Start of my day today

http://powertochange.com/blogs/experience/devotionalforwomen/
God is so amazing and His timing is perfect. As I began my day today He showed me again His presence and His work in my life. I struggle with oldest being gone this summer and away this summer in Grand Tetons. It is hard to let God and let God do things in my life sometimes. I read much last night late in to the evening of His love and care for us and still my worries. He comforted me as I spent time there last night after spending time with some great friends and hearing Ray Charles daughter's praises to the Lord , her testimony and love for the Lord. It was at a local church and it was an amazing time spent. I am so thankful for God being in my life and showing me each day His love. He is an amazing God to know and if you don't know Him I pray you will. It is worth every minute of your life. I did not know Him and gave my life to Him a few years ago. I am not perfect by any means but I love my heavenly Father and thank Him for all His work He has done in my life and see the work He does in others. I have such a passion for learning more and more each day . As some of you know I would love to have a tea retreat place and share more of God's word. If God's will I know it will happen. God bless your day and pray you will share a cup of tea with Him and take some time to be with Him today.

 

Green tea may help combat obesity

Health

An Australian biomedical professor has discovered that green tea, onions and olive leaf extract can combat obesity and associated diseases like diabetes, heart disease and fatty liver. And this holds true even for diets high in fats and carbohydrates. Tests on rodents showed that green tea helped prevent the growth of inflammatory cells in the animals' fat pads, located in the abdomen, which take fat from the blood stream and store it. The rodents' liver and heart function also saw improvements. The flavanoid responsible for these effects is called rutin. It reversed or prevented metabolic changes in rats that had been fed a diet high in sugar and fat.

What I learned...

This is from website Maxine's mystery tea parties http://www.mysteryteaparties.com/
WHAT I LEARNED FROM GOD WHILE BREWING TEA

 
  Every time I brew a cup of tea, I think of what Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Women are like tea bags.  Put them in hot water and their true strength emerges."

When the tea bag is sitting on the shelf, in its colorful box, carefully wrapped in a protective shield, it stays nice and fresh.  We're like that too.  When we're wrapped up in our peaceful lifestyle, and everything is going well, we feel nice and secure.

Like individuals, every tea has a different personality.  There are also different grades of teas, from premium to low grade, just as there are different levels of faith.  Like people, some teas are strong and full of flavor, and some are very aromatic, but without much substance.  There are teas known for their calming, soothing effect, and teas that give strength and energy.  Some of the weaker teas are tasteless, and just grow lukewarm as they steep.

But what happens when we are yanked out of our comfort zone?  Like a tea bag that is unwrapped and plunked into a cup of hot water, we can find ourselves plunked into a cup of trouble.  Now the real test begins.  What will emerge as the hot water uncurls the little dried tea leaves?  What level of strength emerges from us as we are steeped in difficulty?

Just as a tea bag hangs from a string tag, we too have a lifeline to which we can hold:  Jesus.  As we hold on to Him, we feel His peace emerge, and He flavors our troubled waters.  His power and energy moves through our situations, changing our despair to hope through faith in His promises.  And as we trust Jesus, He becomes the flavorful strength that anchors our souls, and we become the tag that is lifted and draped securely outside the cup of hot water.

The lift we get from a cup of tea lasts only a short time, but the lift we get from Jesus is long lasting.  In fact, it will take us all the way to heaven!

If you would like to know more about how you can make Jesus your lifeline, please call 1-800-Need Him.  (1-800-633-3446)
 
                              

Genmaicha Tea

In Japanese, Genmaicha simply means “green tea” mixed with “roasted brown rice.” Sometimes, because a few grains may snap and crackle when the rice is roasted, it may be called “popcorn tea.” It may also be called “dieter’s tea” because the addition of rice gives some people the feeling of satiation, of fullness.
Genmaicha is also well known as the “people’s tea.” It has certainly become a beloved tea worldwide.
We say the proof is in the cup… Just steep a pot, sit back and breathe in the heady, toasty soul-warming aroma of fire-roasted brown rice. Then sip this unique tea and discover both the fresh flavor of toasty grain and the subtle sweetness and alluring flavor of green full-leaf Sencha tea.

If interested in a sample, email me. 

Strawberry Sencha Fresca

First, prepare your ingredients. You'll need:

• 1/2 pound washed, hulled strawberries (about one medium-sized container from the grocery store of farmers market)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 sprig mint leaves (about 12 small leaves)
• 2 cups iced Sencha Japanese green tea, brewed with water that's below boiling and "everyday" Sencha tealeaves, like Fukamushi Sencha leaves

Once you've assembled you're ingredients, go ahead and put everything but the Sencha into a blender.
Blend the strawberries, mint leaves and honey on the "blend" setting until the mixture is smooth. It should take about 30 seconds. Stop blending and use a spoon to push the strawberries closer to the blades if necessary.

