Frozen Cranberry Salad

From the book Mini Teatimes
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1 cup sugar
2 (12 oz) cans jellied cranberry sauce
2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
Combine cream cheese, mayo, and sugar .
Whip until smooth. Add cranberry sauce and continue to mix until smooth.
In separate bowl combine heavy cream and powdered sugar and whip to medium stiff peaks. Fold whipped cream mixture into cranberry mixture until fully combined.
Scoop cranberry salad into cups and put in freezer for 1 hour or until frozen.
Serve chilled with dollop of whipped cream.  Enjoy! MIght be a great one to serve for Valentine Tea.

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.  Japanese Proverb

Valentine Tea ideas

Have-A- Heart Sandwiches
Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts out of the bread.  Use white and wheat bread.  Mash strawberries into cream cheese with fork.  It's okay if berries are lumpy. 
Spread white bread heart with strawberry cream cheese.  Top ut with a wheat bread heart.
Serve with strawberry tea- try the Tealightful Treasures strawberry tea.  www.tealightfultreasures.net/tea   It is very good!
Another idea for a pink tea is fill a teapot halfway with cranberry juice and add hot water.
Make with popsicle sticks and red colored paper a Valentine Menu.  Cut hearts out with paper and glue or tape to popsicle stick.  Write on each heart what the menu will be such as A Valentine Tea- Have a -Heart Sandwich- Pink Tea
All from the book The Tea Party Book
I am looking forward to some Valentine Tea Parties in February.  If you would like to host one please let me know by email.  tea4Jesus@gmail.com

Enjoy your tea and His word!

My tea on Thursday

It was another blessed day for me as I met some new friends for tea at an assisted living in Woodbury, MN on Thursday.  They were all so delightful and so inspiring.  I had one woman who was so helpful and so precious.  I related to her as she told me she had a daughter whose name was Cindy.  She wanted to do whatever she could to help me.  We had two men attend.  One's name was Jerome and he did not like tea but wanted to play Tea Bingo.  He made sure he put his cup upside down on saucer so I would not serve him tea.  I had two men who attended.  I just so enjoy to see both men and women come to enjoy tea, tea bingo and some bits of information on tea.  I always share a devotion with them and pray that in some way it will touch their hearts and know they are special .
I shared two teas.  One was a green and white tea called Cherry Margarita.  Enjoyed by all.  The other was Lemon Chiffon Pie , which is a Rooibos tea.   It made the room smell so good!
I shared some Strawberry with Cream scones shaped like hearts with some strawberry jam.  They were yummy.  I wish I would have had some teas there for purchase but was not prepared for that and if I had they would have been purchased.  I will bring some next time just in case they ask or want.
My main purpose tho is to share tea and make new friends over tea. 
I am thankful for the assisted living homes that have wanted me to share tea with their residents.  It is a blessing to me and pray that it is a blessing to them.
Thanking God each day and for the new people  He brings into my life over tea.

Have a blessed weekend!

From the book titled 365 Things Every Tea Lover Should Know

Tea inspires hospitality.  That is why I like tea! 

What better way to suggest friendliness -and to create it-than with a cup of tea.  J. Grayson Luttrell

The hot water is to remain upon the tea no longer than whiles you can say  the Miserere Psalm very leisurely. Sir Kenelm Digby

Tea is certainly as much of a social drink as coffee, and more domestic, for the reason that the teacup hours are the family hours.  Arthur Gray

Tea

Teatime is by its very nature a combination of small luxuries arranged in social symmetry.  And althought tea for one is certanily a fine thing, the addition of a circle of dear friends to share it with  ensures the whole is larger than its parts.  Author Unknown

For if I could please myself I would always live as I lived there. I would choose always to breakfast at exactlly eight and to be at my desk by nine, there to read or write till one. If a cup of good tea or coffee could be brought to me about eleven, so much the better. Tea should be taken in solitude. C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy

Loose leaf tea

Estate-grown, full leaves retain complex essential oils that create these full-bodied, flavorful and aromatic teas.
Full-leaf loose teas offer a diverse range of varieties (much more than tea bags).
You can add more tea to strengthen the flavor, or less to lighten it.
Some full-leaf loose teas such as oolong and green teas also take well to multiple infusions. Steep and enjoy - again and again.

