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Kerstin and I took a nice trip to Yosemite and enjoyed to cool air and huge trees! We brought along some new teas to try and tested out a new product a “SmartKettle” in our lodge.
July 16, 2010
May 6, 2010
“ORIENTAL MEDICINE FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH”
Digestive problems are all too common these days and there seems to be a new drug on the market every month, promising relief from stomach upset, indigestion and heartburn. While allopathic medicine focuses on symptom control, Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a more holistic approach to digestive health, including the intrinsic character of food as well as related emotional or energy problems. Join us on Saturday, May 8th at 1pm here at Souvia when Dr. Moore will explain:
- How herbs and acupuncture work to promote health and treat Disease, regulate the nervous system and biochemicals.
- How acupuncture can facilitate good digestion
- How you can improve digestion through proper nutrition and herbals
Complete Dr. Moore’s digestive health questionnaire and receive a complimentary analysis.
April 29, 2010
Making an Herbal Tincture in your Kitchen
Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts. They are more potent than infusions and deliver a more consistent amount of the plant’s healthy chemical compounds. They are best taken diluted in warm water or juice.
How to Make Your Own Lemon Balm Tincture
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis is a great herb to use if you need a little relaxation or have a nervous stomach. It helps those frayed nerves to calm down.:
What you need:
- Fresh or dried lemon balm
- Cutting board, knife or food processor
- A clean glass jar (mason jar )
- Solvent of choice (grain alcohol (e.g. vodka), glycerin)
- Funnel
- Labels
Step 1: Chop the herbs either by hand or in the food processor. Often dried herbs are already cut and sifted and don’t need to be ground any further.
Step 2: Place 1 part of the herb to 5 parts liquid in the jar. Liquid needs to cover the herb well. Label the jar (name of herb and date) and place the jar in a warm, dark place for at least 4 weeks. The longer the herb sits in the solvent, the more potent the tincture will be. Shake the jar daily and add more liquid if necessary.
Step3: Strain the tincture through a fine wire-mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth or coffee filter, in to a measuring cup.
Step 4: Pour the liquid carefully into dark bottles, using a funnel and label these with the name of the herbal and date of preparation.
April 8, 2010
Stinging Nettle – The Natural Allergy Remedy
Name: Urtica dioica
Parts used: fresh or dried leaves
Use: Internal and external
Contraindications: None known
Side Effects: None known
Drug Interactions: None known
Character: cool, dry, astringent
Actions: astringent, diuretic, tonic, nutritive, circulatory stimulant, promotes milk flow, lowers blood sugar levels,
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It is the season……Allergy season that is! Eveything is in bloom and many of us have a difficult time seeing nature blooming and blossoming out of our watery and itchy eyes. Allergies are rampant this time of year and many of my customers have asked me if there isn’t a way to treat allergy symptoms naturally. There is indeed!
Nettle is one of the most effective natural treatment for allergies, especially itchy eyes and sneezing. The reason for this is that stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories which can open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages and thereby reducing unpleasant allergy symptoms.
Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, uses and and recommends this herb for seasonal allergies and in 1990, the National College for Naturopathic Medicine in Portland Oregon was able to scientifically support what herbalists have know for a long time. There, a double-blind study was conducted to explore the efficacy of a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle on allerigc rhinitis. The study showed that the group treated with the nettle preparation showed moderately better results than the participants in the control group which were given a placebo.
As with any medication, botanical or otherwise, before pursuing a course of self-treatment, always consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing a baby, or being treated for any serious condition.
In addition to helping relief allergy symptoms, stinging nettle has many other benefits and makes a deliciously tasting infusion:
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- Nettle leaf is a blood builder
- It is rich in calcium and Vitamin C (which aids iron absorption)
- It is used to reduce uric acid and to treat gout and arthritis
- Acts like a light laxative and diuretic (high in potassium)
- Used to treat skin conditions (eczema)
- Builds adrenal and kidney function
Infusion:
1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves per 6oz water, steep anywhere from 5-15 minutes. (The longer the steeping time the more potent the medical properties of the infusion)
March 3, 2010
Update on Souvia Saturday forums
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.
February 9, 2010
Souvia Tea update for January
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Can you imagine a chocolate chip cookie without a glass of milk, a peanut butter sandwich without jelly, vanilla ice cream without hot fudge? There are certain food combinations that take the taste from just good to simply delicious!
Lots happening over the next month or so
January 30, 2010
Souvia Tea on the Radio – Topic? Tea myths
Souvia is going to be on the radio as a guest of Pete Peters and Deborah Brown.
The show is The Boomer and the Babe Show and it airs every Monday – Friday at 11AM on KXXT, 1010 AM in the Phoenix market.
we will talk about things you think you know about tea – but don’t! “There are a lot of myths about tea, caffeine, cultures, and more” says Bret Wingert, Co-owner and Founder of Souvia Tea.
You can also listen or watch the show live or recorded on www.boomerandthebabe.com. The link to the video of the show will be on the home page on the upper right.
If you would like to join me at the show, they have seating available for about 20 people. The Boomer and The Babe Show is broadcast from the We Are Family Thrift Store at 107th Ave and Peoria in Sun City, Arizona.
We hope you’ll enjoy the show
We will be on the show Tuesday 2-2-10 at 11am MST
January 27, 2010
Souvia Saturday Forum: January 30th
January 30th – 10:00 am
- Delta Payet
– Owner of “Delta in Skin”
“ Have you ever wondered what Microdermiabrasion feels like?”
- find out how this treatment works
– find out how to treat and reverse sun damaged skin
“Also Known as the “Lunch Time Peel” This treatment is for the wrinkles, sun-damage, acne/acne scars, too much oil, too little oil, stretch marks, pore size, the bumps on the back of the arms to unwanted pigmentation and yes, even those ingrowns. How it works: A closed loop system utilizes both highly regulated suction and pressure that moves inert abrasive crystals over the surface of the skin. This action causes no pain while it removes the outer layer of the skin.”
December 15, 2009
Tea as a Guilt-Free Dessert
Kerstin just finished making a ton of great cookies and sweets for Christmas. I absolutely love German goodies and look forward to them every year. I really enjoy something a little sweet after dinner. While my kids can eat sweets without any outward signs, I have to spend more time hiking the mountains or on the treadmill to counteract the effects. Fortunately, there are some alternatives that satisfy but don’t pile on the calories. Teas and Herbals can provide the sweet treat without the guilt – Teas like Pumpkin Pie, Tiramasu Marscapone and Gingerbread House are examples of very low calorie teas that even when not sweetened, curb the cravings.
Kerstin was recently on Sonoran Living Live here in Phoenix to talk about this and even gave a recipe for a Chai Latte that has less than a quarter of the Big Chain’s calories with no compomise in flavor.
While I plan to occasionally indulge with the home baked goodies, it is nice to have a alternative for days when I don’t have the time to work it off.
Have a great Holiday time whatever your tradition!
November 13, 2009
Some new articles on Tea and Health
The world of tea and health is dynamic and new information is always emerging. Here are a couple of recent articles
- Tea and Breast Cancer - The Examiner
- 12 signs you’ll live longer - Prevention.com
The news is consistently good and the even better tea tastes great. it is a win-win!
