Mindfulness: Tea as ritual

Melissa Green Photography : Tea as ritual and mindfullness practice

Having been a chronic sufferer of anxiety and a long term appreciator of aesthetics it is no surprise that I came to the practise of mindfulness with welcome arms. Taking a step back to appreciate the environment as it is brings an almost immediate stillness to my somewhat chaotic mind.... right now for instance..... I can hear the ticking of my little clock and the whirling of the laptop fan, I can smell the spicy aroma of my tea (yogi Himalayan ) and I am observing the dance of steam as it circles and swirls up from the mug below it .... and with a deep inhalation..... I am calmer. I am in the moment not my thoughts.

........ although I try to keep this sense of calm with me throughout my day it isn't always that easy, contentment too is impermanent. Life happens, work can be hectic, children have tantrums, and Christmas shopping left too late, means battling though busy shops,  loud Christmas music and neon lights overwhelming my senses. So the big question..... how do we bring mindfulness to these situations?

For me it is a work in progress, I am trying to catch myself in these moments and bring an awareness to the feeling of overwhelm and the rush of adrenaline, and take a step back to observe...is it serving me? At work sometimes the answer is actually yes..... on a busy hospital ward I need the adrenaline to keep me going, but whilst Christmas shopping.... nope!. I am just allowing myself to get carried downstream, feeling the powerful pull of the hive mentality.... must consume, panic buy!!!

So although moments like this when I am sat having a cup of tea, appreciating the smells, tastes, sounds and vision of my little house, may seem small, they are actually the starting point of something bigger . It is returning to this practise every day that is beginning to help buffer me from the outside world and the trap I can easily fall into. It is my reset button.

So how about you? How do you recharge and find stillness? :)

Tea as a mindfullness pratise

One Fine Morning via Flickr

Stillness and Immediacy

Tea Review: Williamson Tea and the Wildlife trust

I LOVE tea.

Totally utterly love it. One of the hardest things about being pregnant wasn't that i had to give up alcohol or (finally) quit smoking but shock horror I had to restrict my Earl Grey tea consumption.... and decaf just won't do....

I have noticed in recent years that Tea is finally regaining popularity and standing up to its intense partner in crime, coffee. Tea is kinda like Coffee's more mellow cousin :)

So I thought I would start a series to showcase some of the best teas there are out there, to help budding tea drinkers choose the brands and of course small independent makers that are not only producing tea, but doing it ethically and conscientiously.

Earl Grey with Blue flowers

Williamsons Tea

So I got in touch with Williamson's'. Williamson's tea caught my eye as I had seem their beautiful Elephant tea caddies. They are also a conscientious brand that have set up the Williamson Tea Foundation to help look after their farms and farmers, invest in Climate smart agriculture and conservation of the land.

They are also working with The David Sheldrick Wildlife trust, the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa. At the heart of DSWT’s conservation activities is the ‘Orphans project’ which has achieved world wide acclaim through it’s hugely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program.

So they may be a bigger brand, but as you can see they are defininitly a brand I am happy to endorse and as it turns out they make really good tea!!!!!!

The Review

Williamson's sent me their Art Deco caddy with Mint garden Tea, Earl grey with Blue flowers and a cute enamel elephant mug....

Close up contents of a Blue Flower Earl Grey

 So the most important bit... What does it taste like?

Any tea drinker will understand the disappointment of a rubbish cup of tea...... but with an Earl Grey drinker this worrying anticipation when someone offers to make you a brew is heightened, the mistake that is often made is not leaving the tea bag in long enough for the flavours to come out, you can sadly be left with a weak, bland drink.....

This Earl Grey though gave a really rich deep colour and flavor pretty quickly and when you open the bag you can see why. A good quality tea should have larger pieces that don't resemble tea dust. This tea had big chunks, and true to its name lots of pretty little blue flowers :)

Now, I may be a tea snob, but actually many Earl Grey drinkers would recoil in horror as I do add milk..... but as you can see from the picture below the colour is perfect!! No weak incipid cuppa for me. In fact this was actually a pretty rich flavour for an Earl Grey and I really enjoyed it.

