Crazy Tea Chick

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Kiwi (or Lime) Green Teakettle: I’m All About This Color These Days

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I have always used a WILD and WIDE range of colors in my kitchen. One reason is I love the whimsical look more than any other and that pretty much means anything goes. Another reason is I like to use colors of the season, which means I use vibrant colors like Kiwi Green during the spring and summer, along with oranges, yellows, and other colors that celebrate this time of year.

Most of all, I guess the reason is simply because my “absolute favorite color” changes, so I need to make sure I’m armed with every conceivable color – in and outside of the rainbow.

My color of the moment is Kiwi Green, as demonstrated beautifully by the Kiwi Green Teakettle above. I absolutely cannot get enough of this color. It’s vibrant, upbeat, and commands attention.  Gotta love that attitude.

Features:

  • Generous 2-quart steel teakettle capacity heats up to 8 cups of water
  • Solid stylish teakettle handle with one-touch spout lever for easy and comfortable operation
  • The bright enamel exterior is stain resistant and easy to clean; stainless steel lid fits tightly
  • The convenient teakettle whistling feature signals when water is at a boil
  • Lifetime Limited Warranty

This particular teakettle is also available in Stainless Steel and a gorgeous Capri Turquoise that looks promising for the next color I get obsessed with. Click through Kiwi Green Teakettle to check out each color available.


Yogi Tea fortune on tea bag…couldn’t love this more!

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Just had to share this picture. I was making some Yogi Tea (Green Tea Rejuvenation, to be exact) earlier when I noticed the motto printed on this particular tea bag. (Backstory: Yogi Tea prints little fortunes on the paper ends of each of their teabags – such a freaking cute idea.) Anyway, the fortune on this bag simply says, “You are unlimited.” I can’t tell you how awesome those three words are: empowering, encouraging, effective. Puts me in a very good mood. Plus the tea’s absolutely delicious. Moral of the story: Never limit yourself. Second moral of the story: Drink green tea. 🙂

Experimenting with a Knock-off of Smoothie King’s Green Tea Tango

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Hey, don’t hate on my Quagmire glass. Inside is my knock-off version of Smoothie King’s to-die-for Green Tea Tango smoothie, which turned out very, very close to the original. I think I get extra points for having no matcha on hand to use…and no clue what I was doing.

So the other night I decided that nothing would make me happier at that exact moment in time than a green tea smoothie. However my Smoothie King is on the other side of town, it was late at night, and I was in my pajamas. And lazy. I really wanted to make my own version, but at first thought that seemed impossible since I don’t currently have any Matcha powder. Then (*brainstorm!*), I decided to brew up 2 cups of green tea and experiment. I didn’t write down my steps or measurements as I went along because, quite frankly, I didn’t expect it to be even close to edible, so I’ll try my best to remember exactly how I made the smoothie. I used 2 green tea bags and brewed them in one of my largest mugs. I then poured the tea in a blender and added 4-5 ice cubes.  I know that yogurt is a staple of any good smoothie recipe, so I added about 1/4 cup of plain fat-free yogurt, then added a little bit of soy milk. Technically, you probably shouldn’t even mess with the soy milk, because once I made my drink I instantly decided to add between 1/3-1/2 cup 2% dairy milk, so just stick with that: about a cup of dairy milk. The ice cubes I had added melted almost instantly due to the hot tea, so I had to add 3-4 more ice cubes. The drink was close to perfect, but was just too bitter, so I added sugar. How much you add is up to you, and I really didn’t want to add any because I hate sugar in my drinks, but trust me – this concoction is way too bitter without sugar. I added about 1/4 cup, and since this all brewed up between 2-3 actual smoothie servings, your per-cup sugar serving isn’t THAT bad. Not bodybuilder-healthy, but not horrendous. Now, I’ve tried the Smoothie King Green Tea Tango with fruit added (like the company recommends), and I was very disappointed to realize that all you taste is the fruit – no hint of matcha at all. Now when I order my smoothie, I tell the worker that I don’t want fruit because I want to only taste the matcha/yogurt, and they’re always VERY friendly and happy to oblige – they just usually add a little extra powder to make the texture just right or whatever. Anyway, if you like fruit in your smoothie, feel free to throw that in the blender too, and I’m sure it will taste fine.

Final verdict: Although my mixture isn’t all that green (due to the lack of actual matcha), and it took some tweaking and experimenting to get it right, it was actually DELICIOUS and tasted almost identical to the Smoothie King version. Next time I get a late-night smoothie urge – or feel too lazy to drive 15 minutes – I’ll be doing this again. Yum! 🙂

Teabag Holder from TJ Maxx…awwww?

