Tea

Check Out This UNBE-LEAF-ABLE Fall Flavors Sampler Pack!

December 6, 2019 By Paula 1 Comment

Two Rivers Coffee Fall Flavors Sampler Pack

Try more than 20 different fall flavors without buying 20 different boxes!

It’s getting cooler outside and the leaves have put on their spectacular annual fall show. Painting the landscape with their beautiful leaves for as far as the eye can see. After a long wait, it is also time for the limited edition Two Rivers Coffee Fall Flavors Sampler Pack to return and deliver some of the most wonderful Fall tastes to my morning cup of joe. I am always excited to brew up something good with this assorted sampler pack that captures the cozy, warm aromas, and flavors of autumn. With a wide variety of Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Hot Cider, and Tea from Andes, Cella’s, Welch’s, Red Hot’s, Brooklyn Bean, Bosco, Café Artigiano, Felix & Norton, Fireside Cider, Grapehead, Prospect Tea, Friendly’s, Hamilton Mills, Java Factory, Realtree, Stash Tea, and Tootsie Roll’s Junior Mints there’s something for everyone in this box. The hardest part will be deciding which one to try first!

Are you ready to enjoy the wonderful flavors of fall and try the more than 20 different fall flavors in this sampler pack? If so, you’re in luck because this limited edition seasonal Two Rivers Coffee Fall Flavors Sampler Pack is available right NOW!

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The Best Tea for Digestion – Ease Your Stomach with These Teas

April 3, 2019 By Paula 41 Comments

Are you feeling bloated? Having stomach pains?
Some teas are particularly soothing and healing for the digestive system.

Sometimes black, green, and herbal teas can be a simple, natural solution that is gentle for your system and easy to incorporate in your daily routine. Plus a warm cup of tea not only soothes your stomach, it also gives you an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Tea: An Ancient Solution to Today’s Common Ailments

Ginger Tea

Offering a variety of health benefits and healing compounds to alleviate upset stomach, ginger tea has been used for thousands of years as a cure for nausea and digestive problems. While many people reach for the ginger ale when they have stomach pain or nausea, ginger tea contains higher concentrations of the compounds that alleviate these digestive issues. This makes it a better choice if you want to feel better faster.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint has been shown to inhibit pain receptors originating in the colon that lead to severe pain in the stomach muscles. Tea made from peppermint leaves not only helps alleviate pain associated with menstrual cramps and nausea — it’s one of the best teas to settle your stomach. Peppermint tea is the tea to drink when you are nauseated and are suffering from stomach pains and cramps.

Holy Basil Tea

Holy Basil tea is not made with the same type of basil that you put in your spaghetti sauce. This tea is made from the plant commonly known as tulsi tea, Ocimum tenuflorum. It is used widely in Indian medicine and Ayurveda. Studies have shown holy basil tea has the ability to decrease stomach acid. And, to increase and extend the life of mucous cells, the surface cells that line the digestive tract and protect it from disease. Tulsi tea is often used to treat anxiety, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, acne, blood sugar, and hair loss.

Anise Tea

Aside from the legendary aphrodisiac powers attributed to it in Ancient Rome, anise tea helps improve digestion, alleviate cramps, and reduce nausea. Anise can also help regulate menstruation, boost lactation, and can be used to relieve a toothache It has an expectorant effect on the respiratory system when congested.

Chamomile Tea

Made using the buds of chamomile flowers, chamomile tea is known worldwide as a soothing, relaxing brew. It is also one of the best home remedies for abdominal pain. This tea offers carminative properties, which help to reduce feelings of gas and bloating that can cause an upset stomach. By reducing abdominal gas, it helps alleviate pain caused by stomach cramps. This tea also contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help with irritable bowel syndrome.

Black Tea

Thanks to the presence of tannins and other chemicals that have a positive and relaxing effect on the digestive system of the body, black tea can help to relieve an upset stomach and diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs when the intestinal lining is inflamed and black tea helps reduce this inflammation. Since black tea reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, it is highly beneficial to anyone with acid reflux or ulcer issues. Depending on your caffeine tolerance, drink 1 or 2 cups per day.

Senna Tea

Senna tea is a powerful laxative tea that can help you deal with painful constipation. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the senna plant have been used in tea as a laxative or stimulant for centuries. Be careful! It is recommended that you do not use senna for longer than 2 weeks at a time. It can also make birth control less effective, making it more likely for an accidental pregnancy to occur.

