Ayurvedic herbal tea blend is tasty, aids the digestive system, and is relaxing. It is made from anise seeds and green cardamom pods that can be purchased in bulk at a reasonable price in any Indian grocery store. Anise and cardamom pods ( not ground) can also be purchased in some supermarkets in the spice isle, but be prepared to pay a higher price than in an ethnic store.

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania directly across the river from where the historical Battle of Trenton was fought against the British during the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, George Washington set up headquarters on many properties throughout Bucks County to plan that very battle. One of his headquarters, known as Headquarter's Farm, is an historic site that was later sold to private investors.

Purchase anise seeds and green cardamom pods at an Indian Grocery Store or supermarket

You may be wondering what George Washington and the Battle of Trenton  have to do with this herbal Tea.

Well, In the 1980's,  the carriage house at  George Washington's Headquarter's Farm was home for a year to my good friend Vicki. It was there at Headquarter's Farm that I was first introduced to this aromatic Ayurvedic tea.

Vicki had an historic rustic kitchen and loved to make things from scratch. This tea was an Ayurvedic herbal blend that she learned in her many travels to India. Until this day, whenever I visit Vicki, we always enjoy good conversation and a cozy cup of her homemade anise and cardamom tea.

Are cardamom and anise seeds healthy? You bet..
Spices  are very rich sources of vital nutrients and antioxidants. Cardamom provides calcium, iron, magnesium , phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Cardamom also has small amounts of Vitamin C, B6, B1, B2, Niacin, and folate. In addition, anise seeds provide vitamins B complex, C, potassium, calcium, iron,  and sulfur. Spices and herbs are powerhouses of immune building antioxidants and nutrients.

The tea is very easy to make. All you need is a small pot and strainer ( or you could use a tea ball- I didn't)

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon anise seeds
6 pods of green cardamom, crushed to expose inner seeds
4 cups water ( some of the water will boil out)

Directions:

Place the water, anise seeds, and cardamom in a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 7 minutes. Shut off the heat and allow to steep for about 5 more minutes. Strain and serve hot.
Add a little organic raw honey or a good quality liquid stevia to your cup if you like a sweet tea.

Enjoy.. this tea is soothing to the stomach, aids digestion, and the taste and aroma surpasses any tea you could brew from a tea bag.

Step by Step with Pictures

• 

• 

  Fill a mesh tea holder with 1T anise seeds and 6 cardamom pods ( crushed) ; Add to 4 cups water in to a small pot or do what I do : just put the herbs in the water loose, follow the directions, and use a small strainer to strain before drinking.

  
  

 Bring to a boil, turn off heat,  and then let it sit for about 7minutes; 
Strain and drink


Add honey if you like it sweet or drink it just the way it is...

Ayurvedic Cardamom and Anise Tea 

You can purchase cardamom pods ( organic) online; Cardamom pods

I buy : Cardamom Pods Whole Organic - 2 oz 

I buy  : Spicely Organic Anise Seeds Whole - EcoBox - Gluten Free - Non GMO - Vegan - Kosher

                                                             This is cute:   Anise Seed Tin