I would definitely recommend this tea and it actually really puts my faithful old brand to shame, I have been converted!!

Perfect Colour!!!!

  
Mint Garden

So as  I said, I have admired Williamson's Elephant Tea caddys for a few years and now finally have one of my very own. Within this beautiful Art Deco tea caddy (top picture) was Mint Garden, a great combination of Mint and Green tea. it was a really beautiful refreshing blend and I will most definitely be buying this again!!

The caddy also looks really cool on my shelf ..... These caddys come in a range of colours, they  would make a perfect present and could quite easily become a bit of a collection obsession!!

Thank you so much to Williamson's tea, I am converted :)

Ceramics: Kinska

Spotted Mug by Kinska

Isnt his spotty mug awesome?

I have two which I had commissioned by Kinska a few years ago and I have been so worried about braking them I had hardly used them until recently... but mugs are for using right?

Check out her online shop here...

Tea and Me....

Saffron Buns with Rhubarb and Ginger Jam

I am not really one for taking seflies and posting them on my Instagram , as among other reasons I am really tragically un-photogenic......

... but scrolling through my feed this morning I discovered one thing I do seem to like doing is taking tea selfies, especially since I stumbled upon my new hand made mug in a local charity shop!

The last couple of years have been super hectic since having a child, and my tri-daily ritual of having a cup of tea is one of my greatest but simplest pleasures in life. A moment to relax and reflect, even if that means (being a naughty mummy) and giving my little one the ipad for a couple of minutes whilst I do so, because I really do NEED my cup of tea.

What are your daily rituals that keep you sane?

Olivia Clementine Tea and My new Chakki table

Tea: Olivia Clementine

Licorice Spice Tea

I have to be honest I am a total sucker for good packaging and Olivia Clementine teas win in both label and on the corked lid glass jar front..... but they are not just pretty packages the teas are also totally yummy!

I have tried both Olivia's Chaga (you can see my Wild Chaga hot chocolate recipe here) and her Moonrise Tea and they didnt last long... so i was especially happy to find out that Olivia has a new range of teas, including Chamomile and Lavender, Ginger Citrus and Licorice Spice.

Olivia Clementine Teas can be found over at Olivia Clementine

Tea Ceremonies around the World

Tea Ceremonies around the World: India

Morocco

The British Isles

Living in England, loving tea is kind of inevitable.... Most Brits can't function without their morning cup of tea (although quite a few do love their coffee), we even created cricket with a built in tea break!! Even if i am late to meet a friend for a cup of tea....I will still have to have my cup of tea (Earl Grey, 1/2 a sugar) before I leave the house..... So when I found this article from Conde naste traveller about Tea Rituals across the world I had to share.....

I have included a few photos and an extract of the text but the whole article is really good and i recommend you check it out...

"Before steel, before oil, before cars or guns or Coca-Cola, there was tea—one of civilization’s first truly global commodities, as well as one of its most enduring and beloved. The idea of drinking tea is credited (as are so many other good things in life) to the Chinese, who are said to have discovered the curative, and soothing, effects of steeping leaves in hot water in 2737 b.c. And although the practice quickly traveled throughout the Near and Far East via the Silk Road, it didn’t reach the West until relatively late—probably the sixteenth century or so, when the Portuguese and the Dutch (and later the English) began establishing strongholds in Asia.

But once introduced, it flourished: The English in particular went mad for tea, and today, even though their empire is long gone, an affinity for the drink remains in every country they once colonized—evidence of occupation served hot, in a cup. Indeed, to have a cup of tea means that you’re yet another participant in a millennia-long tradition, one often freighted with significance far beyond simple enjoyment. In sixteenth-century Japan, for example, teahouses were constructed with very tiny doors that could be entered only on one’s hands and knees, and which necessitated leaving one’s sword outside: a way for both parties to ensure their mutual humility, and a promise to each other that theirs would be a meeting of civility, not of potential violence. And although we (rightly) consider chai India’s national drink, it didn’t become truly ubiquitous until the 1950s, when the India Tea Board (which owed its very existence to the British) began a campaign to popularize the beverage. In fact, it wouldn’t be overstating the case to say that tea tells the history of the world: how different peoples traveled from continent to continent, bringing with them their own customs; how those customs were adapted and transformed."

