"As much as you can eat healthy, it's also important to remember to drink healthy too. Tea is very healing." -Kristin Chenoweth

Tea.

We are constantly striving to make better food decisions, but do we ever think about what we may be drinking? 

As we already know, simple H2O is the best thing for your body. It hydrates, replenishes, nourishes, and can even prevent us from over indulging. Have you ever considered adding a little bit of tea to your life? Green tea, for example, is great if you are trying to lose weight while camomile tea helps to ease stress.

If you are like me, then you probably worship tea. I take tea time with my roommates very seriously. There are numerous types out there: green, black, white, oolong, etc. Which one is your favorite? Maybe you like slightly sweeter teas while some of you dig the floral aromatic ones.


Throughout my various travels, and because I am an organic tea fiend, I have ventured into many places where tea is either a specialty, or sold in large quantities. Here is a list that I have compiled over the years. I've listed the most obvious places that ship worldwide first. Go ahead and check out their websites!

-Whole Foods (US/UK/Canada)
-Teavana (US/Mexico/Canada)
-Kaleisia Tea Lounge (Tampa, Florida)
-Oxford Exchange (Tampa, Florida)
-Dandelion Communitea Cafe (Orlando, Florida)
-Infusion Tea Cafe (Orlando, Florida)
-SpecialTea Lounge (Miami, Florida)
-Urth Cafe (Los Angeles, CA Area)
-Canyon Coffee & Cafe (Colorado Springs, CO)
-Adagio Teas (Chicago, IL)
-McNulty's Tea & Coffe Co. (NYC)
-Coffee Exchange (Providence, RI)

-Babington's (Rome, IT)

Taken from TeaPalace.com, check out the chart below to figure out which tea would give you the proper benefits to aid in your lifestyle.

Organic & Caffeine Free:

	Herbal Infusions Our herbal infusions are all blended using real herbs, flowers and seeds and contain no artificial flavourings or colourings.
	Tea Tonics Tea Palace offers a Tea Tonics selection of infusions, specifically blended to improve well-being according to Ayurvedic practices. The infusions improve health and well-being by addressing various minor ailments such as indigestion, insomnia, stress, weakened immune system, anxiety and are blended in accordance with Ayurvedic recipes from Kerala.
	Rooibos & Honeybush Rooibos, or Redbush, is grown in South Africa. Naturally caffeine free, it contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as anti-ageing properties.
	Fruit Infusions All the fruit infusions are made with only real visible pieces of fruit, whole berries and flowers. They contain no artificial colours or flavourings and are sugar-free.

Four Main Types of Tea:

	Black Teas Black teas get their characteristic flavour and colour from a natural oxidation process, which follows initial drying and rolling of the leaves after they have been picked. Tea Palace offers a wide range of single estate black teas including world famous Assams, Darjeelings and Ceylons and a range of bespoke Black Blends.
	Green Teas Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves which are simply heated after picking to destroy the enzymes that cause oxidation. They are then rolled to release their flavour. Green teas are sweet and contain many of the vitamins and antioxidant properties of the fresh green tea leaf, making them highly regarded as a healthy, fragrant and delicious drink.
	Oolong Teas Oolong, meaning Black Dragon, is usually from China and Taiwan (often called Formosa, its old Portuguese name). It is a semi-fermented tea, a cross between green and black teas, which is widely prized for its digestive benefits. Tea Palace offers a range of the finest oolong teas from both China and Taiwan, including Iron Goddess of Mercy (Ti Kuan Yin) and the highest grades of Formosa Oolong teas.
	White TeasWhite tea is the world's rarest tea as it can only be picked for a few weeks in any one year. Authentic white tea is only grown in the Fujian province in China where the exact method of processing is kept secret. What we do know is that white tea is made from a specific tea plant variety, as well as a particular processing method which raises small silvery hairs on the leaves and buds. White tea has seen a recent increase in popularity and has well-documented antioxidant and detoxifying benefits.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen

Exercise. 

It comes in many forms and is an imperative part of a healthy lifestyle. It's often difficult to get into the swing of working out if you do not find it exciting. I myself find it hard to keep going if I do not feel motivated so I usually get myself into trying all sorts of group classes.

Today I wanted to throw the word CARDIO your way. Let's face it...Cardiovascular exercise is no fun. So, the next best thing is to incorporate some level of excitement. I personally love spin classes.

Now, I'm not just talking about the old fashioned get on a bike and start pedaling to boring music. I'm talking about hopping on a bike in a dark room with AWESOME music blasting. Not to mention a possible light show. Can you say rave party with sweat?

These sorts of freestyle spin classes can be found across the country. I wanted to discuss one location in particular that really impressed me. Let me introduce you to Aura Cycle

Located in Los Angeles, this spin studio is incredible. Opening only a few months back, it's clean and modern atmosphere is what initially got me interested. I especially loved the fact that parking is free in the parking garage upstairs and lockers/showers are there if you need them. Oh, and first timers get SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) shoe rentals for free.

When I walked into the actual studio, WOAH. I was blown away. There are 4 rows of bikes, all set up in an escalating manner. The instructor is set up in the front facing everyone. There are also mirrors so you can see how hard you are pushing yourself. There are lights all along the mirror that flash to the beat/bass of whatever music is playing.

Let me tell you...the classes offered at Aura are intense. Each instructor focuses on a specific need such as endurance, lower body, and cardiovascular. What's awesome is that no matter what the instructor focuses on, you are definitely going to get an amazing workout. Not to mention, each class also works upper body with light weights attached to the back of the bikes.

After attending a few classes at Aura, I became good friends with the owners as well as the instructors. I ended up getting a part-time front desk job there!

*If you live within the Los Angeles area, or are ever there visiting, I suggest you definitely stop by and take a class. Contact me if you would like to try it out and we will set you up with your first class free! Believe me, you will feel absolutely amazing afterwards.

If you live out of the area and feel that spin would be a fun cardio option for you, go ahead and look up local indoor cycling studios in your area. If you would like assistance in finding the right one for you, feel free to email me and I will set you up.

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.  -Zig Ziglar

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" – Lao Tzu

Happy Thursday everyone! 

Today, make it a point to be thankful for all that you have. Look at yourself in the mirror and instead of letting lose of inner hatred, make note of all the beautiful things about your body. Take those 'imperfections' and simply dump them from your mind. You are perfect just the way you are. Today, you will make use of your positive traits such as compassion, love, and optimism. 

Maybe call up that friend that you haven't seen in a long time just to chat. Who knows, it could potentially make their day. Even flashing a simple smile at a stranger will give off the most wonderful energy. Perhaps you need some time to yourself. This would be a perfect opportunity to meditate, stretch, or take a hot bath with a nice glass of red wine.

Whatever it is that you do with this beautiful Thursday, make it perfect.