Prayer Tea Basket

I had started a tea basket ministry with some women about two years ago.  We would put together tea baskets for women and send them off to a group that God would provide for us.  We would pray over the baskets before they left us.  We always were amazed on how many baskets God would provide.  Always more than we imagined.  God then put on my heart to have tea with assisted living homes, community centers...individuals.  He gave me the name Traveling Tea with Jesus.  I have done tea here in Minnesota and Texas. 
What God has now shown me through another website another idea.  Prayer Tea Baskets.  Tea with Jesus.
We will be putting together Prayer Baskets which will include a notebook or journal, pen, highlighter with sticky notes, small pocket Bible, tissue, devotional book, tea... and anything else God would provide.
I am praying that God will provide us with prayer baskets for me to take as I travel to Iowa and Texas in February to do some teas.  It would be wonderful to share some prayer baskets with the assisted living groups.

Enjoy your tea with Jesus today and be in His word.

Cindy   Traveling Tea with Jesus

Quote

A woman is like a teabag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is. ---Nancy Reagan

January Tea

What a blessing today was.  I got to share Orchid Berry, a Green and White Tea Blend , with an assisted living today.  It was so much fun to see the women enjoy the tea and the milk chocolate we had with our tea.  It was fun to see their smiles and laughter as we read Miss Spider's Tea Party and A Tiny Tea.  We talked about the different types of tea, had a devotion and played Tea Bingo.  After each tea I have I  know it is where God wants me..  I need to trust Him.  I get nervous a bit before but He always shows me when I first walk in to a new place  there is a peace and He lets me know He is present.  I am so blessed to be on this journey and meet such beautiful womenand some men too.  I even get to share God's word and pray with them!  It is also fun to hear them talk about it and want me back.  I am going to be doing an ice tea probably in August there.  Hard to think about right now as it is cold here in Minnesota and can only think hot tea right now  but know it will be fun to plan ahead and excited about it.  Can't wait to see them all again real soon.

If you are interested in some tea from Tealightful Treasures check out my website at www.tealightfultreasures.net/tea    The Orchid Berry is one of the teas in the gift pack All Things Going Green. 
Enjoy your tea this day and have a blessed evening in His Word.

Cindy 
Traveling Tea with Jesus

If you have the blues, drink tea! 

I am getting ready to have a tea at an assisted living in Prior Lake, MN.  It should be fun.  We are going to have Chocolate in a Tea cup.  Looking forward to meeting some new friends over tea. 
I am blessed to be able to do this.

Have a blessed Sunday and enjoy your tea!

Drinking Tea

From the Minneapolis Examiner


It makes a difference when you do drink that cup of tea.



For example, it is not recommended to drink black tea or green tea before bed. A more recommended tea would be the



rooibos or red tea, a chamomile tea, peppermint tea, or other herbal or caffeine free teas. You can drink black tea or green tea



before bed if you know how to decaffeinate them.



To get you going in the morning a good breakfast tea, or any black tea or green tea is recommended. Black tea and green tea



is also helpful to drink in the morning if you are having any irregularity issues.



Black tea or green tea can also be great for that afternoon pick me up.

Beautiful by MercyMe (Lyrics)

Healthy Beverages: Back To The Basics - IFT.org

Healthy Beverages: Back To The Basics - IFT.org

Tea and Cognitive decline

LOS ANGELES—Drinking tea regularly appears to slow the risk and rate of cognitive decline in older adults, according to a new study out of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In findings presented at the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2010, the research team looked data on more than 4,800 Americans aged 65 and over who were participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study. They specifically examined the relationship between coffee and/or tea consumption and change in cognitive function over time, up to 14 years.




At baseline, 25 percent of subjects reported drinking tea daily, while 43 percent drank coffee daily. The average rate of cognitive decline over time was -1.17 using the Mini-Mental State Examination; adjustments were made for several factors including gender, smoking status, history of stroke and coronary heart disease, and depression score. Researchers reported consumption of tea at the highest three levels reduced the decline in MMSE scores by 17 to 37 percent. The benefits of tea were seen starting at a level of only one up per month. While subjects who consumed the highest amount of coffee also saw a reduction in cognitive decline, around 20 percent, the research team concluded the common stimulant in both beverages—caffeine—was not the likely causal agent.



