Which teas are good for you?

I am a tea lover.  Actually, I am a tea worshipper.  There is never a bad time for tea.  Can you tell I am English?

But, I am a Brit with a difference, because I am not going to be talking about a milk and two sugars cup.  I want to suggest you try some herbal teas, speciality teas and herbal infusions in your day.

I totally understand that herbal tea can feel boring at first, especially when you first make the transition and are used to a sweet, milky brew. However, as you drink more of it and allow your body to adjust to this new tea experience, you may find that it is better than you think.  Occasionally I will have a normal English Breakfast tea at a friends house when there is nothing else around and I still enjoy it (and it would be rude not to).  But, if I am at home I always have a wonderful selection of infusions that make a decision hard and every teatime different.

We are all told caffeine makes tea bad and this is true if you drink too much of it, because it mimics the stress response and unsettles our day and night.  However, small amounts in green tea and other varieties is ok and some caffeine free teas and herbal infusions are so fantastically good for you that we should drink them in abundance.

I am not suggesting you never have your normal tea, that would upset too many people.  But I do encourage you to mix and match your tea throughout the day so you get a variety of healing benefits and calming, cleansing reactions.

Here are my top five Teas/Infusions

1. Tulsi Tea: Holy Basil Tea

2. Yogi Tea/Bright Mood Tea

3. Fresh Peppermint from the Garden

4. Fennel from the Garden

5. Dr Stuarts/Detox Tea

Try some new teas today and eventually you will find a herbal tea that makes you go, mmmmm.  Or, if you think it all tastes like pond water, try fresh ginger in hot water.

Enjoy!

Josie.

 

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How to fight the flu season...

The seasons are changing in most places around the globe in November, some transitions being more extreme than others.  Here in Samui the monsoons have hit hard this last month.  Although we are still in shorts and t-shirts here in Thailand, it is the equivalent of winter and everyone is falling ill with colds and flu. 

Whatever your climate, a change in the season hits us all with pressure changes in the air, the temperature shifting and perhaps a rain shower here and there.  This is a time where we have to pay attention to our diet more than ever, our bodies are so susceptible to illness and we are more likely to be huddled in dark places together, with the windows pulled tightly shut (a breeding ground for colds and flu).

So, how do we boost our immune systems in times of change?

We all think of orange juice immediately and load up on Vitamin C tablets, which is a great start.  However, there are loads of other brilliant ways of getting our immune systems impenetrable.  The best one is prevention of your immune system getting low in the first place. The best thing to do is start to get your body strong as you go along. If you were working too hard or partying too long as the winter approaches you are not in a good position to fight back.

Keep Strong As You Go Along - The Tips To Keep You Topped Up.

1. Here comes the green smoothie again, try and get one in every day of the year and your body will always be in a position of strength nutritionally.

2. Super foods.  Spirulina, goji berries...the list goes on. An immune BOOST INJECTION as you approach the cold.

3. Sleep.  We need healing sleep, under no circumstances miss out.  

4. Nourishing grains. Quinoa, brown rice, lentils.  Mix in with soups, dahl, stews and broths. Power food.

5. FRESH FRUIT and VEGGIES in all shapes and forms, some raw, some steamed. 

6. Supplements.  If you work too hard and your diet is lacking, then there is a place for supplementation.  

7. Laughter.  Keep it light, don't let winter blues get you down.  Feeling low is also the immune system's enemy.

8. Stay wrapped up.  I know this sounds obvious, but your Mum was right, keep that neck covered up.  This is maintenance for all seasons, hot then cold is never good, whatever the weather.  Air-con, central heating, it's all playing havoc with our bodies as we go in and out.

9. Balance.  We need an equal balance of work, play, rest, relaxation and spirituality in our lives.  If this is out of whack...good health is hard to achieve

10. Set boundaries at work.  Try to keep your work life balanced - over working is a recipe for a weakened immune system.

Josie