Tea Ceremonies around the world from Conde Nast Traveler, styled by Amy Wilson, Photography by Anna Williams

Interview with Stina from Mother Mountain Herbals......

Mother Mountain Herbals: Psychic Eye Herbal tea

Today on Moon to Moon I am super proud to be chatting with Stina from Mother Mountain Herbals, an Independant Herbal tea and beauty product maker from North Carolina.  The combination of extremely covetable packaging and seriously fabulous teas has seen Mother Mountain Herbals shooting to success all in Stina's first year of business!!

So lets find out more.....

       Hi Stina, can you tell Moon to Moon a little about you and what you do?

Hi I'm Stina, the creator and owner of Mother Mountain Herbals. I live in the mountain countryside of Asheville, North Carolina.

        How did you start getting into Herbalism?

Years ago I was living in Los Angeles, suffering from depression, on a career path that was no longer serving me, and longing for a more simple and natural way of living. Any day off I had I would go hiking in the hills and canyons surrounding the sprawling cityscape. I was enamoured with all the magnificent plants that I came across and wondered what uses they had. I started carrying field guides and read Susun Weed's "Healing Wise". It was pretty much a done deal after that. I knew my path was aligning with herbalism.

When did you decide to launch your own range?

After moving to Asheville, I was hired at a coffee shop/bar downtown to create teas and herbal elixirs. I was getting a lot of great feedback from customers and my boss actually encouraged me to make my own business out of it. I finally felt like I had enough self confidence do it- so I worked on my branding for about 8 months and then launched MMH in May of 2015.

Mother Mountain Herbals: Psychic Eye

What inspired you to start mother Mountain herbs and what is the inspiration behind the name?

I obtained a wealth of emotional, spiritual, and physical healing on my path with herbs. One of my goals with MMH is to assist others with the same healing by making it easy and fun to integrate plants into everyday life.

The name Mother Mountain Herbals is inspired by the Townes Van Zandt album "Our Mother the Mountain". I loved the meaning behind the title because I live in the mountains and it is the land here that nurtures me. 

Do you have any herbs that you use on a daily basis?

I really try to stay on top of stinging nettle and oatstraw infusions daily. Drinking them is like taking a multivitamin, but better. Our body assimilates their minerals like food, so we get a lot more nutrition out of them rather than taking a pill. Plus I believe the energies of the plants have benefits as well- opposed to a synthetic, laboratory made vitamin. I also use various mushroom extracts in my daily smoothies and always keep a bottle of skullcap tincture in my purse. 

Do you have a favourite of your products?

That's hard to say! I drink tea and use my beauty products everyday. But I think my favourites are somewhat interchangeable. There's one product that I make and really love that doesn't get as much attention as the others- I'm not sure why! I couldn't live without it. It's the Masa + Honey Face Polish. I'm an exfoliation advocate and that particular scrub is so gentle yet really effective. And it doesn't leave my skin dry. I would buy it even if I didn't make it. 

Here in the UK the weather is cold and there is little sunshine, do you have any recommendations for blends?

When I think of dark days and cold weather, I want to really nourish myself and keep my immune system strong. I would probably be drinking lots of Wild + Weedy Tea and ElderMother Tea. Wild + Weedy contains lots of herbs to strengthen and fortify all systems of the body. I might even make an infusion out of it. ElderMother contains herbs that ward off acute viral illnesses like colds and flus.  I would also be dosing up on good quality cod liver oil. It's one of the best ways to keep optimal vitamin D levels in the winter time. It's the sunshine vitamin! 

Mother Mountain Herbals: Maiden Grey tea

I am a big fan of Earl Grey tea and your Maiden Grey tea is absolutely divine, what was the inspiration behind this blend?

