WELL BEING & OTHER STORIES - ZINE ON TRANSFORMATION

Danielle Copperman from http://daniellecopperman.com together with Kate White created a Zine on Wellbeing & Other Stories, where they took an interview with a few women on their Daily Rituals for Wellbeing and Transformation. This is only available in hard copy, however photos of the pages with my interview are included below.

ROSE TEA TASTING at ROSE FESTIVAL

Last Saturday I was invited to hold Rose Tea Tasting for Malvern Luxury Buildings in collaboration with Squires Garden Centre in Surrey. The tasting was part of a larger Rose Festival event that was all about the queen of the garden herself - ROSE.

It was the hottest day of this year and the garden with all the roses there looked and felt amazingly beautiful. The smell was divine, and the garden buildings where the tea tasting took place were perfect for the occasion.

I chose three teas - simple rose buds from Pakistan, White Darjeeling Tea infused with Rose Petals and Rose and Cardamom Tea (with green rooibos, apples and a touch of Mint). They were all a huge success, and also all had a cooling effect on the body. Rose and white tea are cooling by nature, green rooibos, mint and apples too. The only ingredient that was a little bit warming was Cardamom - but it was a well received exceptions as most people attending the tasting loved its taste.

Even though in my work I focus mainly on Chadao Tea Ceremonies and Meditation - I really enjoyed holding this particular event. Spending morning in the sun surrounded by roses, but mostly by the people - curious minds who joined the tasting. Most of them didn’t know the event is happening, and stumbled across it while strolling through the rows of roses looking for the one they want to buy home. Joining the tasting spontaneously and discovering the whole new world of loose leaf teas and actually loving every single minute of it.

I am always amazed by how everyone responds to Tea and the beauty it brings into our life, sometimes unexpectedly. How a simple cup of tea with or without rose can change the course of our day and induces more brightness in our eyes, energy in our bodies and peace in our minds.

Malvern Gardens also wrote an amazing BLOG POST on how to make your own rose tea and how to cook with rose too!

GAZELLI WELLBEING COLLABORATION FOR NEW MOON TEA CEREMONY

We have collaborated with Gazelli Wellbeing in South Kensington to hold New Moon Tea Ceremony and Sharing Circle with the theme of ROSE for the New Moon in Cancer.

To give you a feel for what the Tea Ceremony is about and to introduce me to their customers, they asked me a few questions, which resulted in a beautiful interview - the one that gives a glimpse into my life and journey into Tea.

We’re delighted to be welcoming Lera from T-Lovers to Gazelli House on 2 July for a New Moon Tea Ceremony and Circle – a ceremony that invites you to slow down and connect with yourself, others and nature at the start of the new lunar cycle, a time that’s associated with setting new intentions and visions.

Lera struggled for find purpose in her City job in investment banking, which despite offering security left her feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. She knew she needed to discover her passion and tried embroidery, fashion, jewellery-making, kickboxing, bodywork, astrology, trapeze and corporeal mime. But it was after meeting a ‘magic woman’ that Lera found her true calling. We were intrigued to find out more…

Tell us more about the moment you were told that tea was your calling?

 After searching for thirty-three years for my perfect vocation, I found a blog about this woman, and decided she was my last chance. I really surrendered. I thought, whatever she tells me, I will do it. If she tells me that the financial industry is what I’m going to be best at, I’ll go back to the office. But thankfully she didn’t. She told me many things, among which was tea – and as soon as she said tea, I had a strong resonant feeling in my heart, which I knew I needed to delve deeper into. And that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

What does living a slow life mean to you?

Living slow to me means really taking my time to enjoy and savour what I’m doing. Taking time to appreciate things, to feel them – not on autopilot, but mindfully, with awareness. It also means being in tune with our needs at any point in time – feeling when we need to sleep, when we need to take a pause and when we need to work. It means making space in our days to fulfil our needs, and making them our priority. 

Tell us more about the tea ceremony you are going to be hosting at Gazelli House.

It will be a New Moon Tea Ceremony and Circle. The new moon marks the beginning of the new lunar cycle and with that comes new intentions and new visions. For the Tea Ceremony, we’ll sit in silence together – so we can be still and really listen to our own inner wisdom. This is the only wisdom that is true for us, but we can only hear it when we take our attention within and really listen. We’ll then share whatever comes from the heart. The tea will be a blend of tea and rose – rose is an incredible heart medicine. Everything in the Tea Ceremony is designed for us to connect with our senses, our body, to go within and trust our own inner teachings. 

TO READ FULL INTERVIEW PLEASE GO TO https://www.gazelli.com/blog/2019/6/4/meet-the-experts-lera-of-t-lovers

Tea Ceremony Talk and Demonstration at CHALICE WELL TRUST in Glastonbury

I am so honoured and humbled to be invited to be part of the amazing annual festival in Glastonbury to give a talk on Tea Ceremony and give a demonstration of the Tea Ceremony too.

This festival is organised by Chalice Well Trust. “Chalice Well is among the best known and most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother Earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force.”

This year’s Festival is called “Many Paths, One Source” and is centred around Buddhism - and the numerous traditions that are part of it - Zen, Theravada, Vajrayana etc.