Papaya Leaf Tea

Papaya tea helps with your indigestion problems, especially excessive acid reflux. It also helps with weight control through the healthy effective elimination process. According to research, papaya leaf tea may also be a benefit for gastric ulcers. This tea is often described as very smooth, with a subtle bitterness that can be very stimulating. Additionally, papaya leaf tea is a natural energy drink, providing special protein-digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain that aid in healthy digestion.

Green Tea

Green tea has been widely researched for its health benefits. Research has shown that it can help stimulate the production of gastric juices including bile, which can help to break down food more efficiently leading to fewer incidences of bloating and gas. Since green tea contains catechins including EGCG, which help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of pain it can help to alleviate colitis and chronic gastritis. These two ailments are caused by inflammation and irritation in the stomach; which can affect digestion. It is recommended that you consume 2 to 3 cups of green tea per day to help improve digestion. You should drink it after each meal and not on an empty stomach as this can actually increase stomach problems.

Lemongrass Tea

It has been shown that lemongrass tea works wonderfully as an alternative remedy for stomach cramping, upset stomach, and other digestive issues. In fact, several studies have shown that lemongrass tea can help relieve abdominal issues such as stomach cramps and pain. Studies have also shown that lemongrass can be effective in treating gastric ulcers. Lemongrass tea can also be used to help treat oral infections and cavities, thanks to its antimicrobial properties.

Fennel Tea

Fennel has long been associated with digestive and metabolic health. A cup of fennel tea, made from the seeds, fresh leaves, or the bulb, after a meal can treat digestive issues like heartburn, flatulence, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Thanks to its estrogen-like chemicals, this tea can reduce menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause. It may also increase lactation. Fennel tea tastes a little like licorice, with a relaxing scent and slightly bitter aftertaste. I must mention that some people are allergic to fennel. Make a cup (find directions here) and give it a smell, if it smells good then try it. If it doesn’t, Integrative Nutritionist Kimberly Lackey says to trust your nose and avoid it.

Many teas soothe symptoms of nausea, pain and excess gas while treating chronic diseases such as acid reflux and chronic gastritis. When you think of all the Chinese sages who’ve ingested probably thousands of cups of tea in their lifetimes, it’s no surprise that drinking tea can even help you live a long happy life. The protective role of tea consumption is not limited to a particular type of tea. Whether you want to cure nausea in a hurry or treat and prevent stomach ulcers, there’s a tea that’s right for you. So to boost your health from your brain down to your gut, drink high-quality tea every day.

If you know of a beneficial tea not included in this post, please share it with us! We are always excited to learn more about what our readers are using.

Green Tea Benefits With Single Serve Convenience!

April 7, 2018 By Paula 8 Comments

GREEN TEA!
Have you been wondering what all the fuss is about?

This flavorful beverage offers many health benefits to anyone who drinks it regularly. Green tea is considered one of the world’s healthiest drinks and contains one of the highest amounts of antioxidants of any tea. Some of the antioxidants and healing compounds found in green tea include polyphenols, catechins and various other types of flavonoids — the same anti-aging compounds found in things like red wine, blueberries, and dark chocolate. Amazingly, green tea is approximately 20-45 percent polyphenols by weight, of which 60-80 percent are catechins such as EGCG. These catechins are antioxidants that are said to help prevent cell damage.

Among many other benefits, green tea may help prevent memory loss and can help protect brain cells from free radical damage. It may also help prevent Diabetes and insulin resistance. According to dozens of studies, regularly drinking green tea may reduce your risk of developing heart disease or Alzheimer’s, help you maintain better bone mineral density, ward off eye diseases that affect vision in older age, prevent strokes, and even extend your life.

Both green and black tea share many of the same benefits, considering they come from the same plants. It’s the processing that results in the different colors, flavors, and health benefits of green tea and black tea. Green tea leaves are dried for a shorter time than black tea leaves before processing, so they keep their greener color. Compared to green tea, black tea is more processed.

The standard way to brew green tea is to:

Place your tea bag or high-quality tea leaves in your teapot.
Heat or boil water, but don’t let it completely boil and become too hot, as this can destroy some of the delicate compounds found in green tea leaves. The “ideal” temperature for brewing green tea is between 160 degrees Fahrenheit to 180 degrees F (traditionally standard Chinese green teas brew at slightly higher temperatures). Pour hot water into the teapot to steep the leaves for only about 1–3 minutes. Larger leaves need more time to steep than finer, smaller leaves.
Once brewed, pour a little tea at a time into each cup in order to have the tea’s strength be evenly distributed. At this point, you can add some lemon juice or raw honey as the finishing touch.

