Tea With Rae: Living my Dream!

I'm  living my dream!! Tea With Rae: Wellness For The Mind, Body and Soul is coming! I'm in the process of developing a private label of speciality teas blended with the finest African Teas. The crafting of each tea will be closely supervised by me to bring you the best tea experience. Follow @teawithrae on Instagram and Twitter to be the first on the launch of Tea With Rae. I'm so excited!

Tea With Rae! Holiday Teas and Hostess Gifts...

The holiday season has arrived and many of you will be receiving guests or making stops yourself. I thought that I would share the perfect teas for the season, from dessert teas to after dinner teas. You can serve them or you can pick them up for your hostess. Every great guest enters with something in their hand. While most people will bring an assortment of drinks, tea will be a great change of pace. Tea is a wonderful way to end a perfect dinner. I've chosen some of my favorites in black, green, herbal and Chai.

First on my list are After Dinner teas. At the top of my list is a seasonal tea that I look forward to every year. Joy Tea. This tea is absolutely divine. It's a perfect blend of black, oolong, jasmine and green tea.

While I didn't think that Tazo could improve on this tea blend, this year they added a hint of peach and all I can say is divine. This is a smooth tea that will compliment any dessert. It can only be purchased doing the holiday season at Starbucks. I typically pick up a few tins for the months after the holiday. This Tazo tea can be ordered online or you can drop into Starbucks and pick up a tin.

Earl Grey is my absolute favorite black tea. It's rich bergamot flavor add to black leaves gives black tea a welcomed pop.  While I tend to be a loose leaf person, my go to, is a tin of Tazo Earl Grey. Tazo bag teas are full leaf, thus rendering the same effect as loose left without the clean up. Earl Grey is perfect pairing with any dessert. This black tea will give you a caffeine boost after a heavy meal, but it has just enough flavor to give it a pop, but it won't overshadow your dessert.

This year Starbucks have a great selection of holiday mugs perfect for your hostess. I plan to pick up a couple for my tea cup collection. I love to drink my tea in as many different mugs as I drink in teas.

Also, at the top of my hostess gift list is  Mary J. Bilge Holiday CD. This is her first holiday CD and it is wonderful!! She has a variety of artists singing with her, including Barbara Streisand. I have listened to it often since  I picked it up a few weeks ago at Starbucks. Let's say, Mary J has certainly grown up.

Back to tea, sometimes after a large meal, you simply don't have room for dessert, but you want to have the taste of sweetness. My suggestion is a tea that taste just like a dessert.  My first recommendation is a new tea for me. Chocolate Chai by Adagio's Teas. I have never been big on Chai teas, but this tea is wonderful. This spicy chocolate tea is a blend of black tea, ginger root, cinnamon bark, cloves, cardamom, and coco nibs.

My all time favorite dessert tea is Coco Carmel Sea Salt by Teavana. This herbal tea taste just like its title. The first time I tried it, I couldn't decide if I felt like I was having a chocolate salt carmel cup cake from More Cupcakes or a sundae. I swear you will think this is cake or some decadent dessert. It's an herbal tea so there is no caffeine. It's made with sweet caramel, decadent chocolate, a hint of cream and a light sprinkling of sea salt. When I tell you this is delicious,  It's a WINNER!

You might have some guests that don't want chocolate, but still they want a tea with a rich flavor. My all time favorite oolong tea is also by Teavana, Spiced Mandarin Oolong. It's not as spicy as a chia tea but the rich flavors or orange, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and  pepper gives you an exotic flavor. Full Review Here.  A new seasonal tea at Teavana is Pumpkin Spiced Burlee Oolong. I sampled it a few weeks back and with the flavors of butterscotch carmel, toffee and vanilla I gave it a thumbs up. I plan to pick some up before they run out.

Now for sure you will have some guests that prefer green tea. Its half the caffeine of black and oolong teas and has the most health benefits. I know that since I've been on this health kick  these last few months. I've had more green tea than I have in my life-time. First up is Sakura Allure Green Tea. 

At the center is the Sakura flower grown in Japan and blended with pineapple, rose, hibiscus, cherry and mango. This is one of my favorite green desert teas. Full Review Here!

