Pineapple Rosemary Ice Pops

Tags

food, ice pops, iced tea, summer, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time

It’s almost 30C outside this morning and we have yet another air quality advisory in effect, thanks to raging wildfires in the north. We’re not in any danger, thankfully, but share the benefits of smoke and smog. But it’s still summer, and while forest fires, ticks, mosquitoes, and hogsweed impact our activities, I’m not ready to give up summer living!

This week, I tried a new recipe for iced pops. I began with the basic recipe from Tasty Recipes, and then I improvised a lillte! 🙂

First I made my sugar-rosemary syrup by bringing sugar, water and a dash of dried rosemary to a gentle boil for 2-3 minutes. Then I set it aside to cool. I didn’t have any fresh rosemary and some dried herbs, like rosemary, can be quite potent. Most chefs recommend 1 tsp. dried rosemary to 3 tsp. fresh! I also knew I didn’t have the required 20 oz (or 2.5 cups of pineapple), so I halved the sugar and skimped on the water. I was worried that by using half the water I risked the syrup boiling dry and ruining my pot! After 2-3 minutes, I set it aside to cool.

A few hours later, I blitzed leftover pineapple and its juice in a blender. It was canned, not frozen, and I didn’t have enough for the 2.5 cups (20 oz.) in the recipe. I strained the sugar-rosemary syrup and added it to the pineapple, along with the lemon juice.

Most likely, messing with the recipe, changed the consistency. I found the mixture quite thick and pulpy, and I couldn’t imagine this being very easy to eat once it was frozen. How to thin it out?

flickr.com

Lightbulb!!

This is where tea came in. I added live wire lemon tea. Not only did it improve the consistency for freezing, but it added flavour. Live Wire Lemon is a is a light lemon tea with grassy notes and just a whisper of warming ginger.

Please be advised…the air quality and humidity may be an issue, but these pineapple rosemary pops are not! They are delish, not overly sweet and certainly a healthier option with fresh fruit. I’ve got all the time in the world to lick back with a good book…

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

Sam Keen

High-Five for Hydration

Tags

chipmunks, food, humour, nature, photography, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time, water

With pools and beaches open and summer temperatures soaring, it’s easy to spend the day in the sun. But being in the water isn’t the same as drinking the water (and it’s probably not a good idea to drink the water you’re bathing in)!

Water makes up 60% of our bodies. We can survive 30-40 days without food, as long as there is sufficient water, but only 3 days without it. Water is vital for almost every function of the body, from head to toe. It helps maintain blood volume and circulation, regulates body temperature, and transports waste materials. Water also lubricates our organs, acts as a shock absorber for our joints and brain, and keeps all the motors running efficiently.

Drinking water before exercise helps reduce the fatigue and soreness you feel after a workout. It also allows your heart to function well, which lowers your heart rate so your sweat is worth it. In the long term, water can help you lose weight.

In general, people who drink more water also experience happier and more peaceful moods, better focus, and less day-time sleepiness!

Let me do this every day, and I’ll be less cranky! Promise!

Feeling thirsty? You’re already dehydrated. Developing a headache? Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of dehydration; oftentimes they can be reversed simply by drinking up! The amount of water we need per day depends on other factors, but generally, women should drink about 2.21 liters and men should drink 3 liters, daily. Other factors include things like environmental temperature, medication/medical issues, and level/duration of activity. When you sweat more, you need to drink more…even if you’re just snoozing in the shade.

Most beverages will hydrate – a big exception that does not is alcohol! Water, of course, is considered the best because naturally, it doesn’t contain dye, sugar, caffeine, or preservatives. Know your source…water can contain harmful things, but generally, it’s the best. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, add raspberries, mint, or a slice of lemon or lime (just remember to wash the outside of the fruit before you slice)!

Many fruits and vegetables naturally provide water but not enough, and fruit juices, though they hydrate, can also have added sugar and preservatives that might contribute negatively to your bikini bod! Same goes for sports drinks, pop and diet pop.

It used to be believed that caffeine, which has a diuretic effect, inhibited proper hydration, so TEA, hot or iced, was frowned on. Studes have proven that this just isn’t the case when consumed in moderation. If caffeine is a concern, try green tea, which has less caffeine, or an herbal tea/fruit infusion, which has none. Always read the labels so you don’t find out you swapped for lower caffeine, but ended up with higher sugar.

If you know you’re going to be out in the heat for awhile, grab a glass before you go! There are lots of travel options for easy transport. And tank up again when you get home. Remember to drink after the sun has gone down too. Just because the sun has gone to bed, doesn’t mean you stop perspiring!

Finally, since water is important to all life, consider sharing with your backyard neighbours. Keeping it fresh helps them and eliminates standing water for spawning mosquitoes, neighbours you don’t want!

Water is the driving force of all nature.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Happy Monday!

