A cup of tea solves everything.
The sound of the kettle coming to a boil. Selecting a tea from my embarrassingly vast trove of flavors and blends. Watching the curls of steam rise from the dark liquid. The heat radiating from my mug, warming my seemingly always cold hands. I love the ritual of making and drinking tea. It demands that I sit down and slow down, and for the time that it takes to sip a cup, relax.
The nice folks at Traditional Medicinals sent me the perfect winter gift: a “relaxation kit” of three herbal teas. I was duty-bound to give each tea due diligence – life is rough, no? – so I enjoyed many a relaxing, late afternoon teatime. Traditional Medicinals has a huge variety of organic herbal (and green) teas. You’ve probably seen some of them at places like Whole Foods (though you can also order directly through their website if your store doesn’t carry the variety you like). They focus on creating beverages that provide beneficial effects on your health. You’ll find teas for detoxing, teas to help digestion, teas for the ticker, and teas just for us women. Traditional Medicinals consider their teas to be herbal supplements. They also happen to be delicious.
Chamomile with Lavender: I love the surprising hint of spicy, floral lavender in this brew. Traditional Medicinals suggests drinking this tea to help calm your digestive system and to take the edge off a frazzled or stressed day.
Easy Now: This tea was my favorite of the three. Maybe because it has passionflower in it – a crazy looking flower (which produces an oval, edible fruit) that I found growing in the middle of one of our pastures. Catnip (not just for kitty, folks), lavender, and chamomile add their distinctive flavors as well. Great for easing tension.
Nighty Night: Another calming tea that includes passionflower along with linden flower and hops, this brew helps you unwind after a busy day.
If tea is your thing, you might want to try one or all of these teas. In the meantime, enter the giveaway below for a chance to win your own “relaxation kit!” The kit includes full-sized boxes of Easy Now, Chamomile with Lavender, and Nighty Night teas. Contest open to residents of the U.S. only. (Fear not, my international friends! I have another giveaway on Thursday open to one and all: a copy of High Protein, No Powder: Protein Bars and Smoothies Made with Real Food.)
I like the idea of lavender and camomile together and the tea packaging is very attractive. Funnily enough, just a few minutes ago I said to my dad almost exactly what you’ve written about tea solving problems at the top of this post. So true.
I’m so sorry this giveaway isn’t open to you – – this would be a perfect one for you, Lorna!
Not to worry, Annie, I enjoyed the tea from afar. 🙂
That lavender chamomile tea is my absolute favorite–perfect for afternoon contemplation.
I was pleasantly surprised about the lavender. I didn’t think I’d like it in tea – though it’s about one of my favorite smells :-).
I love to get in the kitchen and cook after a long stressful day. I have actually picked up the Easy Now tea during my past few grocery trips trying to decide whether or not to try it, guess its worth a shot!
I know what you mean about cooking – it can be very relaxing because it gets my mind on what I’m doing and not the million other little tasks waiting for me ;-). If you like herbal teas, you’ll like Easy Now.
What a great post, Annie! I just adore Traditional Medicinals–they have some of my favorite teas! In response to your question, I often de-stress with a cup of tea or cooking a delicious vegan meal.
Sometimes I sip tea WHILE I’m cooking :-)!
This is an awesome give-a-way! Thank you for the opportunity to try these tea’s 😉
After a “too much to do day” I de-stress by enjoying an animal or nature show and sipping a cup of Sencha tea with lemon and ginger.
You’re welcome, Cathy! Good luck ;-)!
Thanks for the giveaway. I saw their tea in the stores but never tried it. I de-stress by cooking some healthy food and dancing to some music to burn some calories.
I also followed on pinterest.
It’s so interesting that many of us head into the kitchen to de-stress! Thanks so much for the comment, Clarissa!
I never thought about drinking tea for a purpose! I just drink it for something warm since I don’t like coffee. After heading back to work after being home with my kids for 10 years, I definitely need to find ways to wind down without reaching for the nearest piece of chocolate! 🙂
Haha! I imagine you could use some de-frazzling ;-). Thanks, Tina!
I want to try the lavender chamomile, I bet it smells awesome and would be so relaxing. I love tea, thanks for doing the giveaway!
Following Traditional Medicinals on Pinterest – my username is Sara R.
Following An Unrefined Vegan on Pinterest – my username is Sara R.
Thanks, Sara! Appreciate it and good luck!
The Lavender Chamomile flavor sounds delicious!
That little bit of lavender is such a nice touch! Thanks, Amy!
I’m not from the us so don’t worry about the draw…I’m commenting to thank you for raising the awareness of National Hot Tea Month! How could an avid tea fanatic like me not know about National Hot Tea Month? Lol! In all seriousness though I love Traditional Medicinals one of my favs is their Weightless diuretic tea.
I KNOW! I didn’t know it either until someone from Traditional Medicinals brought it to my attention. Shame on me ;-)!
