My Cup of Tea

(Special thanks to sister-in-law, Tania, for the coffee percolator/tea kettle :)

     Life can get so erratic with our weekly schedules that we forget to take moments for ourselves to relax, reflect, reevaluate and rejuvenate.  Yesterday, for example, the phone calls started at 7:30a.m. and they did not stop until after noon. This is the time that I would normally be studying for an assignment due the next day but, before I knew it, the morning was gone and I had accomplished nothing at all. You folks have to know what I’m talking about, I cannot be the only to have hectic day. Can I?

     Well, anyway, one of my many favorite moments and set aside just for ME, is teatime. And I definitely needed one after that. You can find a substantial amount of information online about the health benefits of tea, so I will not go into that. I will just tell you there are many different types of tea and not everyone enjoys the same type. So, take the time to experiment and find a tea or combination that you enjoy. 

     There is no telling what type of tea I’ll have until it’s time and, then, there is no recipe. I throw in whatever tea I’m ‘feeling’ and let it steep. Yesterday it was Celestial Tension Tamer Herbal Tea. Today it’s a blend of Chinese Restaurant Tea and Celestial Sleepy Time. If, by slim chance, I’m not in the mood for hot tea, a cold combination that I really enjoy is Lipton and Sleepy Time. I can hear you asking, Sleepy Time in the afternoon? Yes, blended of course, it is relaxing without the sleepy. And, I love the slight minty flavor it adds to cold tea. Don’t be afraid to mix it up.

     Not your cup of tea? Try plain hot water. An older and much wiser woman, which I occasionally have lunch with, enjoys a cup of hot water after lunch. She explained that it helps with digestion and her family has been drinking hot water for generations. Not the hot water type? You could flavor it with anything, citrus, herbs, or vegetables, but then, wouldn’t it be tea again?

     I enjoy my tea in my cozy chair, no tv, no phone, no book, no anything, just me and my tea. It give me just a few minutes to relax, reflect on what has already be done that morning, reevaluate what needs to get done the rest of the day. Sometimes it seems to not last long enough, but when my cup is empty I feel rejuvenated and I’m ready to tackle the rest of day.

     Then, when all is said and done at the end of the day, I’ll get my water heating on the stove top again and enjoy the process all over again.

So, what else is left to say, except… brew up a cup of the good stuff for yourself ~and enjoy.