Hot Tea/Girl Talk: A Tea Party for Every Day of the Month, Part I
18 and older, please
Most adult women remember having a tea set when they were little girls. That "pretend" tea party, whether with our favorite dolls and stuffed Teddy Bears, or with other little girls in the neighborhood was always the height of make believe, whether we were sitting at Mom's table or we had a little table and chairs of our very own. It ranked somewhere near trying on Mommy's hat and shoes and playing grownup and trying on soda pop can rings pretending like they were the biggest brightest diamond engagement rings money could buy.
Sometimes, the little girl in all of us wants to come out and play again just like the little girl wanted to be all grown up one day. She's there.
Following is the first installment of a three-part series: Thirty-one teas and thirty-one lady-like conversations for each day of the month, adjustable for 28-, 29- and 30-day months, of course. Keep in mind that the health benefits of each tea may have "crossover" benefits suitable for more than thing. Also bear in mind that all teas are made of fruit and/or vegetable plants, powders and extracts and may not be suitable for all people in all situations; allergies, the whole nine. Check the ingredients in the base plant before drinking any of these. If you're not certain check with your doctor or do some research on webmd.com or other medical and nutrition web sites.
Back to the fun stuff: If you really want to take it all the way, proceed right ahead with your own personalized special tea party invitations and a special hand-made plain or scented centerpiece for the occasion, somehow incorporating the leaves or grains of the featured tea.
Lemon Balm
Recipe
LEMON BALM TEA MIXTURE
2 cups dried lemon balm leaves
1 cup rosebuds
1 cup orange blossoms
Remove leaves from the lemon balm twigs, and discard twigs. Mix leaves with rosebuds and orange blossoms, crushing as you combine. Use 2 teaspoons of this mixture to make 1 cup of tea, and sweeten each cup with 1 teaspoon of honey.
Good for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, menopause, migraines, vertigo and heart palpitations.
Discussion of the Day:
You and your best friend(s). You all have character, you have your ways, she has hers. What do you overlook and how long do you overlook it before you tell her off, even at the risk of your friendship?
Chamomile
Recipe
CHAMOMILE HONEY TEA
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers
lemon juice
honey
Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan. Sprinkle the flowers onto the water and boil for a further half a minute with the saucepan lid on. Remove from the heat and stand for another minute. Serve with honey and a little lemon juice.
Good for the symptoms of bad nerves, stomach inflammation, muscle spasms and menstrual cramps.
Discussion of the Day
The Revenge Bullet: Who would you most like to "get" and why? [If there's no one in your life who deserves a dirty payday, why not?]
Fennel
Recipe
FENNEL INFUSION TEA
Use fresh plant (1/4-cup) or dried (2 tsp) fennel herbs or bark/seeds (2 tsp or 1 tbsp)
Tip in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sweeten with honey
The standard way to make an infusion is to pour a cup of boiling water over the herb to be infused and let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and drink it.
Good for digestion, weight loss, detoxification, morning sickness and bloating.
Discussion of the Day
Orgasms. Some women have never had one, others have had very few, some have them often, long and hard. Which one of these women are you and what is the background story of your sexual being?
Red Clover
Recipe
RED CLOVER SPEARMINT TEA
1 cup red clover blossoms
2 tablespoons spearmint (you can use peppermint also; but you may want to save the peppermint until tomorrow)
4 cups water
Honey, to sweeten (or use sugar)
Inspect flowers and check for bugs; do not use sprayed flowers. Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add clover blossoms and mint. Steep 10 minutes and strain. Add honey or sugar to taste.
Good for respiratory infections, congestion, diabetes and is rumored to help prevent the growth of cancerous tumors. If you are under a doctor's treatment, as with any medicines and herbal treatments and supplements, never shift to herbs without advisement from a qualified licensed medical doctor and licensed nutritionist.
Discussion of the Day
Senses: What is the most delicious and sensuous thing you've ever put in your mouth? Describe it and try to tell why it was so good to you without drizzling.