When I first created the teas they were for the coffee shop and I thought we needed some more blends that would appeal to people who might not be into tisanes. I love Earl Grey too- but wanted to create something more feminine, like a flower potion. I think rose, lavender, and jasmine are really dreamy paired with the bergamot in Earl Grey. 

The illustrations and packaging are absolutely wonderful , did you study art or design?

No, I never went to college! But I developed a love for drawing at a very young age. I think I have an old photo of toddler Stina scribbling faces and dogs in a notebook. I've been doodling and painting my whole life, basically. 

What next for Mother Mountain herbals?

Well, I just became a vendor for Urban Outfitters and completed my first order from them. I felt like that was a pretty huge accomplishment in my first year of business.  My partner and I are in the process of purchasing a house with land- which means I can have a new home studio + space to grow herbs for MMH. As soon as I have more room to breath, I can expand my product line. Also- my goal this year is to start writing/illustrating a book about herbs!

For those readers who are interested in learning more about herbalism what would you say would be the best place to start?

The best starting place for me was Susun Weed's book "Healing Wise". It covers some great basics and dives into developing relationships with the plants you're using. Also attending any workshops in your area is fun to too! 

Mother Mountain Herbals: Maiden Grey, Psychic Eye and Mellow Belly

Stina was kind enough to send me some teas to sample and I thoroughly recommend you give them a try. They were so pretty I felt a bit naughty opening them, but I am so glad I did they were all beautifully fragrant and each tasted divine!!

First I tried the Psychic Eye Tea, this is a beautiful blend of refreshing Gotu Kola and Holy Basil mixed with magical mugwort and striking blue cornflower. Stina says 

"This tea assists with receiving information from the spirit realms and facilitates focus and attention outside of time. Enjoy prior to meditation, tarot readings, ritual work, or just before bed to promote vivid dreaming."

 I drank this one when my 19 month old finally settled for his nap to help me relax after the mayhem of my morning, it was beautiful and certainly did the job.

 Next on my list was Maiden Grey. As a long time Earl Grey fan I was really excited to be trying the Maiden Gray tea, I didn't realise my trusty favourite could get any better. 

"A floral and feminine version of the traditional old Earl. This dreamy elixir combines whole jasmine buds, pink rose petals, and aromatic lavender to transform your tea time into something truly flower powerful. Excellent with cream and local honey. Mildly caffeinated with organic black tea"

This tea is so so pretty, and is honestly my new favourite. I discovered Rose tea in China a few years ago and have been an avid fan since, who would have thought the flavors would merge so well with my trusty Earl Grey?.... perfect with a little Honey and almond milk!!

Stina also sent me some Mellow Belly Tea. This remains unopened, not because I am not tempted to rip it open, but because I suffer each month from Stomach troubles so am saving it for then.... I will let you know how i get on....

So will I be buying these teas again? Absolutely......, next time i will be adding some Masa and Honey Face Polish , some Sweet Orange and Patchouli dry shampoo and one of Stinas Hot Cloth cleansing kits to my order (currently sold out)...

So ....

A massive thank you to Stina for taking time out of preparing orders for Urban Outfitters and her store and house hunting to talk to Moon to Moon. I cant wait to see what 2016 brings xxx

I hope you all enjoyed the interview, I am planning many more on Moon to Moon this year

xx

Flowering Tea from The Exotic Teapot

Flowering Tea from the Exotic Teapot: My Mouth Blown Glass Teapot and 'Heart of Gold' flowering tea 

Last week I was introduced by a friend to the website of The Exotic Teapot, and was beyond excited to discover Flowering Teas..... ummm, how did I miss these?

Well, I have made up for it since and by Friday have received a Classic Discovery Tea Set featuring a beyond beautiful mouth blown glass teapot and a starter set of 5 different Flowering teas....... first on my list was (being a Neil Young fan) of course 'Heart of Gold'.... a Maofeng green tea, with lily, and marigold flowers and fragrant jasmine...