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Just wanted to share a picture (or two) of one of my recent TJ Maxx purchases, an adorable teabag holder which also happened to include Twinings Tea samples. I’m a big believer in giving props where they’re due, and TJ Maxx pretty much ALWAYS has something tea-related in there that I want…gift sets, mugs, bags, infusers – you name it, they have it. Also, these same things are sold at other high-end stores for much higher prices. So if your city has a TJ Maxx (I think Marshall’s is pretty much the same thing), consider yourself grateful, and support them by buying something cute, like my teabag holder. 🙂

Study: Green Tea may lower bad cholesterol

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Awww, it’s so cute when green tea does adorable things like, umm, help save your life.

According to CBS News, a new California study is reporting that our beloved green tea may be shaving points off your LDL – aka “bad” – cholesterol.

From the CBS News site:

Green tea and capsules containing green tea compounds were tested. The tea was found to lower total and “bad” cholesterol levels by 5 to 6 points. The beverage was found to be consistently more effective than capsules – although the overall benefits for both were small.

Green tea contains antioxidant compounds called catechins, which many studies have tested for their effect on cholesterol. But these studies have been small and had conflicting results. For the new study – published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association – researchers at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., pooled the results of these clinical trials, involving a total of 1,415 adults. The trials – lasting anywhere between three weeks and six months – had participants consume either green tea beverages, capsules, or placebos daily. Benefits were found among people who had high cholesterol levels at the beginning of the study.

The study found no significant effect on “good” HDL cholesterol.

The use of herbal supplements like green tea is one strategy to lower cholesterol, along with medication and lifestyle changes, according to the study…

So it’s possible that on this month’s holiday, we should be giving thanks to our old friend, green tea. 🙂

Jaipur Avenue Ginger Chai Tea Mix

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Jaipur Avenue Ginger Chai Tea Mix

If you’ve ever wondered if you could make Chai Tea Lattes at home, Jaipur Avenue has the answer: You Bet You Can!

As I’m writing this out (on paper to type in tomorrow morning), I’m thoroughly enjoying a hot mug of Original Masala Chai Tea from Jaipur Avenue. They sent us several packets of EACH flavor to review, so I can re-experience the wonderful drinks all over again. Jaipur Avenue’s cool like that. Bless them.

The Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea Mix Ginger tea review has a bizarre back story. I intentionally saved the packets marked “Ginger Chai Tea Mix” to review last. Why?

  1. If I didn’t like it, I would feel less guilty about pretending it never happened if I’d already written several positive reviews.
  2. I was afraid it’d be… well, horrid.  Ginger and I have a complex relationship.  It’s like nutmeg – they both smell absolutely Heavenly and (when used properly) they taste heavenly. However, give them an inch and they’ll take a mile and they’ve been known to overpower foods and drinks to the point of tasting… you guessed it, horrid.

The day came for me to taste the Ginger Chai Tea and I further insulted it by varying my routine.  You see, one of the most SPECIAL parts of my day is the evening. After the day’s work,  chores, walking, cooking, and errands are all behind me.  The supper dishes have been washed and the kitchen light’s off.  I’ve found my way into my pajamas and my cat and I find our way to the couch with my husband for a little tv (more times than not, it’s for a St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game or a UK basketball game).  I always take a cup of hot tea along to help turn the special time into SPECIAL time.

I had enjoyed every other Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea drinks during this SPECIAL time (just as I’m now enjoying the original Masala cup as I write this review).  However, I made the Ginger Chai Tea earlier in the day.

It wasn’t going to muck up my special time!

As my water boils, I open the packet of Ginger Chai Tea Mix and pour it into the mug.

“Hmmmm. It smells really good.”

I double check the package. Yep, it says Ginger.

I pour the boiling water into my mug, stir well to make it nice and frothy.

“Wow. It smells really, really good.”

I take the first sip and my jaw drops.

“Delicious! This tea’s outstanding! I like this as well as I do the Original Masala Chai Tea!”

I double-check the package again.

Product Features

  • Authentic Indian chai tea spiced with ginger
  • All-natural ingredients. No preservatives and food additives.
  • Mix contains premium black tea, dry milk powder, a delicate blend of exotic spices, and minimal amount of sugar.
  • Easy to prepare – add hot water for a cup of heartwarming chai, or chilled milk and ice for a cool, refreshing summer drink.
  • A box contains 15 individually packed servings. Each packet makes an 8-ounce cup.

