For quickest in-shop service, please feel free to pre-order your must-have teas in our online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com!
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Hello all and I hope you are well! Happy Spring and I trust that you have been able to enjoy some of the warmer, beautiful days that we have had so far :)
April is Stress Awareness Month and in this month's newsletter we are going to focus on the various ways that tea can provide support to reduce the negative effects of this ever-present part of our lives.
Gong Fu Tea Service continues and our spring menu is now in effect. Appointments for this seated service are being accepted and please see below for all the details. I look forward to you joining me for this relaxing and culturally enriching experience.
And I am happy to announce that the popular tasting workshops are returning! Thank you for the interest that you have shown in attending these workshops again and I have mapped out a series of workshops for the rest of the year. I am only announcing and taking reservations for the ones over the next few months and the schedule is listed below.
Please note that the shop will be closed on Easter 4/17, Mother's Day 5/8, and from Monday, June 13th through Wednesday, June 22nd.
I appreciate your continued support of my small business and I wish you much health and great tasting cups of tea!
-- Kristine, FDN-P
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Supply chains continue to be a bit of a challenge, but I have been able to get all of your favorites back in stock. Great news is that Golden Monkey Black Tea and Tan Huong Tea Cooperative Vietnam Green Tea are finally back! Citrus Blend Black Tea has been re-formulated and is now being blended in-house. Chai Spice Organic Herbal Tisane, Tulsi Chai Organic Herbal Tisane and Turmeric Spice Organic Herbal Tisane have all been freshly blended :)
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Gong Fu Tea Service
The spring menu for Gong Fu Tea Service is now available!! This Chinese method of tea preparation means "done well" and it requires time and focus, delivering a more aromatic and flavorful infusion than those prepared using the more familiar western method of tea preparation. I am happy to be able to offer this cultural aspect of tea and guide you further through your own tea journey.
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This is an appointment only, seated service and, at the moment, is limited to three to four appointments at a time. Each session lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours and costs $30 paid upon booking. It includes multiple infusions of the tea that you select from the Gong Fu Tea menu and there are 3-7 infusions, depending on the tea selected and as time allows. It also includes a Gong Fu lesson, if you like, so that you may incorporate this method into your own tea ritual at home.
The menu is crafted and rotated seasonally and curated from the larger origin tea offering available in the shop. The spring menu is as follows:
- Ceylon Golden Tips White Tea - Sri Lanka
- Choui Fong Green Tea - Thailand
- Jin Xuan Formosa Wulong Tea - Nantou, Taiwan
- Yu Lan Xiang Dan Cong Wulong Tea - Guangdong, China
- Donyi Polo Estate Reserve Black Tea - Arunachal Pradesh, India
- Arakai Estate Pan-Roasted Black Tea - Australia
- 2012 Tian Jian Xiang Jian Dark Tea - Hunan, China
Gong Fu Tea appointments are available:
Thursdays & Fridays - 11:30 through 3:00
Sundays - 11:30 through 2:00
Please note that there are no appointments on Saturdays.
If you would like to make an appointment for this unique experience, please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or reply to this email. I look forward to preparing tea for you! :)
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Tea Tastings & Pairings Workshop Schedule
Journey with us on select Saturday evenings for an exploration of tea. Whether it is a fun and unique tasting of a flight of teas or a "foodie" excursion where we pair a few of our favorite things, you will be experiencing a unique, informative, relaxing and interactive adventure - no passport required!
Here are the workshops that are scheduled for the next several months:
Introduction to Tea Appreciation - April 23rd
Black Teas - April 30th
Green Teas - May 7th
Wulong Teas - May 21st
White & Yellow Teas - June 4th
Pu-er & Other Dark Teas - July 16th
Tea & Chocolate Pairing - July 30th
Tea & Cheese Pairing - August 13th
Tea & Terroir - Exploration of Elevation - August 20th
The complete schedule of workshops through November, workshop descriptions and policies, will be posted under the Workshops tab at infuseteabarny.com within the next few days.
Workshops begin promptly at 7:00 PM and go to 8:30ish. Feel free to stay on after the workshop to enjoy the second infusions of each tea that will be prepared. Cost is $30 per person. Pre-paid registration is required and seating is limited. For questions or to register, please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or stop by the shop. I look forward to seeing you in class! :)
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Pre-order Reminder
As a reminder, pre-orders of loose leaf teas are encouraged in order to streamline the preparation of your custom orders and reduce your wait time, especially if the shop is busy when you arrive. Orders also continue to be shipped nationwide and all (pre)orders can be placed in our online shop www.pleasuresoftea.com. Please place orders at least 24-hours ahead of desired pick up time, if possible, to ensure that I will see your order in the portal and have the time to pull it together in time for your arrival. Indicating the approximate date and time of pick up in the Comments section in the Cart helps ensure that your order will be ready for you upon arrival. If you plan to browse at the shop or grab a cup of tea, then please do not pay online - select the Pay at pick-up option. You will receive an emailed notification once your order is ready for pick-up.
Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping to serve you in the most efficient and expeditious manner possible! :)
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Tea and Stress Reduction
Did you know? About 80% of annual doctors' visits are because of stress. That's right - an astounding 80%! Even though we need stress to build resilience and learn skills to adapt to different situations, high levels of stress and/or insufficient or ineffective ways of dealing with it contributes to many of the chronic lifestyle diseases that we are plagued with today. But not to fret - we have tea and tisanes!