And of course, Tea Ceremony was always present in early buddhist traditions - after all Wu De, a man I call my tea teacher and founder of the Global Tea Hut community, wrote a book with the name “Tea and Zen One Flavour” - showing just that. That Tea and Zen are one and the same.

Tea has been a silent transmitter of wisdom and truth, from master to students, something that couldn’t be transmitted in a linguistic manner.

This and many other things we will explore in this Tea Ceremony talk and Demonstration on 9 June 2019.

Here is a link to the programme of events there - check them out, it’s amazing! https://chalicewellmanypathsonesourcefestival.org/event/tea-ceremony-talk-and-demonstration/

T-Lovers at ShangCha- Private Networking and Premium Tea Tasting Event

Last week I was invited by a a Chinese Business Group to talk at a private Chinese networking event about Tea ad Spirituality, and also to do a Tea Meditation for those who are interested. The event went really great, better than I expected. I was so nervous about the speech I was supposed to do, preparing it of course the last minute. Then trying to remember the structure and points. Being very nervous and going there by bike with my son Sasha in the back seat. But as I said, it went really well, I caught myself that I am enjoying the speech so much (it can be seen from my facial expression on the photos)! I loved talking about Global Tea Hut community, about Wu De (you can see him on one of the projector pictures!), about Living tea, about Tea and Zen, about the trip to Yunnan - and showing the photos from that trip. I could see from people's faces and attentive eyes that they were touched by GTH's mission and message, and that most of them wanted to participate in a tea ceremony.

And I was quite high for a few days after it, and even managed to do a Sunrise Tea Ceremony the next morning at 4am. We are holding another Silent Sunrise Tea Ceremony this coming Sunday at 4.30am at the same place as before in Stave Hill in Russian Docks in London. You can join us in person or online. All information is HERE.

The Importance of Participating in Tea

My morning tea meditation with the bowl of purple red tea. Somehow recently this is the tea I drink most in my morning tea sessions. It brings me into presence straight away and opens my heart. When I give this tea to other people I always ask them to drink it totally and dedicate a few moments just for drinking it. For if you drink casually in between talking and watching tv, or even thinking and planning what food you need to get to cook you dinner tonight, it's effect will not be felt, or will be, but not as strongly.

My friend and a yoga teacher Liuda Yogini who I have a pleasure to live with for two months, sometimes joins me for these morning sessions. And every time she asks me: "What tea is this? It makes me so present, so alive! The healing effect of it can be felt so strongly too!"

It is because if we are present with tea, tea brings us its gift of presence and peace. My tea teacher Wu De from Global Tea Hut community always says that "tea requires participation", in other words if we don't make space for it, there will be no space in us to receive the gifts of The Leaf, the numerous gifts it has to offer. And I am forever grateful for this daily practice, for what Global Tea Hut does. Because after each morning tea session my being shines through and gets in the flow.

A little piece from Wu De's Book "Tea Medicine":

"If you open your heart to Tea and seek love from Her, she will teach you. If you treat Her as an object of sensual pleasure, then your return on investment will be just that: sensual pleasure. Like with all things in life, the more you invest, the more your return will be. Have you made your Tea Space sacred? Have you treated your Tea time with reverence? Adopt an attitude of respect for Tea as a Medicine, for teaware as an instrument, and for your guests who came to share this magical experience , and you will quickly notice how much change this plant medicine brings in your life"

Our first Silent Tea Ceremony at Sunrise in London

Was it difficult to wake up for today's sunrise tea ceremony? Yes, it was. So many excuses ran through my head about why not get up and why not do it. But I overcame resistance and it was so worth it! I woke up at 3.30am, and then my helper and friend came with his bike, so we could cycle together to the location. I was a little bit questioning myself, why on earth am I doing it, when I can stay in bed for a few extra hours.. But the first minutes on the bicycle dissolved these questions and grumpy thoughts completely. It was so refreshing and magical to cycle through the empty streets in the lighting of the sun yet to come! The ride was quick and easy. It seems like everything is so close in London, when you are cycling!

The energy of the time when nature wakes up together with the sun is truly special (it was at about 4.52am today). The birds wake up and sing their songs most intensely during that hour, there are no planes in the sky, and all you hear is birds and wind rustling through the tree leaves. And the sky. Such an enormous vast constantly changing sky! You cannot help but feel part of this beautiful incredible moving universe!

Now I feel so much in my body, so present, even though a little bit tired. So blessed to have this start of the day. There were two of us today, hopefully more can join us next Sunday! These sessions are going to be regular (I hope), with the break for a few weeks at the end of July, as I am going away. If you are interested, simply write to me, and I will let you know if they are happening or not that coming Sunday!

Or you could check our site here, or Facebook page for events.

Here are a couple of photos from that session.

Full Moon Women Tea Gathering

On Tuesday, 22 March 2016, 8pm, we will have our first Full Moon Women Tea Gathering. Not only it's the full moon, which signifies completion and is an ideal time for letting go of things that you no longer need. It is also going to be a Full Lunar Eclipse too, in the sign of Libra. A Powerful Combination, the one that brings with it the potential for great illumination.

On such night there is a strong connection with night sky and the ability to prophecy. This Lunar eclipse brings an aura of peace and tranquility, and carries a very potent balancing energy.

At every full moon, the whole world is illuminated by the essence of the Great Feminine. This is an great time to come together as sisters in authentic heart, to celebrate our gratitude and abundance, and to share the blessings of the sacred herbs and flowers of the Earth.

