Digital Table: Tea Journey Manifesto for living the Tea Lifestyle

     The tea world has been changing so much since I started this blog. Who could have guessed that Matcha and even Puerh would become popular in the health field? Consumers are only being told very few health possibilities, which leaves them extream expectations of the beverage. And even worse, not knowing how to prepare it or a bite of the historical/cultural significance. This change is worrying. Information is being diluted through the noise of online and shared to the extreme. For those of us, such as myself, who strive to honor the tradition, history, and culture of the beverage it causes anxiety.

     I work within the health and wellness field currently, and tea slowly has turned to its original roots as medicine. It gives a small glimmer of hope but still, there is more to learn. We each need to do our part to help turn the tides and direct those around us to the information they need, as a community. This is why I sought out to create a Manifesto. 

    No matter what stage you are at with tea this manifesto is for you. My intention and hopes are that it will guide you. Not only with tea but in life itself. Unlike other manifestos out there, this one was intentionally made imperfect. I am not a perfect person so why should this be any different.

Even still it was created from the soul with a cup of tea in hand (Nomigoro Gyokuro from Maiko Tea to be exact). Tea is life which is a lifestyle in itself. We add it to our lives for health, curiosity, or even for spiritual reasons. And our lives change with the addition of it. That, in a nutshell, is your Tea Journey. It starts with picking up or tasting tea for the first time. And you continue to discover something not only new about tea but yourself and the world around you.

 

    I hope you will take this manifesto and hang it somewhere to remind yourself about your roots, or if you are just beginning to give yourself that reminder down the road. We all start at the beginning and continue on. We need to also return to that origin or beginning to progress further. That is what is taught in Japanese Tea Ceremony, and my hope is that you will apply it in your life right now (I also have a post on this topic coming out in March). 

Grab the Tea Journey Manifesto 

 Mine now hangs right next to my desk, very close to where I keep my tea set up while at my desk. Where will you keep yours?

Self-care gift guide for Valentines day for everyone

    Valentines day.Galentines Day. Singles Day. No matter what you may call it it can be a good time for all if you have the right mindset from the start. The whole point is to show care for those we care about, but we also should show it to ourselves. As a single girl myself I love treating myself to something for this holiday, but when I was with a special someone I loved to give them something that I hoped they would buy for themselves for their own self-care (or they would get dinner made by me if money was tight). 

No matter what your status is this gift guide is for you. Cue up some romantic movies or series (Currently I am watching an assortment Korean Romance Dramas) and spend time reconnecting with yourself (and your loved ones).



David’s Tea Matcha Maker Mint

Saje Aroma Gem 2.0

Lush Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb

Lush Love Spell Massage Bar

BYoga Everyday BMat - Ocean Green

The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein

Starbucks Tiny Hearts Cold Cup 16oz

Tea Ave Happy Cup and Saucer -Ocean

Citizen Tea Matcha Lover Set

Mala Collective Meditate Mala Teal Rudraksha

Sloane Tea Chocolate Truffle TIn

      Now its back to you, what are your plans this comming tuesday (Valentine's Day, GALentines, Singles Awareness Day etc)? Shout it out in the comments below or share over Instagram/Twitter. Love you~

Tea Bath Salts DIY

     Regularly I get asked about small gift ideas, but when I know they are tea drinkers it is hard for me to suggest new things. Lately, I have been looking at new ways to use up our stashes beyond drinking them. This lead me to this simple DIY that doubles as humble handmade gifts.

      In this tutorial, I used a blend of herbals but you can easily use any tea. Add in some floral if you want it to be aromatherapeutic. I looked up herbals that are not only relaxing but also good for the skin for this blend. It got directly gifted to my Mom right after it was made to brighten her day. But you can just as easily give it as a Birthday gift, Valentines or any kind of occasion.

What you need

Tea (or herbals) 30-60g
4-5 cups Epson salts
20-25 drops of essential oil
Bowl
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon
Container for storage
Piece of paper or funnel

What you need to do

1. Add epson salts into the bowl, you may need more depending on the ratio you are looking for. As this was a gift for my Mom to relax with I wanted a decent ratio with a decent scent.

2. Now is the time to make it fancy. Add in your tea. If it is a longer leafed tea you may need to grind it up a bit or use a drain catcher for the bits. Most of all we want it to look pretty, this is why in my mix I have lavender and osmanthus. The third herb is lemon grass which is said to be good for skin. Decide what your focus is and go for it.

3. Mix it all up thoroughly, now add in your essential oil drops. For this blend to be a bit grounding (let's be honest I wanted to use it while I read in the bath too) I added clary sage oil to the mix. Mix it once again.

4. Bring out your storage container and roll up your piece of paper for a funnel (or use the one you already have). Scoop your mix into the funnel to fill it up. If it’s a gift a simple ribbon around it will do.

Notes and Ideas

      Try out green tea, oolong or even black tea for this DIY, but if it's a blend look up all the ingredients to make sure it will not cause a reaction to your skin. For example, my mom is allergic to ragweed which shares the same family as chamomile. For this reason, I avoided adding it to the blend out of consideration for this allergy.