Please Ma’am

Tags

chipmunks, food, humour, nature, nature photography, photography, summer, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

Please Ma’am

Pretty please?

Wait…there’s something on the bottom

Streee-eeetch

Yum!

Somewhere there’s tea…

Tags

#whatsinmycup, Bible, faith, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, what's in my cup

I’m not really a “stick my head in the sand” kind of person, but it’s true. I don’t watch the news. I hear enough in general conversation, or something on Facebook will tweak my interest and I’ll investigate, but I don’t often seek it out. There are thing I’ve known a long time. I know there is evil in the world. There is hatred and discrimination, and a terribly long history of it.

It breaks my heart.

It makes me anxious.

And afraid.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

1 Timothy 1:7

So while I live in this world, I keep myself separated from it by not immersing myself in every thought that Kim Kardashian has (most of them are not golden!), or filling my head with images of death and destruction.

I am also not oblivious to the world. I mourn and pray. I teach my children to live with integrity and love. I endeavour daily to be an active minister of reconciliation for the past, a person of peace in the present, and a harbinger of hope for the future. It’s not enough, but it’s a place to start. And if we never start, we will never move forward.

There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, where the sea’s asleep and the rivers dream, people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there’s danger, somewhere there’s injustice and somewhere else the tea is getting cold.

Sylvester McCoy

Seasons

Tags

#whatsinmycup, food, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time, what's in my cup

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Ecclesiastes 1:3

This is certainly the case for growing and harvesting tea leaves, and tea masters know the seasons can have an impact of flavour!

Tea comes from the plant, Camellia Sinensis. Tea trees are almost constantly in a state of germination, which is affected by climate and weather. Green tea flavour and aroma is the most affected by weather and climate changes. Too wet or dry, fluctuating temperatures, and frost can affect the quantity and quality of all the types of leaves and buds. Typically germination slows during the winter months (Dec-Feb), so most harvesting takes place bi-annually: Spring and Fall. Some areas are able to harvest 2 or 3 times.

Fresh leaves and buds harvested in the Spring are highly valued because they have had more daylight and more time to grow and absorb nutrients. It provides the tea with lighter flavour profile and sweet floral notes. Buds are picked along with two to four leaves, depending on the tree type, tree age, and the season. Older trees are more established and resilient, so more leaves will be picked. Those leaves are generally richer in flavour. Green and white teas are ordinarily harvested in the Spring and require minimal processing.

Larger farms will also harvest in summer, particularly those who provide tea leaves for mass distribution. These leaves grow quickly and provide a bolder flavour than those harvested in the Spring. But they also have little natural sweetness so are normally used as a base for flavoured teas.

While black, darjeeling and some white teas are harvested in Fall, it is the optimal season for Oolong tea. Oolong tea is neither green or black tea, and is processed differently. Tea masters can extract different flavours and aromas with the same leaves by adjusting that process. I will be discussing Oolong tea in another post. Tea harvested in the Fall has a fuller body and richer colour than Spring teas, and contains stronger floral or malty notes.

Regardless of the season…

…or at least tea!

Beauty is the only thing that time cannot harm… what is beautiful is a joy for all seasons, a possession for all eternity.

Oscar Wilde

Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Poise

Tags

food, food photography, garden, herbs, humour, photography, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time

Poise: calm; confidence in a person’s way of behaving, or a quality of grace (= moving in an attractive way) and balance in the way a person holds or moves their body.

Cambridge English Dictionary

Poise. Something I do not possess.

Today I have Tetley’s “Poise” tea in my cup. The name immediately conjured visions of skinny girls balanced on yoga mats. I own a yoga mat – it decorates the corner of my room. I own yoga pants too – they’re wearing thin at the thighs from trudging (begrudgingly) through the neighbourhood! I don’t even want to think about the dumbbells covered in dust.

No, my bendy parts don’t bend like they used to bend! Some of them never did! But as long as my elbow still works and I can drink my tea, I’ll be ok. Fatter with thinning yoga pants, but still ok. Life without tea is not life! 😉

I am not a fan of chamomile tea and it’s telltale “grassy” notes, which is why I was surprised to find this particular tea in my basement stash. What was I thinking? I was probably hoping the addition of cinnamon and orange peel would make the chamomile more palatable.

Chamomile tea is an herbal infusion from dried chamomile flowers. Long-used in folk medicine, these little white “daisy-like” flowers earned bragging rights to creating calm in it’s consumer, and encouraging sleep. Other potential health benefits include reducing inflammation, lowering blood sugar levels, treating cold symptoms, settling upset stomachs, and slowing the onset of osteoporosis.

The stronger the tea, the stronger the health benefits, but as with any herbal entity, it’s best to tread lightly at first. Chamomile can be contaminated by pollen and other spores that could create allergic reactions, so never give it to children or young adults, and those with a history of severe allergies, particulary to pollen, would be wiser to avoid it completely.