So let us share a taste of enchanted tea in ceremony, come open your heart, and let the Moon inspire you... We will be boiling water in a clay kettle on live fire, having all five elements in place. We will chant mantras. We will set intentions, and then we will let them go into the universe, relaxing into knowing that it is all we need to do. Set the intention and soften into non action, knowing it will be done.

We will be brewing Puerh Tea. Firstly, large leaves from ancient puerh trees right in the teapot on fire. And then a 2002 Puerh Tea from 1,200 year old trees. It will create a powerful connection to the sky, to the nature, to the earth, and most importantly to ourselves, and into the flow of life.

Please note, that because this is a private residence places are limited.

It is donation based, minimum suggested donation £20, and there is an RSVP/wait list in place, so you are encouraged to receive your space by making a suggested contribution. The seating is done on the floor and we have plenty of cushions. Comfortable clothing is recommended. After tea we will share some healthy snacks. And you will take a Tea bag with tea samples and gifts with you home!

I am looking forward to sharing a bowl of tea with you all!

If you would like to join please send me an e-mail on withtlovers@gmail.com

Sun Moon Lake Red Tea and Uluntu Flowers

Red living tea from Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan (which I got from Living Tea UK) is the perfect elevating start of the day! And with these beautiful flowers from @uluntubermondsey , which I get every time I do a tea meditation there this really is connecting me to myself and to nature... Both are wild. Wild Tea and wild flowers. Be wild. Be nature. Be you. Every Tuesday  - Tea Meditations in my home at 8pm in London. Every Thursday  - Tea Ceremony and Meditation at 1pm Uluntu Bermondsey (63 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TL)

Today I wanted to tell you a little bit more about Uluntu Space, where Thursday's Tea Meditations take place. Everyone always comments that it is amazing to have a Tea Ceremony, a Tea meditation not to so many beautiful and unusual flowers, because in this way it is much easier to connect to yourself and nature. Each time I use flowers from the shop for our Chaxi - the setting of the tea table. It works almost like a magic, transforming the whole energy of the tea space.

And every time after the Tea Meditation the guys tell me: choose some flowers to take home with you! And I stand there each time, not being able to choose from this variety, from these works of art, so simple and so complicated at the same time. I am always late to pick up my son from school as I it simply takes me a long time to choose! But as a result these flowers are in my home for the whole week before the next meditation! :)

Uluntu is translated as Community in one of the South African languages, and this is how this space feels! You come in, and you feel like you came to a friend's house, the guys meet you and greet you, and you will be able to have some tea there soon (from March) - a good quality tea, that gives you a state of joy, happiness and inspiration. This is going to be a collaboration of T-Lovers tea and Uluntu Bermondsey. So please follow us for more news on this!

Every Thursday there are Thursday Social events with music (Stan is also a DJ with the record collection of 5,000 vinyls in the basement), wine and socialising. Last night I went there to check it out at around 10pm for 15 minutes, there was no party, but people were sitting around the table sipping wine, talking, coming and leaving, and it did really feel like a living room of your best friends. I came for 15 minutes and barely left after 2.5 hours! And I was drinking water, not wine! :)))

Before I left Den gave me an Eucaliptus branch to take home. So my house looks as beautiful as ever with the magic touch of Uluntu Flowers. I am in LOVE. And this place is going to be perfect for tea. Amazing, living, quality tea. The opening os a tea house is planned for the 6 March. It's Sunday, and I hope I will see many of you who have been to my Tea Tours and Meditations!!!!

Uluntu Bermondsey is at 63 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TL.

Gluten and dairy free matcha brownies with rowan berries

This was my matcha afternoon treat: matcha tea and matcha brownie (gluten and dairy free) with rowan berries. My friend Julia told me once about an amazing combination of dark chocolate and rowanberries and it is truly amazing! So I went outside my house to the rowan tree (it's great that I have a few of them close to my house), and picked up a few berries. Then I went home and made matcha brownies with them!

The recipe is here:

Matcha Green Tea Brownies with Rowan Berries

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted 1/4 cup matcha powder 40g dark chocolate 1/2 cup granulated sugar ¼ tsp salt 2 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup all purpose flour (I used corn flour) some rowan berries (I took approximate amount, so choose according to your taste)

1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. 2) Whisk eggs with sugar,vanilla extract and salt 3) Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan (hold glass in hot water). 4) Melt the dark chocolate in the same glass with coconut oil 5) Add the matcha powder and stir till smooth 6) When all melted add this liquid into the egg and sugar mix 7) Add flour and stir until well combined. 8) Add rowan berries to the mix and stir well 9) Spread batter into the prepared pan 10) Bake for 30 minutes. The edges should be set and centre is firm but still just slightly underdone. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool 10 minutes at least before lifting out by parchment overhang to slice into squares.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Tea Meditation at London Bridge and blessed cranes from Japan

Our Tea Meditation tomorrow will be very special and amazing. It takes place in a beautiful yoga studio called Globe House Yoga just 5 minutes away from London Bridge station, which is a very convenient location.