No matter what, have fun while making this DIY. There are many possibilities just by changing the ingredients. If you discover a mix, share it in the comments or over Instagram/twitter. Sharing is caring.

Best post from the Year of the Monkey

       Happy Lunar New Year! (Gong Hey Fat Choi! ) We are no longer in the year of the mischievous monkey. The year of the rooster is said to bring about change away from the craziness of the monkey (want more info check out Astrostyle for a glimpse into this new year ). Last year sure had its ups and downs. I sure know that I felt the mischievous monkey adding craziness to my own life (I am born in the year of the Rabbit). Tea Journey felt it the most as I was still working through anxiety and depression for the earlier part of the year. But on the bright side it let me re frame how I went about creating posts and the content I wanted to create.

        I have said that I wanted to get right down to the soul of tea many times, and in various ways. It was not till that break that I was able to reframe and find that place where both this blog and I were happy. Over the course of this year there will be changes to Tea Journey but it will be all for the good. For those of you who have noticed the lack of tea on here, it is because of this reframing.
      I truly want to go into the tea lifestyle of sages and modernize it. Many of us tea fanatics just stop short of understanding what lies beyond our cup that we forget about what truly makes it so special for so many around the world. I dearly hope you will stick around and come with me for this journey.

How to become a better person with Sen no Rikyu's 4 principals of Japanese tea

Jump Start your own Tea Journey with these books on Tea

Releasing 2016 and greeting 2017 (Free new year planer printable)

Picking your word of the year (Free year ahead printable planner)

Three quick and easy ways to add a creative touch to a gift

Simple self care ideas for after a busy day

Create this for the Lunar New Year: Tea infused Liquor

Why you need to attend Networking Confrences Now

  What stood out last year (think beyond this blog) for you? No matter that it may be , share it in the comments or over instagram/twitter. Shout it out loud and be proud for the good that has come your way. Many wishes for you to have even more good come to you.

Create this for the Lunar New Year : Tea Infused Liquor

With the Lunar New year around the corner, I thought a little fun with our tea was in order. Last year my boss and I experimented with infusing alcohol with different teas (yes and it was the best end of shift ever). We had a whole prohibition ladies night event and all. The favorite was Baileys and earl gray. But I wanted to experiment with something a little outside of the norm for my hometown (just for me, and if you make it you too).

Sencha infused Sake was what came out of my experiments. The two go so well together that it, that it is the perfect pairing with dumplings for the New Year. So either head over to pick up some sake or even try an experiment of your own. 

All you need is

Liquor
A Mason jar
Tea of your choice

All you need to do is

1. Measure 1 tsp per 1/2 cup of liquor into a clean mason jar

eg. 500ml (2 cups) needs 4 tsp

2. Seal up jar and label with date and mix

3. Store in the fridge. Leave traditional teas for no longer than 24 hours, herbal blends can be left to desired taste

4. Strain and serve

Tips

• Drink within 2-4 days, for greener teas

• More oxidized teas seem to last longer when infused into liquor

• Give a bottle as a gift to other tea lovers

• Bring to a party (why not)

• Finally, experiment. Adjust to your taste just as you would with normal tea

This is a great way to use up old tea that has been sitting around or you want to branch out a bit with. A final idea for this is to use the blend in mixed drinks, I personally think that a touch of a fruit juice or fruity liquor would go well with the sencha/sake. Giving it a unique new dimension to its natural vegetal notes.


Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram or twitter if you try this out. Keep steeping everyone.

4 principals of Japanese Tea (Sado) that will help you become a better version of yourself

Since the beginning of my tea journey Japanese tea has been a focus. I feel for Sen no Rikyu's vision of tea and how relations in the tea room should be. If you are new to tea or its your first time hearing about Rikyu then let me give you a bit of some points to start out.

  Rikyu lived during the Sengoku period which was very war stricken in Japan. Why is this point important? There was a very distinct divide between classes. Samurai, Aristocrats, Farmers etc were all in different classes with set expectations on how to interact between them. 

 But Rikyu was a rebel and began to teach that everyone is treated equally in the tea room (yup even the Aristocrat had to treat a farmer as an equal). It removed barriers and became even more ingrained into the Japanese Tea Ceremony. 

  To build further on his concept of equality, 4 principles were developed. These four are still taught to students of Tea Ceremony. For us we can use these four to change how we interact with each other and grow as a society together. Start with yourself by setting an example for those around you by taking these four in to your heart and making them part of your truth.

WA - Harmony

With his hope that tea guests respected each other no matter who they were, even the Shogun became an equal in the tea room. With that everyone played their part which contributed to the larger picture.
For modern times, working towards seeing everyone as equals and treating them as such. Also working along side with others by striving to have a harmonious relationship.  

