Tea and Tea Related Products to Cozy Up With #Gifts #MothersDay

Do you have a tea lover in your life? Perhaps you are one yourself. Married to an Irishman, you can bet tea is in stock here at all times, in a lot of variety. Whether it’s the feeling of a hug in a cup you enjoy, aid for a sore throat or cold, part of your daily calming ritual, or simply a tasty liquid to boost your antioxidant intake, tea has it all. Luckily, we have the perfect brands that make the best tea and tea related products to treat yourself and any tea lovers.

Hawaiian Natural Tea MANA (Tea for Immunity) by Tea Chest Hawaii – $7.95 for 20 bags
restorative tea
The award-winning gourmet tea company based in Hawaii has come out with even more blends as unique as the islands only this time, focusing on the well being and overall health of the tea drinking community. Tea Chest Hawaii presents Hawaiian Natural Tea‘s MANA – Tea for immunity. Sip on this blend of organic cinnamon, organic mint, organic hibiscus and Hawaii grown adaptogens, moringa and mamaki to embrace the spiritual power within all of us. With each sip you will boost resilience and immune fitness. You can try MANA or one of Hawaiian Natural Tea‘s other brand new triple health defense teas, NANEA (Tea for anxiety and stress) and OLENA (Tea for inflammation), now, or wait for their Maika’i Gift Box (including all three blends) dropping in a few short weeks for the ultimate health support.
flights of tea
Every month, Tea Runners delivers a curated collection of four top quality loose leaf teas, along with tasting notes and brewing instructions. Within those boxes, you can customize your subscription even further, really delving into exactly the taste and variety you’d like. If you’re not looking for a commitment, you also have the ability to shop individual teas, choosing from rare and award-winning brands which is of utmost importance to those that truly love to brew and steep. These are fun, and the flavors are interesting as well.
Also available on Amazon.
Winter Warmth Tea Flight from Chariteas – $36.00+
holiday teas
Cozy up by the hearth with Fireside Orange. This black tea blend contains orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and all things nice. Wake up to a cup full of Christmas Morning; a smooth rooibos blend with organic cacao nibs. Lastly, uplift the soul with Minty Meadow, a Chinese green tea blended with peppermint and spearmint. Chariteas Tea Flight is sure to keep you and your loved ones feeling good season long. Each season has different teas and flavors, and you can always shop flavors as well. Chariteas works with sustainable tea farms in order to craft custom blends. Chariteas cares about the environment and with each purchase of tea, they replant trees. There’s noting we don’t like about these teas, from the flavors to their environmental commitment.
natural candles
Emme Essentials Rose Tea – wood wick candle – 8.5oz – $33 | 4oz – $15
No steeping necessary, just set a light and floral tone by lighting a Rose Tea candle and indulge in notes of rose, hibiscus, and Spring musk. Hand-poured in micro-batches in New York City, Emme Essentials is a collection of luxury candles dedicated to Asian influenced flavors. The Asian-American-owned brand elevates the industry with candles beautifully representative of Asian culture. The brand “smells like memories” for those who’ve enjoyed an Asian upbringing (I’m told!) Now everyone can partake in the traditional scents of this beautiful culture and also set the fragrant atmosphere to make new favorite memories. All wood-wick candles are free from gluten, toxin, paraben, and phthalate and come from renewable sources. The brand’s shipping is carbon neutral to minimize its environmental impact with all candles offered in reusable glass vessels with up to 80 hours of burn time. Another tea related scent that will catch tea lovers attention is Matcha.
natural candle
Available at emmeessentials.co
matcha powder tea
Matcha – Price Varies
The vegan and organic matcha tea starter set is a best seller. It includes a bowl, scoop, whisk, sifter, and a premium, Tenchi Ceremonial Organic 30g size of matcha green tea. Perfect for those new to the art of matcha, it may be customized with either a black or white bowl; each accessory is hand-made. With well-balanced, sweet and full flavor, Matcha’s cultivation requires that each stone-ground leaf receive the absolute highest level of attention — the perfect blend of ancient cultivation techniques and modern agricultural science. My son is a huge matcha fan- we tried out these “on the go” packets, and he really loved them. Easy and he could make the drinks himself, they were flavorful and he really enjoyed them.
Who’s ready for tea time? These adorable, dress style socks are super soft, ultra comfy, and made to last for years to come. The bottom of the socks read “If You Can Read This, Bring Me Some Tea,” printed in non-slip ink. The design features tea bags, kettles, lemons, sugar spoons, tea leaves, and steaming mugs. Perfect for surprising tea lovers and aficionados, Sunday tea party favors, birthdays, Christmas, graduation and other special occasions. The tea enthusiast in your life will be sure to love them.
Also available on Amazon.
loose tea
Pennie’s Tea – Price Varies
Pennie’s Tea is good for the mind, body, and soul. The selections include herbal, detox, black, green, flavored, and loose leaf teas, a variety so good you’ll have no problem finding the blend that works best for you. Sip to relax with a hot or iced tea, or help address common ailments, such as bloating, acid reflux, and an upset stomach. Feel good enjoying these flavorful teas and know that proceeds support victims of domestic violence (the founder is a survivor from an abusive relationship). Pennie’s Tea is more than tea, it’s a movement.

