Tools of the Trade

Which Leaves to Pick?

Ready for Picking

Oolong in the Making

Hand Firing

Hand Rolling

Inspecting The Goods: Oolong Getting Rolled & Withered

Tasting Time

{source: SAMOVAR TEA LOUNGE}

Hope this gives you even more of an appreciation for your next cup of tea! Enjoy the weekend. ~Annie

• Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, directly against the back of your upper teeth

• Proceed to breathe in and out

Why is this more relaxing? The positioning of your tongue stimulates cross-lobe integration and relaxation in the brain.

Source: unknown

Give this a try and let me know if you notice the difference!

Yep, if you expect that recent bump into the corner of your desk is going to leave an unsightly mark aka a bruise then try putting a little butter on it. Apparently the phosphates in butter help prevent bruising (similar to putting a raw steak on a black eye.. does anyone really do that?).

I haven’t tried this one out yet so let me know if you do first!

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Why does this work? Looking up stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings blood pressure down and slows your breathing. The counting aspect also helps to get your mind off of whatever is stressing you out.

Don’t delay relaxation. This only takes 60 seconds! If you’re stressed right now, do something immediately (like this for example) to let it go…

Spinach has a high amount of iron, but it’s plant-based and not easily absorbed by the body. But when you add lemon, its vitamin C changes the molecular structure of the spinach’s iron and ta-da, the iron is more digestible and better absorbed by your body!

♥

My recommendation: saute spinach in garlic and olive oil and finish it off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

1. Pain
2. High Cholesterol
3. High Blood Pressure
4. Hypothyroidism
5. Acid Reflux

{Slippery Elm lozenges* like these from Thayers are often used to calm a sore throat, but can also help soothe acid reflux and indigestion}

Read the full article here:  Natural Alternatives to the Top 5 Most Prescribed Drugs

*As with all natural remedies, always check with your doctor first if you are pregnant/nursing.

• Take a technology fast – for an hour, for a day, for a week… whatever you can handle. Experience what a difference not being constantly connected makes in your life. It might even be a little unsettling at first because it’s such a foreign concept to us these days. 

Warning: some common side effects of a technology fast include increased free time, more time doing things you truly enjoy and a less anxious state of being.

• Spend a few hours organizing your closet, which includes getting rid of any clothing that you (1) never wear or (2) doesn’t make you happy. Why are you holding onto anything that fits into either category?! Donate them now and double the rewards for yourself and someone else.
• Spend an hour or a few hours organizing and decluttering the rest of your home. Clearing your physical environment of unneeded and unenjoyed items can be very liberating.
• Avoid gossip – talking negatively about your coworker or friend doesn’t leave anyone feeling in a truly great state of mind.  Negative thoughts lead to negative speech and vice versa. Try to keep them both on the positive side and feel the difference.
• Write down your common stressors and why they stress you out. Then, figure out ways to either remove those things completely from your life or figure how to deal with them differently so they don’t stress you.
• Catch yourself complaining and STOP! Just STOP. NOW. Everyone complains here and there, but making a habit of complaining only brings you down and often brings your mind to dark places. Try being thankful instead. Turn those common complaints into gratefulness. Example: Annoyed it’s raining? Be grateful you can afford those rain boots and an umbrella.
• AND don’t forget to:

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Have a stress free, joy filled day! ~Annie

Why it works — If you can keep your forehead from tensing up and your brow from furrowing then you can trigger an automatic relaxation response from head to toe.  This tip is often used with women in labor to cut down on pain. Pretty cool, right?

I’m doing it as I type right now and I can really feel the difference… I hope you do too!

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Major added bonus — If used regularly, this technique will definitely help you out in the wrinkle department. Are you relaxing your forehead yet? ;)

Lauren is the wife of one of my old co-workers who I became fast friends with (mainly virtually since they now live in St. Louis).  I’m happy to say that since she and Andrew moved away over a year ago, our blogs and common interests (including natural child birth, healthy eating/cooking, and many more) have kept us in regular contact.

If you read her blog, you will quickly see what an incredibly energetic, loving, fun, creative and thoughtful mom she is to her three ridiculously cute boys (see the little Crumb Bums below). Lauren, you truly make me look forward to being a mom one day. Thank you so much for sharing a piece of your life and bread with us this morning!

Healthy Snacks for Kids

With 3 boys under the age of 5, we go through our share of snacks around here. And though we occasionally indulge in some not-so-healthy munchies, there are so many healthy options that are just as easy that we can feel good about giving our boys. Not only are we nourishing little growing bodies, we are also responsible for culturing a taste for healthy, nourishing foods for when our kids are adults.

This past weekend, be made a super-healthy banana bread with chia powder (if you’re not familiar with the health benefits of chia, check out Annie’s past post about it!) and whole wheat flour. It’s texture is dense and sweet, perfect for an afternoon snack!
My four-year-old Milo helped me with this one!

Banana Bread with Chia Powder (Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics, Flaxseed Banana Bread)

Ingredients:

1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain yogurt (you can use any flavor- this time we used banana mango)
3 ripe bananas (if you like yours less dense, omit one banana)
1/2 cup rolled oats, ground into flour
1/4 cup chia seeds, ground into flour (we used chia powder, but you can also use ground flaxseeds)
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (bread flour works great too)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

How to:

• Preheat oven to 350. Oil a 5×9-inch bread pan

• In a mixing bowl, mash bananas.

• Add oil and brown sugar. Add eggs and beat well.

• Mix in yogurt.

• Grind rolled oats and chia seeds (or flaxseeds, if using)

• Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then stir with a whisk until combined.

• Add dry mixture to banana mixture and stir until just combined.

• Pour batter into bread pan and bake for about 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

If you don’t have an hour or more to spare, here are some good quick snacks to whip up in no time for the youngins!

Avocado on whole wheat toast with sea salt
Sesame tahini on a honey rice cake
“Ants on a log” (celery filled with natural peanut butter, with raisins)
Apple slices to dip into almond butter mixed with honey and wheat germ
A cheese plate with grapes and crackers
Veggie sticks and hummus

Enjoy your snacking! ~Lauren

Here’s a glimpse of a few of my favorite gifts — my friends and family know me oh too well.

{Terra Essential’s Aroma Roll On in Pink Lotus}

{Coconut Shampoo by Desert Essence}

{Rich Shampoo with Hibiscus and Honey by LOVE & TOAST}

{birthday card made by my 8 year old nephew :)}

Happy weekend everyone!