  Apply this to your own life by letting status, dress, job/career etc not effect how you interact with those around you. After working a few years in Toronto's Financial district, everyone was an equal. But that does not mean that I had moments where I slipped. When it happened I told myself that those identifiers had no meaning to who that person was when they are taken away (yes I had to ignore that great Kate Spade bag in the moment). Closing my eyes, breath in and out and try again.

KEI - Respect

Can you already see how these all link up together? Respect is something that we all wish to have from those around us. But have you thought about applying it to the world around you?  Rikyuu fostered not only mutual respect amongst participants and host, but also of the tea space and tools. 

Respecting tools was very important (okay any item) as it was widely  believed that after 100 years of its life it could come alive, while it is superstitious. It became common practice to repair items many many times till it was no longer usable. Once that time was up it would be given a little something like a memorial, in thanks for its service. 

   

 Now I am not saying being superstitious about your belonging, I am saying take care of them and thank them for their help once you are done with them. The KonMari cleaning craze even promotes thanking items, which the author also cites the same reasoning as I just did. The item has done so much for you. It may seem odd to thank them but would you not thank a friend for helping you? Treat everything around us with respect, people and the things around us.

SEI - Purity

  I previously made a reference to KonMari, this is a great example for purity.  While you may have thought I was going to point towards meditation or tea, cleaning our space is just as important. One problem we have (I do too) is too much stuff. We have so much that it is nearly impossible to keep things tidy and clean. 

An idea from KonMari is to only keep what brings you joy. Yes you read that right joy. Not "I might need this" or "I am going to use this someday". All those excuses need to go. Keep just what brings you joy. Like makes you feel all bubbly inside and adoration. The rest needs to get gone (don't forget to thank them) or be donated. There after you will be able to keep things pure and tidy.

  In Japanese Tea Ceremony it is traditional to clean all the instruments infront of guests. Now they are clean before starting but it is to show the purity and respect towards the tools. Give yourself (and your mind) a "cleaning" buy tidying your space.

JAKU- Tranquility

 As you may have guessed this is where (finally) meditation comes in. But I am going to also say that it does not need to be traditional meditation. Tranquility is cultivating calmness, quiet and being serene. If traditional meditation is not your thing this is for you.  

  Last week we talked about self care, those are amazing ideas to use to cultivate tranquility. We really zone out as we dive into something to just pamper ourselves. Or if you are a creative (any type of creative practice), get lost for a while as you make something new. For me that has been creating things for my planner, creating printables (for you all), scrapbooking, painting... you get the idea. 

   In Rikyuu's terms this would have been traditional meditation but there is so much more out there that we can do to live up to the definition of the word.

There is so much to learn from Japanese Tea Ceremony and its masters. I hope that you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
If you have any comments please share them either below or over twitter. I can not wait to hear from you. 

Cozy up with these Delicious Autumn Inspiring Teas

Autumn is in full swing, adding a little bit of the flavors of it in our cup is bound to be on your list this season (by the way they are all good for winter too). Each tea on our list was picked for its warmth and delicious toasty notes. Also they go great with a slice of apple or pumpkin pie. So they will be perfect after Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. Try one or all of them, your taste buds will thank you.

Shuei Xian Oolong

This lovely oolong is from Fujian Province in China in the Wuyi region. This area is known for its “rock” oolongs. All of which have been roasted to various degrees which comes out in the cup. It is definitely a tea you will love to have on hand.

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong

This is a very unique tea that is best enjoyed on a rainy day. It is made from very special trees in China on Phoenix Mountain in Guangdong Province. It tastes fruity and the aroma and flavor stays even after many infusions. It's very much a sought after tea by tea enthusiasts and worth every sip.

Golden Monkey Black (Red)

First off this is my favorite tea to pair with cookies or any type of pastry. It's just a pair that makes your taste buds sing. This is because it is not astringent like most other black teas and tastes best plain. It is a classic and on the list of top 10 teas of China. It is from Yunnan Province the home of many of the teas on the market from China. It’s a little bit of history in your cup that you are bound to love.

Dong Ding Oolong

Just had to include a classic Taiwanese Oolong on this list. With its baked stone fruit notes it can very well replace your dessert (or be paired with one if you so desire). With its balled style it is bound to give you many infusions over the full course of your me time.

These three are just a few of many out there that feel like you have fall in your cup. A good way to find other is to look for ones that have been roasted (yumm).

Create a strong foundation for your life with Citizen Tea

   ** This post was sponsored by Citizen Tea by product only. All opinions are my own**

 

    I get asked about which teas are best for numerous reasons. I have been learning about herbs since before my tea journey began. Back then I experimented in try blends for different reasons, that being for the three main things we all want help with. Sleep, energy and something to combat colds. We all need help with these three, that is why we are encouraged to drink tea to wake up, get better or to help us relax for sleep.
Teaopia was the first place that understood our need for tea for different purposes. While it has been about 4 years since Teavana bought and took over, it lives on again (yeah, totally made a zombie reference there). With Citizen Tea it gained a new life.
Much like with Teaopia they have amazing sets that will fit your needs. I choose one that hit those three main needs, Men’s Collection. The name of the collection is no matter as it has everything to meet those three needs. Very much it is the tool kit to get through the day and be prepared for anything.