Last on my tea least, but certainly not least, are two new teas for me that I have yet to review. One of my girlfriends introduced me to Andrew's Own green teas. I love both the Organic Jasmine infused Green Tea and the Green Earl Grey. They can only be purchased at the Home Shopping Network.

For the tea lover, don't forget tea accessories. My handcrafted Tea Balls are a perfect gift! Shop Here!

Tea With Rae: Green Tea Weight Lost Series-Tazo Zen

Now that I'm really on this weight lost/get healthy way of life, Green Tea has become increasingly important to my daily routine. In the past, I drank maybe a cup of green tea once every few days. Now I'm stepping up drinking at least a cup or two a day. Now green tea is tricky. Fist off it's not always to best tasting tea, and if you brew it incorrectly, it is even worst.  While I have matters the tea making part, I'm still looking for Green Tea's that I love. I don't take anything in my mouth they my taste buds don't like, unless it is mandated by the doctor.

Let's review weight lost and green tea first, then I'll tell you bout another green tea winner.  Green Tea comes from the same plant as black, oolong and white tea (Camellia sinensis). While all tea groups have some benefits what makes green tea special is a couple of things. One, it is not fermented before drying and steaming, which allows it to keep more of it''s antioxidants. Secondly, green tea is a rich source of polyphenol catechin.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most active form of catechin responsible for green tea's anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects. While green tea is light in caffeine, it is there and that helps EGCG assist the metabolism and body fat accumulations.

In a nut shell, it stimulates the body to burn calories and decreases body fat, epically the waist line. Green tea also lowers cholesterol, which I'm putting to the test. My bad cholesterol is very hight right now.

Green tea also fights, cancer and heart disease. It is the highest in anti-inflammatory properties. of the 4 tea groups. Studies have shown over and again that green tea is a factor in weight lost. However, you must drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day to benefit from the metabolic effects.

Got it!! Got it!! So green tea is good for weight lost. Now, typically when I'm on the go, after my morning tea at home, I grab Earl Grey tea, but lately I've been switching it out for a Vente, Zen Tea @Stackbuks. Zen is a wonderful blend of green tea, lemongrass, peppermint. This is also a great winter tea for colds and sore throats; the peppermint sores the throat.

Now, brewing, most green teas should only brew 2-3 minutes. Zen Tea is brewed for 3 minutes. If you brew it lower, you will get a bitter taste. Likewise, green tea's should be brewed at a lower temperature than black tea, otherwise you will burn the leaves.  At home, I let the water stand for 3 minutes before I brew it.  I really like Zen Tea. I drink it on the go and in the evening when I want a lower caffeine tea than black tea. Happy Cuppa!!

Tea With Rae: Weight Lost Series-Sakura Allure

It is no secret that I am not a big fan of green tea. You can look at my Tea Review history and it speaks volumes. Now, I'm finding myself faced with having to drink more green tea.

You all know that I'm trying my best to lose some of this body fat created by my HIV medications and  added by very little movement with my on and off  IV medications.

Well, because green tea is suppose to help with weight lost I had to rethink green tea. I remember Tracye Madre telling me one day, that she makes herself drink it because of it's benefits to weight lost, and she has adjusted to the taste. You remember Tracye, she has lost over 100 pounds from working out and eating healthy. She has even launched a training business. You read my blog that mentions Tracye here and connect with her here.

For sure a cup of regular green tea is an acquired taste.  For the longest I have been in search of a blended green tea that didn't have that green tea taste. Well, Teavana posted this picture of Sakura Allure Green Tea on Instagram. I said to myself, "Any tea that's this pretty has got to taste good."

I made my way over to Teavana to give it a smell and lo and behold, it smelled like I was walking in a field of blossoms. So I took some home and it sat and sat and sat. I think I had a mental block because for sure I have had some green teas that smelled wonderful but the taste left a lot of be desired.

Well, a friend was in town and we went to Teavana. She asked the staff about a green tea with a great taste and they produced Sakura Allure. I was put to shame and I had to laugh to myself, "I have that tea at home," I mumbled.  It was stuffed in my tea cabinet with my other 100 or so teas. The shame I felt, forced me to come home and try it. I mean I'm the try queen. I will give any tea a one try.