Also tomorrow we will have with us Holly Helt, my friend from Japan, an owner of a Japanese tea house and tea shop in Japan, a very spiritual woman. The shop is called ChikiTea and if you ever have been on my tours you would have heard about her and her wonderful teas from me. The teas that open our hearts, connect us to the universe and create the flow of inspiration in such a powerful way that you just feel like saying "I LOVE YOU" to friends and strangers alike!

And she brought with her a few origami cranes that she made with her own hands, and then they were all blessed in the Shrine of Prosperity in Japan by a monk, so these cranes bring Good Luck and Fortune, and each participant tomorrow will get one of those as a present! :))) There are still a few places if you would like to join us!

By the way, our Tea Meditation take place weekly:

• every Tuesday evening at 8pm at my place
• every Thursday lunchtime from 1-2.30pm at Globe House Yoga in London Bridge

I hope to see you very soon!

This is my usual morning companion - Kabusecha green tea. When I drink it, my morning are filled with love, gratitude, inspiration and thirst for Life. And this morning I am also reading a book. An amazing book called "From Onions to Pearls". Which acts in exactly the same way as a Kabusecha tea, only in the shape of a book! In other words it fills you with LOVE, Gratitude, Inspiration and Enthusiasm for LIFE.

It is written by a guy, who, at the age of 54, was put into prison for ecstasy production. And that's where he got awakened. All his life he was a spiritual seeker, following all spiritual practices, and trying out numerous things. He was also leading a luxurious lifestyle with private jets and several houses. And then at 54 he got into a high security prison with 32 inmates in one room, an open toilet, no air conditioning and everyone going completely crazy. He stayed there for 2 years, not knowing if he will ever get out. And that's where his sense of identity crumbled with the awakening taking place.

His teachings are the ones of Advaita Vedanta, of non duality. Every time I read his book it feels like I am at the Satsang, and each time something deep shifts in me. The way I see the world, life, other people and situations. Karma, God, Consciousness, Free Will - I suspected before that all of them are not what they seem, and this book confirmed it!

"Consciousness is All there is. You are not the doer. You don't have to win awakening by your own efforts. JUST BE and know WHO you really are. Then kick back and enjoy the parade as it passes by!"

Yesterday I did a private tea tour in London for three amazing girls, one of which booked it as a birthday present to herself. They also wanted to end it with the chinese tea ceremony. Usually we do tea tours in the morning and finish at a cafe, where we have tea and a dressert. But girls could only do it in the afternoon. Which was still ok (I thought), as a cafe closes at 5 or so. However, when I came in the morning to drop off my bag with all the teaware for a tea ceremony, I found out that they close at 4pm, exactly the time, when we were supposed to arrive! After some discussion, they said that it's ok to come and sill have it, but there will be a mess, and lots of deliveries taking place. Of course it was not ideal, as in my mind, when people ask for a tea ceremony, they expect something cosy, magical, quiet and nice. And I wasn't sure if this kind of atmosphere could happen with doors slamming and deliveries taking place. But then I realised that whatever is - is. And because I really cannot do anything about it at that moment, then the tea ceremony will be perfect as it is, whatever and however it is. And so I relaxed and trusted Life that whatever will be it will be the best and the most perfect tea ceremony for that particular situation.

And the strange thing - it was. By Mind's judgement it was not ideal by all means - when we arrived at a patisserie / cafe/ bakery, all the chairs were already stack together, huge trays with desserts were moved from one side to another, lots of people walking, a photo session taking place of the owner with his desserts, and lots of discussions and talks. BUT! The girls LOVED it! They said it was the most amazing experience to be in a bakery after the closing hours, and see the life in the backstage, so to say. Every time they had a sip of tea, they then turned around to discover another huge tray full of new desserts - sometimes there were 100 brownies, the next time it was an abundance of salted caramel cakes, yet another full of strawberry ganache. Every time they had a delightful sigh, and amazement about all this abundance and beauty - almost the heaven of desserts! The owner gave us mince pies as a present, and the whole atmosphere was magical. Patisserie as a back scene, a tea ceremony with the powerful tea, friendly people, and smells of freshly baked cakes and desserts.

It all came out better than anyone expected. And that's what happens when we just relax and let life live through you, as it is - because everything is perfect already.

Thank you Comptoir Gourmand for this magical amazing experience and always supporting all our tea endeavours with your wonderful hospitality! Our Tea Tour and Tea Ceremony was amazing!

Meditation retreat at Lake Baikal

Recently, I went to Siberia's Lake Baikal for a meditation retreat, and it was such a journey! Insights, realisations and coming back to the body, body, body.... I realised there that the more we are in the body, the more aware we are, the more alive we are, the more we can see the beauty around us. There is no life except from life in our body. When we are in the body, we feel the beauty with our whole being, every cell of our existence. Being present IS to be in the body! So even though I already was more or less embodied  quite a lot of the time, this journey made me realise the importance even more. But here I wanted to share my magical journey with YOU with photos, commentaries and insights...

On the way to lake Baikal my plane arrived at 4am and my baggage was lost, as I found out. Baggage with warm clothes, boots and all other necessities for living for 1 week in a tent on the shore of this magical lake... I got worried, anxious, angry. But then I put my ear plugs in, inflated my neck cushion and lied down on the metal chairs in the airport. I started feeling my anxiety and my worry in my body, living through it's intensity and discomfort. I was lying there until this intensity dissolved and I started feeling waves of energy and subtle vibrations all over my body.