Energy Booster

With cold season here this was a saving grace. I was riding out the end of a cold earlier this week and drank this tea to keep awake. It has a subtle sweetness to it that was very pleasing. It cleared the sinuses (read: great for allergies) and helped me get better quicker. Lapacho, the main ingredient, is also a natural antibiotic according to sources online. Normally I would be hesitant to point such a thing out but the fact remains that I am feeling much better after having it (and a detox bath, more on that latter). Cold season or not it gave a pleasant boost that was just right. 

Fit Active

At Teaopia this was my go to tea at any sign of a cold symptom (or your co-workers were sick). It is loaded with fruits and herbs that contain a lot of vitamin C and also has Raspberry Leaf which acts as a diuretic. Flushing out the illness is necessary for getting better, no one likes being sick. Rose-hip peel has been known to help with when you have the cold mostly in your chest ( this tends to be my problem). Overall most of the ingredients were put in this blend to assist with a cold, while the remainder is for taste. It is a very pleasant tea to have any time but even better when you are under the weather. 

Sleep Well

Most tea for sleep has chamomile in it, which is related to ragweed , so it is a nice change to no see it in this blend. No sniffling here (allergic to ragweed), this tea is great for sleep and also when you have a cold. Lemon verbena, fennel, peppermint and licorice root - are key players in fighting back cold or sinus problems. Having these in here is great as you know you can go to sleep with the sniffles under control. You will feel this tea in your throat due to the licorice root, but with it continually getting colder the added reassurance you're protected from colds is very welcome.

Having this set in your tea collection will mean that you are prepared for anything thrown at you. The name of the collection , Men’s Collection, should be taken as it is that cuddly-reassuring sidekick you have been wanting. Don’t let the name deter you from giving it a try, I have already shared a bit of each tea with close friends who were sick the last two weeks. Even they have seen the difference in how it makes them feel. Herbal blends are a great way to introduce yourself to tea or add a new dimension of wellness to your life.

If you were to give this collection a nickname ,what would you call it? Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments below.

Jump start your own Tea Journey with these books on tea

 Over six years ago I fell down the rabbit hole into the world of tea and began my Tea Journey. Soon after this blog, what really pushed this change in my life was a series of books. From culture right down to the nitty gritty of each tea region, they all pushed me to where I am today.
   These books either all or just one can take you in a new direction by inspiring change in your life, just the same as yoga or meditation have for many. The thing is that those two practices are even steeped in tea like I have mentioned before in a previous post. They all allow you to grow along side with them and encourage you to turn in. Which tea does as well.
    These books have been broken up into three categories. This is to help narrow down your first or next step in your journey of self discovery through tea. Reading any of them will help you look in relax and give you time to even have a cup of tea (naturally you will want to). But enough talk about this, lets move on to the list and dive in!

Discover Tea Ceremony

The Simplest way of Japanese Tea Ceremony

  At Toronto's first Tea Festival I picked this up from Stratford Tea Leaves' booth. Its a gorgeous visual guide to simplified tea ceremony anyone can do with little supplies. Great introduction for yourself into Japanese Tea Ceremony without being dedicated to a specific school such as Urasenke or Omotesenke. **This book is now out of print, I have linked to a correspondence course on CD Japan that still has a few copies left with this as its textbook**

A Chanoyu Vocabulary by Sen Genshitsu

 Under the recommendation of Helen and Sorlie of Secret Tea Time, I picked up this book and the next on our list. Both are quite handy, this one is very useful if you need to look up a name of a tool or even what an item is used for when you see it online (for ebay this has been very useful).

Urasenke Chado Textbook by Urasenke Tankokai

  Both this book and the previous are from Urasenke publishers. Meaning it has information they follow but also contains information not found often in western books. The book contains history, lists of books and writers of tea (many I wish were translated), information on different tools and even seasonality of items. The best part is the description of the process of matcha and what it may assist with.  I picked this book up after reading a touch of the Tea Ceremony's history in our next book.

Discover the way (Dao)

The Way of Tea by Aaron Fisher

    For months early in my journey I was reading Aaron Fisher's articles in The Leaf, he was very knowledgeable and wrote about the spiritual side of the leaf. He focuses mainly on the Zen and Dao aspects which are explained in a simple and humble way in this book. I e-mailed him personally to ask about the book and could not put it down once it arrived. How he writes is very inspiring for anyone who reads it and is bound to take something away from it.

One Taste of Truth by William Scott Wilson

  While very much an impulse purchase, this book strives to teach you about different zen quotes. Breaking them down and even connecting the meaning to a story. It's a little different from the rest as there were not many stories on tea but it did touch on zen, the spiritual practice that is connected to it. If you ever wondered about what lies behind those quotes this will tickle your fancy.