Peppermint
Recipe
PEPPERMINT OIL TEA
Peppermint leaves, ripped and left on a tray in direct sunlight to dry out for 24 hours
Use dry and crunchy leaves
Bruised spearmint leaves
Peppermint oil, a teeny drop
Boil water; pour hot water over two tablespoons of dried leaves, cover and let steep for 15 minutes after adding bruised spearmint and the smallest dot of peppermint oil to heighten the senses; strain leaves out over a tea mug; add your favorite sweetener.
Good for gastrointestinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome and neuralgia.
Discussion of the Day
Tell "hell" I wasn't invited: If you had to do to a designer dcor room for a citizen of Hades, what would the room look like and what colors would you use to hook him or her up?
Ginger
Recipe
GINGER ROOT APPLE TEA
Sliced fresh ginger
Apple extract flavoring
Raw honey to sweeten
Boil water. When it has come to a complete boil, add fresh slices of ginger until infused (6-8 minutes; 10 minutes if a stronger flavor is desired) and one or two drops of apple extract. Remove ginger from water and pour into mugs. Sweeten with raw honey.
Good for colds, sore throat and flu symptoms.
Discussion of the Day
If God let you pick one necessary' evil to rid the world of, what would it be and why? Note, breathe in deeply and dwell on the word "necessary."
Acai Berry
Recipe
ACAI BLACK & BERRY TEA
Black tea bag or leaves, steeped
Acai berry juice
Pour half a cup of Acai berry juice into a large mug or pot of hot black tea and steep. Add favorite sweetener to taste.
Good for fat-burning, appetite suppressant, fighting heart disease and improving stamina. The jury's till out on how much more beneficial Acai berry is than any other anti-oxidant fruits, but it tastes great nonetheless.
Discussion of the Day
"I stood up in a speech class and said, I plan to make my living with my oratory skills, and I'd like to be a talk show host.' There was a pause, then the most incredible laughter you have ever heard in your life." Arsenio Hall. It is also said that Michael Jordan's high school basketball coach told him to find something else to do or another sport to play. Discuss at-large and randomly.
Anise
Recipe
HONEY FRESH ANISE TEA
2 teaspoons fresh Chinese anise leaves (FDA warning: do not substitute the powder or other types of star' anise, such as Japanese star anise)
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon honey
1 lemon slice (optional)
Place anise leaves in cup and pour boiling water over them. Let steep 5 to 8 minutes; strain if desired. Stir in honey and serve with a slice of lemon. (Do not give this tea to babies or children with colic.)
Good for natural breath freshener and expectorant. Do not use if you have skin flare-ups or acne. Also use preciously and in minimal amounts. It has a narcotic effect if overused.
Discussion of the Day
How do you contribute to the health and well-being of yourself and everyone that you come into contact with?
Catnip
Recipe
LONG ISLAND
CATNIP TEA
(because "catnip" isn't just for cats)
1/2 cup dried catnip
3/4 cup dried chamomile
1 cup dried lemon balm
1/4 cup dried mint
1/4 cup dried lemongrass
Mix the herbs thoroughly, and store in an air tight container. For one cup, use 2 teaspoons in a cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain out the herbs. Flavor with your favorite sweetener or drink just like it is. Dilute with milk for babies. You can also add one teaspoon of mintcream for taste.
Good for colds, infections, flu, menstrual symptoms. These are the "enhancers," not the cures.
Discussion of the Day
Emotions are a powerful stimulant, yet we spend most of our days fighting them off or pretending as if they don't affect us one way or another. Pick a person in the room who is most in touch with their feelings and state why you think they are.
Celery
Recipe
CELERY SEED TEA
1 tablespoon of Celery seeds (freshly ground or cut)
One pint boiling water
Allow seeds to steep in boiling water; let cool, strain and drink.
Make fresh each use whenever possible.
Good for uterine stimulant, kidney stones, kidney diseases.
Discussion of the Day
You are thinking about building an altar in a peaceful spot in your home, just to have a place to go and withdraw and meditate from time to time as needed. Where is that spot, why did you choose it and what are three of the most important items in that space? Why are those items important to you?