Pouring the water from the kettle, I was like a little kid in a sweetshop.... so, so excited. At first I was a bit worried as the tea ball floated to the top, but it soon sunk and started un-raveling into the most awesome little bouquet.

I waited a few minutes ... took a few photos .... and then poured myself a mug. I was a little apprehensive about trying the tea..it could have been one of those gimmicks that looked good but didn't deliver.... it wasnt. The tea is beautiful!

The great thing is that the tea ball can be used 3 times without the tea becoming bitter.

I would definitely recommend Flowering Teas and The Exotic teapot, my set arrived within a couple of days, beautifully wrapped and in a pretty presentation box. The set is perfect for a tea lover, not only are the flowering teas really cool but the glass teapot is perfect for brewing any loose or bagged teas. It will certainly make my Rose Tea look a lot prettier than when served in my 1980's brown teapot.... not bad for £26!!

The Discovery Flowering tea set contains a Glass Teapot and 5 assorted flowering teas... next on my list Jasmine :)

Tea, Cake and Conversation....... The ultimate stress buster!

Tea, Cake and good consersation... the ultimate stress buster!

Oh how i love tea. I swear it helps keep me sane(ish). The last couple of months have been a little tough. Back to work after 15 months of maternity, then changing jobs, my LO starting with a nanny and my partner also starting a new job...... it has been a time of stress and plenty of adapting has been required, which for a secret control freak like me is tough!

Tea and Tea Pot

I don't want to be predictably English, but seriously.......If it wasn't for a good cup of tea, a slice of cake, and my lovely friends,  I am not sure i would have made it.... well i would have, but there would have been a lot more tears...

So lets hear it for tea, cake and conversation........ Cheers!!

Black and Gold Teapot

Current Obsession: Japenese 'Washi' Tea Canisters...

Japanese tea Canister covered with Washi paper

Washi Paper literally translates as Wa - 'Japanese' and 'shi' paper, and refers to paper made in the traditional way. Washi is one of the UNESCO’s Intangible cultural heritage objects. Washi is used for many purposes in Japan, one of which is to decorate tea caddys.

Although these beautiful tea caddys may have a delicate paper exterior they do have a metal air tight skeleton to keep your tea fresh. The good news is these tins are also relatively cheap too!

Japanese Washi tea tin

I found some really beautiful tins on etsy and over at Rishi

Current Obsession: Kaico Kettle by Makoto Koizumi

Keico Kettle in the home of Claire Cottrell

I have been looking for a beautiful stove top kettle for a while and have seen this beautiful Kaico Kettle by Makoto Koizumi. The design is simple and classic and it reminds me of the beautiful vintage enamel kettles that pop up every now and then on Etsy and eBay. Not only are Enamel stove top kettles beautiful and durable but with a gas stove these are actually more efficient than an electric kettle!

Multidisciplinary designer Makoto Koizumi’s portfolio ranges from the very small (chopstick rests and tea kettles) to the very large (residential architecture projects and interior design). And ever since he established his own studio in 1990 he’s approached each project with the same emphasis on tradition and craft. In 2003 he opened his first shop in Kunitachi – a western suburb of Tokyo.

This kettle is available from Amazon or twenty twenty one

Kaico Kettle

Teapigs Matcha Review and Giveaway...

teapigs Matcha Late made with the teapigs Matcha Kit and home made Raw Brownies

I am a big tea drinker. When I was pregnant it wasn't the lack of alcohol or yummy cheeses I found hard to live without, it was a proper cuppa! I found decaffeinated tea really, really depressing. Don't get me wrong I love my herbal teas too but there is nothing quite like a Green Tea or an cup of Earl Grey...

Therefore I have been super psyched about trying out teapigs Matcha and have been whizzing up a Matcha late or two every day for the last couple of weeks. I used Almond Milk and a dash of Agave Nectar to sweeten it up, however normal milk and honey/sugar would work just as well....

So what is Matcha?

"Matcha is 100% natural, organic green tea leaves which have been carefully ground down to form a fine powder.  

