HAVE A CUP OF TEA WITH ME
Would you have a cup of tea with me?
The weather is icy, cold, snowy, and rainy.
It’s hard to leave the house.
People with the flu,
Achy body, feeling blue.
Would you have a cup of tea with me?
We live next door,
Across town,
Miles away,
In another country.
Would you have a cup of tea with me?
I am old.
I am young.
I am a parent.
I am a student.
I am lonely.
Would you have a cup of tea with me?
By Barbara Aspland-Wolf
It is better if tea can be shared in person, but it isn’t always possible. Try for a different kind of tea talk. How about a phone call? Plan a time to call, each of you with your cup of tea, sitting comfortably, and sharing life over the phone. Perhaps you could video chat. Send an invite with a tea bag and get things started, you and your friends will be glad you did.
Recipes:
Nettle/Rose hip Tisane
1 tablespoon dried nettle (or tea bag)
1 tsp-tablespoon dried rose hips (or tea bag)
{Nettles contain iron, calcium, minerals, fiber, vitamins A, C, and potassium. Rosehips are high in Vitamin C and uplifting.}
Combine dried tea or tea bags. Steep the tea in 8 ounces of almost boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Lemon Balm/Rose hip Tisane
{This tea is great when you are feeling low in body or in spirit. Rose hips are high in Vitamin C and uplifting. Lemon balm is great for digestion and is uplifting. }
1 Tablespoon of dried rose hips (or tea bag)
1-2 Tablespoons of dried lemon balm (or tea bag)
Combine dried tea. Steep the tea in 8 ounces of almost boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Afternoon Coffee Tisane
You either are trying to cut down on coffee or have to give up caffeine altogether? There is no tea that will give that same coffee flavor but this combination comes close. It is rich and roasty and very comforting.
{Dandelion root is a great liver and digestive helper. Chaga grows on Birch trees. It has some wonderful folkloric uses and is wonderful for your overall being. Together they make a fabulous tea.}
2-3 TBSP ground Chaga
1-2 TBSP roasted dandelion root
Combine in a pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and drink or refrigerate. Good cold or hot. Grounds can be cooked again one more time as listed above.
Strawberry Nettle Turmeric Muffins by Barbara Aspland-Wolf
Makes 12 muffins
One box of Namaste No Sugar Added Muffin Mix (you will need the recommended eggs, water and oil)
1 Tbsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/3 cup dried nettles (can open a tea bag or get from an herbal distributor)
8 oz. strawberries, mashed well or all fruit jam
{Turmeric with black pepper makes a powerful anti-inflammatory duo. Nettles contain iron, calcium, minerals, fiber, vitamins A, C, and potassium.}
Mix together the required wet ingredients plus the strawberries. Add turmeric, black pepper and nettles to the dry mix. Blend the wet and dry ingredients together. Put in oiled muffin tins or use muffin cups. Bake as directed. You may need an extra 1-2 minutes due to the added strawberries. Cool after baking and enjoy. These freeze beautifully.
Note: Many of the ingredients are linked to companies where products may be purchased. These companies are ones whose products I have used and found to be well done. I do not receive any compensation from them, I just like them.