 OMG! By far Sakura Allure Green Tea is the BEST Green Tea that I have ever drank! This is a blended tea of Sakura Blossoms, mango, candied pineapples, rose and hibiscus. It's a wonderful combination that compliments the Sakura- Cherry Blossom that grows in Japan. Like most cherry blossoms, they only bloom a limited time of the year. In Japan, you can see their beauty late march, early April and even into May.

I know you are asking, what about weight lost?  Glad you asked! Green Tea comes from the same plant as black, oolong and white tea (Camellia sinensis). While all tea groups have some benefits what makes green tea special is a couple of things. One, it is not fermented before drying and steaming, which allows it to keep more of it''s antioxidants.  Secondly, green tea is a rich source of polyphenol catechin.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most active form of catechin responsible for green tea's anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects. While green tea is light in caffeine, it is there and that helps EGCG assist the metabolism and body fat accumulations.

In a nut shell, it stimulates the body to burn calories and decreases body fat, epically the waist line. Green tea also lowers cholesterol, which I'm putting to the test. My bad cholesterol is very hight right now. Green tea also fights, cancer and heart disease. It is the highest in anti-inflammatory properties. of the 4 tea groups. Studies have shown over and again that green tea is a factor in weight lost. However, you must drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day to benefit from the metabolic effects.

There are many  wonderful health reasons to drink green tea. If you don't like the taste. Well, today I've given you a reason to drink up; Sakura Allure at Teavana!

I will be reviewing more green teas in this weight lost series, as well as other tea groups. Stay Tuned!! Happy Cuppa!

Tea With Rae! Wake Up English Style!

Never thought that I would say this, but there is a another tea that I enjoy in the morning right along side of English Breakfast.

Well it goes like this. For years English Breakfast and sometimes an Irish Breakfast, which is even more robust than English, has been the star of my mornings! I'm not sure what I like most, but I think it's the rich, full-bodied, malty flavor that says yes I'm alive!

English Breakfast Tea is often drank by the British and sometimes I think that I was a Brit in my pass life time. My morning is not complete without my am Breakfast Tea. Nor is my evening complete without a sip of Earl Grey. One of the most divine black teas you will ever drink.

Well, I'm pretty stuck in my ways for sure, but I always want to try new teas. I ventured off about a month ago and I haven't had anything in the morning since.

English Westminster  by Tea Gschwender is wonderful! Tea Gschwender is a German based Tea Company that does tea very well. They were one of the first loose leaf teas I ever tried outside of a restaurant.

I like them because their teas are fresh, large in variety and priced economically. They were also a sponsor in my very first HIV/AIDS Tweet-Up.

So about a month ago, I dropped into Tea Gschwender to pick up some English Breakfast and asked if there was another tea similar that they would recommend. I fell in love.

This tea  is a blend of Assam, Java and Ceylon teas. Assam and Ceylon both come from the same plant  Camellia sinensis just different regions of India. FYI, the four traditional tea groups, black, oolong, green and white all come from the Camellia Sinensis plant.

However, Java Tea comes from Orthosiphon stamineus plant and is widely grown in South East Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand) and tropical Australia. Like most herbals, this one is often dried and brewed just like traditional teas. It is believed to have health benefits, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, anti-hypertensive and diuretic to name some.

English Westminster has a similar full-bodied flavor as traditional breakfast tea and it's a bit stronger. The thing that makes this tea special is the flavor. The full-bodied flavor is lanced with a sweetness that I can't put my finger on.

This is a blend of perfection! Two traditional black teas with an herbal, to make this memorable drink. Tea Gschwender is located in Chicago and they give free samples when you make a purchase. That's how I ended up with English Westminster. You can also purchased them on line Click Here!

Happy Cuppa!

Tea With Rae! Passion In a Cup

I have reviewed mostly loose leaf tea. Not because tea already in a bag is not equally good as loose tea. Quite frankly, there are some not so great loose teas in the world of teas. So my bias has been without any particular reason, other than the tea brands and flavors that I drink the most of, tend to be loose.

