Saturday, October 17, 2009

Afternoon Tea: A History

Also known as "low tea", afternoon teas were initiated by Anna Maria, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, on of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. During her time, it was customary to eat a large breakfast, light lunch and very late dinner. Clearly, this gave hunger a home around the 5:00 hour. One afternoon, the Queen requested tea and small cakes to be served at this time, an idea Anna Maria grasped and continued for the following days. This became a much loved domestic ceremony and the tradition continues into our modern age.

Typically served between 3:00 and 5:00, afternoon tea is always a time for elegant snacks rather than a meal. The menu often includes: scones, pastires, fruit cake and finger sandwiches.

Consider hosting your own afternoon tea, featuring Let's Do Tea scones and tea in the month of November: British Appreciation Month.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Tea Hits the Can!


I like to do that which is reminiescent of Pioneer Days. This summer/fall I've picked up on canning. As a child, I helped my parents put up home made salsa, apple butter, pickles, etc. This year, I've decided to go it alone. Laramie has an impressive amount of crab apple trees and therefore crab apples, it was my goal to use them! Substituting Bourbon Street Vanilla Tea in this recipe has made all the difference! This is truly a delightful addition to any scone, biscut or slice of toast. Enjoy!

B.S.V. Tea Simmered Crab Apple Butter

Ingredients:
A lot of Crab Apples (10-12 Cups)
4.5 cups of Bourbon Street Vanilla Rooibos Tea
7 cups sugar
1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
2 Tsp. Nutmeg
2 Tsp. Allspice
1 Tsp. Ground Cloves

Directions:
Wash crab apples. Place whole crab apple in stock pot with water, begin to simmer for about 45 minutes until apples are soft. Run soft apples and water through a seive, return to pot. Stir in sugar and spices then cook apple mixture on low heat for about 2 hours until thick. Proceed to can or freeze; eat or share.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

West Coast: Here We Come!

Dear Tea Drinkers and Friends,

My husband and are a leaving Laramie, WY on Saturday, June 27th to embark on a West Coast adventure! I am so excited to see the West Coast and to share tea with new friends from Durango, CO to San Francisco, CA to Victoria, Canada to Glacier Park, MT - unfortunately, I won't be available to enjoy iced tea with those of you in this part of the country. Nor will I be able to field orders for my beloved customers during this time. However, if you need tea, and believe me there are some wonderful blends for Iced Tea that will make the summer days even more enjoyable, please order online: www.melissa-harrington.letsdotea.org. I have even placed the link on the right hand side of this blog to make finding the site that much more convienent. All customers who order this summer will recieve a special coupon to use this fall/winter upon our return to Laramie. If you wish to place a large order with a few friends just shoot me an email or comment on a blog and let me know who all pitched into the order so you may all recieve your special discount.

Thank you so much for your business and support!

Until we meet for tea,
Melissa

P.S. If you want to follow my husband and I in our adventures across the coast feel free to check out our blog: www.theharringtontimes.blogspot.com.

Out with the Old...In with the New

Get Excited!!! We have a new, lovely catalog begining in July!!!

Unfortunately, that means some items will no longer be available for purchase, so if you want in on some of these teas and tea accessories please order online! You order from
www.melissa-harrington.letsdotea.org.

Thanks!

Discontinued Items from the most recent Let's Do Tea Catalog:

Sunflower Tea for One
#1332 $29.95

Trend Mugs with Lids: Squares (#1333), Leaves(#1334), Tisane(#1336)
$19.95

Stripes Tea for One
#1337 $29.95

Travel Set: Travette Tea Maker and Go Green Trio
#220 $58.95

Chocolate Dreams: Sunflower Tea for One, Chocolate Lovers Trio and One Cup Tea Sacks
#221 $59.95

Deluxe Iced Tea #2006
Apricot Black Tea #2017
Cranberry Orange Black Tea #2022
Honey Ginger Green Tea #2039
Pinhead Gunpowder Green Tea #2046
Violet Green Tea #2049
Fresh Orange #2058
Morning Herbs #2086
Flower Bulbs: Lovers 3 Flowers #2097
and Tiffany Rose #2098

To Your Health Trio #1403
Citrus Splash Trio #1422
Flower Power Trio #1424
$28.95

Leaf Tea Infuser: Red (#1613), Blue (#1612), Green (#1614)
$9.95

Lady Bug (#1615) and Lemon (#1616) Drip Catchers
$6.95

Because I am preparing to go on a road trip for approximately a month and a half, I am unable to place a large order for any interested customers. Therefore, if you want any of these discontinued products, you will need to order them on my website BEFORE July 1st. Sorry for any inconvience. All customers who make a purchase while we are on the road by using the personal website will recieve a special coupon to use on a future order - so thank you in advance for your support and business!

www.melissa-harrington.letsdotea.org

Friday, June 5, 2009

Keeping YOU informed:

Here are a couple articles I found today about tea and how to get the most health benefit for your buck! Check them out if you wish, there is some interesting information and some of the tips at the bottom are really insightful!

