No matter what my issue is, there is a tea to help. I like that assurance in life.
Dealing with heartburn is no fun, so I made myself a nice evening tea to help: chamomile, licorice, ginger, anise hyssop, and lemongrass. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth mentioning again, peppermint is not included here because it is very bad for heartburn sufferers. Mint is soothing for the stomach, but it relaxes the sphincter of the esophagus and lets acid up for those of us so inclined. My tea blend is also a nice flavor steeped for 15 minutes in very hot water (with a top over the cup to keep it warm until ready.)
Continuing on the health theme, black tea has been shown to help regulate blood sugar level for diabetics. As a pre-diabetic myself, it’s nice to know my Earl Grey helps when I have a scone or two (as I currently am.) My husband likes to bake and everything is gluten free for me. Hard to resist, though he has cut down on sugary desserts and mostly makes more snacking goods. These scones don’t have much sugar in the recipe, but he did add a banana to keep them moist. You can’t taste it, but what a nice texture. Bring on the tea!
He made a double batch of scones because we went to a dessert potluck over the weekend that was part of a community dance: live old-timey music, a caller, and I wore a skirt that flowed. We don’t go dancing often: a couple of years ago to a swing dance (neither of us were very good), several years before that to a family dance (the kids loved it), and over a decade ago to a community dance back in Syracuse (lots of fun.) That’s about it. For whatever reason (the cloistered feeling of such a cold winter perhaps?) I saw the ad and asked him out on a date. My son was invited, but not interested. My mom was happy to come along. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Circles, easy contras, and squares. Being a bit shy about partner dancing, I told my hubby he better stick to my side the whole night. Even though he was asked by other woman to dance, he stayed the whole time. Good man. The caller was clear, the band was tight, and most of us seemed to be on the same level- unskilled but enthusiastic.
At break time the desserts were wheeled out and the scones gobbled up. No tea, but plenty of cool water, which is all I really wanted then anyhow. A lady came over to say how she enjoyed watching my husband and I dance because we looked so happy. We were laughing a lot (as we tried to figure out which way to spin, alamande, or do-si-do) and after twenty years together, that’s a good thing. Especially since the empty nest is only a couple years away (though I’ve heard kids come back nowadays…) That night I slept better than I had in weeks.
Live music, happy stomping, and love holding your hand are as healing as a cup of tea.
Rise untethered.
Move with intention.
Be grand.