It has been drunk in Japan as part of the tea ceremony for almost 900 years, and is used by Buddhist monks to keep them alert, awake and focused during long days of meditation.  Until recently, virtually all matcha has been consumed within Japan, where it's particularly popular among students who are cramming for exams."
So what did I think?
The Matcha was seriously yummy and like I said I have been having a couple a day. I really want to try out some recipes, especially the Matcha martini :)
The flavour was similar to green tea but a ot more earthy therefore if you are not a seasoned Green tea drinker I would suggest you sweeten it to begin with. The greatest surprise was that even my partner liked it, which considering it is green (he wont go near my spirulina smoothies) was a miracle.

The GiveAway
If like me you are eager to give Matcha ago and would like to be in with the chance of winning a teapigs Matcha Kit featuring:

*30g tea of matcha green tea  
*electric hand held whisk  
*shot glass  

 then all you have to do is...

.......Leave a comment below telling us which Matcha Recipe you would like to try... Simple!!

Extra entries will be given for shares on facebook, twitter and Pinterest. 

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 1st October
Good Luck

P.s ..... I know this is a cheeky shot but as I have your attention, if you have 2 seconds to vote for Moon to Moonin the Amara Blog awards i would be most grateful.... Vote here

The Modern Matcha Kit from teapigs

Etsy Focus.... Second Chance Ceramics

Baby Sloth Tea Cup Via Second Chance Ceramics on Etsy

I am totally in Love with this Baby Sloth Tea cup from Etsy Shop Second Chance Ceramics. I was going to wait until they had more in the shop before posting it, but it so cute I just had to.

They have plenty of other beautiful piece in their Etsy shop including an awesome Arsneic Teapot... but I am holding out for one of these :)

Current Obsession: Tetsubin Teapots

Tetsubin: Cast Iron Teapot from Japan

Blogger Tony Stone relaxing with his Tesubin

Tetsubin cast iron Teapot

My current obsession is these little Tetsubin teapots from Japan. They are made from Cast Iron so they are pretty heavy, but good news if you are a klutz like me, they are pretty much indestructible. Hurrah!!

A google or ebay search will bring up a glorious selection of colours in your own country. Here in the UK I found Gifts of the Orient to have a great selection of colours and styles.

Current obsession: Turkish Coffee Cups

Ornate Silver Turkish Coffee Cup with lid

Turkish Coffee and Turkish delight :)

Turkish coffee and Turkish Delight

Turkish Coffee cup in 'antique silver' from The turkish Emporium

These Turkish coffee cups are so beautiful. They are espresso sized as Turkish Coffee is so strong, I have been told this is to ensure the Sufi's stay awake through the night to pray and meditate, (dont hold me to this).

Sadly I am not a big coffee drinker and they are too small for my Tri-daily cup of tea but they are so pretty and ornate that I am tempted to get one anyway.... lots of little cups of tea is do-able...

The bottom picture is a coffee cup that is available from The Turkish Emporium, there are however some really beautiful Turkish Coffee sets like this one from ebay, complete with Turkish Delight Bowl

Bohemian Christmas Pt.1 : Spiritual gifts.....

The Jane Lyle 'Cup of Destiny', image via Gneiss Moon Astrology

The constellation globe from Urban Outfitters

The Wild Unknown Tarot Deck

Vintage ouija Planchette from Invisible Gallery on etsy

Zodiac Pillowcases $22 via KinShip

Galaxy Playdough

Here is part 1of Moon to Moon's Bohemian christmas gift ideas. enjoy xx

1) The Jane Lyle "Cup of Destiny" is such a beauty. Based on the 1930's/1940's Aynsley Tea Cup and saucer, commonly referred to as "The Neiros cup of Fortune" the cup of destiny is a great copy at a tenth of the price . £11.99 from Amazon

2) The Constellation Globe, $39 from Urban outfitters

3) The Wild Unknown tarot Deck $40, from the Wild Unknown

4) Vintage Ouija planchette $100 from Invisible Gallery on etsy

5) Zodiac Pillowcases, $22 via KinShip

6) Galaxy Playdough, make your own.... recipe via Fairy Dust Teaching