Beauty

[Shanus]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

@Julie_23 @millieshops @phoenixbrd @cuddlesmama 

I've gone in spurts with drinking hot tea, but always have a mug of hibiscus tea since it's good for high blood pressure.  Then I got a little more into tea drinking a few months ago.  Recently we visited some friends who are big tea drinkers all day long - their high school and college age kids too.  They fill a 30 cup percolator in the morning and keep it plugged in all day for hot water on demand. They keep a nice assortment teas on hand too. They don't drink coffee.  While visiting, I caught the tea bug.  I ordered a bunch from Harney & Sons and some from Amazon.  Oh my, I have a lot now!  I'm enjoying multiple cups daily, some caffeinated, some caffeine free.  DH has started too, occasionally.  We still have some coffee in the morning, but then switch to tea.  I found this article to be especially good news. 

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Growing up in a warmer climate, iced tea was at every meal and in between. There was always a huge pitcher in the frig. (sometimes sweet tea!!!). Of course, it was good old Lipton, but as I grew up, I found others, too that I enjoyed. 

I only drink coffee in the morning (mostly 1/2 caf./half decaf), so a hot cup of tea is nice during the day.

[SeaMaiden]

I quit drinking diet soda 10 years ago and have been drinking chamomile tea both warm and cold sweetened with Stevia and monk fruit. I make enough to last me two days. 

[Jacie]

I wish I could get to love drinking tea. I can only really handle iced tea or hot red zinger tea. I know it can be so good for you. Perhaps you might suggest some "rookie" teas!

I will say I am an avid coffee drinker.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@Harpa wrote:

Great post @JeanLouiseFinch !

I am a firm believer in health benefits of tea -- antioxys inside as well as outide. Harney is one of my favorite tea companies. There certainly is an assortment from your list here at my home.

I'm just wondering if, when you visited your friends who were tea aficionados, could you see it their skin or other health?

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@Harpa  They're both a bit younger than us, to begin with, and both look great.  I didn't really scrutinize anything though, or know any of this to consider putting two and two together.
 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@Jacie wrote:

I wish I could get to love drinking tea. I can only really handle iced tea or hot red zinger tea. I know it can be so good for you. Perhaps you might suggest some "rookie" teas!

I will say I am an avid coffee drinker.

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Hi @Jacie -

I don't like any teas that taste like weak grass or weed water.  They have to have a nice mix of flavors to appeal to me. My only exception is home brewed spearmint tea.  Spring thru fall, I'll make that with loose dried leaves, add my sweetener, and drink it as iced tea.

Here are some you can look up and consider. Some are mild and others have lots of flavor.  Maybe some other tea drinkers will chime in too. 

Caffeinated -

Good EarthSweet & Spicy

Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Mango

Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Vanilla Chai

Harney Hot Cinnamon

Harney Tower of London

Harney Paris

Harney Wedding

Harney Williamsburg Heritage Holiday

Harney Green Blueberry

Tazo Zen Tea 

Caffeine Free

FGO Organic Hibiscus Tea

Good Earth Sweet & Spicy

Harney Hot Cinnamon

Harney African Autumn 

Harney Pumpkin spice 

Harney Mother’s Day 

Tazo Passion Tea

[millieshops]

@JeanLouiseFinch    Thanks for your info about hibiscus tea.  I've never had that, but I'll look for it now.  Recent wild fluctuations in my always problematic BP sent me into an emergency 5-day hospitalization earlier this month.  Can't hurt to try something I am likely to like!

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@millieshops wrote:

@JeanLouiseFinch    Thanks for your info about hibiscus tea.  I've never had that, but I'll look for it now.  Recent wild fluctuations in my always problematic BP sent me into an emergency 5-day hospitalization earlier this month.  Can't hurt to try something I am likely to like!

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Oh boy, that had to be scary , @millieshops. Last year I was under the care if a cardiologist because I got a wonky EKG prior to some surgery. He did one in his office and I was completely fine,. We both concluded the original results were incorrect.  Even so, he kept me as a patient for a period of time to monitor me.  I asked him what he thought about the hibiscus tea.  He was fine with it.  He's young, and from India - said they have other points of view on medicine there and hibiscus tea is a safe option that could help some people.  I still take my prescription diuretic and prescription potassium, but if he's ok with the hibiscus tea, I'll stick with a mug first thing in the morning. It's not a replacement for your meds though, so stay on them and work out the dosage with your PCP.

[bmorechick]

 Several months ago, someone here turned me onto Harney & Sons Tea.  They have flavors and varieties that  I had never heard of and their teas are just delicious.  Our favorites so far are English Breakfast, African Autumn, Earl Grey and Chocolate Mint.  We have become tea connoisseurs and actually are trying the different kinds, especially when they go on sale.  Their green teas are good and they have several white teas I have also tried. I have come to love tea, but still have my one cup of coffee in the morning.  

[Jacie]

@JeanLouiseFinch 

Wow! Thank you so much! 

It sounds like we might be on the same page, as I don't want to drink brewed straw, as I call it LOL!

I have already added a couple of these to my grocery list! Thank you again!!!

[Sooner]

I have been a life-long tea drinker.  Growing up we always had black tea iced at noon and during the day.

I now drink hot tea as well and have for 40 years thanks to a friend who pointed out Bewley's Irish tea and Upton Tea from the U.S. (best source for teas you can find--best teas and best prices and service). 

I now drink a lot of Fortnum and Mason, Harney, and also Elmwood Inn Tea, located in Kentucky,  which is run by a wonderful family and a man who is an expert on tea, full of information and writes a lot about tea. If you like tea look them up! 

Also Taylors of London and Yorkshire Tea (you can get on Amazon and from the English Tea Store on line) are great sources as well. To me, Twinings teas aren't as good as they used to be!

Sorry for the long post, but I have tried a lot of tea companies over the years so am passing along sources.  

ALSO Hoffman Publications (Southern Lady and Tea Time books and magazines) have a huge book about tea that is usually $50 and they sell for  $10 sometimes--Jane Pettigrew's world of tea.  Also it's on Amazon at good prices used sometimes.