Happy new year! If you're one of the 45% of Americans who usually make New Year's resolutions, the year of change ahead may look daunting to you. So, here are some tips on how to make tea your key to success in three of the most common resolutions:

1. Tea for exercising!
   Need an extra boost for your workout? Let tea be your energy drink! As we all know, it's important to stay hydrated when we're exercising, and despite common myths, tea is actually a great choice for hydrating your body. In addition to blends such as our MetaboTea (which is great for helping those with active lifestyles keep their metabolisms running efficiently), you can use tea for anything from motivation to recovery. If inflammation is a problem, the natural anti-inflammatory properties of our ArthriTea or Green Jaguar blend can help you prepare for or recover from a tough workout. Rooibos blends are chock-full of healthy vitamins that can help replenish nutrients and strengthen bone density. Or how about a cup of mate, whose exercise-friendly benefits range from stimulating energy and focus to burning stored fat? With tea on your side, exercising can be easier (and tastier) than ever!

2. Tea as your dieting wingman!
   Sometimes it seems like there are more diets than people! However, almost all diets allow you to drink (all-natural) tea or herbal tisanes, many of which can help you accomplish your diet goals. Our Gentle Cleanse WellTeaing blend helps support your liver and kidneys in clearing the body systems and is a great natural alternative to harsh chemical detoxes that strip your body of nutrients. Many dessert fans can benefit from having a small amount of something naturally sweet after meals in order to curb cravings, such as our Chocolate-Covered Strawberry or Yorktown Patty house blends. If appetite in general is a problem, the appetite-suppressant properties of our Slimming Goddess Oolong may help you feel fuller faster as well. Is soda your trouble point? Make some sparkling tea to help you say goodbye to those cravings and hello to a healthier you!

3. Tea as a de-stressing aid!
   Trying to stress less in the new year? Tea is a great tool for helping to reduce stress in your life. Our AnxieTea blend can help calm racing minds with the neurosedative effects of passionflower and Egyptian chamomile. Making a cup of tea in the morning is also an excellent way to set your intentions for the day. If you want to try meditating to help calm down but can't find the time, use the act of brewing a relaxing cuppa as a meditative moment to nurture yourself and focus on the present. And since the caffeine composition in tea is different from that in coffee, those quitting caffeine for its negative effects on the nervous system may find solace in tea.

Remember, resolutions are supposed to help you be a better you—knowing who you are and loving yourself is the best way to learn how you can improve yourself. Start by treating yourself with a nurturing cup of tea!

As a locally-owned business ourselves, we here at Discover Teas are always looking out for ways to give back to our community and our fellow local entrepreneurs and small businesses. We know from experience that it can be hard to stand out and set yourself apart from the crowd!

Fortunately, through the years we have been able to help our community businesses by partnering with them to create custom, signature tea blends that reflect their individual brands. Some incorporate their signature blend into their marketing, provide it to their customers and clients, use it for gifting and showing appreciation, or even add it to their current product lines to create additional income. We have worked with restaurants, massage therapists, local charities, yoga studios, martial arts schools, skincare salons, and even local conventions—the list goes on and on! We love helping local businesses create teas that showcases their uniqueness to their clients and customers, whatever the industry.

Interested in checking them out? Here are just a few of our local partners who carry our teas, many of whom also have custom Discover Teas blends to represent their businesses!

Pho 83 (pho83va.com):

Pho 83 is an independent Vietnamese restaurant in Newport News, VA, serving fresh, authentic Vietnamese food for dine-in or take-out. Pho 83 offers our delicious Tea 83 oolong and green tea blend with ginger and lime, as well as our Jasmine Green Tea with Flowers.

Blooms that Brighten (bloomsthatbrighten.org)

Blooms that Brighten focuses on residents of continuing care communities and Hospice House. Volunteers visit the communities and engage the residents in flower arranging sessions that foster emotional and physical benefits. The Blooms that Brighten signature blend is like sipping on a bouquet in a cup while walking through an English Garden.

Sanctuary of Hampton Roads (sanctuaryofhr.com):

Jeannie Smith of Sanctuary of Hampton Roads is a medical massage therapist and bodywork expert with certifications and experience in multiple body-mind healing modalities. Try her custom Lights Out relaxing and renewing caffeine-free floral blend.

Stephanie's Skin Solutions (stephaniesskinsolutions.com):

Stephanie's Skin Solutions offers a robust menu of therapeutic skin services, anti-aging treatments and spa services in a calm and relaxing space. Stephanie also offers a custom Discover Teas blend of oolong and mate that helps with skin cleansing and rejuvenation.

Zenya (zenyayoga.com):

Zenya's studio inspires renewal and rejuvenation through unique mind body classes and spa services. They offer classes suited for all interests and all levels of fitness to move your body, calm your mind and ignite your spirit—and a custom fruity, creamy Zenya blend.

Premier Rapport (premierrapport.com):

Shelley Smith of Premier Rapport is a business consultant who helps businesses become more productive through workshops, executive coaching, speaking engagements, Predictive Index leveraging, and more. Her blend, Brilliance, is an inspiring fruity, minty mate blend.

NekoCon (nekocon.com):

NekoCon is Virginia's oldest and longest-running animé convention. An annual celebration of animé and Japanese culture, NekoCon expands horizons with new and innovative programming. Each of their four kitty mascots has their own custom Discover Teas blend!

(Re)Generation Who (regenerationwho.com):

(Re)Generation Who is a 3-day Doctor Who Fan Convention in Hunt Valley, MD that believes in providing positive things for families to do together. Their custom Doctor Who-long blend is featured at their "Tea with The Doctor" interactive guest meeting opportunity and panel.

Shaolin Kung Fu Centers – Chesapeake (chesapeakekungfu.com):

Shaolin Kung Fu Centers teaches traditional northern longfist kung fu. They take a modern approach to many of the teaching methods, making the art a lot easier and fun for students to learn. A selection of Discover Teas WellTeaing and House Blends is available.

Huntington House (huntingtonhouseva.com):

Hunting House, along with Thank Goodness It's Homemade, specializes in freshly prepared goodies and quality food, located in the North End Historic District of Newport News. You imagine it, they will create it. Enjoy a choice of two distinct custom blends while enjoying your meal--Huntington Era and Huntington Vintage.

For more information about our partners, or to learn more about customizing your own Discover Teas experience, e-mail us at info@discoverteas.com or come in to Discover Teas!

*Some text regarding our partners was provided by their representatives