Tetley’s Poise tea was a pretty golden colour. I chose not to steep the first cup very long in the hopes of minimizing the grassy flavour. Both the smell and taste reminded me of Tetley’s Antitox Tea (apple cinnamon & tumeric). While this tea is spiced with cinnamon bark and orange peel, I found the notes were grassy and earthy, with a gentle warmth at the back of the tongue. Other spices include fennel, cardamom, licorice root, and tulsi. (Pregnant women should avoid licorice root). This tea is part of their Ayurvedic Balance series.

I’m still not a convert to chamomile, but the addition of cinnamon, though very, very mild, may have helped. A little bit. But if you are a fan of chamomile, I would recommend giving it a go. Even if you aren’t bendy like me.

Speaking of grass, I’m persevering in my gardening ventures, though I possess no green thumb; it’s more a medium shade of gray. I don’t kill things outright but they have to learn to be hardy fast or they will not survive under my care. I ordered and planted herb seeds, but I appear to be growing grass in the feeder. The kind you mow. When I planted, I dropped a package and it got wet, so I threw the few remaining seeds in my big ol’ tea kettle.

They appear to be thriving!

I’ve got a way with plants. It’s a way where they turn brown and die, but it’s a way.

John Wagner, Maxine

Happy Monday!

My Iced Tea Hack

Tags

#whatsinmycup, food, iced tea, lifehack, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time, whatsinmycup

Even the weather has been weird. It was well into the 30s (celsius) on May 22, the day we decided to shovel and spread a million pounds of dirt and grass seed on our front lawn. We had to take frequent breaks to avoid heat exhaustion. Less than a week later, we were pulling on our slippers and watching the snow falling on our lilac blooms! And now, we’re back to sweating.

Weird!

Regardless of the weather, I never lose my taste for tea. Just sometimes the temperature of the tea varies. When it’s cold, I want it hot. When it’s hot, I want it…hot or cold. It depends on what I’m doing. First thing in the morning, hot! If I’m sitting outside on the backporch with a good book, like this past Saturday, cold. And the best way to keep something cold is ice cubes. But ice cubes dilute the tea…no good!

So what if there was a way to keep it cold without diluting the tea, or a way to add flavour to your morning pot that’s already cooled on the counter? There is! It’s called an ice cube tray. It’s not that hard to boil some extra water when you’re making hot tea and use it to steep an extra mug or two. Or a few flavours in a few mugs. Once cooled, pour it into an ice cube tray and pop it in the freezer. Feel like peach? Drop in a peach tea cube. Chocolate chai? Drop in a cube! Peach and chocolate chai? Why not?!? It’s a great addition to your iced tea.

Sundress-check
Flip-flops – check
Book – check
Iced tea – check!!
Let summer begin…

For a really hot day on the porch, with a really good book, I need a really big cup of iced tea, so I make ahead and use iced tea pop molds. I got these from David’s tea, but I’ve seen the same thing in grocery stores and dollar stores. It works great.

Just like ice cubes, don’t forget to make some iced tea ahead too, using the hot or cold brew method and prepare to sip the summer days away!

One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.

Jeanette Wells, The Glass House

On the Go

Tags

food, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea time

Let’s be honest! As lovely as it is to sip tea from a dainty cup in a garden, it’s not practical when you have to go on the road. Even in “covid days”, there are still appointments, and trips to the grocery store. In our caffeine-addicted world, we can’t seem to function without a vessel of some description in our hands.

For example, Sunday morning, I left the house at the painful hour of 7:30 (don’t judge me!) to set up for the Sunday morning service. I had a cup of tea with my morning oatmeal. And then I made a large piping hot fresh cup of S’mores Chai to take with me (I thought my sacrifice earned some morning liquid chocolate).

Purse – check
Music – check
Shoes – check
Tea – check, check!

This vessel containing the sweet elixor to sustain us through our trying days, is often an extension of our wardrobe. It has to have form and function. And like your wardrobe, it’s subjective. Or if fashion isn’t your “thing”, think dating……whether you’re shopping for a cute skirt or looking for the perfect mate (maybe a cute one!), there are a few things to consider. If you’re careful, you might find love the first time. More than likely, you’ll encounter a few lemons first!

1. Size – it matters! Consider when you are using it the most. If it’s to wet your whistle after grocery shopping (or bathroom facilites are scarce), you probably don’t need a 64 oz. mug! That’s the equivalent to a 2L bottle. I measured a few in our household that I think are around the average size and they are 32 oz, or 2 cups…or 2 1/3 cans of pop! The important thing is…is it big enough for you?
   