Tea Life, Tea Mind by Sen Genshitsu

 After many trips to the Japan Foundation I found this piece of gold and searched for my own copy. Written by the former head of the Urasenke school, Genshitsu, he explains the different parts behind the Tea Ceremony which may get left behind in the western world. Through his writing it really makes you see what can be brought in to your life to make it more humble and infused in the way of tea.

Discover more about the leaf

Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties by Kevin, Francois, Jasmin and Hugo

    Late 2013 I met with Kevin of Camellia Sinensis at the Ottawa Tea Festival and picked up this treasure (okay all of my books are treasures). Each member of the shop goes to different parts of the world to source tea and compiled that information into this book. I adore how they even show the tools and process of each different tea preparation. Then they take it even further by explaining each region, tea offerings, a bit of history, and even some recipes. But the latter part of the book just takes the cake. They conducted tests on different teas to find out exactly how much antioxidants and caffeine there is in them. Because most other tests out there are biased, I love this information as a reference when I get asked that question. "How much caffeine is there in this tea?", now I can answer with better information.

Korean Tea Classics by Brother Anthony, Hong Kyeong-Hee and Steven D.

   Historic tea books just seem to find me. This one was very different as it is a compilation of a few different books into one. I knew next to nothing about Korea and their history with tea. Learning from the old masters just seemed like the right thing to start with.  To make things even better, each book is lead by historic information about the writer and the era on which it was written (thank you for context). Korean teas are still a little difficult to find but after reading this it will infuse you with of how it came to be.

The Enjoyment of Tea by Sen Genshitsu

Have I said that I just adore Genshitsu's writing? This book I found on e-bay and could not pass it up. Learning about his relation to tea throughout his life and journey with tea is very inspiring. It really shows how tea and tea ceremony teaching spread through his time and effort. If it were not for this guy we would not be drinking matcha or even making smoothies with it. There would be no such thing. Through is travel's and effort we have such access to it that we can not even think about what life would be with out it (I know I can't). This book really puts into perspective of the efforts that was put into bringing something so humbly Japanese to the western world and the thought behind it.

  These books are just a collection of a few out there. I dearly hope that these inspire you to take that next step in your tea journey. By going beyond the drink, creating your own lifestyle by being inspired by tea's long standing history, culture and spiritual significance you will become more of your true self. So take the next step with a cup of tea in hand and begin your journey.
 

Urban Oasis: Nohohon Tea Room

Urban Oasis is a collection of images of spaces in cities where we can take a few moments to find balance and  peace. Take time for you to disconnect an enjoy a space which brings a little zen to your every day.  

Over the last few years I have seen some great changes to Toronto in regards to Japanese specialty shops. Mostly we have seen an array of Izakaya ( Japanese Bar) and cozy cafes, but just last year we finally have a Tea room!

       Nohohon Tea really hit the spot after an afternoon at OCAD University’s Grad show. I raved about the shop for months to those that I knew would listen. A shop that specializes in Japanese drinks and a few select snacks, it was long over due.

         The inside is quite humble as it is part cafe and part shop. The latter portion is contained within a glass cabinet upon the wall. The contents were a feast for the eyes. Within were a small array of tea wares (mostly tea bowls) and some select teas from Momo Tea. It was quite clear from the cabinet that my brother and I were going to enjoy anything we tried.

      My brother tried the Fresh Taro Smoothie while I opted for Straight Chilled Matcha with red bean paste. It was truly the best place to stop for a drink and study or even catch up with a friend.

         Now lets go back to the tea wares. In the cabinet was an array of wares all made by Secret Tea Time. Naturally a bowl ended up coming home with us. I picked the adorable raccoon chawan to add to my collection. Not long after arriving home a bowl of matcha was whipped up to end the day. The remaining drops of collected beautifully in the swirl inside the bowl.

I highly recommend you checking out Nohohon Tea Room when you visit Toronto, try out a Japanese specialty drink just steps from Spadina and Queen Street West shopping.

5 Crystals to help you balance your life

    Whether you are looking for something that will help you stay grounded or new way to energize your tea, crystals are a great way to go. The energy vibrations of crystals can assist with many things. While there is no scientific information to back it, but that does not count for the experiences of the many. The only explanation is through quantum physics, which If you are interested in this I would urge you to look more into it.

     On a simplistic level, these stones give off vibrations which work along with the energetic vibrations of our own bodies. This is good as it can improve certain aspects of ourselves just by having them near us. Today I am going to introduce to you my top 5 crystals that you can use to balance out your life, or even add to your kettle for tea.

Jade

     This stone can come in a variety of colors, the most commonly found is green. With the color in mind it is no wonder this stone is thought to bring good luck, money, and wealth. Less common ones are aid in decision making,balance out the heart chakra, balance out nerves, and has been known to assist in recalling dreams.  Global Tea Hut sent out a small selection of stones in 2011, which included Jade and Quartz. Adding crystals to your tea is a great way to infuse your tea with other energetic properties.