Now for sure, there are some great teas in a bag and I thought that I would share one with you today. I love Tazo Tea! It's the tea that is served exclusively at Starbucks and I've sent many of my Twitter followers there to pick up a cup of tea based on their need for that day.

 For colds, I suggest, Tazo Refresh; a hardy mint tea. For that midday pick me up, I often suggest Earl Grey! it's a black tea infused with the aroma of bergamot and my favorite black tea.

With Earl Grey, you get a black tea high in caffeine for that mid day boost, without the strong malty flavor of a breakfast tea. The bergamot oil infused in Earl Grey is simply divine. You can read my review on Earl Grey Tea Here.

My recommendation for  the morning is Awake Tea. It's a wonderful blend of black tea that gives you that hardy jump start in the morning. It's similar to English Breakfast type teas that I drink every morning.

All of these teas mentioned above I drink and highly recommend. Let be not forget, Joy Tea! This holiday blend of black and green tea is only available doing the Holiday Season so I make sure that I stock up! Just so you know, this is not a sponsored review. I just thought that I would share one of my favorite bag teas with you this month. For the most part, these are the only Tazo teas I have tried and maybe I'll reach out to Starbucks and see if they will join my Tea With Rae Team.

While I drink mostly loose teas while at home sometimes because of my health, I don't have the energy for the formality involved in making loose tea and for sure Starbucks is my spot when I'm on the go. The bottom line Tazo has been my go to tea in a bag.

A while back one of my Twitter followers sent me 4 tins of Tazo Tea and sadly they have been sitting. I began to feel guilty. I've been trying to mix it up lately and step outside of my regular tea list, so I tried for the first time  one of the teas, Tazo Passion!

Boy was it a tropical fruit blast in a cup! This herbal infused tea of hibiscus, papaya, mango, sweet cinnamon and passion fruit essence remained me of my trips to Jamaica and made me feel like I was on a warm tropical Island and not Chicago in December.

The truth of the matter, drinking a cup of warm tea is an experience. If you just sit back and enjoy the moment, the flavor will take you to another place.

I enjoyed this tea because the blend is rich. The tart hibiscus flower makes the taste sophisticated and not fruity tutty. Hibiscus is a favorite drink, both warm and cold on many Islands. The hibiscus flower is rich in vitamin C and minerals, which is always a plus. Tazo has taken this tart flower and made a perfect blend.

For sure I recommend Tazo Passion Tea.  I didn't know what I was missing out on, stuck drinking only my favorite Tazo Teas. Now I have to try the others sitting in my Tea Cabinet.

I like Tazo because you can buy it in most grocery stores. In the bag, Tazo has filter bags, which is how we traditionally know bag teas. They also have the silken bag of full leaf tea, which is just like drinking loose left tea. The whole leaf tea is also sold in Starbucks in tins. I discovered something while working on this blog. Tazo also has loose tea! SHUT UP! For Real!!! Click Here to see all that Tazo has to offer!

It's National Hot Tea Mouth, so have a cup of hot tea. On your lunch break pick up Passion in a cup... Sit back and image that you are on a tropical Island and not at your hectic work desk. Happy Cuppa! #TeaWithRae

Post Script: Don't forget to enter the weekly raffle! I'm giving away a loose leaf tea ball from RLT Collection in honor of National Hot Tea Month. All you have to do is make a comment on one of my tea blogs about your favorite tea or why you like hot tea.

 Last weeks winner is Yansa Toussaint. Remember Lovely's, you have to let me know how to find you. So either give me your facebook or Twitter name in your comment...

What's Up With RLT Brands!!

Just a quick update on RLT Brands

RLT Collection is 20% off for the month of January;the entire collection of bracelets and tea balls.. The Coupon Code at checkout is NewYear2013

I am currently working on new designs for the Pearl Collection, For The Love of Black with Silver tones per request.. LOL and Tea Bracelets!  Click To Shop

I'm proud to announce that one of a kind designs from RLT Collection can be purchased at Shell Ryes Designs.. An exclusive Antique, Jewelry and Interior Design Shop on Chicago's Gold Coast, 104 West Oak Street. Nothing from my website can be purchased at Shell Ryes. The designs are exclusive to her shop and are priced equal to what's on the website.