Benefits of the Herbs found in Jaipur Avenue’s Ginger Chai Tea Mix:

  • stimulates blood circulation
  • aids digestion
  • relieves cold symptoms
  • lowers risk of colon cancer

 

Later that night, I enjoyed the second cup of Ginger Chai tea mix (along with another cup of Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea) during my SPECIAL time.  Twice the tea, twice the special. This is my final review of the Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea Mixes, but I hope you’ll go back and read my other reviews.  This is an extremely high quality product and it will blow you away.  Buy Jaipur Avenue Tea Mixes on Amazon. Personally, I’d buy the Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea Mix Variety, so you can enjoy a trip through the flavor of India as I did, one at a time. Then, when you see what your favorites are (trust me, there’ll be more than one), you can order them specifically.

My first orders will be the Original Masala and Vanilla but I’ll be ordering the other flavors as well… including the Ginger. It is surprisingly delicious.

To learn more about Jaipur Avenue, visit their website.

June means one thing…National Iced Tea Month!

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This is my first blog post for the month of June, and I thought I would use it to wish everyone a very happy National Iced Tea Month! With hot weather already here (my local heat index will hit 100 today, have mercy), there’s nothing better to cool us off than a huge glass of iced (unsweet!!) tea. In all fairness I know many, many people who swear by sweet tea, so I’ll let you make the call on that one.

The Tea Council of the USA (I love that there is such a thing) issued a press release in celebration of this month; here’s an excerpt:

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water. In 2010, Americans consumed well over 65 billion servings of tea, or over 3 billion gallons.  Of that, approximately 85% of tea consumed in America is iced.  Iced Tea is a hydrating alternative to sugary beverages like soda, and might help boost weight loss efforts, along with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise…

For consumers who want to follow the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend eating a diet with less sugar, tea is the recommended beverage of choice.

Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA, recommends consuming plenty of tea. “Iced tea is a naturally great tasting beverage that is virtually calorie-free and contains no sodium, fat, carbonation, or sugar.”

In addition to keeping you cool and hydrated throughout the summer season, Iced Tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink!  Tea helps maintain proper fluid balance and may contribute to overall good health.

There is a continuous flow of new research supporting the health benefits of drinking tea, particularly those conferred by flavonoids, which help protect skin and keep blood vessels healthy.  Drinking tea has been linked to heart and brain health, as well as a reduced risk for certain cancers, and neurological decline…

This June – for National Iced Tea Month – do something that’s great for your body and tastes great. Drink a refreshing glass of Iced Tea. Tea is inexpensive and easy to make at home by the glass or the pitcher! Iced tea can be made from brewed, instant or bottled varieties.

For small quantities, bring fresh cold tap water to a full, rolling boil. Use 50% more tea than if you were preparing hot tea to allow for dilution by ice.  For example, use one and a half teaspoonfuls of loose tea or one and one half tea bags per cup (five to eight ounces) of water. Pour the boiling water over the tea. Brew three to five minutes. If you prefer your tea less strong, add more water after brewing. Pour over ice.

For large quantities, prepare a concentrate as follows:  Bring one quart of cold water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add 8-10 tea bags per quart of brewed tea desired. Steep three to five minutes and add ice cubes. To serve, pour into tall glasses filled with ice, garnish and sweeten as desired.

For extra flavor add your favorite fruit, such as lemons, limes or even peaches.

New Chai Company, Jaipur Avenue, offers small taste of India

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Let’s just say I’m super-excited about this. I was recently contacted by Ali from the Jaipur Avenue Chai Company (below is the press release and media info provided to me). The company just launched last November and (yay!) the company is sending me samples to taste-test, review, and tell all of you about. Needless to say I’ll be posting my reviews as soon as I receive the samples, but I wanted to give you the background on the company first to get you as excited as I am. 🙂

Launched in November of 2010 by Seattle-resident Jillu Zaveri, a former textile designer for Oscar de la Renta, the product is formulated and carefully packaged under stringent quality control in an ISO 22000 certified facility in Mumbai, India and combines the convenience of an instant beverage with the rich tradition of India’s most popular beverage. Just add hot water for those chilly mornings or serve with chilled milk and ice cubes for warm weather enjoyment.

 The salient features of Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea are:

1) All-natural and authentic taste (there’s no other chai tea like this in the American marketplace).

2) Comes in five delicious flavors: Cardamom, Original Masala, Ginger, Saffron, and Vanilla.

3) Low on sugar – only 10 grams per 8 ounce cup, which is 50 to 100% less than other leading brands.

4) Easy to carry around and prepare – just add hot water for a traditional cup of chai, or chilled milk and ice for a refreshing summer beverage.

