NATIONAL HOT TEA MONTH (Jan 2014)

January is National Hot Tea Month… and personally, I think we should all get on board this one!

Tea from our Hot Lips Teapot ;) 

Over the last few years, I have become accustomed to Tea, not just your PJ Tips, but herbal tea’s. It seems that the rest of the world has also done the same.

Refreshing and good for you!

Statistics show (Via Euromonitor.com) In 2012, herbal/traditional products in the UK still increased by a healthy 3% in current value terms, to reach £485 million.

And two years on it’s going from strength to strength. So as it’s a new year and all, why not try something a little different. The beauty of herbal tea’s is there are so many to choose from. Some of the more popular are ~

So many to choose from

• Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a popular herb that’s used in teas worldwide. Chamomile the stomach and relieves bloating and indigestion. Chamomile also calms the mind and helps people deal better with their stresses. Some people are allergic to chamomile and should avoid taking the tea. Chamomile tea should not be mixed with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.

People who find it hard to go to sleep should drink a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed. Chamomile is known to fight insomnia by relaxing the body and the mind, enabling the person to fall asleep naturally.

• Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is a fragrant herb that makes for a soothing drink. Peppermint helps you digest foods better and also reduces flatulence and digestive issues. Peppermint is prescribed to people with IBS and gallstones in the form of coated capsules. A cup of peppermint tea will ease nausea and vomiting, especially if you suffer motion sickness. If you have heartburn, don’t drink peppermint tea as this might aggravate your condition. Peppermint tea brings down the severity of herpes outbreaks. The most popular benefit of this minty herb is that it freshens your breath. Other health benefits of this tea are control of muscle aches and chronic pain, clearing of congestion and mild coughs, mild asthma and reduction of stress.

• Green Tea

Green Tea comes with such a host of health benefits, that it’s called the ‘wonder herbal drug’ by tea drinkers and medical practitioners alike.

Drinking green tea lowers cancer risk and also inhibits carcinogens in cigarettes and other compounds when imbibed. Green Tea contains potent antioxidants called polyphenols, which help suppress free radicals. Green tea also stops certain tumors from forming. Green tea lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thereby promotes heart health.  Green tea also lowers blood pressure, prevents and fights tooth decay and dental issues, and inhibits different viruses from causing illnesses.

• Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea is fragrant to drink and is a very effective tonic to calm nerves and anxiety. Cold lemon balm tea bags help relieve cold sores, or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Mix lemon balm leaves with valerian to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia.  Lemon Balm contains several properties, which control herpes and also regulate the thyroid.

Lemon balm when mixed with peppermint can calm an upset stomach, sooth the digestive track and reduce flatulence. Drink lemon balm tea if you suffer from nerve pain. Drinking lemon balm tea also helps strengthen memory and brain functions and also uplifts one’s mood.

But there are many, many more and they have good health benefits which is a bonus! So why not have a nice hot tea and a relaxing 10 minutes to enjoy it. Whether you've tried hundreds of Herbal tea’s, or you're a Herbal tea virgin, go on … try something new, who knows you may love it!

And ........ RELAX!

Find out more here

                                                       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea

Get Organised Month (January 2014)

Well another year has been and gone, millions of presents were opened over Christmas, millions of calories were eaten over Christmas, plus millions of units of alcohol. But, once New Year’s Eve arrived, millions of New Years Resolutions were made. . . and most were broken within 24 hours, and many more will be broken within the first week, if not the month.

So as January is ‘GET ORGANISED MONTH’, I decided NOT to make New Year resolutions, but to get myself organised and go! I've made several goals I want to achieve this year, but instead of aiming for the finish line, I've organised myself so that I'm continuously taking steps to achieve the goal.

For example:

If you want to become fitter. Start by taking baby steps. First go for a 10 minute brisk walk, then take stairs instead of lifts, walk to the local shops, don’t drive! Turn the music up loud and dance whilst you clean your house. Join a fitness class.

Before you know it, you will be fit as a fiddle. The aim is to keep it fun, keep it simple and keep organised. Make sure you're allowing plenty of time into your daily routine for your goals!

Make sure you give yourself time to organise yourself!

My top tips for getting organised in January ~

1. Make a list of your goals, and how you will begin to achieve them (Baby steps remember!)
2. Set a small amount of time aside each day to keep on top of your organising (15 minutes is a good start)
3. Have a clear out at home (Think clear home, clear mind)
4. Write down everything you need to do each week, put it somewhere you can glance at it regularly, that way you won’t forget a thing (Use it for Birthdays, Anniversaries, meetings, shopping etc)
5. Keep it fun and simple. Nobody wants to do something they do not enjoy, so if you have to do a task which you detest, try to change it so it’s at least bearable. Or if you have the power of mind over matter, just tell yourself you LOVE it and get it done. By the time you think about how much you don’t want to do something, it could already be done!

Check lists can be very helpful ... but remember to DO, not just WRITE! 

Please feel free to let us know how you're getting on with your organising this January!

talktothehotlips@gmail.com