When I wake up in the morning and stand in my kitchen, breathing in life as my water is heating for my tea, I consider this a moment of self-nurturing. I take this moment to experience a deep overflowing of gratitude for all that life brings me. I remind myself to Love myself; to be gentle with myself as I grow. The preparation of the space, the tea chosen, the water perfectly heated for that tea, even the thoughts, intentions and energies flowing become an expression of Love.

When I get an opportunity to make tea for a friend, this too is a moment to express gratitude for the friendship. I get to choose a tea that will please them and serve it to them with an attitude of honor.

Tea has been an expression of self-nurturing and service to others for centuries. Tea is Love. When Discover Teas opened its doors in March of 2011, it was the greatest opportunity to express this kind of Love on a grand scale.

Every day we get to open the doors of our very own sanctuary for tea lovers.  We lovingly prepare our water, begin the day with an intention to be of service, and share our love of tea with everyone who comes through our doors. Our mission is as simple as that—spreading Love through tea. Can you feel the Love?

Tis the season to eat and be jolly! However, far too often this leads to over eating, indigestion and weakened immune systems. Here are a few tips for herbs you can incorporate into your holiday cooking that will help with those inevitabilities.

• One of my favorite herbs this time of year is Cinnamon. Cinnamon has the ability to reduce the blood sugar spike after eating carbohydrates and starches like pasta, rice, stuffing, and desserts. It is also great for the immune system having antibacterial and antiviral properties.
• Try adding some Ginger to your candied yams or sauces. It will add a little sweet spicy note while also reducing that bloated, gassy feeling; plus it is a great anti-inflammatory.
• You can also incorporate Cloves if you are doing a ham. Clove is a natural antibiotic that supports the immune system, killing the 'bad" bacteria instead of wiping out the natural flora of the digestive system.
• Another tasty addition is Anise Seed. With its sweet candy-like flavor, sprinkle it on salads, add it to your teas, or cook with it. Anise is good for digestion as well as being a good expectorant for those coughs.

For Nature’s medicine cabinet, look no further than your pantry, or check out our website for some great tasty OTC alternatives.