Gifts That Give To Those Who Need It Most #GiftGuide

As you buy gifts for loved ones this year, consider what you could do to help impoverished children throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well. Gifts are made through Cross Catholic Outreach, a 501c3 Catholic relief and development ministry that provides food, shelter, medical care, water, education, self-help programs, care for orphans and emergency relief. These are a few of the options people can choose from as gift ideas (more ideas are here):

  • Food for the hungry – Send lifesaving supplies of Vitafood to starving children and their families. $27 can feed a family for a whole month.
  • Toys and gifts for a needy child – Let Cross Catholic Outreach pack your Box of Joy with toys and gifts and send it to a child. For $34, Cross Catholic Outreach will pack your Box of Joy and send it to a needy child overseas.
  • Mosquito nets – Send a gift that will effectively help prevent malaria in Zambia. A gift of $26 will provide 3 mosquito nets and help prevent malaria.
  • Bicycles – Send one of the most useful gifts for the poor that you could ever send. $66 provides the gift of a bicycle.

Want to give back to the environment? Check out The Sierra Club. 

These Holiday Gift Guides have Gifts That Give Back, they are the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots environmental organization. This holiday season, Sierra Club is asking families to put the environment first by purchasing gifts that help protect our communities and our future.

Adopt A Wild Animal: From a grizzly bear or polar bear, to a gray wolf or humpback whale, your symbolic adoption will help protect wild animals and the wild places they call home. “Adopt” today and receive an adorable plush animal to love.

Heroic Red and Valiant White Wines Give Back To Soldiers

Heroic Red and Valiant White wines are distributed by Leer Vineyards in Byron, CA. The wines are pretty much like Tom shoes but for wine. $1.50 for each bottle of wine sold goes to purchase a mortgage and tax free home to a wounded warrior. They’ve already presented four houses to soldiers this year.

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Heroic Red shows aromas of boysenberry with hints of leather, cedar and cigar tobacco. Flavors are of raspberry jam, chocolate and black pepper, with a faint echo of blake tea on the long finish. This blend contains 58% Syrah, 29% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon.

pic5Valiant White shows aromas of peach and orange blossoms, the circus flavors are intense, peaches and tropical fruits dominate. It’s a soft and luscious mouthful with a hint of effervescence for a beautiful liveliness and a balance to the sweetness. While crisp and sweet this Moscato is a perfect pairing with spicy seafood or chicken and is amazing while paired with bleu cheese and desserts that include pears or peaches.

Cofféy is the official spokesperson for Heroic Red/Valiant White and his song Mr. Red White and Blue has garnered over 4 million views on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ds3MvMUdNk

Leer Vineyards is nestled in East Contra Costa County in the town of Byron complete with stunning views of Mount Diablo that features a tasting room and will host summer concerts as well as weddings, private parties and corporate events.  The property is a unique 44-acre parcel that boasts a softball diamond, Bocce Ball court, snack bar, and 36 acres of lush vineyards.
Leer Vineyards is a quiet, relaxing piece of property that encourages picnics, lounging, and simply hanging out with a glass of wine.
The Leers moved to Byron in September of 2013 and hand picked over 3 tons of grapes themselves. The grapes were then transported to Estate Crush, a custom crush facility in Lodi, California. Currently the Leers are working with winemakers in the Lodi area to crush, barrel and bottle current varietals. The Leers have produced several varietals of wine and have already sold out of many

Get your wines here, and know that every purchase gives back.

Share Some Goodness this Holiday! Gifts that Give Back

Looking to give gifts that not are not only great gifts, but will make the gift-ee feel better as well? Life is Good, ORGANIC INDIA and Manduka make giving feel even better- and they are fantastic, ethical companies that also give back.  These are fantastic brands with really awesome items, you will love them.