Moonstone

        I picked this stone up as a child due to its name and my attachment to Pokemon. Today, I feel off balance with out having the stone with me. It's said properties include aid in fortune-telling with use of intuition, enhancing feminine power, and aid syncing with the moon. It is known as a women's stone as it resonates strongly with the bodies natural cycle and functions. Try having the stone on you for a few days and take note of how you feel, if you tend to feel floaty this stone should help bring you clarity.

Clear Quartz

       As mentioned before Jade and Quartz were sent by Global Tea Hut to add to our kettles. This is because Clear Quartz is helpful for grounding and balancing any of the bodys chakras. While quartz comes in many colors, clear is the most common out of all of them. It assists in meditation, clearing away negative energy, increases inspiration and healing. It can help with more than I have listed if you "program" the stone, but that is for another day.

Amethyst

    This stone is very important for those who have anxiety or stress related health problems. It is a version of quartz but  for on this list it needed its own spot. It has been also known to help with recalling dreams, assist with sleep, eliminate impatience and promote inner strength. Give your meditation practice a boost and hold it it during your next practice, it has been known to assist in calming the mind for deep meditation.

Aventurine

  This stone is relatively new to me but it has been a great addition to my everyday stones. My first mala had a lovely green adventurine, which I felt helped me communicate and see the big picture. The stone though is also benificial to release any habits that are keeping you from moving forward. This is to help you along your life journey to reach self discovery and strengthen spiritual connection. Just having it near can help break down blockages so that you can proceed towards your lifes purpose.

Like most metaphysical practice or tool, they are not a replacement for help from certified help. Such as, doctor or councelor. They are ment as a secondary tool to be used along side traditional help.
 
    Which stones do you use? Or which ones are you thinking of useing in your life (or tea)?  I would love to know. Share your thoughts in the comments below with the Tea Journey Community. Love and light.

Happy 6th Anniversary Tea Journey: Inspiration behind it all

    

     Like any creative work it takes love and time to mature. Road blocks pop up and need to be overcome. It takes dedication. It is exactly this quality that makes creative work so amazing. To change things up this anniversary I am going to share posts from others who inspired Tea Journey at conception and those that helped fuel it for the future.

     Early on I stumbled across Tea Masters Blog and was hooked by his lovely photographs and focus on Taiwanese teas. The thing that he did differently from others was showing his Chaxi (artful tea setting) and how to do it yourself. These posts kept me coming back for more and even to learn how to use a gaiwan. It was weird at first but I fell for the simplicity it offered to brew a cup.

       Around the same time I found Tea Gallery’s blog (which is now a shared space with the Mandarin Room). The thought of energy being behind tea really sucked me into their world. Especially how they described teas, it was a whole new vocabulary I had never seen before. They even took it further with their post on Phoenix Oolong and how its taste is improved when it is raining. It took me a while to find this tea but I fell for its wine like body.

      Lastly I want to share a specific author, Aaron Fisher (or Wu De). I found his writing in The Leaf Magazine. I waited anxiously for new issues to come out for more of his writing, to the point that I e-mailed him for a copy of “The Way of Tea”. Through that contact he sent me information on the Sage Tea Center and (at the time) the up and coming Global Tea Hut tea subscription. While I have yet to go to the Sage Tea Center in Taiwan, I have been a big fan of Global Tea Hut.

     It was these posts and organizations that pushed Tea Journey to what it is now. From the very start it was destined to be a Tea Lifestyle blog. But you may be asking what does it mean? For those who I read their blogs or publications regularly that shared this view in their own way. The Tea Gallery shared food pairings, Tea Master’s blog shared art, and Wu De shared the view that tea can change your life. With the subtle pushes and the leap urged by Wu De I continued to see Tea as a journey.

     Starting with a cup which can take you anywhere. The cup can take you to a yoga class, or inspire you to try vegan/vegetarian food or even perhaps begin to look at the spiritual side of it as well. There are so many more dimensions from this simple drink that it can take you virtually anywhere if you have an open mind.

  Now its up to you. What are your thoughts on tea being a lifestyle? Share them in the comments below, I look forward to hearing from you.  

Irresistible Tea Fundraiser for George Brown College Scholarships and Nanny Angel Network on April 10

  I was contacted over the weekend by some lovely ladies about "TEAlightful".  Their e-mail  touched me that all the proceeds go to both George Brown College Scholarships and the Nanny Angel Network.  I love it when people give back to those around them.

   You must be wondering what is planned during the event. First of there are two sessions : 10am till 12:30pm  and 1:30pm till 4pm.  Attendees have a wide arrange of things to check out! There will be plenty of tea and food samples, but also some workshops, tea leaf readings, photo booth, live entertainment, raffle and more.
   This group responsible for this fun filled are in their last year of the George Brown College Special Events Planning Program. Props to these lovely ladies and their selfless efforts to promote tea through their final project!
   I put together this post to promote their event as I believe in their cause and also wanted to support them as a George Brown College Alumni. Much love ladies and to all who attend this event.
       For more information check out their website TEAlightful , twitter or instagram.