Now, if you are like us this seems like a lot of work and time for a cup of tea. Thank goodness for our single serve machine and Stash’s awesome line of teas for it. Stash Single Serve Teas give you green tea benefits with single-serve convenience!

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This Premium Green Tea is a blend of select green teas. Delicately handled leaves are steam processed in the traditional Japanese style to preserve the flavor, fragrance, and color of the fresh leaf. The finished tea leaves are a vibrant green that brew into a bright golden-green liquor with a delicately herbaceous, slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Stash Tea is one of the largest specialty tea companies in the United States. Their teas aren’t just good, they’re the best.

Premium quality teas with 100% natural ingredients that are healthy and great tasting
Keurig Compatible including 2.0 K-Cup Brewers
Certified Kosher

Stash Premium Green - Green Tea Benefits With Single Serve Convenience

Every afternoon we have a cup of tea. Marcus has a spoonful of raw unfiltered honey in his and I enjoy mine naked. Because of its smoothness and clean taste this Premium Green Tea from Stash is one of our favorites. If you are looking to add green tea to your life this is one that we would highly recommend you try.

Matcha Cake Recipe made with Green Tea Powder is 13 SmartPoints Per Slice

January 30, 2018 By Paula 1 Comment

One Organic Matcha Cake

Use this recipe to make a cake that is subtly sweet and flavored with green tea. You’ll be enchanted by this matcha dessert’s wonderfully yummy texture and taste. Saved up all week for a delicious treat? At 13 SmartPoints per slice, this cake makes a delicious option when you want to treat yourself to something special.

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 TBSP ONE ORGANIC Matcha
1/2 cup granulated cane sugar