Tea can provide several benefits in our quest to reduce our stress levels and keep them in check. Interestingly, a study conducted in 2007 showed that after performing a stressful task, saliva levels of the stress hormone cortisol were reduced by 47% from the baseline after only 50 minutes of consuming tea. In the placebo group, cortisol levels reduced by only 27%. Unfortunately, there were no clear conclusions as to why tea consumption had such an impact, but the conductors of the study felt that the results warranted further exploration. Here are just a few ways that tea can help address stress:
- Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, also known simply as theanine. Theanine lends a savory note to tea and it induces calm and relaxation, reduces stress, enhances cognitive focus and alertness, and strengthens the immune system. A study conducted in 2016 showed that alpha brainwaves, which are associated with relaxation, increase after consuming beverages containing theanine. There is also evidence that theanine may boost GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which has been shown to reduce anxiety.
- Don't drink your tea - appreciate it! There is a difference. Drinking tea is mindless, it doesn't engage all of the senses, and it is usually done while doing something else. Appreciating tea, however, is a meditative, mindfulness practice, it is a full-sensory experience, and it is very hard to be stressed while doing it. Any tea or tisane will do, so pick what speaks most to your body, mind, spirit and senses. And breathe as you enjoy!
- Share tea with company. Connecting with family and friends (that is those that don't add to your stress) is an important practice to reduce stress. And enjoying tea together while catching up is good for the body, mind, and soul.
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In January's newsletter I wrote about tea ceremony and ritual and shared a practice that you can use to assist with the meditative experience and mindfulness of preparing tea. Feel free to follow it or adapt as necessary! A link to that newsletter is being provided here for newcomers to the community or if you would like a refresher :)
While all of the teas contain caffeine, the vast majority of tisanes are caffeine-free. For some, caffeine can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety, so tisanes are a wonderful option. Any tisanes that you find enjoyable and relaxing can help, but the nervine herbs, in particular, will be especially useful. These herbs support and nourish the nervous system, which can be battered from stress and reduce our resiliency. These herbs can serve various actions in our bodies as follows:
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Relaxing nervine herbs help to relax the nervous system. There are many herbs in this category, they taste great, and can easily be included in a daily regimen. Just a few of these herbs include chamomile, lemon balm, linden, lemon verbena, lavender. Our Calm Organic Herbal Tisane, Chamomile Citrus Organic Herbal Tisane, Chamomile Mint Herbal Tisane, and Relaxation Blend Herbal Tisane are some nice options.
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Tonic nervine herbs nourish the nervous system so that it can function optimally and they restore a nervous system that feels "frayed". These herbs include oatstraw, oat tops, skullcap, lemon balm. Our Nervine Tonic Organic Herbal Tisane is a really nice option here.
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Sedative nervine herbs have an even more calming effect than the relaxing nervine herbs listed above and they may promote sleep. Sleep is one of the most critical practices that you can incorporate because all of your bodily functions depend on it in order to achieve optimal performance. Good sedative herbs include valerian, kava kava, and hops. Chamomile may also work as a sedative for some. Our Pleasant Dreams Organic Herbal Tisane is a nice option here for those of you who aren't put off by the pungent earthiness of valerian.
- Other nervine herbs help to quiet and relax the mind, especially in instances of worry, anxiety and/or repetitive thoughts that cannot be turned off. A few examples are passion flower and California poppy.
All of these tisanes are available in the shop and some are available in the online shop.
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Do you or someone you know need a personal health detective to address chronic wellness issues that can't seem to be resolved? Make 2022 the year you find results for good!
As a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Practitioner, I see clients to help them get to the root of their health and wellness issues and reclaim the vitality that they very much deserve. I offer fully customized, programs that are unique to each client and that incorporate holistic protocols addressing body, mind, spirit and senses. This is an extension of my work in tea and herbalism for the past fifteen years, but I will now be able to help those of you who need it at a much deeper and personalized level than I can offer in the shop. In addition to the new tools in my toolbox, I will continue to draw from my experience in using tea for health, along with my herbalism training, during the development of the comprehensive protocols that will be specific to the bio-individualized needs of each client. I want to be the last wellness practitioner you see and educate and empower you to make the choices that are best for YOUR health so that you can be your own health advocate moving forward. I look forward to showing you what I can do to help you achieve your wellness goals and enjoy continued vitality well into the future!
To learn more, please visit https://vitalityholisticwellness.net. If you are ready to make the investment in your wellness, then I would be happy to discuss the potential opportunity with you. You may book a complimentary discovery call directly through the website so I can learn about your issues and you can learn more about how I work and how my approach is different from the conventional medicine and/or alternative approaches that you have already experienced. I also have a new email address specific for Vitality Holistic Wellness business and I ask that all inquiries regarding these services be directed to kristine@vitalityholisticwellness.net.
The website also shares My Why - the reasons why I am so passionate about this approach to health and wellness. This is a very personal experience for me and I share my 32-year journey toward finding health and wellness and dealing with autoimmunity and a compromised immune system, among many other issues that you or someone you know may be experiencing. I hear from so many of you about your own chronic wellness issues and I share my story as a way to connect and open the door and show that there is hope…even after 32 years! If you would like to read my health story, please click here. It is long, so make sure you have a big mug of tea :)
I also email out a newsletter with health and wellness tips that do not fit within the scope of this newsletter. If you are interested in receiving the Vitality Newsletter, then feel free to sign up while you're at the website!
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New at the Shop
Spring Macarons Cherry Blossom and Milk Chocolate Marshmallow have returned!! :)
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All Effie's shortbread-like biscuits are back in stock and are available in the shop and online shop! These slightly crispy, not-too-sweet treats are perfect with tea and are available in 8 delicious flavors. |
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The following seasonal teas are just about out of stock: Gingered Vanilla Toddy Black Tea, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, Roasted Chestnut Black Green & Yerba Mate Blend, Maple Walnut Green Tea, and Candied Pomegranate Herbal Tisane. Be sure to grab some of your favorite cold-weather favorites before they are gone!
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106 Main Street
West Sayville, NY 11796
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500+ Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Tisanes
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism
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