In fundere...

The word infusion comes from the latin "in fundere" meanning "to pour in". Pour in the water, seep the tea and strain. Simple, effective, enjoyable. Last weekend I had the opportunity to sample out my herbal tea blends at the local market. We talked tea, drank tea and appreciated tea. This was a great chance to get with the employees and locals and hash over what makes an herbal tea, why herbal teas, why loose leaf tea vs tea bags and how they can be easy to enjoy. I feel as though, all too often, loose leaf tea blends are looked at as too time consuming, messy or inconvenient and this was a chance for me to demonstrate that that certainly doesn't have to be the case and often is not. There are so many infusion methods/materials out there these days that support the process of simple, effective, and enjoyable. We also discussed the benefits of loose leaf tea over tea bags, which are plenty, and how medicinal herbal teas are best served as loose leaf infusions to maintain integrity of the plant material and provide you with optimal nutrients and medicine. I was totally stoked to see the interest, the "oh yeahs!", and frankly the conversion!!! Once provided with more information, people can then go and make better informed choices for their health and the health of those that surround them...if you are curious though skeptical...ask! You will not merely being drinking a cup of tea but rather preparing and administrating an easily assimilated medicine, food, and supplier of water! I will doing a tea tasting at the Blue Moon Market in Exeter, NH on Dec 5th (I think it will be around 2-4pm, but will keep you posted), so if you want to come sample, hash over, or do whatever else you can think of regarding tea...come on by! Special props to Skye Nacel for the kick ass photo work!

It's been awhile!!

Hey everyone.... I am feeling back on track with Roots Wise these days as the transition to Vermont is no longer really in transition anymore! So I figured it's about time to share some thoughts and an update or two...First off winter is imminent and that means FIRE CIDER! If you aren't familiar check out the post on my blog a few posts or two back and get the low down so you can be fiery warm and healthy throughout the winter months...esp with the threat of the flu being forced down our throats. Personally I am not one to use the term the "cold and flu season" so readily anymore b/c what it really is about is keeping healthy throughout the year and winter just means you have to get outside more and breathe in some fresh air! There are so many ways to do this and to be comfortable doing so...grab the boots/snowshoes/x-country skies, whatever, and tromp around any which way you find enjoyable! With fire cider on board and your blood moving from MOVING, you'll be warm in no time. Then!....come on back inside and enjoy a warm cup of tea! Now that I'm nestled in Vermont, I have been working on getting Roots Wise Herbals' teas back out there in the stores. Being in Vermont I've realized that medicinal herbal teas blended by an herbalist are not that hard to come by...which is great on many levels but also has made me reflect upon what is it about my tea blends that are so special, why do I stand behind them and why should you??!! "From early on in herbal tradition, the infusion and the decoction have been the predominant form of extraction of medicinal plants and their properties." (James Green). My passion for herbs and teas stems from my growing of herbs...getting to know the herb through it's life cycle, from seed to seedling and from whole plant to infused herb. You learn about exceptional quality vs good quality herbs and about the true taste a plant should leave on your tongue. I have chosen the blends very thoughtfully, taking into consideration their "constitutional" qualities and how all the herbs in a particular blend will work synergistically. They are not blended with "filler" herbs just for flavor but rather with medicinal herbs for their therapeutic properties and they are loose leaf to ensure maximum extraction of those therapeutic properties. Whether you just want some tea to wind down or are looking for some deep immune support...Roots Wise Teas offer a variety. I also love putting together custom blends so feel free to hit me up with whatever ails you! Get to know your local herbalist and where your herbs come from!! This Saturday I am doing a tea tasting at the Green Top Market in Morrisville, VT...a great local market, chock full of goods (most of which are local), and good people! If you just happen to be in the area...swing on in!