I'm currently accepting new Clients for Life Coaching! The areas are, Balance, Confidence, Dating and Relationship, from Mother to Divorce... Click Here to learn more and your First Free Consultation..

Set your Calenders! For The Month of February I'm Speaking at the following

Feb 5th Eastern Illinois University
Feb 7th-National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Florida State University
Feb 19th- Missouri State University

January is National Hot Tea Awareness Month! I will be giving away a tea ball from my collection every week so make a comment about your favorite tea or why you like tea on any of my Tea With Rae Blog Post! Also leave your twitter and facebook so I can reach you if you win.

The WINNER for last week Tea With Rae Raffle is Kisha Qualls!

If you have not purchased my latest Book, The Politics of Respectability. A new shipment just arrived... This is what one reader had to say about my book Click To Shop!

OMG, Rae! I just finished reading your book,and it is the truth! You are so strong and brave to open up about your pain,and you speak with such raw honesty about everything you've been through. Not many people have the courage to speak as bluntly as you do,but people can learn an extremely three important lessons: no matter what happens,do not quit,but fight; always trust in the Good Lord to get you through any storm; and no sexual pleasure without protection is worth your life. You deserve the Nobel Prize for your activism! God bless you, Rae!

I hope that you are putting some ACTION behind your dreams it's 2013 already!  I know I am! #GrowingRLTCollection #GrowingRLT

Tea With Rae: The Making of a Tea Snob

Happy New Year Lovely's! January is National Hot Tea Month and I decided to pay homage to my favorite beverage for my first blog of the year! I started drinking tea with my biological mother who I met when I was 18 years old.

For about 5 months I lived with her and her husband in Boulder, Colorado. Her husband was a professor at a Colorado university and my mother, a recovering hereon addict and housewife. They lived a simple upper middle class life. Believe it or not, they didn't even own a television. Not because they couldn't afford one, but because books ruled their household.

My mother with a book and a cup of tea...

She and her husband were devout Buddhist, so the eastern ritual of tea was deeply ingrained in their home. Back then, their were no fancy teas just a good variety of black teas. Thus, my love for black tea.

Each evening we would grab a book and a cup of tea, descend on the living room and sip and read. It was a simple uncomplicated way for she and I to bond. Her life had been plagued by years of addiction and mine by years of abuse. Books and Tea became our spiritual connection. Very few words were spoken back then, but for sure this ritual spoke to our souls.

I learned something about myself and tea. My love for books was heighten and that deal was sealed. But tea was an experience all unto itself. It wasn't just drinking a beverage, each sip was a moment that consumed all of you. It was calming, soothing and even exhilarating all wrapped into one.

At the end of those five months she and her husband moved out of the country, I came back to Chicago to begin life on my own yet again, but for sure, I took the ritual of tea with me. Over the years I started experimenting with different teas. I learned that each tea flavor spoke to the moment that I was seeking. From a brisk black tea to jump start me in the morning to a chamomile to soothe and calm in the evening.

Just try it! Start in the evening after a long day and experience the pleasure that comes in a simple tea cup. Happy New Year! Happy Cuppa!



Tea Ball Give Away! I am giving away 5 of my handmade Tea Balls. One Tea Ball each week for the month of January. Special design! Leave a comment on any Tea with Rae post  this month on why you like tea or about your favorite tea and the best comments will win! The winner will be announced every Thursday!

Post Script: I will be blogging all month about tea and there after my weekly Tea Reviews will again be a permeant fixture on my blog. Hopefully I will get some tea give always from tea companies. But you have to show interest so they will say yes.. Always use my Hashtag #TeaWithRae when you tweet me about tea. Xoxoxo

Tea With Rae: Bonding Over Tea...

I simply LOVE tea and I think I enjoy sharing tea with others equally as much. That's why I blog about tea; to share this small pleasure with you. Yes, I've been off my tea blogging game this past year, but I'm coming back. I've been reaching out to new tea companies so I can have some exciting new teas to share with you.