Spring Celebrations: Teas being made and festivals around the world

While it may not feel like Spring, luckily we have small subtle clues to give us hope for the warmer weather. Perhaps you saw crocuses peeking out of a garden (or lawn) or just counting your blessings for no more snow. Noticing these small things can make a HUGE difference in your day by just noticing them however small. It is time to start thinking about what teas you will drink this season and which ones to stock up on.  Fresh Spring crops are on the way, let's take a look at some main tea growing areas and what is going on over the next few months for Spring.

Japan

    In all the various tea growing regions are gearing up for the first harvest of the year as their plants slowly wake up form their winter hibernation. From now to May we can expect all the first flushes to begin to become available, while others there is a little wait on. 
Currently, the Japanese Cherry Blossoms are beginning to bloom. Many are waiting eagerly as we wait for the best time to view the blossoms  in Japan (and across the world).  In Japanese this  time is called Hanami. The word means Flower viewing, "hana" meaning flower and "mi" meaning to watch or see.  Of course this is exactly what brings people together to admire the blossoms at all times of the day with a packed meal (bento) and sake, or tea.  

China

Leading up to  the Qingming Festival (Typically April 4 or 5) is when all those extra fresh young leaves are plucked for teas ranging from white to green. During this time, before the festival, the most sought after teas are processed.

   The festival is a time for families to clean out their family tombs and grave sites. Together as a family the cleaning is done which ends with a family tea and , of course, some tea. 

Taiwan

 The big difference between the mainland and Taiwan is that delicious Oolongs are being processed (#yumm)! Most of the greener Oolongs are on their way, such as Four Springs, Ali shan and Bao Zhong.  The first flushes are all processed from March to April, with time for family in between. Being so close to China it is no surprise that Taiwan also observed "Tomb Sweeping Day" which is known as Qingming Festival.  

India

The Holi Festival is long over and first flushes are almost finished. These teas were picked from around mid-March until about the second week of May. These leaves are typically used for Darjeeling, which is known for its light body that is often compared to champagne and Taiwanese Oolongs. 

With so many teas to choose from pick out an old favorite from your stash to celebrate the spring season (and fresh teas to come).  In the comments below share which Spring harvested tea your are eager for.

Let's Talk Taiwanese Oolong: Tie Kwan Yin Oolong

Taiwanese Oolongs have a special place in my heart as they are one of the first teas I tried when I begun my Tea Journey.  So in dedication to the leaf and Taiwanese teas, we are going to look at 5 different Oolongs throughout September. To see past posts check out our "Let's Talk Oolong" page.

  It is only natural to end with the first Taiwanese tea I ever tried.  This roasted variety has a special place in my heart. On that note it saddens me that other tea drinkers are moving away from this variety in favor of the green version.  There is a uniqueness to both of them, that makes me treat them as entirely separate teas. But let's get back to our roasted one.
    It is a great idea to see them separately as it is Taiwan's unique take on the tea that originally started in Main Land China. The same plant, the Tie Kwan Yin Cultivar, was taken by the Tsang brothers back to Taiwan in 1875. It is thanks to them that we have this tea available in Taiwan's Muzha District. But there is a legend that says otherwise. 
  A poor farmer regularly visited a local temple to pray to Guwan Yin, the Goddess of compassion and mercy. While there he took extra moment to burn incense, sweep and clean the statue of worship. He did this everyday, showing true devotion. One night, in a dream, Guwan Yin visited him. She said "Look behind the temple. There is a treasure there that will last for generations. Please also share it with your neighbors". 

   When he woke, he went behind the temple to find the treasure. The only thing there was a tiny tea bush. He brought it home and nurtured it. Years latter he made tea from the bush and kept his word, by sharing it also with hig neighbors. From then on him and his neighbors prospered. This legend is just one version. Like all legends they change over time.     
   The one thing that will not change much is the tea itself. This tea gives you a smooth toastyness that makes you want to snuggle up with a book (and reading socks). But like all versions of this tea there are fruity notes. The taste of cooked plums are welcomed with the weather slowly getting cooler. Give yourself a warm hug, and brew yourself a cup. 

What version of this tea do you enjoy most? Green or toasty? Share your thoughts in the comments below (and feed my curiosity).

Let's Talk Taiwanese Oolong: Dong Ding Oolong

 Taiwanese Oolongs have a special place in my heart as they are one of the first teas I tried when I begun my Tea Journey.  So in dedication to the leaf and Taiwanese teas, we are going to look at 5 different Oolongs throughout September. To see past posts check out our "Let's Talk Oolong" page.

    
 It feels good to be back with the fourth part of "Let's Talk Taiwanese Oolong".  The first time I heard of Dong Ding was from reading +TeaMasters  blog during university.  The name itself made me want to look more into it and seek out the tea. Now years latter  we can look at this wonderful tea together. Let's jump in.