1 large egg
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a loaf or muffin pan with oil or cooking spray. Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, matcha, and sugar. Set aside. Whisk together the egg, melted butter, milk, and yogurt in another bowl. Stir milk mixture into the flour mixture until moistened. Pour batter into loaf pan or divide batter among the prepared muffin tins. Bake until golden brown and the tops spring when lightly pressed, about 65 minutes for the loaf or 25 minutes for muffins. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes in the pan, then remove onto a wire rack.

~~~What I USE to MAKE~~~

Because you are consuming the entire leaf one glass of
matcha green tea has the antioxidants and nutrients equal to 10 glasses of regular green tea.

ONE ORGANIC Matcha Green Tea Powder:
For over a millennium, people of Japan and China have consumed Matcha Green Tea for its robust flavor and powerful health benefits. Packed with rich levels of the antioxidant EGCG, vitamins, nutrients and amino acids, Matcha has been shown to burn fat, improve brain functions, promote healthy skin, break down free radicals, bolster immune systems, diminish inflammation, lower cholesterol, and reduce stress.

Over 100 times the antioxidants of brewed green tea
Boosts daily energy and accelerates metabolism
Supercharges the immune system
Enhances memory & concentration
Culinary Matcha — Great for adding into cakes, smoothies, tea drinks and other healthy recipes.
100% organic green tea Matcha. All natural–Nothing added.

ONE ORGANIC Matcha Green Tea Powder – USDA Certified Organic on AMAZON

My Thoughts:
I love all the health benefits offered with matcha over regular green tea. With the antioxidant EGCG, vitamins, nutrients and amino acids by using matcha powder in breads, desserts, meats, and cocktails you get to enjoy the flavors of the dishes you love…but with a kick. I often add a teaspoon this kitchen grade green tea powder to my green smoothies and sprinkle a bit on our salads. This matcha green tea powder is from China, which produces 80% of the tea on the market today.

It’s Not Just For Drinking – Top 20 Uses For Tea, Tea Leaves, and Bags

August 17, 2017 By Paula 3 Comments

Top 20 Tips and Tricks for Tea

Have some old tea in your cupboard that’s no longer worthy of sipping? If you’re like me you can’t bring yourself to just to throw it out. You can give it new life with these alternative and natural health and beauty tricks. Plus, your plants won’t care that it’s past the used by date.

Use Those Tea Bags and Brewed Tea Leaves To…

1. Dry poison ivy rash
Dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Simply dip a cotton ball into the tea, dab it on the affected area, and let it air-dry. Repeat as needed.

2. Air freshener
Freshen up your drawers or your car’s interior using tea bags or a muslin bag filled with scented tea leaves. Place in drawers, under your seat, or in the center console.

3. Condition dry hair
To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a quart of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.

4. Hide the gray
Make your own natural dye using brewed tea and herbs: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. Shampoo your hair as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel. Do NOT rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve the desired results.

5. Cool sunburned skin
When you forget to use sunscreen and have to pay the price with a painful burn, put a few tea bags in your bath water and soak your whole body in the tub.

6. Relieve pain from a shot
Is your arm sore from a recent injection or inoculation shot? Wet a tea bag and place it over the site. Hold it gently in place until the pain stops. The tannic acid in the tea will soothe the soreness.

7. Stop foot odor
Put an end to smelly feet by soaking your tootsies in strongly brewed tea for 20 minutes each day – no more offensive odors.

8. Get rid of litter box odor
Sprinkle dried tea leaves into your cat’s litter box each time you change out the litter. Mixing dried tea leaves into the litter box won’t just help combat the smell, it may also work as an anti-bacterial agent in the litter.

9. Give roses a boost
Sprinkle new or used tea leaves (loose or in tea bags) around your rose bushes and cover with mulch to give them a mid-summer boost. When you water the plants, the nutrients from the tannic acid in the tea will be released into the soil, spurring growth.

10. Feed your ferns
Occasional substitute brewed tea when watering your ferns and other acid-loving houseplants. You can also work wet tea leaves into the soil around the plants to give them a lush, luxuriant look.

11. Create “antique” fashions
Soak white lace or garments in a tea bath to create an antique beige, ecru, or ivory look. Use 3 tea bags for every 2 cups of boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes before soaking the material for 10 minutes or more. The longer you let it soak, the darker the shade you will get.

12. Soothe pinkeye
You can use warm, wet tea bags as a compress to soothe the pain of pinkeye. Green tea has been found to be very effective against pinkeye due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while black tea is a great home remedy for pinkeye because it contains tannins that help reduce itching and inflammation.

13. Drain boils
Dip a tea bag in HOT water, apply to the boil. Leave on overnight and by morning, it WILL have drained painlessly.

14. Clean glass and mirrors
To clean mirrors and windows, place cold-brewed tea in a spray bottle and use it to make mirrors and glass sparkle.

15. Deodorize carpets
Sprinkle dried tea leaves across a smelly carpet and let them sit for 20 minutes to an hour. Then vacuum them up. If you used steeped tea leaves, make sure they’ve dried out so you don’t stain the carpet. A flavored tea, like lemon, peppermint, or cinnamon will leave a nice scent behind.

16. Make Tea Butter
Let unsalted butter sit at room temperature until very soft and pliable. Mix together the butter with tea leaves (whole or ground). Shape the mixed butter into a log and wrap well in plastic wrap. Store in a covered dish in the refrigerator or on the counter for easy spreading on freshly baked goodies.

17. Tenderize tough meats
Even the toughest cuts of meat can melt in your mouth when you marinate them in regular black tea. Place 4 tablespoons black tea leaves in a teapot with warm (not boiling) water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain to remove the leaves and stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar until it dissolves. Set aside. Season meat (up to 3 pounds) with your favorite seasonings and place in roasting pan or dutch oven. Pour the liquid over the seasoned meat and cook in 325°F oven until the meat is fork-tender. Tea contains tannins which is a natural tenderizer.

18. Add flavor to foods
From cocktails to dessert, steep tea in milk, broth, and other cooking liquids to infuse your favorite tea flavor into any dish. Try steeping tea in broth for soups; poaching fish in a strong brewed tea; add brewed tea to vinaigrettes and sauces; steep tea in milk or cream to flavor the base of ice cream (don’t forget to strain it), to add a savory note to a cream sauce for pasta and rice; or add matcha powder or loose leaf tea leaves that have been ground into a powder to your favorite baked desserts.

19. Green Tea Salt
Incorporate the flavor of tea into your cooking by simply blending loose leaf tea with your favorite salt and start sprinkling. This tea-infused seasoning can be dusted on everything from snacks to salads to seafood.

20. Flavor a Stir-Fry
Nutty-tasting genmaicha (a mixture of green tea and puffed rice and corn) is great used as a seasoning. When the leaves hit the hot pan, they unfurl and become toasted. Meanwhile, the corn and rice pick up a golden, roasted flavor that’s an excellent addition to quickly seared greens, root vegetables, and meats.