Pukka Elderberry & Echinacea

https://www.pukkaherbs.com/us/en/products/organic-teas/elderberry-and-echinacea3.html

This fall I had some sinus issues and a cold.  I turned to all natural methods to help me feel better.  I hear great things about elderberries and how great they are, so I try to keep elderberry tea on hand for when I have a cold.

I also pulled out my Thieves oils from Young Living and Boiron Sinus Relief.

https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/search/thieves?searchTerm=thieves

https://www.boironusa.com/product/sinuscalm-tablets/

Within 2 days I was back to myself. I love to use homeopathic methods when I can.

I had several cups of this tea filled with all kinds of healthy, good for you ingredients.  I am not a fan of licorice, but I overlooked it to drink this tea. This tea is tart, but I do like tart.  I also get the mint notes and orange notes.  

Licorice Root, Ginger Root, Echinacea Root and Leaf (10%), Beetroot, Aniseed, Elderflower (8%), Peppermint Leaf, Orange Peel, Elderberry (6%), Rosehip, Acerola Juice Flavour, Orange Essential Oil Flavour, Natural Blackcurrant Flavour.

I bought this tea at a discount store, so you can see the price was great.  I also like that this is a variety pack so that I can try multiple kinds of teas from Pukka. 

This is an  herbal tea.  For herbal teas I heat my water to over 200 degrees and steep it for 5 minutes. I was able to make two cups of tea from each bag of tea.

 

I like this tea and the healthy ingredients, but for me I can not get past the licorice root flavors- that is why I am giving it only 3 tea cups.

Starbucks, Passion Iced Tea, Washington DC airport

My trip from Iowa really was a trip, lol!!

I left Iowa, flew to Chicago, then DC and then to Ohio.  But, that is okay, I love to fly and visit airports.  It is true, that might be an odd fact about me.

Once we landed and got into the airport, after sitting on the run way for almost an hour I was free to explore the airport.

It was pretty quiet in the airport...or at least my concourse was quiet.  I set out to look for tea.  I wanted to find a Starbucks and see if I could find a DC mug.  There was a Starbucks about a 25 minute walk from where I landed, so I set out to find it.

I found out the Starbucks and the mug, yay!!  I was hoping maybe they would have the Virginia mug too, but they did not.  But, I was thrilled to get the DC one. 

I ordered the Passion Iced tea that I enjoy and drank it on the way to my gate.  When I order Passion iced tea I get half the syrup...other wise it is way to sweet and sugary. 

This airport was fun with lots of photo opportunities, lol.

I found this shop that had some fun White House items.  The lady who worked there was a hoot.  We had a great discussion about the condition of US and those in charge.

I wanted to buy some many things from that little shop, but I resisted the urges.  There are some times I am so proud to be an American and there are moments I am not.  But, no matter what happens or whoever is in the Oval Office I know that Jesus is on the throne.    

Jesus is Lord of all and in end He wins that is all that matters.  I hope you know Him, if you ever have questions about Jesus or getting to know about Him, please reach out to me.  I would love nothing more than sharing Him with you. 

Leaving DC and arriving at Akron Canton airport.

Happi Studio Glass Tea Infuser

https://happistudio.co/tea-tumbler/

I don't know about you but I had yet to find a really great loose leaf steeper to go cup.

All the ones I was finding you had the take the steeper out of the tea before you could drink it...or the water continued to steep with the loose leaf tea and it would over steep.   If you have to take the steeper out of the tea it always made a mess, dripping water, and having to find a place to set the wet loose leaf tea.

So, I have been searching for a better travel loose leaf steeper.  I finally found one!!

The first time I ordered it, it came broken. So, I had to order it again.  I finally got one that wasn't broken and I was pretty pleased.  I did have to make an adjustment, but once I did that it was perfect!

With this one, you put the loose leaf tea in the bottom glass part.  You screw the base back on to the tumbler.  You then can take off the lid of the tumbler and add the water.

The base can twist to close and keep the water from flowing down to the leaves.

You want to be sure you you are not twisting the base off- because all the water will drain out, lol.  But, if you twist the base when it is tipped over and the leaves are at the top, it will close.   When you turn it back over you can see the water and tea are no longer touching...thus you have a perfectly steeped cup of tea.

My issue was the holes were so large that tea was coming through and getting in my water.  It wasn't a lot of tea and it is okay to drink the leaves, but I do prefer not to have leaves in my tea.

Here you can see that the base with the leaves will come off when closed and no water escapes.

HERE IS MY SOLUTION!

I glued a little screen over the filter.  The filter has little holes and so the teas are no longer escaping into my tea. 

Journey in Time Teapots and homemade Kombucha

One of my favorite local place to shop for antiques and tea cups and tea pots is Journey in Time.  It is less than 5 minutes from my office. I needed some retail therapy one day at lunch, so I headed to do a little shopping. 

https://www.facebook.com/journeyintime/

I was able to find these two adorable pots.  I spent less than $12 on these two, so I count it as big win.  The little brass one I ended up putting on my tea tree as an ornament. The larger brass one I think is an Islamic Arabic Dallah Turkish India Tea Pot, I think it is just adorable! 

Every time I visit Journey in Time I take a look at this light fixture.  I just love it.  It is on sale for $75, but I keep watching for it to come down a little more.  I want to put it in my new tea room.  I know, I don't have my tea room yet, but I will some day, lol.

I have also seen some cute tea pot lights that would work in my future shop too.  It is just fun to dream sometimes.

After my shopping trip I headed back to work and enjoyed some of my homemade Kombucha.

Kombucha is fermented tea and is so great for your gut!!  Kombucha is packed with billions of probiotics and low sugar.  I have been making it for three or four years and it has completely replaced soda for me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha

Peets, Peppermint Chai- Washington Regan Airport

Can you guess where I had a layover??

I love good photo opportunities. 

I love flying and exploring airports!  There are some really fun and unique stores out there.  I usually try to avoid food, as it is usually overpriced...except for the Portland Airport- all their restaurants have to sell the food at the price they would in their regular restaurants. 

I had a two hour layover so I was in search of some good tea.  I am a fan of Peets.   Although, I have to say the man who waited on me did not seem to want to make a sale, lol.  I was trying to get a fun drink and he was not helpful at all, so another clerk came over and helped me.  She sold and made me a peppermint chai.

https://www.flydulles.com/store/peets-coffee

I was pleased with this peppermint chai.  The peppermint notes were really good.  The chai was also nice and creamy.  I got the cardamom flavors right away, and that is one of my favorite chai flavors.   Their prices are good, the store was clean and for the most part the staff was super friendly and helpful.