MARCH – National Caffeine Awareness Month

March is Caffeine Awareness Month 3/2019

Moderately drunk, coffee removes vapours from the brain, occasioned by fumes of wine, or other strong liquors; eases pains in the head, prevents sour belchings, and provokes appetite.”                                      -England’s Happiness Improved (1699)

Vapours, or Brain Fog can definitely weigh down one’s ability to focus, especially in the workplace. A cup of coffee may help bring some mental clarity. The caffeine in coffee has been shown to increase alertness, improve mood, boost cognitive function, and make you feel less tired. It’s no wonder why 85% of the US population relies on caffeine to start their day. Tea and coffee are still the most popular pick-me-ups choices.

Most people don’t think of coffee as an herb. However, if we define an herb as a medicinal plant, then not only is coffee an herb, it’s one of the most popular herbs in the world, with over 500 billion cups of coffee being consumed annually, and over 75 million people making their livelihood from coffee.  Tea can be considered both an herb or a spice.

Real tea comes from a tea bush, whereas herbal tea comes from other plants. But herbal tea also comes from leaves. Therefore, as regular tea is similar, despite the fermentation process, I would consider tea to be an herb before a spice.

Tea is a key part of social engagements, where it plays a central role in political meetings and celebrating special occasions. Tea culture varies dramatically in style from Japanese tea ceremonies to a simple afternoon cuppa with friends and family on the veranda.

Teatime is by its very nature a combination of small luxuries arranged in social symmetry. And although tea for one is certainly a fine thing, the addition of a circle of dear friends to share it with ensures the whole is larger than the parts.” – Author Unknown

Tea and coffee are not only used for drinking.
Give these fun recipes a try! Give these fun recipes a try!

Coffee Rubbed Steak   Steak of Choice, rub and grill
2 tablespoons coffee grounds NOT instant
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Chamomile Tea bag Brine:
4 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves garlic
1 handful fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
4 chamomile tea bags

For the brine: Add salt, brown sugar, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, tea bags and 2 quarts water to a large
sauce pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
Add your protein, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Cook accordingly and enjoy!  

Tea Hack: Sometimes our shoes get a bit stinky, but you can use dry teabags to absorb the smell.

Coffee Hack: Freeze leftover Joe in ice cube trays for future iced creations. Add spice or flavorings like cinnamon or nutmeg before freezing for extra zing. Add a few cubes to your next cup of java to create iced coffee that isn’t watered down

April – National Month of Hope

April is NATIONAL MONTH OF HOPE

Spring is a time of renewal, restoration and hope. Recharging and restoring our hope. “During April, buds come into full bloom brightening our days, and National Month of Hope also lends a hand in lifting our spirits.

Bringing hope to someone can take many forms. Being a positive role model in the life of a child or providing a community a foundation for future endeavors both provide hope for the future. Lift the spirits of a friend suffering from a medical issue or volunteer at a local homeless shelter. We are each able to bring a ray of hope in our own ways by contributing wisdom, time, kindness and when possible donate to charities that make the impossible possible.”

Service to others can bring happiness. So it’s hard to be sad when you’re being useful. Whether rappelling down a side of a building to raise funds for Leukemia research, contributing to non-profits like Hope Alliance out of Texas, a crisis center, or The Parkinsons’ Foundation in the hope that one day a cure will be found; or The Confetti Foundation, an org. that packs birthday’s in a box for children spending their birthday’s in the hospital. People everywhere are very helpful by nature and that helpfulness gives us all hope, hope that fills our hearts. A dear friend honors her departed mother each year by committing 71 Random Acts of Kindness on her mother’s birthday. She pays forward at parking meters, in the fast food restaurant line, she and her daughters pack bags of personal care items to distribute to homeless, take donuts to the local fire station, flowers to teachers, and so on throughout the day. They create smiles and spread hope of goodness in human nature.

Being useful and providing service to others is a good thing.

HISTORY