Suddenly the anxiety and worry was gone. And I felt like laughing. I realised how comical this situation is. And how grateful I am for at least takings socks out from the suitcase in moscow, so I was wearing warm socks and havayanas, ear plugs from noise and a neck cushion, and I felt warm, cosy and comfortable!!!! By luggage arrived with the next plane 7 hours later! How great is that? ))

The top photo is Lake Baikal on Island Ol'chon at 5am each morning. I liveed in a tent and woke up at 4.30, to have my glass of hot water, do some yoga and mediate. And it's amazing to meditate in the open air with this view. We live in a naked part of Baikal, it's called Steppe in Russian and there is lots of space, wind and peacefulness. I was not very happy at first as I am a tree person and I love forests, this naked land was a little bit shocking to me. But then I got used to it and came to see it's tremendous beauty and strength. No wonder it is an island of shamans and warriors, they gain their power from this land and the lake. So I fell in LOVE with it.

This little HEART SHAPED lake on the island Ol'chon is called Nuru Nur and they say it's even older than Baikal. Legends say that Chingiz Khan used to dip in it to get blessed before his voyages, and I simply hope that through swimming in it my heart opened a bit more. There is a possibility as the teacher monk from Thailand was concentrating on the heart a lot. Fingers crossed.

Here I am in that Heart Shaped lake. The water was not that cold actually, even warmer than in Baikal itself. The was a lot of algae at the bottom, which lovingly coated my feet. The legend also says, that whoever swims in this little lake will meet their second half moon after. :) When I came out I had the strongest and most powerful meditation on its bank. Something definitely shifted in my perception, and the whole body was vibrating with joy.

Our retreat was not as strict as usual vipassana retreats are. Majority of participants woke up just before breakfast and morning meditation (which is understandable as it was freezing before sunrise!). But there were a few who woke up almost every morning at 4 or 5 am and did some exercises, meditation and swam in the cold waters of Baikal. Lesha was one of them. I called him my morning routine partner even though we went about our own things in silence. But it was always nice to get up, go to the kitchen to have some hot water and find him meditating like this on most mornings. It made me smile and warmed my heart.

Vipassana meditation retreat is usually associated with silence and slow, mindful movements and actions. But at our retreat in Lake Baikal this summer we didn't really follow these guidelines. Moreover, on the last day we did an amazing dancing session. It was mindful, by the way Right on the shore of Baikal on it sacred land. Katia created a magical playlist, which, together with the energy of the land and lake, created a perfect energy.

Personally, I don't go dancing often. And for me to dance it has to be the right music, the right people, the right vibe. But there I just could not stop. My body was doing all the movements, I was just watching it, sometimes even shocked by its crazy moves, sometimes surprised by their mellowness. Goosebumps invaded my body and were rushing from top to bottom and back. It almost felt like the earth, and music, and people all supported me in this dance. And I gave my all 100% to it.

There are dances like this in London, conscious dance sessions without alcohol, drugs and in the evenings. And I feel something got awakened in me on that day, on that shore. My body showed me how important it is for it to dance.

And of course, meditation retreat without green tea is not a retreat!!! I didn't take all my teapots and tea utensils with me to the meditation retreat in lake Baikal in Siberia, where I was spending 10 days with the amazing company of people and amazing nature. But every morning after morning meditation I sat down and took a lot of cups with hot water, poured it from one cup to another, brewed the tea with me counting the seconds instead of the timer and sending love to the tea and to the person who I was preparing it for. The tea tasteed amazingly well with the local water and the energy of it is intensified in this magical place. Which we needed to stay awake and meditate every single moment of the day. I loveed this place here. Every day I felt I was recharged more and more with the energy of this land and water. Back to the body. Back to my true self.

Green Tea and Vitamin D experiment

Did you know that Green Tea washes out Vitamin D from our body? Of course, this is not an issue everyone will experience when they drink green tea. But for some of us, as I found out, green tea can lead to deficiency of Vitamin D in our bodies and all symptoms that go with it - insomnia, interrupted and light sleep, periods of wakefulness during the night. This in turn can lead to neurological problems, like depression, memory loss and others. And these some of us are people who are genetically predisposed to Vitamin D deficiency.

All of this I discovered through my own experience. About 1.5 years ago I started drinking A LOT of japanese green tea. Every morning I used to (and still do by the way) have about a litre of Japanese Kabusecha tea. However, at about almost the same time I started having huge problems with sleep. I couldn't fall asleep for hours. And then after sleeping for an hour or two, I would wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake until morning. When this was happening for about three months I thought I was going crazy - I was angry and irritable, and very unhappy. Until I discovered that I have almost non existent Vitamin D levels. And also, that I am genetically predisposed to Vitamin D deficiency and need much more of it than normal people. Moreover, I discovered that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to sleep deprivation and also, that too much green tea (and coffee) washes out Vitamin D from our system.

I started taking Vitamin D supplements every day, and yes! My sleep problem was fixed completely within a couple of days!

This made me think - should I stop drinking my favourite green tea every morning? Or should I be more in the sun? Or take Vitamin D supplements? So I decided to make an experiment. See how I sleep given different factors. And here are the results.

Given: young and healthy 36 year old woman (non smoker, non drinker) genetically predisposed to Vitamin D deficiency.