I enjoy a cup of tea after a long day. It's such a joy to my spirit to kick back and savor the flavor and the moment, but sharing tea with others is also a special moment.

There's an intimacy that happens when you share tea; a bonding between friends. It's a great way to get to know new friends too. When you share tea, it becomes a relaxing space and you are able to block out the noise of the world and enjoy the flavor, each other and the moment.

That's exactly what I did with J. Nicole last month.  We  had so much fun laughing over tea.  Looking back over my life, you never know who you are going to touch. I tell people all the time, be careful how you treat people.

This young lady heard me speak when she was in high school over 15 years ago. That day, she came up to me with tears flowing down her face and I gave her my card and told her to reach out to me anytime. Well, she did just that. She hit me up on Twitter  over 15 years later and invited me to be her guest in a play that she's currently in at The Goodman Theatre. OMG! She was soooo good! This play Immediate Family is a must see.

I invited J. Nicole to tea at my home and it's safe to say that we bonded over Earl Grey Lavender Tea by Gschwendner Tea and homemade lemon pound cake, by me. I chose black tea because it is her favorite. However, traditional  Earl Grey has a wonderful Bergamot flavor and the lavender,  adds additional flavor. Check out an old review on Lavender Earl Grey Here.

It was a perfect match with the lemon pound cake, a little tart was perfect for the highly fragranced black tea. When serving, don't be afraid to mix up your tea cups and tea pot.  There's no need to be matchy-matchy and it adds character. This yellow tea pot is a 1960s Collector's from my Hall's Tea Pot Collection and the heart shaped tea cup is modern and was purchased from Nordstorm's a couple of years back.

Bonding over tea can happen in your home or you can fancy it up with a formal tea. A couple of weeks ago my bestie, Markeeda and I went to tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Hands down, the Peninsula serves one of the best afternoon teas that I have ever had. And OMG they serve high tea on Wedgewood China. One day I hope I could afford a Wedgewood Tea Set.

Anyhoo, you have well over 20 teas to choose from and they are all divine. I had an Orchid Oolong Tea and Markeeda had a Jasmine Mist Green Tea.

It's interesting how the Tea Time dining room is typically full, but somehow it feels like it's just you and your friend (s). I've had that feeling with one person and with 15 having tea at the Peninsula.

Their tea is typically traditional, with fancy sandwiches, desserts and scones. But these scones are some of the best I have ever had. You also receive, butter, jam and lemon curd on the side. The service is impeccable and I always ask for lemon curd to take home. The experience of High Tea should be on everyone's bucket list.

Something happens over tea; whether it's in your home or a wonderful Afternoon Tea. The tea offers a calm that transcends into the space that you are sharing. Invite a friend over. It doesn't have to be so fancy. Just put the tea kettle on, grab a mug have some tea and cookies and just see the magic.

Tea Series: Tea At The End Of The Day!

At the end of the day there's nothing like winding down with a wonderful cup of tea, but choosing your tea wisely is important. Chamomile has been the go to tea for relaxation, but there are so many more wonderful teas.

I'm on a mission to expand your tea choices. This series will introduce you to wonderful selection of teas that are designed to help you relax whether its bedtime or just winding down from a long day with a book.

First up is a tea that I just LOVE! Citrus Lavender Sage Tea from Teavana is divine. This is a new tea from Teavana that I decided to try just for the heck of it. When they opened the tin the aroma of citrus and lavender grabs your nose.

This herbal tea is just the right blend of zesty sea buckthorn, pineapple and orange with lavender and sage.

Now, this tea will not put you to sleep. That's why I love it so much. This is an herbal tea with no caffeine. The combined flavors  of sage and citrus is just enough to give you a pick me up to read that book or watch your favorite evening TV show after dinner.  The citrus, fruity flavor also makes it a great after dinner desert tea. The Lavender is the ingredient that helps you to relax. It's the perfect blend with just enough pick me up and relaxation all in one. Citrus Lavender Sage is a winner and one of my favorite teas.

Post Script! RLT Collection has wonderful hand made Tea Balls! Check them out Here!