Lenore Arab, Ph.D., a professor at UCLA and lead researcher, said the neuroprotective effect seen in tea likely is something other than caffeine. She said in a statement, “The effect may be related to some other component in tea, such as flavonoids or perhaps theanine; however more research is required before a link can be confirmed.”



This research was supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea and conducted at UCLA in collaboration with the University of Washington.

Tea Lovers

All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes.
George Orwell.;  "A nice cup of tea "

Hot Fruited Tea

5 cups boiling water
5 teaspoons of tea
10 whole cloves
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c lemon juice
1/3 c orange juice
3 unpeeled orange slices , cut in half
Pour boiling water over tea , cloves and cinnamon
Cover and steep 5 minutes
Strain tea; stir in fruit and sugar juices
Heat to just below boiling
Serve hot with orange slice in cup
Serves 6

Jam tea

Children of all ages will love jam tea.  Place a teaspoon of favorite jam in bottom of teacup .  Pour prepared hot English breakfast tea over the jam and stir.

Tea Time for your soul by Deborah Newman

Don't Cheat Your Soul!



You cheat your soul any time you read the Bible and close it without making a personal connection to God. I do it regularly, yet my soul knows what is missing. Some souls have never felt the real power of the Word of God. John 1:1-5 describes the effect the Word is meant to have on a soul:



In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.



The Word of God is given to be that powerful to our souls. When your soul connects to the Word, your soul connects to God. The Word is so powerful it made all things. The Word has life and light that darkness cannot overcome. When your soul reads the Word, it stays with you. It transforms you in miraculous ways that you don't recognize at first.



I'm not saying it is easy to have this experience every time you read the Bible. I'm saying it is possible. It’s not easy because you have to have an open heart, mind and spirit. Opening your heart, mind and spirit threatens your flesh. The more comfortable you are in your flesh, the more likely you will be to cheat your soul when you read the Bible.



When you first start reading the Word, it might seem dull and hard to understand. Your flesh will let you do it out of duty. If you open up the Word asking God to speak personally into your soul, you need to think deeply about what you read to get what God is saying to you. It might help to identify what your soul is hungry for from the Word. Perhaps you are on the brink of hopelessness about ever being loved the way you long to be loved. Let your soul sense what you need. Then open the Word and expect God to speak to your need.



I enjoy the practice of Lectio Divina. Daily, I listen for a word or phrase and keep that word with me for the day. It helps me feel connected to God and know that He has a purpose for my life. Sometimes that purpose is to share the word or phrase God gave me that morning with whom I am in contact.



Just this week a heavy winter rain turned to a beautiful snow in Dallas. My word for that day came from Psalm 51:2a, Wash away my iniquities; All day long I enjoyed the transition as the rain washed dirt way and the snow made it beautifully white and cleaner than clean.



Souls are nourished through the living word of God. Let your soul lead you to have the experience I am talking about. Many years ago I started reading a short portion of Scripture every day and calling it devotion time. When I first started, it was somewhat of a duty. Now, I wouldn't leave the house without my word for the day!



Copyright © 2011. Deborah R. Newman. All Rights Reserved.

TEA

Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea

Tea inspires kindness

Tea inspires friendship

New to tea or have friends who are?  Plan a fresh kind of tea party... a tea tasting party.  Arrange to serve black, green and oolong teas along with a variety of extra flavor enhancers.

January is National Hot Tea Month!

Cucumber sandwich recipe

Slice two, peeled cucumbers into thin slices.  Toss these with a dash of salt and about two tablespoons of white vinegar.  Let these stand for an hour and then drain.  Spread unsalted butter and a bit of cream cheese on white bread.  Layer cucumbers thinly.

