Tea Time!
Tea is a staple of my day! I have a cup every morning and a cup every night, and if it is available, I will have a few during the day as well! Something about tea is so refreshing to me and makes me feel energized without the anxiousness of coffee and keeps me well hydrated!
The thing I love most about tea is it comes in some many different kinds. I can go into Teavana and get lost in the aromas, sampling all they have to offer that day. My favorite time is around the holidays with all the new blends. Apple spiced cider is ranked one of my favorites of their holiday teas! Lucky for me it's almost that time of year again!
On a separate note, I am fortunate to live within close proximity of a very unique Japanese tea garden. There is something about sipping on tea outside, listening to running water, and pairing it with the perfect tiny tea sandwiches that makes you feel at such peace! But enough about me, let's talk about the endless benefits tea can give the body.
Let's start with green teas. Green teas are full of powerful antioxidants that can improve your health. It can reduce free radicals and protect your cells from damage. Green tea also has some caffeine in it, but not the kind that will leave you feeling jittery like when you drink one too many cups of coffee. It energizes you while stimulating your brain. It also has been known to increase metabolism and help boost fat burning.
Next on the list: Chai tea. I have a cup of chai every morning and add a little extra cinnamon and teaspoon of honey to it. Chai tea is a black tea which is classified as the highest caffeinated type of tea. However, it still does not give that jittery coffee feeling mentioned earlier. What is most fascinating about chai's are all of the ingredients in it including but not limited to: ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, fennel, clove and black pepper. While I won't talk about all of the ingredients I did want to point out two. First up: Cinnamon. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve your digestive system. It is also known to help balance your blood sugar. The second important one I wanted to mention is ginger. Ginger gives the immune system a natural boost and improves circulation in the body.
My third and final tea is an unusual one, the Elderflower tea. Sounds like something you'd find in Harry Potter right next to the Elder Wand. I first read about elderflower tea in "Eat Beautiful" by Wendy Rowe. The elderflower is known to have benefits that can reduce oxidative stress in the body which in turn can reduce heart disease. It's been used traditionally in medicinal practices and has a lot of immune system benefits. I love to drink a cup of this tea and add in a bit of lemon juice!
Carve out some time in your day and grab a cup of tea! Whether you're sitting outside on your porch, or on the couch with a good book. It's a great way to zone out, destress, and refocus your mind and boost your body. I highly recommend making tea time a part of your daily routine!
#healthyeating #tea #teatime #greentea #chaitea #elderflower #drink