Why Iced Tea May be Better than Hot:
http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/8808/

Drink Tea, Skip the Milk:
http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/3207/

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Giving Back

Dear Tea Drinkers,

Some of you may or may not know that I make a point of giving a portion of my sales to an organization known as World Vision. It is not my intention to toot my own horn, but rather, I'd like all my dear customers to be aware of this great organization and the gift giving opportunities available, especially as our country and our World face many great economic hardships.

To check out the gift opportunities go to: http://www.worldvision.org/ Click on the tab labeled "Ways to Give" and scroll down to "Gift Catalog Giving" and enjoy searching the many opportunites for blessing others!

For those of you who have recently made a purchase, here is what a portion of your purchase went to support:



The Orphan and Widow Fund -

Help local workers respond to the growing needs of widows, orphans, and children affected by the AIDS crisis in their communities. Your gift to the Orphans and Widows Fund will help meet high-priority needs like food, shelter, education, counseling, and job training.

I chose this particular fund because James 1:27 has been on my mind and heart for the past month or so, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneslf from being polluted by the world."

Grace and Peace,

Melissa

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tea of the Month: Teas for Mothers!

In honor of the beautiful women and mothers of the world...
Try our Herbs for Woman or Mother's Pride - This month, the price drops to $8.95!
Or - Get the Women's Fitness Pack, complete with Herbs for Woman, Mother's Pride, and Sweet Dreams for only $25

Find out what each element has to offer us in our daily struggle to be healthy. Please understand that the following information given is not intended to diagnose, treat, or give health advice about any medical condition. Customers must talk to a Health Professional and do research on their own. This is simply a breakdown of the elements contained in the tea and does not specifically indicate that it will give that particular benefit to the drinker.

Herbs for Woman: Cinnamon, Apple Bits, Rooibos, Ginger Bits, Raspberry Leaves, Fennel, Chamomile, Cardamon, Cloves, Orange Peels, Perforated St. John’s Wort, Black Pepper, Goose Grass, Juniper Berries, and Flavourings.

Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is a fascinating spice! Did you know that it is absorbed better into your body when it is hot?? Here are some of it’s many health benefits:
- It has anti-inflammatory qualities that can lessen joint and muscle pain.
- It helps regulate blood sugar by lowering it…it is especially good for those with type 2 Diabetes.
- It can benefit the heart by improving circulation.
- It can improve digestive health and relieve stomach discomforts…especially in menstrual cycles, including cramping and other discomforts from menstruation.
- Helpful in preventing urinary tract infections, tooth decay, gum disease.
- Is able to reduce triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the same study participants.
- May have ability to tone and constrict tissues in body.
- Provides relief from congestion.
- It is a powerful antimicrobial agent…has the ability to kill germs like E. coli and other harmful bacteria.

Apple Bits:
- Studies show this may protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkensonism.
- May reduce Breast Cancer risk.
- Apple nutrients protect against oxidative damage linked to Neurodegenerative Diseases….good for brain health.
- May help reduce Colon Cancer risk…contains procyanidins which stop newly-forming cancer cells from multiplying and gives them the chemical signal to “self-destruct” (known as apoptosis).
- May reduce chronic cough.
- Helps with lung health.
- May reduce risk of Digestive Cancers.

Ginger Bits:
- Used for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and rheumatism.
- Used to treat inflammatory joint diseases.
- Recognized remedy for appetite loss, indigestion, and motion sickness.
- May relieve gas, loosen phlegm, and tighten tissues.
- May ease sore throats, headaches, ulcerative colitis, some types of menstrual and arthritis pain, fevers and aches caused by colds and flu.

Raspberry Leaves:
- Most often recommended for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness and nausea.
- Also used for respiratory conditions and for heart health maintenance.
- Can shorten labor.
- Might decrease likelihood of pre and post-term gestation.
- Women less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require caesarean section, forceps, or vacuum birth.
- Has potent antioxidant activity.
- Used for inflammation of the mouth, throat, skin disorders, flu, fever, water retention, menstrual pain, vitamin deficiency, blood sugar irregularities, and as a blood and skin purification agent.
- Contains gallo- and ellagitannins; flavonoids; vitamin C.

