Holiday Traditions Old & New

Deanie enjoying her passion fruit tea and scone.

Tis the season to indulge a little and nurture your soul. We recently had the pleasure of attending a Mother and Daughter Holiday Tea at a local restaurant here in New Hampshire. As we entered the beautifully decorated Great Hall Barn I could not help but notice the mulitple generations of Ladies gathered together to enjoy each others company while enjoying the simple pleasure of Afternoon Tea. One would have never known of the stress associated with the season as all were dressed in their very best and were over flowing with joy, love and girlish giggles.

                                                                       

As we enjoyed the cup of passion fruit tea, steeped beautifully with not too much sweetness yet just enough fruity essence, we wondered how many Ladies were enjoying such an event for the first time or if this was an annual event that they looked forward to year after year. As we are true lovers of Afternoon Tea we simply relaxed, enjoyed all that accompanied our passion fruit tea while listening to the soothing sounds of the holiday harpist.

Delectable finger sandwiches with seasonal salad.

                                            

We were greeted with 2 types of scones gingerbread and triple chocolate. They were nicely baked not overly dry as many establishments have a tendency to do. We were then presented with our main meal of 3 finger style sandwiches in the following tasty flavors: salmon tomato mouse with red onion, herb cheese with fig marmalade topped with mushrooms and lastly pancetta, tomato and arugula all accompanied with a salad of fresh greens, grapes, blue cheese and walnuts tossed with an apple cider vinaigrette. Needless to say we thoroughly enjoyed every last bite. The meal was topped of with a plate a sweet indulgences which included chocolate covered strawberries, almond raspberry layer cake as well as red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

  Chocolate dipped strawberries, need we say more?

If you do not already have a holiday tea tradition think of starting a tradition that is all yours. In the spirit of Afternoon Tea, not just because of the season, think of surrounding yourself with the people you love being with and enjoy great food and great tea together. As we departed our delectable afternoon we simply reflected upon the beautiful holiday decorations, delicious food and the sparkle off the whole afternoon of sisterhood. After all, time, stress and cares all disappear while enjoying Afternoon Tea!

Wishing you all a Blissful Holiday!

Amy & Deanie

                                            

Green Tea

Here are nine reasons to start drinking green tea or continue drinking it if you’re already hooked.

1. Green tea is a superb fat fighter. Its active ingredient, EGCG, increases the rate at which fat is burned in your body.

2. It targets belly fat. Research at Tufts University indicates that EGCG in green tea, like other catechins, activate fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77 percent.

3. Green tea keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG improves insulin use in the body to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that can result in fatigue, irritability, and cravings for unhealthy foods.

4. Research shows it may be helpful against lung cancer. In an April 2010 study published in Cancer Prevention Research, EGCG was found to suppress lung cancer cell growth.

5. Green tea may halt colorectal cancer. In numerous other studies, EGCG appears to inhibit colorectal cancers.

6. In research, it appears to cause prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. A March 2010 study in Cancer Science indicated that EGCG aids the body by causing prostate cancer cells to commit suicide.

7. Green tea may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG appears to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at destroying skin-damaging free radicals. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging.

8. It contains a potent antioxidant that kills free radicals. Because it is a potent antioxidant green tea can positively impact a lot more than skin cells. Free radicals are increasingly linked to many serious chronic illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

9. Green tea tastes good. If you’re not wild about the flavor, try a few different kinds. Try it iced or hot. Add some of the natural herb stevia to sweeten it if you want a sweeter drink. I wasn’t crazy about green tea the first few times I tried it, but now I love it with a fresh squeeze of lemon and a few drops of stevia over ice -- et voila! Green tea lemonade. 

Mmmmm.

Reap the rewards
Add one or two teaspoons of green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water, preferably in a tea strainer. Let steep for five minutes. Pour over ice if you prefer a cold beverage. Most experts recommend three cups daily. And, don’t worry, green tea contains a lot less caffeine than coffee or black tea.

Visit our website for more green tea & health information as well as relaxing/soothing product from Bliss Tea Company, LLC.

www.blissteacompany.com