Combination 1: Drinking Green Tea in the morning, no sun exposure and not taking Vit D supplement. Result: insomnia, unexplained wakefulness and light sleep, nightmares

Combination 2: Drinking Green Tea in the morning, sun exposure and not taking Vit D supplement. Result: Sleep is ok, but not deep

Combination 3: Drinking Green Tea in the morning, no sun exposure and taking Vit D supplement. Result: Sleep is good, but could be better

Combination 4: Drinking Green Tea in the morning, sun exposure and taking Vit D supplement Result: Sleep is great

Combination 5: NOT Drinking Green Tea in the morning, NO sun exposure and NOT taking Vit D supplement Result: Sleep is OK

Combination 6: NOT Drinking Green Tea in the morning, sun exposure and taking Vit D supplement Result: Sleep is very deep and rejuvenating

So.... These days I take this little bottle of Vitamin D supplement with me wherever I go. It's my magical cure for everything! I never knew that it's responsible for so many processes in our body - sleep, calcium and iron levels, fertility, pains, energy levels and so much more. Such an amazing creature! Which is not even a Vitamin, but a Hormone! Sometimes, I go to bed and can't fall asleep. My heart beats heavily and I toss and turn without any success. Then I try to remember - did I take my Vitamin D today? No! I take 2,000 IU  of this wonderful supplement and within 10 minutes I am asleep. Such a simple step, yet so powerful. So next time, when you have a sleepless night, before reaching for the sleeping pills, may be consider to have your Vitamin D levels tested? And if you are dark skinned person and drink a lot of green tea (or coffee), then this test is a must!

May all of you drink green tea, sleep well and be happy and peaceful! Ommmmm

London Tea Events in August ’15

August is here, the final month of this summer, and I really hope your love for tea will make you explore all the tea events happening now. I am away for almost all August, so there will be no tea tours and walks for most of it, but there are lots of other ones to choose from! 1. Saturday, 1 August, at 14.30 – Tea Tasting Tour in Shoreditch, £20

We will visit four unique places and taste amazing teas, and I will talk you through each tea that we will have, and we will have a cake in the last place too. It is an amazing way to discover a different side of Shoreditch, the most trendy area of London! All teas and a piece of home baked cake in the last place are included in the price.

2. Every Saturday, at 10am – Postcard Teas School: discussing different teas at each session, £20, ADAVNCED BOOKING is ESSENTIAL!

Every Saturday between 10-11am, they will host a relaxed one-hour tasting of teas from areas Timothy has visited complete with illustrated tasting notes.

3. Sunday, 2 August, at 16.00 in SE London (It will probably take place in a cosy green yard close to London Bridge station) - Tea Meditation with me, £donation, send me an e-mail to reserve your space at withTlovers@gmail.com

Tea meditation is a Mindfulness meditation. It is performed in noble silence with me gently and quietly guiding through it in the beginning. There will be an opportunity to talk before and after meditation, and small snacks will be provided afterwards. We rarely have time to just be with whatever is there, in the present moment. To just sit down, and be totally in the process of drinking tea. And when we do that, magic happens.

4. Tuesday, 4 August, at 19.00 in SE London - Evening Tea Meditation with me, £10

Tea meditation is a Mindfulness meditation. It is performed in noble silence with me gently and quietly guiding through it in the beginning. There will be an opportunity to talk before and after meditation, and small snacks will be provided afterwards. We rarely have time to just be with whatever is there, in the present moment. To just sit down, and be totally in the process of drinking tea. And when we do that, magic happens.

5. Wednesday, 5 August, at 20.00 in Covent Garden – Tea Ceremony and Gong Bath. £18

My favourite tea fairy Kat Bambul is conducting yet another magical journey into tea and gongs. Not to be missed!

6. Wednesday, 5 August, at 19.00 in Docklands – Tea Brewing Masterclass with Tea Studio, £20

Learn (and taste) why its so important to brew tea correctly and the key points to doing this. During the masterclass you’ll taste both badly (to show the difference) and expertly brewed teas as well as learning traditional and modern methods for brewing specialist teas. All of course with plenty of discussion and advice so you can make your tea brewing experience better every time.

7. Friday, 7 August , at 14.00 and 15.00 at British Museum – Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration by Urasenke Institute. FREE.

I wrote a blog post about my previous visit and impressions last time I went, which explains very well what this demonstration is about: http://t-lovers.com/2013/04/04/japanese-tea-ceremonies-at-british-museum/

8. Saturday, 8 August, at 14.00 in Docklands – Tea and Street Art Tour with Tea Studio, £24

Contemplate Art & Tea. Meet Claire, Street Art Expert, at East India DLR station and progress to Trinity Buoy Wharf where she will talk you through such pieces as the Time & Tide Bell, The Ascenda 1977 and Longplayer as well as several other street artists. Plus TEA, of course!

9. 13-16 August, 10-7pm in Clerkenwell - Namasia Tea Ceremony at the Art Exhibition, £8

Feature of Event:

-University of the Arts of London is well known of their creativity in Art filed. -This exhibition will cooperate with Taiwanese tea ceremony hosted by Namasia Tea House -12 Artists to exhibit their visions of fine arts.

