Cuppa Tea

I've had these thoughts saved in my drafts folder for a few weeks now. Seems apt to post it now, following on the heels of yesterday's Tea Time Title.

Tea is the BEST drink in the whole wide world!

I know, living in Seattle - the COFFEE capital of the world that I should embrace the cuppa joe philosophy ... and I do - once a day!

Tea is what I drink with my breakfast, lunch and dinner and supper and anytime in-between. Before I begin a project. Before I go out. When I come back home. When anybody calls round. When I want to take a break. I'm sure you get the picture by now. The kettle is always on.

The hot amber nectar (orange pekoe/Tetley British Blend) and a splash of milk just works magic on me - giving me what I need to make it through...to the next cup!

Craig and I laugh about this because he's just as much of a tea freak as I am. He calls me on his cell-phone usually for one of two reasons: (1) when he's leaving work to tell me to "Gerra-brew-on", or (2) he forgot to set the video and needs a soccer game recording. I must admit that I have learned to enjoy other varieties of tea, but Craig, unfortunately has not.

He calls my other teas "foo-foo" tea, meaning anything not resembling that milky, malty elixir aka The Great British Cuppa.

My personal Foo-Foo Faves are Rooibos/African/Red tea/honeybush - they're all the same - caffeine free - but strong, full-bodied and sweet, Green Tea, but only with a berry infusion and oddly enough at bedtime I enjoy chamomile tea.

I've kind of flirted with coffee for many years. I seriously began to appreciate its energizing benefits when I began working out, well, AFTER working out! I can go home and vacuum right through the house, without stopping for a ... cuppa:) I drink a tall Americano, extra room and a tiny splash of cream, sometimes with a little cinnamon on top.

Craig, like I said, will not try coffee AT ALL - "nasty stuff" he calls it. Hot Chocolate, Starbucks Strawberries & Cream Frappucino, Raspberry Green Tea Lemonade are his faves. We quite often take a 'date walk' up to Starbucks - approximately 20 minutes walk away (with Meg). I'll order low-fat versions, or half the amount of sweetener (he's sweet enough already) of his drink, and embarrass the heck out of him for asking for something 'different'. As soon as I open my mouth and speak, I've got their attention anyways!

I see that there's a Pumpkin Spice Latte back on the chalkboard at Sbux this week ... hmmm, I believe Lattes are for people who don't really enjoy the taste of coffee. I'm sure by making that remark, I'll get some comments:)

Tea-Time!

I just read this today on the BBC News website. Pretty good news for us tea drinkers! Go on, give it a try ... you know you want to ... this article might convince you to do so ... Cheers!

Tea 'healthier' drink than water

The researchers recommend people consume three to four cups a day

Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.

The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.

Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found.

Experts believe flavonoids are the key ingredient in tea that promote health.

Healthy cuppa

These polyphenol antioxidants are found in many foods and plants, including tea leaves, and have been shown to help prevent cell damage.

Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it Lead author Dr Ruxton

Public health nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, and colleagues at Kings College London, looked at published studies on the health effects of tea consumption.

They found clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of tea a day can cut the chances of having a heart attack.

Some studies suggested tea consumption protected against cancer, although this effect was less clear-cut.

Other health benefits seen included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, plus bone strengthening.

Dr Ruxton said: "Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so it's got two things going for it."

Rehydrating

She said it was an urban myth that tea is dehydrating.

"Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid.

"Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth," she added.

There was no evidence that tea consumption was harmful to health. However, research suggests that tea can impair the body's ability to absorb iron from food, meaning people at risk of anaemia should avoid drinking tea around mealtimes.

Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation

Dr Ruxton's team found average tea consumption was just under three cups per day.

She said the increasing popularity of soft drinks meant many people were not drinking as much tea as before.

"Tea drinking is most common in older people, the 40 plus age range. In older people, tea sometimes made up about 70% of fluid intake so it is a really important contributor," she said.

Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation said: "Studies in the laboratory have shown potential health benefits.

"The evidence in humans is not as strong and more studies need to be done. But there are definite potential health benefits from the polyphenols in terms of reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancers.

"In terms of fluid intake, we recommend 1.5-2 litres per day and that can include tea. Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink."

The Tea Council provided funding for the work. Dr Ruxton stressed that the work was independent.

Nope, its not Leprosy ...

... its an auto immune disease called Vitiligo - yeah, just like Michael Jackson has!

It is very visible at the moment because of my tan. The brown area is tan, the pink is my skin with the Vitiligo. Every summer it appears visibly larger.

This began somewhere in time between having the kids (92 - 95) - just areas in between my fingers which didn't tan in the summer.