November 2010 Press Release:

NEW CHAI COMPANY OFFERS DELICIOUS JOURNEY TO INDIA IN EVERY CUP

Seattle-based Jaipur Avenue launches authentic chai tea in five great chai flavors

– Jaipur Avenue, Inc. announces its launch in the United States with five delicious flavors as diverse as the colors of India: Original Masala, Cardamom, Vanilla, Ginger, and Saffron.

Unlike other powdered chai, Jaipur Avenue Chai is imported from India and is all- natural, consisting only of premium black tea, a delicate blend of exotic spices, minimal sugar, and milk powder.

Since ancient times, chai has been a daily tradition shared with friends and family all over India. Jaipur Avenue makes that tradition available anywhere, as each travel-friendly packet can be turned into an authentic cup of chai in an instant. Just add hot water for a cup of hot chai, or chilled milk and ice cubes for a cool, refreshing summer beverage.

“Im thrilled to introduce an authentic and delicious chai to the United States,” President and CEO, Jillu Zaveri stated. “My passion is to help enrich time spent with friends or a moment of individual serenity over a good cup.”

Jaipur Avenue’s brand was designed by the award-winning Turnstyle Studio in Seattle, WA. A box of chai contains 15 individually packed servings and is available for purchase on Amazon.com and exclusive retailers in Seattle, WA.

The faraway Indian city of Jaipur, famous for its royal palaces, colorful culture and romantic charm, epitomizes the ancient chai tradition at its best. Jaipur Avenue is your instant passage to this magical land through an enthralling chai experience you can enjoy anywhere, anytime. Let our all-natural, flavorful chai be a part of the memoirs from your daily “voyages.”

Packaging and Preparation
Jaipur Avenue chai is easy to prepare – each individually packed serving can be turned into an 8 oz cup of heartwarming chai by just adding hot water, or into a cool, refreshing summer drink by
adding chilled milk and ice cubes. One box contains 15 packets and the shelf life is one year.

Manufacturing Facility
Jaipur Avenue chai mix is formulated and carefully packaged under stringent quality control in an ISO 22000 certified facility in Mumbai, India.

FLAVOR PROFILES
GINGER: An awakening with zesty notes, stimulating aromas and heartwarming spice; Stimulates blood circulation, aids digestion, relieves cold symptoms, and lowers risk of colon cancer.

CARDAMOM: A retreat into green and woodsy undertones, refreshing aromas and natural sweetness; Beneficial to the kidneys, lungs, and heart, anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, and stimulates metabolism.

VANILLA: A celebration with delicate fragrances, luxurious cream and soft spice; Relaxing, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory.

SAFFRON: An escapade into sensuous notes, floral fragrances and romantic sweetness; Antiseptic, antidepressant, antioxidant, relieves stress, aids digestion, and protects body against infections.

ORIGINAL MASALA (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorn): An adventure through spicy notes, soothing aromas and velvet textures; Stimulates metabolism, aids digestion, boosts immune system, and relieves nausea.

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Did you know…

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…that January is National Hot Tea Month? Boy, I sure hate that. 😉 In fact, this is how much I’m hating it today:

On the left (in the Peanuts mug) we have Twinings’ English Breakfast Tea. In the middle, in the delicate classy white mug, we have green tea, which I think I’ve made very clear is my life source. And on the right, in the classiest mug yet, the Smurfs one, we have your plain old black pekoe tea that I may possibly ice down at some point.

Why yes, yes, those are 3 mugs of hot tea. At once. Don’t try to out-crazy me when it comes to tea.

Papaya and Passion Fruit Green Tea, by The Tea Nation

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Houston, we have a new tea. And it’s pretty freakin’ great.

I have to wonder…how had I never tried this tea before today, considering it combines green tea and passion fruit, two of my favorite tastes? How is that? Oh well, what matters is that thanks to my youngest sister Stephany, who gave it to me as one of my Christmas presents, I have met this delightful creation, and we’re now best of friends. 🙂

The Tea Nation’s Papaya and Passion Fruit Green Tea (with the adorable tagline “Tea As It Once Was“) contains only two ingredients: Pure Ceylon Tea and Flavors. That’s it. Super simple. And it works! The strong taste of the green tea not only DOESN’T work against the tropical taste of papaya and passion fruit…it actually compliments it. These flavors bring out the best in each other, like a group of lifelong friends. Or an old married couple. Or two worthy adversaries in a brutal fight to the death. But let’s not get morbid.

You will definitely want to try this intoxicating (yeah, i went there) combination of flavors and let me know what you think!