10. Thursday, 13 August, at 7pm - Tea and Cheese Tasting with Tea Studio in South Kensington. £25

I went there in November and even now, at the memory of all those delicious combinations of amazing cheeses and teas, I almost faint from taste bud pleasure… Highly recommended!

I also reviewed this event previously in one of my posts, please check it out!

11. Sunday, 16 August, 3-5pm - Chinese Tea Tasting Workshop in Waterloo, £20, in English

I have never been to one of these before, and it seems to be organised by the Chinese descendants from Hong Kong, who are passionate about maintaining and promoting chinese culture in the West. Looks really good! I spoke once with Selina, who organises it, and she seemed really lovely.

12. Tuesday, 18 August, at 17.00 in Mayfair - Gingerbread and Tea - Food and Drink Themed History of Mayfair, £10

Mayfair has always been the place to visit for afternoon tea. Hear how this tradition came about together with the surprising histories of some of the world's most famous hotels. You will also hear about the Georgians and their passion for ice cream, the binge eating composer and the famous gingerbread seller Tiddy Doll. It’s not all about history though as Joanna will show you some of the hidden cafes and shops of the area including where to have a cream tea for under £9, a rooftop café in a designer clothes shop and one of the best wine shops in London. This walk is approximately 2 hours in length and will finish close to Green Park tube. No food or drink stops or tastings are included in this walk.

13. Tuesday, 18 August, at 19.00 in Docklands - Baking with Tea with Tea Studio, £24

Tea is more than just a drink. Did you know you can bake with it as well? Well how does Matcha marshmallows in white chocolate or smokey Lapsang Souchong Caramel on icecream sound? All of this you will learn at this workshop!

14. Thursday, 20 August, at 19.00 in Docklands - Journey of the Humble Leaf with Tea Studio, £20

Over the two hours, they will cover the diversity of the 6 tea families, tasting exemplar teas within each category. Kyle will explain how each of the teas are made and what sets each tea family apart. Lots of useful information!

15. Sunday, 23 August, at 2-4pm in Brixton - Summer Chinese Tea & Qi Ceremony with Al Falfa, £15

In an informal and relaxed setting we will share some rare loose-leaf white, green and oolong teas and learn the 'gong-fu' approach to making and drinking tea. There will be space for discussion and opportunity to learn all you want about the many benefits and pleasures of fine tea. Additionally, we will practice qigong techniques to engage and awaken the senses. These techniques use a mixture of self-massage, breath-work and mindfulness and are practiced sitting down. On top of their many health benefits, these exercises aim to bring heightened clarity to our senses, which greatly enhances the experience of drinking tea.

London Tea Events in July ’15

Another month is coming, the most summery month of the year, and another post on Tea Events in London is here! There are loads to choose from (20 tea related events so far in July), and this list will updates as and when the new events are created! Tea tours and walks, tea meditations and ceremonies, tea brewing masterclasses and many many more! 1. Wednesday, 1 July, at 20.00 in Covent Garden – Tea Ceremony and Gong Bath. £18

My favourite tea fairy Kat Bambul is conducting yet another magical journey into tea and gongs. Not to be missed!

2. Wednesday, 1 July, at 19.00 in Docklands - Journey of the Humble Leaf with Tea Studio, £20

Over the two hours, they will cover the diversity of the 6 tea families, tasting exemplar teas within each category. Kyle will explain how each of the teas are made and what sets each tea family apart. Lots of useful information!

3. Every Saturday, at 10am – Postcard Teas School: discussing different teas at each session, £20, ADAVNCED BOOKING is ESSENTIAL!

Every Saturday between 10-11am, they will host a relaxed one-hour tasting of teas from areas Timothy has visited complete with illustrated tasting notes.

4. Saturday, 4 July, at 16.00 in Warren Street - Coffee, Tea and Kisses with Kyle, FREE

Join Kyle from Tea Studio in a exploration of speciality teas. Learn about origins of teas and how they are made. We will explore a different tea every 15-20 minutes, pop in any time. The event takes place at London's only relationships cafe and an inclusive space to build all kinds of relationships, and to explore all aspects of them

6. Tuesday, 7 July at 17.30 in Buddha Bar - Japanese Tea Ceremony: Three-Course Meal & Two Cocktails, £45

Join Buddha Bar team as they explore the 15th century Samurai roots of the Japanese Tea Ceremony for the first time EVER in London. See how to wear a Kimono. Take in exclusive Japanese Tea Calligraphy. Find out why Green Tea is the new coffee. Sample Matcha, Sencha, Gyokuro amongst many more types of Tea. Indulge, as they spoil you with the exclusive new Buddha Special Menu

6. Fridays, 10 & 24 June and , at 14.00 and 15.00 at British Museum – Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration by Urasenke Institute. FREE.

I wrote a blog post about my previous visit and impressions last time I went, which explains very well what this demonstration is about: http://t-lovers.com/2013/04/04/japanese-tea-ceremonies-at-british-museum/

9. Sunday, 12 July, at 12pm - Chinese Tea and Dim Sum Brunch Club with PaoCha in Streatham, London, £20 – NEARLY SOLD OUT!