Irish Teabrack recipe

Irish Teabrack
8 oz raisins
8 oz. golden raisins
8 oz. brown sugar
1/2 pint strong black tea
8 oz flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3 eggs
Put the fruit and sugar in a bowl and pour over the tea.  Cover and leave to soak overnight.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and spices.  Beat the eggs.  Add the flour and eggs alternately to the fruit and mix thoroughly.  Grease a medium loaf pan, pour in the mixture and bake in a preheated oven.  325 F for 1 1/2 hours.
Yummy!  One will bring to some teas in January and February

Tea Quiz

Here is the question for this Monday. Whoever is first to answer this correctly will win a free sample of our loose tea.
In what century did tea come to America?

Tea

January is a wonderful time for a tea party! The mad rush of the holidays is over and people


are ready to relax, refresh and renew!

The new year brings time of reflection and resolutions to improve our health and diet.

Not only is it time for change, it’s National Hot Tea Month! It’s the perfect time to drink more tea,

boost antioxidants and improve your health!

Our featured product for National Hot Tea Month is All Things Going Green

Tea Sampler. This exciting sampler will be here for a limited time only.

Have a Dessert In A Tea Cup and Tea & Chocolate Tasting!

Did you know?

The sampler contains green tea blends that contain white tea, exquisite quality dried fruits

and exotic ingredients like Orchid extract? The blends are also made with very high grade

Sencha teas from many countries including Japan!

Did you know?

Green teas can be infused multiple times? Green teas are made with water that is hot

(not boiling). Due to the water temperature, the leaves are not “spent” as quickly and won’t

become bitter from over steeping!

Green Teas Are An Excellent Value!

The retail value of the four 2oz. bags of tea in All Things Going Green is, $33.00. The sampler

makes 120 cups of tea.

A Cup Of Tea Costs How Much?

Infuse Once

120 cups = .28 cents

Infuse Twice

240 cups = .14 cents

Infuse Three Times

240 cups = .7 cents


Tea & Chocolate Tasting!

Did You Know?

Pairing tea with a small amount of good quality chocolate can be a fun and safe way to

help people enjoy an indulgence without breaking their weight loss goals!

Tea & Chocolate Tasting Guidelines:

As a rule, green and herbal teas go well with white or milk chocolate. Any tea that takes milk

(such as English Morning) would also pair nicely with milk chocolate. Black flavored teas pair

well with plain semisweet or bittersweet chocolate. Try using different percentages of dark chocolate

for tasting. The higher the percentage of cacao, the less sweet the chocolate

will be. Try pairing a less sweet chocolate with a tea that has some natural sweetness.

Example: Taste 72% dark chocolate with Raspberry Royal Rooibos.

When choosing tea and chocolate think about pairing subtle flavor profiles.

Example: Oolong Orange Blossom pairs nicely with orange flavored dark chocolate.

Tasting Order:

Sip Tea (without sugar!)

Taste Chocolate

Sip Tea Again!

Observe how the chocolate actually sweetens their palette making

the tea taste sweet even without sugar! This is a great concept for indulging without

the guilt! Tealightful Treasures Dessert Teas also make a great substitute for dessert

even without chocolate!

Drink This Instead Of That!

Did You Know?

Evidence has shown that Americans get 20% of their daily caloric intake from beverages.

There is also evidence that cutting back on sugary drinks or replacing them with unsweetened

tea may help with weight control and lower the risk of diabetes.

Green tea is an excellent choice for children and adults for many reasons:

1. It’s low in caffeine - about 20 mg. for a oz. cup!

2. It’s high in antioxidants!

3. It contains about 436 mg. of vitamin C per cup!

4. Research suggests that it may increase metabolism

Antioxidants and Vitamin C

Green tea has a high content of vitamins and minerals. It contains about the same amount

of vitamin C as a lemon, approximately 436 mg. Black tea contains only 239 mg. of vitamin

C. Green tea also contains several B vitamins, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and pantothenic

acid. It also contains magnesium, potassium and manganese. Last but not least green tea

is high in fluoride. A cup provides approximately 0.1 mg. of fluoride, which is higher than a

cup of fluorinated water!

Green Tea

From About.com

Have you ever thought about breaking from your everyday black tea routine, and trying some green tea? Perhaps you thought it was too exotic, or were unsure how it would taste. It's time to get out of your tea rut, and brew up a cup of green tea. It tastes great, is easy to make and is just packed with healthy stuff.