I’m mostly a morning tea drinker, but occasionally I’ll drink some ginger tea at night to help settle a tummy, and have my sweet boyfriend rub my back (even though he hates it!)
Now that’s love!
Adorable! I don’t think I drink tea as often as you do, but the ritual and enjoyment is the same lovely process. Those teas sound wonderful.
Good for what ails ya. Speaking of which – you should be sipping some right now ;-)!
Richa sent some lovely herbal chai. I’ve really been enjoying it. Erika have me some smooth move right after my surgery, didn’t enjoy that one so much. It was a little too effective if you know what I mean
Oh my gosh – I’ve seen Smooth Move and wondered about its, err, efficacy! Guess it gets the job done!
I love herbal tea! Exciting about the international giveaway coming up too!
🙂 Glad to be able to offer my overseas peeps some goodies, too!
Oh man, am I ever ready for hot tea month! I’ve unwittingly been celebrating it every single day with copious cups of tea already. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
A cup of hot tea. A lavender-scented salt bath. Bliss:)
Love your blog, by the way!
Sounds divine! Thank you for the compliment, Melody – truly appreciated.
I didn’t know about National Tea Month! These teas do sound wonderful, and your photos are gorgeous, too! 🙂
Start drinking that tea, hon ;-)!
This is my favorite brand of tea..ever..ever ever. ALSO I LOVE that stump that you used for a prop. SO woodsy and lovely!
Found art, baby! It’s a treasure trove of props out there!
Love the Nighty-night tea, and also their raspberry leaf tea, which tastes a lot like black tea but without the bitterness! It’s supposedly good for our lady parts. 🙂
To relax, i work out.
Traditional Medicinals makes so many wonderful teas Throat Coat is a regular in our house with its ability to strip gunk from the throat in the morning and soothe a sore throat. I am looking forward to trying Easy Now (I thought it was something to help you have a BM – there’s a nurse for you!)
Typically a whole grain, bean and veggie dinner. Then a good book and a cup of tea finish off the job!
Oh! It DOES make it all better… 🙂 And Traditional Medicinals is one of my mostest favoritest. Those combinations sound amazing… happy relaxing!
I destress by doing simple stretching or some yoga
Oh for sure! It’s wonderful how just focusing on moving one’s body can take you away from all the little stresses of the day. Thanks for commenting, Melissa!
I drink tea daily and love it! I like mint teas, black teas, lemon, chamomile, etc. 🙂
The way I destress is definitely baking!!!
Mint teas are some of my favorites. And I hear ya about baking!
I am a big tea lover too! These teas look lovely to Enjoy! Yesterday, I received your lovely belated cool Christmas card with your cool wished! Xxxx
Yay! So glad you got it! Sadly, I never received your card :-(.
How is that possible,? Is was sent 4 weeks ago, I went to your po box adresse.
I sent it to your po box adresse. 4 weeks ago.
Haven’t seen it – – it must’ve gone astray along the way. But I’m really touched that you sent it.
Wow they look delicious! I am a tea addict, I love my tea 🙂
Now I know why we get along so well ;-).
I de-stress with a bath, cup of chamomile, and episodes of Community or Parks and Recreation. Laughter makes everything better!
Word, girl!
Escaping into a good book is one of my favorite ways to de-stress! Also, going for a walk works well.
Thanks for this giveaway! The hubs and I were drinking Traditional Medicinal teas last night. He had Throat Coat, I had Gypsy Cold Care (with added ginger).
I’m a big believer in exercise a stress-reliever. Sometimes you’ve just got to “walk it off.” I’m hearing from lots of Traditional Medicinal fans – awesome!
I love drinking hot tea with lemon!
I followed on Pinterest as Jasanna
Thanks!
I love taking baths with honey and oats. I tend to wash my face with it too its so soothing!
Sounds spa-licious, Ashley!
A hot shower and a hot cup of herbal tea with a ginger slice and lime is my sedative. I love the ritual of a hot drink to calm down and switch into sleep mode. I haven’t ever tried Lavender tea. It would be a great combo with my Lavender soup in the bath 😉
Lavender is one of the most calming scents. I could sniff it all day long ;-)!
The ritual of tea making is magical, I agree! Herbal teas are my favourite teas in the world. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like black tea or good green tea, it’s just that herbal teas have really calming effect and help me to enjoy the moment and I’ve better feeling that I’m doing something right for my body. 🙂
Thanks to you, I really have to try the organic Chamomile with Lavender because when it comes to herbal tea, I always choose Chamomile, and Lavender is my favourite scent!
Also I highly recommend Forever Nuts herbal tea from the David’s Tea! If you’re fond of nuts, of course 🙂 I really enjoy the taste and smell of this tea.
Hi Lana! Thanks for the suggestion – I love nuts – sounds delicious!