Fennel:
- Seeds are very effective for digestive problems.
- May help overcome gas, cramps, acid indigestion, and other digestive tract maladies.
- Rich in minerals including magnesium. Contains Anethol…may inhibit spasms in smooth muscles such as the intestinal tract. Contains Fenchone…responsible for the medicinal properties of fennel.
- Consumption can increase the production of bile and may also possess diuretic, pain-reducing and anti-microbial activities.
- Works as a mouth freshener.

Chamomile:
- Used for Bronchitis, colds, cough, fever, skin inflammation, sore throat, tendency to infection, and for wounds and burns.
- Also used to treat inflammation and spasms of the digestive tract.
- Used as a bath additive to combat irritated skin.
- May be helpful with colic.
- May help insomnia, gastritis, diarrhea, IBS, canker sores, Crohn’s disease.
- Caution for those with hay fever or asthma or allergies to members of this plant.

Cardamon:
- Known as the “Spice of Paradise”.
- Good source of Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc.
- Also good source of Dietary Fiber, Iron and Manganese.
- Helps to improve digestion, and stimulates the metabolism.
- Detoxifies the body of caffeine.
- Cleanses kidneys and bladder.
- Improves circulation to the lungs and thus is considered good for asthma and bronchitis.
- Is a Antispasmodic.
- Can counteract excess acidity in the stomach.
- Stimulates appetite.
- Remedy for tendency to infection.
- Cures halitosis (bad breath).

Cloves:
- Do not use if have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or taking medications to prevent or treat blood clotting disorder.
- Antiseptic, analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anesthetic, carminative, prevents vomiting, stimulant.
- May be effective in blocking sensory receptors that are instrumental in perceiving pain.
- Used for bad breath and to relieve toothache.
- In Asia, used to treat malaria, cholera, scabies, and tuberculosis.
- Eases discomfort of gas and abdominal bloating.
- Effective in relieving nausea, and used for traveler’s diarrhea.
- Eases coughs and when applied topically relieves muscle spasms.
- Good stimulant for the mind…improves memory.
- Used to prepare for childbirth by stimulating and strengthening uterine contractions during labor.
- Treats acne, skin ulcers, cores, and styes.
- Makes a potent mosquito and moth repellent.
- Sucking on cloves may reduce temporarily the craving for alcohol.

Orange Peels:
- Abundant source of carbohydrates that have multiple health-promoting properties.
- Has “prebiotic” properties….stimulate health and help prevent foodborne pathogen growth.
- Appetite stimulant.
- Helps with digestive disorders, gastric-juice deficiency, and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Helps prevent abnormal growths (skin, breast, colon, etc.).

Perforated St. Johns Wort:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Used topically for fibromyalgia.
- Used for insomnia, mood disorders, muscle cramps and pain, nervous disorders, PMS.
- May help prevent senility and help with aging problems.
- Topically used for skin disorders.
- Used for sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Black Pepper:
- It stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion.
- It is a carminitive….helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas.
- It has diaphoretic and diuretic properties (promote sweating/ promote urination).
- Demonstrates impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
- Outer layer stimulates the breakdown of fat cells.
- Gives you energy.

Goose Grass:
- Used extensively in the treatment of lymphatic problems, urinary conditions, and skin problems.
- Used in treatment of ulcers and local swelling.
- May be helpful in the treatment of heart disease.
- Helps rid body of toxins and purify the blood.
- Helps to expel stones and gravel.
- Known as best cleansing tonics.
- Acts as a diuretic…increases urinary flow ridding the kidneys and bladder of gravel, stones, and clearing the urinary tract of various infections.
- Alleviates prostate disorders.
- Stimulates perspiration and sweating…this cools body and lowers fevers…helps expel toxic wastes through skin.
- Used topically, benefits eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, minor injuries, and other skin inflammations.
- May have blood –thinning properties…reducing blood pressure and platelet aggregation (blood clotting). Could help prevent arteriosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks.
- High in Vitamin C.

Juniper Berries:
- Helps increase the flow of digestive fluids.
- Reduces gas, cramping and other stomach discomforts.
- Antiseptic: may assist with removal of waste and toxins from body.
- May help eliminate excess water retention and contribute to temporary weight loss.
- Moderate circulatory stimulant… take care of rheumatism.
- Cleanses blood and tones the system…reduces the bodies susceptibility to disease.
- Used to treat bladder infections, dissolves kidney stones and prostrate sediment, and used to treat water retention.
- Can help tone the pancreas and help repair damaged tissues.
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