When you're done blending, you can proceed to step three or keep the mixture covered and chilled until you're ready to serve it. (Stirring the blended strawberries and the Sencha green tea together just before serving keeps the mixture from separating.)

This step is what sets Strawberry Sencha Fresca apart from regular strawberry agua fresca. Iced green tea (preferably iced Sencha) gives this summertime recipe more flavor, complexity and antioxidants than regular strawberry agua fresca. The fresh mint also complements the fresh flavor of the Sencha and the sweetness of the strawberries.

Simply stir the blended strawberry mixture and the iced tea together in a pitcher or large glass jar.
Like agua fresca, Strawberry Sencha Fresca is best when it's fresh. Serve it immediately, and try to stir your pitcher just before refilling glasses.

You can keep leftover Strawberry Sencha Fresca covered and refrigerated overnight to enjoy in the morning.

Makes about four servings.

Peach Iced Tea

Peach juice is so nice in the heat of the summer. Lemon is nice, but you can only drink so much lemon iced tea. Try something different.

Ingredients:

• 3 12-oz cans of peach juice
• 2 quarts tea
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Preparation:

Combine everything and chill. Serve over ice

Southern Sweet Iced Tea

From About.com

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes

Yield: Approximately four servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups boiling water
• 5 teaspoons (or five teabags of) black tealeaves (preferably Nilgiri or Ceylon)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• Mint sprigs for garnish (optional)
• Ice cubes (approximately five cups)

Preparation:

1. Pour boiling water over the tealeaves.
2. Steep for five to six minutes, and then remove the tealeaves from the tea.
3. Add the sugar and lemon juice, then stir well.
4. Pour the mixture into a heat-resistant pitcher of ice.
5. Pour into tall glasses.
6. Top each glass with a sprig of mint and serve.

Alternately, you can add ice at immediately before serving. This method works well for picnics, barbecues and parties.

Salmon tea sandwich recipe

From about.com

This smoked salmon finger sandwich recipe features the bold flavors of dill and horseradish. Pair it with an equally bold tea, such as Russian Caravan or a smoked Lapsang Souchong.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 32 finger sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp finely chopped dill
• 1 tbsp peeled and finely chopped horseradish root
• 1 tbsp finely chopped green onion, chives or parsley
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise or mayo alternative
• 8 slices pumpernickel or whole grain bread
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 1/4 lb thinly sliced smoked salmon

Preparation:

1. Stir the herbs and mayo together in a small bowl.
2. Spread a thin layer of butter onto four of the slices of bread.
3. Add a thin layer of the mayo mixture on top of the butter.
4. Top with a layer of smoked salmon.
5. Place the remaining bread slices on top of the salmon.
6. Slice off the bread crusts and slice each sandwich twice, diagonally, to make four small finger sandwiches from each two slices of bread.

Sola scriptura

Enjoy with a cup of tea
Sola scriptura is the belief that the Scripture is the final and only infallible authority for the Christian. It comes from the Latin word sola. This denotes "alone," "ground," "base." The word scriptura means "writings"-referring to the Scriptures. Sola scriptura means the Bible is complete, accurate and authoritative. The Apostle Paul put it this way: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

Charoset recipe

CENTRAL EUROPEAN CHAROSET
Source: The Jewish Gourmet Cook by Judy Zeidler
• 2 apples unpeeled but cored and finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins or dates, chopped
• 2 Tbs honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sweet Passover wine
Combine the apples, walnuts, honey and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. Add enough wine to bind the mixture. Serve in a bowl or roll into 1-inch balls and arrange on a serving plate. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

A Laura Ashley Tea at Home

If you have a chiming clock, place it where your guests can hear it easily and begin tea-time on the hour.
Create an English garden atmosphere with lots of mini-print tablecloths and napkins.
Serve tea from a pretty ceramic watering can
Add a fresh flower arrangement to every tea table
Leave coffee table books about England to view
Place scones into a pottery flower pot lined with small-print fabric

A wedding tea at home

A nice wedding favor would be a sack of tea to take home. Tie small bundles of loose tea in pretty fabric with a bow that has the name of the bride and groom and wedding date printed on the ribbon. 
Many guests forget to bring rice to shower over the bride and groom.  Pass out rice by the teacupful.