Discover tea and dim sum in combination! With hundreds of aromas of Chinese tea to be exploring, Sam and Alex (Sinophiles/foodies/tea obsessives) would like to introduce the diversity of this delightful beverage by hosting their very own tea (not supper) club in the delights of our Streatham abode. Where London does brunch, Southern China does Dim Sum; a good selection of Chinese tea and small light dishes. PaoCha therefore, invites you their very own Chinese style brunch of copious amounts of tea ranging from TieGuanYin Oolong, to Pu’er, to Fuding’s best White tea, and a good filling of Chinese inspired food!

10. Sundays, 12 & 26 July, from 11-6pm - A POP UP ORIGAMI POETRY CAFE with Tea, somewhere on the canal in Islington, £10.

This event brings together a passion for tea, poetry and beautiful origami all together as a beautiful package. It includes a personalised poem on an origami model by their professional poet together with a home baked cake and lovely afternoon tea will spoil your senses. Enjoy the landscape of hundreds of flying origami  birds, floating boats and swans, and lovely flowers. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere with bird songs in the background. Add aroma to your origami with a scented paper…

11. Thursday, 14 July, at 14.00 in SE London - Tea Meditation with me, FREE

Tea meditation is a Mindfulness meditation. It is performed in noble silence with me gently and quietly guiding through it in the beginning. There will be an opportunity to talk before and after meditation, and small snacks will be provided afterwards. We rarely have time to just be with whatever is there, in the present moment. To just sit down, and be totally in the process of drinking tea. And when we do that, magic happens.

12. Thursday, 14 July, at 19.00 in Docklands - Tea Brewing Masterclass with Tea Studio, £20

Learn (and taste) why its so important to brew tea correctly and the key points to doing this. During the masterclass you'll taste both badly (to show the difference) and expertly brewed teas as well as learning traditional and modern methods for brewing specialist teas. All of course with plenty of discussion and advice so you can make your tea brewing experience better every time.

13. Wednesday, 15 July, at 7pm - Tea and Cheese Tasting with Tea Studio in Notiing Hill. £25

I went there in November and even now, at the memory of all those delicious combinations of amazing cheeses and teas, I almost faint from taste bud pleasure… Highly recommended! I also reviewed this event previously in one of my posts, please check it out!

14. Sunday, 19 June, 3-5pm - Chinese Tea Tasting Workshop in Waterloo, £20, in English

I have never been to one of these before, and it seems to be organised by the Chinese descendants from Hong Kong, who are passionate about maintaining and promoting chinese culture in the West. Looks really good! I spoke once with Selina, who organises it, and she seemed really lovely.

16. Saturday, 25 July, at 11.00 in Docklands - Journey of the Humble Leaf with Tea Studio, £20

Over the two hours, they will cover the diversity of the 6 tea families, tasting exemplar teas within each category. Kyle will explain how each of the teas are made and what sets each tea family apart. Lots of useful information!

18. Thursday, 30 July, at 19.00 in Docklands - Matcha Masterclass with Vivid Drinks, £24 - CANCELLED

During the event you will be guided through matcha samplings and learn all about the various matcha grades. Experts from Tea Studio and Vivid Drinks will give you an understanding of Matcha and its origions. Uncovering its history and how matcha is made. I will be there making some photos, so hopefully see you there!

Green tea and apricots

What can be better than having green tea and apricots for breakfast? And in this way letting a little bit of sunshine into your morning? This is more or less what I do, while it is still an apricot season. Both green tea and apricots contain enormous amount of anti-oxidants, and are a perfect way to stay healthy, slim and young.

Apricots are low in calories ( different sources say 17-40 per fruit, probably depending on a size of the apricot), rich in fiber, vitamin A, C and beta-carotine. No wonder Hunza tribe in Pakistan, who eat apricots in all the dishes (even apricot soup!), fresh and dried, fruit and kernels - are one of the longest living people on our planet!

Apricots are in season now. And green tea is ALWAYS in season. At least for me! :))

Matcha tea and Matcha chocolate

Quite often I have matcha tea in the afternoon. It goes perfectly well with sweets (so it feeds my sweet cravings) and it also replenishes my energy levels and makes me alert and focused. And if I have a matcha sweet with my matcha tea, it's a double pleasure for me. I first saw this particular french Matcha chocolate in Fortnum & Masons and it was almost £7 there. "Too expensive!!!!" - I thought to myself, yet, I really liked the feel and design of the chocolate and wanted to taste it too! After all, it was made with match tea, and I had to try it! So I found the same one in Japan Centre for almost half the price, and of course, I bought it. It's a perfect colour combination - both tea and chocolate so green and vibrant. And the taste is amazing too. Matcha and chocolate is the match made in heaven!

"Good Morning" Tea

This a Kabusecha green tea, which I call my "Good Morning" tea! With it my morning becomes good and more than that - it becomes great! I drink about 1 litre of it every morning (3 infusions in a 350ml tea pot) and straight away feel motivated, inspired, driven, enthusiastic and generally very very happy! Indeed, this tea is the perfect " Good Morning" Tea! Kabusecha is a Japanese green tea that is made of tea plants, that were shaded for approximately two weeks before the harvest. It's almost like a Gyokoro (which is shaded for 1 month) but less expensive! This shading process makes the leaves greener (they produce more chlorophyll), and packed with antioxidants, caffeine and amino acid called L-Theanine. This combination is bound to make you alert, focused, energised and happy! And all of it without the jittery effect that coffee usually has on us. Amazing little green treasure!