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Life is Good, lifestyle brand spreading the power of optimism, from t-shirts, self-help book, mugs to comfy pj’s, introduces  the Holiday collection ($10-78) and has something for the kids, mom, the office, and even the grinch who could use some positivity in their life. There is a lot to choose from, and the quality is top notch- nothing that will have to be quickly tossed. The clothing line lasts, and wears well.  They will have their items a long, long time. (I still have a t-shirt I got in high school!) It’s nice to be able to spread a nice message wherever you go. In addition, Life is Good donates 10% of their net proceeds to kids in need-that’s something to smile about. 
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ORGANIC INDIA’s, Tulsi Tea Line ($5.99) have become one of my son’s favorites. He especially loves the peppermint variety, (there are several to choose from) and I like that it’s completely organic. These USDA organic teas are infused with a sacred Indian herb that’s packed with goodness + deliciousness in over 20 flavors. A cup of Tulsi tea warms up the soul – lowers stress, bolsters immunity, enhances stamina and promotes a healthy metabolism. He has some health issues, so I am all for anything that will give him any kind of a boost.  These teas are not only good tasting and good for you, as well as environmentally friendly- but they are good for the people who farm them. ORGANIC INDIA works directly with marginalized farmers in India providing healthcare, education, gender equality and empowerment programs. Sipping fireside, never tasted so good! 

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Mandukaleader of yoga gear, offers the most sustainable yoga gear for the fitness fanatic in your life ($4-128). From eco-conscious eKO mats, fully recyclable LiveON Mats for kids and adults, one-mat-for-life PRO Mat, yogitoes towels made from recycled plastic bottles, hbands headbands, bags, to props, Manduka takes mindful gifting to another level.

My son likes his new mat, and so does mommy.  If it weren’t so grinchy, I’d be tempted to “borrow” it for my own class.  He also likes the color and the feel of it- he doesn’t like when his mats feel “sticky” to him, but this texture is great.  It’s also comfortable, gives enough cushion, and works well for him.  It’s easy to get into his yoga bag as well.

These are great “feel good” items for many reasons- they feel good to give, feel good to get, and are from companies who care and give back- which feels good to everyone.  This holiday season, give from the heart and support those that support others.

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours!

World Vision Gifts For Christmas- Gifts that Give Back

Looking to give a beautiful, unique gift this year?  Maybe you want to do something even better then that- maybe you want to give a gift that gives back.  World Vision lets you do both- you can not only give beautiful gifts that the gift-ee will love, but when you buy, your money goes to those who need it most.  World Vision is Fair Trade, and helps artisans make a living wage that they can raise their families on.

This year more than 50 percent of holiday shoppers plan to purchase holiday gifts online. Look into new gift ideas that give back with just a few clicks of the mouse from the 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog.
More than 250 items, ranging in price from $10 to $39,000, are available online and in the print catalog to help improve quality of life for women, children and families in the U.S. and around the world. Give help where it is needed most and receive handcrafted gifts that are beautiful accessories:

African Soapstone Box – New to the 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog, the hand-carved African Soapstone Box is a safe place to store necklaces and rings. Coated in light blue with an image of a giraffe, this ornate box features pretty details that will complement nearly any decor. Donations go toward the Kenyan artisans who crafted the box to help provide medical care for their families. $85

 

Royal Silk Scarf – A recent addition to the Catalog, this gorgeous silk scarf adds color to the holidays and supports the needs of children and families worldwide, including those in the community where it was crafted; the luxurious silk was woven by Vietnam’s Ma Chau villagers, who receive fair wages & sustainable income through their craft. $95
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Rufus the Red Monkey – Monkeez Make a Difference #SockMonkey

We are always looking for ways for Little Man to be able to express his more sensitive side. The Little guy wants to help everyone possible all the time, and an important part of helping others is getting that feeling of actually helping. This can be in the form of meeting someone new, a smiling face, or even a heartfelt thank you. Yes, I know you can’t do something philanthropic for the reason of getting recognized for doing it- that is just wrong. But it’s nice to hear “thank you”, isn’t it? Especially for a child who is learning to express himself, social awareness, and care for others as he does himself.

We are also huge fans of companies (big or small) who try to make the world a better place then they found it. The creators of Monkeez and Friends are one of those companies. The idea behind their newest line of toys Monkeez Makes a Difference is to teach kids how to help others in different ways while still having fun and enjoying yourself. Getting recognized for helping, being generous and sharing. The [Read more…]