Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Prospect Tea Kcup Giveaway
I am a true romantic; I love old Victorian and dream in technicolor. I hunt treasures with passion; whether it is a collection of old postcards at an auction or a crystal hidden in the sand.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Exploring Hand Blended Tea; Learning to DIY
Growing up I lived in a vast world of natural resources; on 73 acres of land with a bluff in the backyard and a creek in the front. I've been told I had an old soul and I dreamed of becoming something of a shaman or healer. I love to prepare, save, store, collect, and keep for a rainy day. I am not sure but it almost feels as if my desire to commune with nature and harvest the beautiful gifts it has to offer comes from something primal; Taking me back to the hunter/gathers of my ancestors.
As a child I would explore the wooded hills, picking wild herbs and berries; drying and storing my treasures for the winter. While I am sure this drove my family nuts, it was one thing that I was allowed to do without much resistance. I had a home remedy for everything from headaches to fatigue. My intrigue grew as I grew and branched off into aromatherapy and fragrance. As an adult I enjoyed growing and drying my homegrown flowers, herbs and fruits for a beautiful little shop I called Lavender Fields.
Having moved so much leaving that familiar Midwestern landscape and climate I find that I am learning to how to grow things all over again. When I moved to the desert my green thumb temporarily turned brown but now I think I am starting to understand this foreign soil. While I have found growing things a challenge what has become extremely easy is drying things.
I am taking advantage of some of my new home's best treasures; the citrus fruits, palms (dates and figs) and sun. I have also found a new passion; Tea. I have always created homemade teas (very simple such as chamomile or dandelion) and I have always used teas but never really enjoyed a cup for pure pleasure until moving to Cali. I think the Jasmine blossoms in combination to drinking Jasmine tea was what started my addiction. Now I am exploring all kinds of fruity and herbal blends, my favorite right now has become Teavana. But of course it is just in my nature to want to make it myself.
I have been hunting for a recipe for my favorite tea (Rooibos Tropica) without much luck, but what I have so far is that it is a blend of Rooibos Tea, Rose buds, marigold petals, tiny pieces of peach, strawberry, rhubarb and citrus.
To Dry the grapefruit rinds: Make sure the rind is clean and discard any that has blemishes (you can cut around the spots and keep the good parts.) I first remove as much of the white pith because it is bitter. This leaves me with a thin, oily layer of skin shown in the picture (this is time consuming but essential.)
Use a small knife with a very sharp blade and a fileting like motion to remove the white pith from the rind.
Cut the rind into very small pieces
Once you have your rind prepped and cut you are ready to dry your citrus peels
Next step is to spread the peel out onto a paper towel or other clean cloth or paper that is on a plate or something stiff that can be moved. Either place the thin layer of peel in a clean environment that is dry and warm (for me the cupboard works well be cause I live in a dry climate.)
or use the following method: Place your thin layer of peel directly on a metal screen, mesh, holey pan, baking sheet etc that can be placed in the oven. Turn your oven on to 200 degrees and allow it preheat. Once the oven is preheated turn it completely off and place your peel into the oven on a middle rack. Keep the door open slightly to allow the moisture to loft away. You may need to repeat this several times until they are completely dry.
You may also use a dehydrator and follow the normal steps for dehydrating fruit.
The image below is of the peels in the process of drying but they are not dry enough to store. If you seal them into an airtight container too soon they will mold your entire container so make sure they are completely dry.
Once the peel is completely dry they will be darker in color, hard, and much smaller they the original size.
Store in a airtight container; I am using a plastic container right now but it is best to use glass whenever possible. Plastic is porous and will allow the essential oils of the peels to escape. Place this in a cool dry area.
Now I just need to dry or find and buy the rest of my ingredients; I will keep you posted. If you by chance know the recipe for the tea I am looking for please share in the comments it would be greatly appreciated.
I am a true romantic; I love old Victorian and dream in technicolor. I hunt treasures with passion; whether it is a collection of old postcards at an auction or a crystal hidden in the sand.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Aromatherapy Thursday - Change is on the wind again
It has been well over a year since I posted my first
Aromatherapy Thursday and have come to a point where I feel I have exhausted the
topic. In an effort to freshen some of
my posting habits I am going to modify the topic to include any natural craft,
recipes with herbs, great teas and essential focus on anything natural and interesting.
I used to receive a magazine called Healthy Living; it was
filled with suggestions on how to improve a person’s life in general. There is so much to be said for focusing on one’s
overall balance and not just working towards eating right or exercising. Often I see people that workout and are trim
but they are chugging multiple energy drinks and/or sugary sodas. Just because one portion of the person is in
balance doesn’t mean that it will lead to good health or quality of life. It is important to look at the big picture
and incorporate as many positive habits as possible.
I am a RD by trade but I have a very spiritual and creative
side which leads me to be a firm believer of finding a balance in mind/body/spirit
as a whole. I also believe that our
Creator provided us with everything that we need to be balanced, happy and
healthy through nature. Although I work
in a medical field and I believe in modern medicine and the evolving technology
I still incorporate simple holistic treatments into my own life. It can be as simple as drinking tea in the
evening as I sit in my Japanese garden to relieve stress.
So in a nut shell this is the direction I feel like going
with our Aromatherapy Thursday. As a
side note I haven’t thought up of a catchy title yet so I am open for suggestions.
