The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
www.TheNewsyNeighbour.com
May Issue 115
Article Provided By: Darlis-Keily Ireland
“A woman is like a tea bag – you
can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” — Eleanor
Roosevelt
If I ever have the pleasure of hosting you
at my home, there is one thing that is assured… I will offer you a cup of tea. And
when you accept, as most people do, I will ask, “What type of tea would you
like?” as I ceremoniously open up two cupboard doors and offer you over 43
varieties of tea and herbal infusions (with another 52 tucked in behind the
ones you can see!).
You can choose from loose tea or tea bags
and if you arrive on the right day, there will be a big pot of Chaga mushroom
tea simmering on the stove. Mushrooms not your thing? No problem. There are both
traditional and herbal teas, teas that are light, strong, sweet or earthy, and you’ll
likely see a few flavours you’ve not seen before. On another shelf are the
‘health’ teas, ones that treat sore throats and other cold symptoms, upset
stomach, insomnia, water retention and inflammation. Of course there are also teas
to encourage focus, provide an energy boost and promote a good night sleep.
Yes, tea is a wonderful thing!
While I have my favourites (coconut vanilla,
anyone?), I’m a ‘tea in the moment’ gal and on any given day I may enjoy three
or four different teas. I select a tea based on how I feel or what I need. Sometimes
I have it straight up and other times with a splash of almond milk. I’ve put in
anise stars, fresh ginger, various spices and even homemade ice-cream to mix
things up a bit. On occasion, I go all out with healthy fats and use a stick
blender to mix cocoa butter, coconut oil and whipping cream into chai tea… Oooo
La La Delicious! (give it a go, you’ll be glad you did!)
One of my favourite things to do with tea
is to share tea time with someone. Somehow a visit over a cup of tea feels
natural, relaxing and even magical as the conversation is easy and time slips
away. Every conversation is as special as the many varieties of teas available
for us to enjoy.
Speaking of tea varieties, did you know
that every type of traditional tea comes from the leaves of one plant? Whether
it is green, white, black, oolong or pu-erh tea, it all originates from the
leaves of the Camellia Sinensis. There are two factors
that make each tea taste different: each geographic region grows a different
variety of the tea leaf and the way the leaves are processed. Note that
herbal teas are technically herbal infusions and are made with a wide range of
herbs and plants.
As I see it, life is kind of like tea. Here
are four similarities I’ve noticed:
1.
Tea starts from one plant and
it is the process it goes through that influences the final product… we all
start fresh as newborns and it is the experiences we have that influence who we
are.
2.
Where tea is grown contributes
to its unique flavour… in life, the environment we live in contributes to our
unique character.
3.
When tea experiences an
environmental stressor (hot water), it realizes its full potential and flavour…
when we experience stressing situations, we have an opportunity to realize our
full potential and strength.
4.
We can choose what to put in
our tea to give it the flavour we want… we can choose the perspectives and
beliefs to practice in our lives to give it the flavour we desire.
Each variety of tea also has distinct
characterises that offer their own benefits, and people are the same. We may
all be people, but our individual experiences have brought us unique gifts and
stories. At the Strathmore Women Talk, these stories bring women together… just
like a good cup of tea. Each story has its own flavour to be savoured and
shared.
Come join us on the last Thursday of the
month for fun and friendship at Women Talk. It’s where ordinary women share
extraordinary stories that connect us together.
Hmmmm… perhaps life really isn’t a bowl
full of cherries. Perhaps it is a hot cup of tea.
“Any
time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing…
magic happens.” – Phylicia Rashad
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