      Dong Ding translates to "frozen peaks", this relates to where it is grown up on Mountain Dong Ding. This mountain is responsible for approximately 11,000 Ton of tea ( the thought of that much tea makes you want to put the kettle on doesn't it?).  The reason for this amount is that it is almost entirely covered in tea plantations, with somewhere between 4,000-5,000 growers.
    Currently there is around 4,000 growers in the region using the name "Dong Ding" for their tea, even if its not grown on the mountain. That's a lot of Dong Ding teas out there.  Lucky for us Tea Ave sought out the real deal for us, grown between 600 - 1000m above sea level on Mountain Dong Ding.

     What is there to say about this tea? So much. Every sip makes your mouth beg for more. It has a lasting feeling in the mouth, with a peach like taste and texture that I can only describe as butter. It sits in the mouth and "melts", leaving that lovely soothing floral taste behind. This tea means business and I highly suggest it for your evening work (or play why not) activities. I even made some more as I am writing this, it is hard to pass up this little gem.

What tea makes you come back for more? (this one is calling right now) Share your experience with tea in the comments below!

Let's Talk Taiwanese Oolong: Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong

 Taiwanese Oolongs have a special place in my heart as they are one of the first teas I tried when I begun my Tea Journey.  So in dedication to the leaf and Taiwanese teas, we are going to look at 5 different Oolongs throughout September. To see past posts check out our "Let's Talk Oolong" page.

Another week so that means another installment for "Let's Talk Taiwanese Oolong"! Alishan is up there along with Oriental Beauty in my top favorites of Taiwanese oolongs.  This series has helped refresh my memory of all the little points that make these teas truly unique.
   But let's get back to Alishan Jin Xuan. This tea is grown on Alishan Mountain, the most famous mountain of Taiwan (making it a big tourist attraction). During the time that Taiwan was occupied (1895-1945) many of this mountains giant evergreens were exported.  This area is now a protected area with a natural park, protecting many differnt forms of life.

    On this very mountain is where this tea is grown, between 700 - 1700m above sea level. In the area of Nantou, high quality- high altitude grown tea is produced. From tasting many different teas grown at high altitudes, I find they have a unique smoothness that comes though in the brewing.
    This tea produced a golden liquor that sooths the body with every sip (or in my case eases a sore throat). The lingering sweet finish with some nectar or honey like notes coat your mouth and throat evenly.  The taste that it starts with has fruit and pastry notes with a touch of vegetalness that lingers beneath.  It is very smooth and calms the body.  The taste is due to the similar cultivar we have seen already so far, QinXin. It is what gives the floral smell to the leaves after they are steeped. The best way to describe this tea though is yumm.

  Now that fall has set in finally (and the cold), make sure you are taking care of yourself. Best wishes to all my readers to your health and well being.

  What teas do you turn to once fall has set in?
P.S. The Tea Ave Giveaway has been extended to September 25th at Midnight! Get yourself in there for some yummy Oolongs from Tea Ave!

Think Beyond your tea: Using a Mala for meditation

 It is strange the little things that make our lives that little bit better. Getting a mala helped my life, I find it impossible but it's the same feeling I get from a tea. When you have you when things seem impossible and all things make sense after that last sip (sometimes after a few cups even).  This is the subtle power that this little gen has.

    I have talked before about doing things intentionally (such as planning and living), but you can also have that intention with you in the form of a mala (or gem stone). This mala has green aventurine which Mala Collective says  "The stone is known to protect, activate and clear the heart chakra. Those with heart problems often turn to the stone's healing qualities of strength and stability. Green Aventurine not only encourages regeneration, but is also thought to be a stone of comfort and balance. "

My belief for this that it works in the background, a subtle energy that assists if you let it, but you have to have some faith in it. When I wear this mala , Prana Mala, I feel like there is a little push to get things done. Anything that will push me to achieve something for my greater dream or (at times) pushes me to go seek a friend to talk to. These little things add up over time.

  
  You may be asking what I use this for other than jewelry. When I have a mantra I want to focus on I use the mala very similarly to how a rosary is used. Each bead is used as a counter, with there being 108 in total. If you have trouble with concentration I find 1-2 rounds of a mala and using "I am calm" helps clear it up.

Taking a simple moment to meditate, such as while your water is boiling, will help you focus on the act you are about to do. It saddens me that this tradition is not part of many tea practices. While reading "Tea Life, Tea Mind" I was reminded by Sen Genshitsu the importance of the importance of taking a moment to center yourself before brewing any tea. It can be by breathing , visualization or even by using a mala.  It's so simple to add to your current routine.

 If you have never meditated before there is a great chance to try it out in the comfort of your own home. Unify has a free Online Global Meditation for World Peace that is happening this weekend.  Starting at 4PM PST/ 7PM EST on Saturday September 19th , the evening will begin with a Premier of a film called "Inner Peace to Global Peace". Then an hour latter will begin the meditation.  It is a great chance to try it out.

 What tools do you use to assist your meditation or tea time?  Share in the comments below.