Categories
|
 |
| |
|
|
Archives:
|
|
| |
|
|
Meta:
|
|
| |
|
|
|
March 30, 2010
 Many rituals have been created around the preparation and serving of tea. These rituals vary by culture and type of tea. Some of the most famous ceremonies are the Chinese “Gong Fu” style preparation of Oolong teas and that of Matcha which is used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
Gong Fu Style Tea
In China, Oolong teas are traditionally served Gong Fu style using small clay pots (Yixing) and preparing multiple steepings of the tea leaves. Translated, Gong Fu means “with great skill” and it focuses on quality of product and result. There are several steps to this ceremony, each meticulously carried out.
The steps consist of warming the tea pot before steeping the leaves, rinsing the tea leaves before the first steeping and pouring the tea in a small cup to enjoy first the aroma before serving it in the actual tea cup. Since oolong teas can be steeped mulitple times, this process is repeated with each steeping.
 Matcha
Matcha is produced by grinding the tea leaf into a fine powder which is then whisked skillfully into hot water to create a rich and vegetal –tasting cup of tea. The caffeine content in this type of tea tends to be higher since the whole tea leaves are consumed. Traditionally, this tea is made from Sencha or Gyokuro and is used in the famous Japanese tea ceremony “Chanoyu”.
Begining April 1st, we are offering our customers an authentic experience of Oolong and Matcha tea which includes:
- Oolong tea prepared on bamboo tray in Yixing clay pots
- 3 steepings of the leaves
$ 7.99
- Matcha prepared at the table in traditional Matcha bowl
- Includes Japanese sweets
$5.99
March 26, 2010
 A study published in the January 2010 issue of the journal Nutrition Research suggests that adding milk to black tea may reduce the effectiveness of its antioxidants.
Researchers in the U.K.’s School of Life Sciences at Oxford Brookes University led the study. Their work on previous studies indicated that the polyphenols in black tea have the potential to improve human health in a variety of ways. Since the British frequently consume black tea with milk, the researchers wondered whether the addition of milk lowered the capacity of the black tea’s polyphenols.
They started out by analyzing the tea itself, then they took five different brands of black tea which according to their abstract were a “a significant source of antioxidants”. To each tea, varying amounts of whole, low-fat and skim milk were added. The researchers then measured the antioxidant level of the tea and milk mixture.
In every brand of tea tested, the addition of milk decreased the teas total antioxidant content. Interestingly, the addition of skim milk, however, lowered the antioxident content considerably more than the other two types of milk.
It was concluded that black tea is a valuable source of antioxidants and that the reduction of antioxidants through the addition of milk may be related to the fat content in the milk.
The moral of the story seems to be that if you want to reap the full health benefits of black tea, you better skip the milk and enjoy it straight up!
source: worldteanews
March 22, 2010
 Distracted driving has become a national epidemic. People texting while driving, talking on the phone, working on a computer, eating, drinking….and so on. Drivers these days seem to be focused on everything EXCEPT driving! The result: collision rates are soaring throughout the country and innocent lives are lost due to inattentiveness.
What are the REAL statistics and what are the consequences of not paying attention when you are behind the wheel?
Representatives of Driving MBA, a premier driver tutoring facility in Scottsdale that offers comprehensive programs for teen and experienced drivers, will be at Souvia on Saturday March 27th, from 10AM-noon and present important and valuable information on
- Distracted Driving
- Teenage Driving (skills, behavior, etc.)
- Red Light Running
- Driving While Under the Influence
Charlie Sobczak, owner of Driving MBA driving school is an avid safety advocate and President of the” Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance”, will answer any questions and address any concerns you may have about distracted driving.
Souvia Saturday Forums are meant to connect experts with the community in addressing current topics of interst and are FREE!
March 17, 2010
 Gongfu is the Chinese syle of ritual tea preparation Many rituals have been created around the preparation and serving of tea. These rituals vary by culture and type of tea. Some of the most famous ceremonies are the Chinese “Gong Fu” style preparation of Oolong teas and that of Matcha which is used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
Gong Fu Style Tea
In China, Oolong teas are traditionally served Gong Fu style using small clay pots (Yixing) and preparing multiple steepings of the tea leaves. Translated, Gong Fu means “with great skill” and it focuses on quality of product and result.
Matcha
Matcha is produced by grinding the tea leaf into a fine powder which is then whisked skillfully into hot water to create a rich and vegetal –tasting cup of tea. The caffeine content in this type of tea tends to be higher since the whole tea leaves are consumed. Traditionally, this tea is made from Sencha or Gyokuro and is used in the famous Japanese tea ceremony “Chanoyu”.
At Souvia ,we now offer our customers an authentic experience of Oolong and Matcha tea which includes:
- Oolong tea prepared on bamboo tray in Yixing clay pots
- 3 steepings of the leaves
- Matcha prepared at the table in traditional Matcha bowl
- Includes Japanese sweets
If you’d like to enjoy tea served in a way it has been for centuries, just ask us and we’ll show you how it’s done!