Apparently, its very rare - affecting one or two people out of every hundred ... although I believe it to be genetic because my aunt and a great aunt (on my Dad's side of the family) have this too.

You can Google the name of the disease if you like - it comes up with various stories, alternative medicine, laser treatments, etc.

I just wanted to draw attention to the fact that it is NOT contagious, nor is it the beginning of Leprosy (honestly, folks have asked me that in the past), and it is not a scar from an accident.

As I was cuddling a friends baby at the weekend, I became acutely aware of the fact that my hands wrapped around this little bundle were being viewed just as much as he was! I'm not embarrassed by it at all, I just don't like the thought of people thinking that they can catch it from me!

It is appearing elsewhere on my body too - toes, elbows, hips, underarms, even around my mouth and eyebrows. The funny thing is that I'll notice a new outbreak, then several days later I'll notice a new patch on the other side of my body in exactly the same place. So mine has symmetry!

Areas of my body which have not seen sunshine in over 20 years - i.e. my hips, are affected, so Vitiligo is definitely not caused or accelerated by the sun. I wouldn't mind showing off my hips right now (with my weight loss), but only on a beach ... Hawaii springs to mind, but a Greek Island called Rhodes would be perfect (if you're ever wondering what to do for our 20th ... Craig ...?)

One day soon, I'll visit the dermatologist. I've read that treatments can be very hit and miss, and its not like its a serious condition, although it can be linked to other auto immune diseases, for example diabetes (which I have). Maybe I should follow up on that doctor referral after all ...

I count my blessings that I'm a white girl who can get away without covering it up too much for the time being.

Some people with darker skin suffer greatly through this disease. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4075652 tells the story of Lee Thomas, a black news reporter with Vitiligo.

It can also turn your hair white, if it appears on your scalp - hmmmm..... so that's nothing to do with my age right ...?

Does anybody else have this disease running in their family?

We're all Sisters!

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

The Family Room

We've started redecorating our Family Room ... yet again!

It is such a dark room and we're struggling to give it the light it deserves. I've felt like a cave-woman, living in a dull and darkened room these past few years.

So, in order to correct the 'cavey-ness', Craig removed the 'pair of boobies' light fixtures from the ceiling and installed recessed lights in the spring - that helped, but it didn't help much:(

I picked a new paint colour - Swiss Coffee, aka White with a hint of cream. First coat is on ... it needs a second coat today.

If this doesn't help, then I'll need to address the big white elephant sitting front and centre ... well, its brown, tan, stoney, floor to ceiling with a big black metal box sitting in the middle of it. The fireplace! I'm either going to take a paintbrush and my Swiss Coffee to the 'beautiful??' 1970's Yellowstone inspired 'work of art' or simply have an accident with the sledgehammer!

Although, I know that touching the fireplace will then have a knock-on effect ... new fire maybe? Folks admire our stove and say things like "wow - that's unique" or "is that a vintage stove"? I simply reply that its the crappy stove which came with the house and I think it looks like it came off a steam engine. Its only saving grace is that it kicks out some serious heat in a wintertime (along with a ton of black soot which, gets into everything).

Then, of course, there's my wonderful 'blotter' carpet - original 1979 chestnut brown - nope, I'm not going to say any more about 'blotter' - those of you who've seen her, know how she is - and life will be a lot less carefree when she's not around ...

I'm getting distracted by my list of home improvements. I wanted to discuss being overwhelmed and procrastinating.

You see, I've been wanting to start re-painting the Family Room all summer long. I kept putting it off and putting it off. Then, an opportunity arose ... and I put it off. Another opportunity ... I put it off. I was kind of frozen at the thought of 'all that work'.

Last weekend, Craig simply picked up a paintbrush and began cutting in for me - just like that! No big deal! He doesn't see that we're going to be living in a mess for a few days, with no curtains and Family Room stuff strewn about the rest of the house. He just picks up the brush and starts painting. Of course, I'm not too far behind him with my roller (and Cadey behind me with hers)!

I could tell you of many instances that my husband has just needed to give me a push in the right direction! He knew that by simply picking up the paintbrush and making that first brushstroke that I'd be there right behind him!

How all this is true for me and my relationship with Jesus! He's waiting for me to make the first, small move and then He jumps in to fulfill my spirit and soul. Jesus has called me to obey several times in my own walk of faith. I struggle greatly to obey ANYBODY!! But, when things are laid upon my heart by means of the Holy Spirit, of course I struggle, but its a struggling to understand why.

I still put things off, pray, struggle, pray struggle, put off, pray, pray, pray ... come to a point of acceptance or understanding, and allow my heart to be changed, obey (or even simply strive to obey) and my life seems so much brighter.

Just like my Family Room ... I hope:)