You know how I love ArtFire Eye-Candy so let’s take a look at
these wonderful tea blends that I found:
I am a true romantic; I love old Victorian and dream in technicolor. I hunt treasures with passion; whether it is a collection of old postcards at an auction or a crystal hidden in the sand.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Aromatherapy Thursday - Bee Balm - Wild Bergamot
When I lived in the Midwest I had a giant herb garden, approximately 50 feet wide by 70 feet long and in the shape of a tear drop (I was feeling creative at the time.) It was trimmed with salvaged red bricks and along side this lush patch ran a path of small bricks that was also salvaged. My herb garden was filled with so many amazing treasures and one of those was Bee Balm.
I loved the Bee Balm because it was part of the mint family making it easier to grow than to contain. One thing about mints is that if you do not keep them in a confined area they will completely take over your spaces (including the grass.) Bee Balm is a wonderful plant it has many properties, it makes a lovely tea, and the plant itself is extremely pleasing to the eye. Deep mint green leaves whirl up it stalk and at the end a blast of fire red flowers that look like exploding fireworks; simply beautiful! Butterflys and humming birds are especially attracted these lovely blossoms making it an added bonus for planting them.
Bee Balm also has other relatives and I stumbled upon one accidentally on a hike through my home land in Wisconsin. At times I would get so frustrated with the short Wisconsin growing season and I often felt a little short changed, at least until something like my discovery of Wild Bergamot then I would feel in good gardener spirits again. On this walk I noticed a plant that resembled a member of the mint family that donned a familiar tuft of flowers but in purple. I took some home and it was only a matter of minutes that I was able to confirm that it was indeed Wild Bergamot. Of course shortly after that I transplanted some from the hills on our property to my garden and it, like it kin, took off into a lovely little patch.
Bee Balm's fuzzy leaves are often used in tea. Other people have described the flavor as being similar to oregano but I found it to be a little bit more on the order of other mints. The tea is reported to aid in digestion; helping in a range of mild irritations such as flatulence and indigestion. As with most things it is more up to the individual whether this truly works to relieve any of those symptoms.
Topically it has been used to help relieve things such as fungal infections and athlete's foot. The Wild Bergamot had been used by Native Americans to treat wounds and for many other medicinal purposes.
Bee Balm is another member of the mint family that can stimulate the senses when used in aromatherapy. The essential oil comes from the flower head giving it a sweet citrusy floral scent. It helps combat fatigue (which is always a good thing for me) along with having a calming affect. The aroma is uplifting and can help you in those tense and stressful moments.
As with all herbal, natural and aromatherapy products, Bee Balm should never be used in place of medical treatment or a visit to your doctors office for treatment. Always consult your physician prior to use of any homeopathic or natural remedy. Note always be aware and check for allergies prior to use of any new products.
|
| Just a small part of my garden in Wisconsin |
 |
| This beautiful Giclee Print of Scott Hamber's original art work can be found in Etsy shop Trillium Studios at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TrilliumStudios?ref=seller_info |
 |
| You can purchase seeds for the Wild Bergamot from Etsy shop Nature Maid Treasures at http://www.etsy.com/shop/NatureMaidTreasures?ref=seller_info |
Topically it has been used to help relieve things such as fungal infections and athlete's foot. The Wild Bergamot had been used by Native Americans to treat wounds and for many other medicinal purposes.
 |
| This lovely handmade soap can be found in Etsy shop Goodies By Heather at http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodiesbyHeather?ref=seller_info |
 |
| I love lip balm and this wonderful selection can be found in Etsy shop Heavenly Honey Farm at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeavenlyHoneyFarm?ref=seller_info |
As with all herbal, natural and aromatherapy products, Bee Balm should never be used in place of medical treatment or a visit to your doctors office for treatment. Always consult your physician prior to use of any homeopathic or natural remedy. Note always be aware and check for allergies prior to use of any new products.
I am a true romantic; I love old Victorian and dream in technicolor. I hunt treasures with passion; whether it is a collection of old postcards at an auction or a crystal hidden in the sand.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Aromatherapy Thursday - Chamomile
 |
| Grow Your Own!!! Seeds found in ETSY shop Cubits at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cubits?ref=seller_info |
Chamomile is such a sunny dainty little flower that has a clean soothing scent. It looks and smells like came straight from the summer sun. I am particularly fond of Chamomile because it was the first "herb" I discovered growing wild in the Midwest fields. Of course there are many kinds of Chamomile and typically those that we relate to aromatherapy are German, Roman, and English Chamomile. Their fragrances are more delicate than the wild Chamomile I found.
 |
| These dried flowers can be used to make your own wonderful relaxing blends. Found in ETSY shop Herbal Sunshine at http://www.etsy.com/shop/herbalsunshine?ref=seller_info |
 |
| This scrumptious Chamomile Tea can be found in ETSY shop Spirit Horse Herbals at http://www.etsy.com/shop/spirithorseherbals?ref=seller_info |
 |
| This relaxing combination can be found in ETSY shop Skinplicity at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Skinplicity?ref=seller_info |
 |
| This wonderful Organic Herbal Bath Soak can be found in ETSY shop Organic Pagan at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThyLocalOrganicPagan?ref=pr_shop |
 |
| This wonderful Herbal Rich Hair Oil was found in ETSY shop Brown Butter Beauty at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChristineGant?ref=seller_info |
To Chamomile the flower that makes you smile...
Remember to always check for allergies prior to using any essential oil or aromatherapy product. Use the patch test as described in my blog post, Aromatherapy Thursday - Lavender. Also note that aromatherapy is to enhance and bring enjoyment to a person's life and never to be substituted for medical care with your physician. If you are a pregnant woman or if you are planning to use aromatherapy on a child you should check with your physician first.
I am a true romantic; I love old Victorian and dream in technicolor. I hunt treasures with passion; whether it is a collection of old postcards at an auction or a crystal hidden in the sand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)