March 11, 2010
Spring is in the air and with the sunshine, warm temperatures and flowers in bloom, many of us feel the urge to sweep winter out the door and give our homes a thorough cleaning. Why stop there? After the (over-) indulgences of the holidays, our bodies could use a little help as well, getting rid of waste and maybe some unwanted weight. A gentle herbal cleanse is easy and can support the body’s natural detoxification process.
In order to deal with toxins, the body produces excess mucous or fat and traps them in there temporarily. Eventually the mucuous breaks down and the toxins seep into the bloodstream where they can cause tissue damage. Storing waste in such a manner means that in many cases, people may be carrying up to 10 pounds of unhealthy, mucous harboring toxic waste. The result is that we feel sluggish, have PMS, digestive disorders, headaches, joint pains, bad breath, allergies, skin breakouts, poor memory, depression …the list goes on and on.
How does detoxification work?
Detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing toxins from the blood in the liver where toxins are processed. The toxins are then eliminated through the kidneys, instestines, lungs, lymph and skin. While our body is equipped to rid itself very efficiently of waste, our world has become such a toxic place (air pollution, chemical cleaning products, food additives, etc.) that it is important to support this naturally occurring process from time to time. A fast, for example, can give the body a rest so that it can focus its energy on elimination and cleansing. Other steps in lightening the toxic load are to:
- eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars, and saturated fats
- minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal care products and substitute with natural alternatives
- include some meditation, relaxation exercise or simply an nap to de-stress
- eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fiber
Drinking herbal infusions which stimulate the liver to process toxins faster and more efficiently, is something we can do daily. Mother nature provides some wonderful herbals that are not only very effective, but also tasty and easy to prepare. My favorite cleansing herbs are Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale). Nettle is a popular spring tonic since it cleanses the liver and builds blood. It is rich in calcium, iron and vitamin C. Dandelion complements nettle in that it also targets liver and kidney cleansing, but it also tones the stomach, gall bladder and intestine, improving absorbtion of nutrients. It is a very safe diuretic due to its high content in potassium and iron
To maximize benefits, blend the two herbals together and maybe add a little mint or lemon balm for flavor. For an herbal infusion, use 1-2 tsp of herbs per 8oz of boiling water and steep anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Drink 2 cups per day.
March 7, 2010
 Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used by herbalists around the world for thousands of years. From China, where it has been used to heal sore throats, treat respiratory and digestive problems it made its way westward. Hippocrates, the Greek physician Dioscorides as well as the German abbess/herbalist Hildegard von Bingen all swore by the powerful healing properties of this sweet tasting root.
The plant itself is perennial, reaching 2 meters in heigt from a root system of taproots and branch roots. It can be found in southern Italy, Spain, Russia and other countries east of the Mediterranean. While it still grows wild, it is now extensively cultivated to meet global demand and to protect the plant.
The materia medica of the American Botanical Council indicates that licorice is in the FDA ’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe.
Parts used are the rhizome and root.
Licorice has widely been used to
- relieve coughs, sore throats, break up congestion
- soothe the digestive tract
- support adrenal function and combat stress
- fight disease-causing bacteria and the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections
- stimulate and strenghten the immune system
- strenghen and balance the female reproductive system
Licorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar and is added to chocolate to extend the sweetness of sugar. It is also used by brewers to give body and color to porter and stout. Did you know that licorice is an ingredient in the Irish ale “Guiness” and used to flavor the Italian liqueur “Sambuca”? It is used in the make up of many other products, but interestingly the popular candy “licorice” does not contain licorice root but gets its flavor from a distant cousin “anise”.
To make a decoction that can be taken for coughs, colds and to soothe stomach ulcers, put 1 1/2 oz of licorice root in 1 1/2 pt of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink as required.
While licorice is considered safe, it is not recommended during pregnancy and for those with liver conditions, severe kidney disfunction or suffering from hypertension. If taking prescription drugs, it is always advisable to consult with your physician first before taking any herbals medicinally.
March 3, 2010
The Souvia Saturday Forums allow our local to community to interact with a variety of local experts on a variety of topics. The informal sessions last from 10am until Noon – No rsvp necessary just stop by!
Here are the next three
March 6th – LeAnn Hull – Candidate for US Congress District 3
 LeAnn Hull is running for US COngress, District 3
LeAnn Hull is a local business owner who has entered the race for US Congress – She Will be at the store to discuss issues affecting all of us and her views of potential solutions.
Read more about her at www.leannhullforcongress.com
March 13th – “Best Laid Plans”
Do you have a living will, POA and an estate plan?
Marsha Goodman, Attorney PLLC
March 27th – DWD – Driving While Distracted
 Charlie Sobczak of Driving MBA will be here to discuss the dangers of distracted driving including texting and cell phone use. He’ll have a simulator to show how distracted driving will impair your ability to avoid accidents.
Charles has a diverse background ranging from a traffic agent responsible for weight and balance of aircraft to hazardous material coordinator, customer service supervisor as well as sales. From 1993 to 2003 Charles was in charge of certification and on-going training of sales personnel in automotive retail.
|