What is green tea?

What exactly is the difference between green tea, and the comfortable black tea you are used to? Well, it all comes from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), but the difference is in the processing. Green tea is dried, but not fermented. The shorter processing gives green tea a lighter flavor than black tea. It also helps keep all the beneficial chemicals intact, which is why green tea is so good for you.



But what does it taste like?

Don't expect green tea to taste like your regular tea. All the different kinds of green tea have different flavors, but they do have a taste in common. The flavor of green tea can be described as: fresh, light, green, or grassy. Some varieties of green tea are have a bit of sweetness to them, and some are a little astringent. Green tea is not usually served with milk or sugar, but you can decide that for yourself.



Too many kinds to choose from!

If you really want to experiment with good green tea, you may need to look beyond your grocery store. While most supermarkets will carry a few brands of green tea (usually in bags), there won't be much selection. If your city has a Chinatown area, you'll probably find some amazing green teas there, or you could try mail order. Some types to look for: sencha, gunpowder or Dragon Well. I've got a list of the top types of green tea. Grocery store packaged teas might just be marked 'green tea', without any distictive variety given. You might want to avoid these types of tea, as they will likely be blends of poor quality.



How do you brew green tea?

Just the same as you would brew any other kind of tea, whether you have bagged tea or loose green tea. One thing to watch out for: don't use fully boiling water. Green tea is more delicate than black, so you want to keep the water a little cooler. Brewing when your water is just about to hit the boil is good.

 
If you would like to check out teas from Tealightful Treasures go to www.tealightfultreasures.net/tea
We have some wonderful green teas like Superfruit Gogi Green tea, Walnut Green TEa.  Try our Going Green TEa Sampler for only $42.50 and includes an infuser value at $6.  Also , green tea can be steeped 2-3 times and so you can get 240- 360 cups of tea with this tea sampler which means one cup costs only 12-18 cents a cup!  Great deal and some wonderful green teas!

The "Yes" Prayer

The "Yes " Prayer


With praise for all you are, Lord
and thanks for all you bless;
Lord, grant these ten petitions
With your eternal Yes:
Please show me that you're there
When I can't see your face;
Send troubled souls my way
Their wounds I will erase.
Let me see with your eyes
My mind with your thoughts fill;
But more than wisdom give me
The strength to do your will.
Bless me with abundance
Then put me to the test;
Gladly will I give you
Much more than I possess.
Send me your tranquility
In troubled times and calm;
With loving arms sustain me
Through suffering and harm.
Forgive me for my sins
Though legion they may be;
When death and evil triumph,
Bring good from tragedy.
But most of all reveal
The meaning of my life
The purpose of my glories
The reasons for my strife
My destiny in Heaven
No tears to flow again
My God please grant me all;
In Christ our Lord,
Amen

Apple Tea Punch

Apple Tea Punch

1 Quart of apple cider or apple juice
2 T. sugar
2 cups of prepared black tea

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup of Apple Brandy (optional)

Cinnamon to taste

In a saucepan heat the apple cider, sugar, tea, and lemon juice. Add optional apple brandy before serving.

Pour in tea cups or punch cups, sprinkle with cinnamon. Makes about ten 5 oz. cups.

By Judith Krall-Russo, Food Historian & Tea Specialist

www.teafoodhistory.com

January and February events

Think about having some chocolate in a teacup without all the calories -try teas from Tealightful Treasures. Coconut Dream, Cherry Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Orange Rooibos to name a few. Some others dessert teas are Toasted Almond Spice Cake, Happy Heart, Sweet Cranberry Appl...e, Caramel Cream and Lemon Chiffon Pie Rooibos.


Check us out at www.tealightfultreasures.net/tea
 
Scheduling teas for middle of February for Texas area- Waco, Austin, Houston.  
We will have chocolate in a teacup along with Tea Bingo and an appetizer or two.
Email me for more information at tea4Jesus@gmail.com
 
Scheduling teas in Minnesota for January National Hot Tea Month and for Chocolate in a Teacup.  Email me for more information at tea4Jesus@gmail.com or call 763-370-2980.  Love to chat wth you over tea!