2. Material – Travel mugs are usually made from aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic. Metal is the best insulator, hot or cold! While plastic is more affordable, lighter and usually dishwasher safe, there is a risk that plastics with BPA could leach into your beverage. Metals are durable and less likely to leach chemicals, but are heavier to carry. Frequently, metal travel mugs have better insulation and/or vaccuum-sealed options so your tea stays hot longer.
   
3. Lids – they keep you from slopping in your seat (as a passenger – never drink and drive!) There are plenty of options. Snap on, screw on, and push on are probably the most spill-resistant and hands-off. Snap ons usually have a rubber rubber gasket or skirt which creates suction. Once it’s on, you have to exert force to get it off. Whereas push ons usually have some kind of button or tab with a locking mechanism, rather than a gasket. They can be more prone to breaking. Thermos or bottle caps, with or without a handles are another option but usually require 2 hands to open and that big opening can result in a super slosh. Been there – done that! Some thermos/bottle cap lids have a rubber tether so it stays with the mug. Bonus!
   
4. Sipping Style – Thumb-slide, flip-top/push button or rotate lock gives you control over your gateway to comfort (a.k.a. as the honey hole). Most lids resemble those favoured by your local coffee shop, but there are some that have an added curve for funneling your slurps. Choose wisely.
   
5. Handles – some like a handle, especially when you’re hands are full. Hook that sucker around one finger and you’re good to go. “No handle” simulates the take-out paper cups to which we’ve become accustomed, but too thick or too thin might be uncomfortable. Without a handle, make sure it’s insulated too – protect your fabulous fingers from scalding. If you are looking at handles, find one that feels comfortable in your hand. No one wants a handle that is too think, too thick, or too sharp!
   
6. Personal Style – Once function is found, the sky is the limit! From simple stainless to intergalactic, iridescent tie-dye, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

When you finally commit to a cup, take good care of it. It might be your companion on more than your adventures outside the doors of your home. Mine passed the day with me on Saturday during an online worship conference.

When you’re on the “go”, fill your “best mate” with what you most desire…

…try to ask nicely!

Happy Monday!

What’s in My Cup: Japanese Sencha

Tags

garden, photography, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea quotes, tea time

Sencha green tea is one of Japan’s most popular drink. It’s purported to be an energizing and detoxifying organic beverage, filled with antioxidants. Green tea leaves come from the Camelia sinensis plant. Once leaves are picked, they are pan fired or steamed, then quickly oven dried to avoid oxidization and retain fresh flavour. It can be served on its own or blended with other organic materials, such as fruits, nuts or other leaves. Green tea leaves plucked in morning can be steeped by evening.

David’s organic and kosher steamed green tea is from Mount Fuji, Japan. Unlike most green teas, it is high in caffeine. When I first opened the package, I noticed it had a strong grassy smell and it was also slightly peppery. So I expected the smell to translate into the taste. I was careful to steep it for only 2 minutes in a large tea mug because oversteeped green tea can easily become bitter.

The tea actually had quite a mild vegetal or grassy flavour but it was also a little bit sweet. I’m not a fan of green tea generally, preferring it to be flavoured or mixed with black tea, but this was pleasant. In fact, I steeped the same tea leaves twice. I sipped it while reading a book and enjoying the heady scent of lilac, in my backyard.

But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Pomegrateful

Tags

davids tea, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea review, tea time

The apple blossoms are in full bloom in my backyard and the lilacs are nearly ready to pop. Spring is finally here! And with Spring, my tastebuds turn to summery, fruity flavours, like berries or peach.

Pomegranates aren’t usually considered “summery”, in part because they are in season from September to December. They are a tart fruit, like cranberries, and their seeds are rich, ruby-coloured jewels, much like the ornaments decorating our homes at Christmas. Pomegranate seeds have up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea or red wine, and boast many health benefits. Those include anti-inflammatory properties and heart health aspects.

Pomegrateful is a white tea blend from David’s Tea. It also contains apple, pineapple, hisbiscus blossoms, pomegranate seeds and blossoms, rose petals and stevia extract. White tea is the least processed form of tea, but it still contains caffeine. If correctly steeped, white tea appears pale gold, similar to a mild white wine. With addition of pomegranate and hisbiscus, I expected pomegrateful would be quite rosy. Instead, it was more amber. I also expected it to have quite a strong, sweet, fruit flavour, but instead it had a fairly strong grassy undertone, and it wasn’t very sweet. Other review I read were so-so. I would recommend not oversteeping as I sense it could become bitter, much like a green tea. As it cools, it began to taste more and more artificial, so it’s the type of tea best enjoyed very hot, and possibly very cold. I’m saving some to try as an iced tea in July! David’s website uses it in a Pomegrateful Spritzer Cocktail. That might also be a fun way to go!

Dream Big. Start small. But most of all, start.

Simon Sinek

Happy Monday!