Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tea and Bone (China)

My daughter knows me so well. For my birthday last week she bought me a bottle of lotion in my absolutely favorite scent - patchouli - and a beautiful bone china tea mug that so exemplifies who I am.



I am sitting here loving the mug and enjoying a green tea with kiwi and pear. And what would go so well with this tea but a lovely fruit salad to start my day.

Fruit Salad

1/2 cantaloupe in 1/2-inch chunks
One kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 c. red seedless grapes
Zest of one small lime and 1 t. its juice
1 T. fresh mint leaves, minced
1 T. agave nectar
2 sprigs mint

Place cantaloupe, kiwi and grapes in bowl. Sprinkle lime zest, lime juice, and mint leaves over fruit and toss well. Add agave nectar. Divide into servings bowls and top with mint sprigs.

And speaking of bone china, I was reading today how drinking tea may help me keep strong bones. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine stated how study participants who consumed one cup of tea - black, green or oolong - a week for at least ten years had higher bone density in all areas of the body than those who rarely drank tea. It is believed that the compounds in tea leaves, like fluoride and phytoestrogens, provide the beneficial bone boost.

One cup? A week? Oh my. With as much tea as I drink I think I'd be more like Wolverine and his adamantium skeleton! Probably not. But it is nice to know that not only is drinking tea a sublime experience, it is also a healthy one!


Okay, so it's not Wolverine, but Hugh Jackman, and he's drinking bottled (yuck!) tea. But it's Hugh Jackman! And he's drinking tea!

4 comments:

  1. A great point about drinking tea! I'll have to increase my consumption as the women in my family tend toward osteoporosis fairly early on. But which type of tea is the most beneficial to all over health?

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  2. It seems black and green are nearly equal in their health benefits. I haven't really seen anything on white, but I suspect it is good for you, as well, considering all three come from the same plant.

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  3. I've green but I'll have to try black. Now, as all my teas come out rather icky - how to brew the perfect cup?

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  4. It depends on how and how long you brew your tea. Usually black is brewed the longest, then green, then white. I've found brewing green too long makes it more bitter. Herbal can brew longer, as well. How do you brew your tea, Susan?

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