For Christmas, my sisters sent me these teas because they thought the pictures on the boxes were funny. Most of my friends know that I dislike bagged tea, but these are so so different. They are intensely flavorful and strong without being bitter. They all smell so good! Let me tell you the flavors:
- Gingerbread Spice: Obviously a holiday package, this made me feel like I was home amongst snow and pies even though I was thousands of miles away in a tropical island.
- Sleepytime Tea: This is very minty and meant to help you go to sleep. I don’t know how much it actually helped me go to sleep (if anything, it disrupted it because I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night…) but I like having bedtime rituals, and of course this smells very good too.
- Chai Tea Chocolate Caramel: This sounds absolutely ridiculous but it actually tasted quite good. There is a very strong chai flavor, and you can actually taste the chocolate aroma. There is some caffeine in this one, so I drink it in the mornings. I love the way it made the room smell when I drank it.

I always noticed the Celestial Seasonings teas in the stores but never bought them because I thought they were like other bagged teas, but I highly recommend these for those who can’t find good loose leaf teas.

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For those who have never had mochi, or Japanese rice cake, you are missing out on a awesome treat. Mochi is made when rice is pounded into a sticky substance. Daifuku is a variation of mochi in which it is formed into balls, usually containing something inside such as sweet bean paste. Regular mochi is very sticky but I like to eat with a mixture of sugar and soy sauce (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it :P)

Nowadays you can make mochi out of an instant powdered mix or even just buy them at your local Asian grocer’s. Trader Joe’s sells ice cream mochi, with the sticky rice on the outside and a variety of ice cream flavors on the inside (green tea, mango, strawberry–all delicious!) Mochi and mochi-based desserts are usually eaten around New Year’s, but if you’re lucky enough to have good groceries nearby, you can enjoy them all year.

Mochi not only makes for great treats and desserts, but make appearances in savory foods–such as oden–as well. Regardless of the way you eat it, one must be careful because its stickiness may cause you to choke, and elderly people often fall victim to celebrating the New Year’s in this way.

It seems like mochi is becoming more popular in the U.S. as people are being introduced to more international cuisine. It goes great with tea and makes for a filling treat.  Chances are a Japanese restaurant nearby offers ice cream mochi for a dessert. Try it!

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A week from today it will mother’s day. Chances are you know a mother in your life, but what to get them? There are so many different kinds of mothers that chocolate and flowers just won’t do. So here are some cool things I found that may appeal to mothers of different kinds.

Mini Chimney
For: Dry-Hands Type Mama or Design Loving Mama
From: Compact Impact
Price: $143.10
Description: Personal humidifier which moisturize both the heart and the body with an aroma mist.
The concept is to focus on the atmospheric fitness and soundness while balancing the stature of the chimney.
Notes: Although on the pricey side, keep in mind this can be used year after year and acts not only as a humidifier but as an aromatherapy device as well. It’s very sleek-looking so as not to be obtrusive, and is available in a larger size for over $200.

The Teastick
For: Tea-Loving Mama or Health Nut Mama
From: Gamila
Price: $18; combo set for $34~$36
Description: A contemplative toy that gently rocks as it infuses clouds of flavor before your eyes. This is what happens when designers and connoisseurs meet for tea.
Notes: Since cups come in all shapes and size, sometimes strainers just don’t do a good enough job. Bulbous-shaped strainers are a little unwieldy and are easy to leak. This seems like a great solution that both fits any size cup and prevents leaking bitter tea leaves.

Moonlight Mushrooms
For: Hippie Type Mama or Gardening Mama
From: Gardener’s Supply Company
Price: $19.95
Description: Made from handblown glass, these watering spikes are both pretty and practical. By day, they’ll deliver up to a cup of water right at the root zone. When evening falls, phosphorescent speckles inside the glass begin to glow, producing 2 to 4 hours of soft illumination. For best effect, place in an area with little ambient light.
Notes: These are so pretty and inexpensive, not at all tacky like most other gardening accessories.

Salted Margarita Caramels
For: Cocktail Time Loving Mama or Chocolate Loving Mama
From: Bissinger’s
Price: $10.95
Description:
- 6 pieces conveniently packaged in our special sampler box
- Melt-in-your mouth caramels deliver hints of lime and tequila wrapped in smooth milk chocolate
- Dusted with shimmering pink Himalayan salt crystals rich with healthful minerals
Notes: Everything on the site sounds so delicious, and their smaller packages are reasonably priced for gourmet chocolate. This Salted Margarita Caramels package sounds especially good for those who love cocktails and love their chocolate sweet and salty. This would make an ideal last-minute gift–since the weather is getting warmer, you have to ship express! Check out their other gift ideas too.

The internet, the mall, and even stores like Target all have something unique to offer if you look hard enough. Each mother is different, but you should never limit your gifting options to just flowers and a card! Have fun with gift-giving, but don’t go overboard–the best present is most likely just spending time with you. (cue cheesy music.)

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If I made one great health decision that I consistently followed through with, it would have to be drinking loose leaf tea. I was introduced to drinking loose leaf tea last summer in Japan when a friend there bought me a single-serving mug with a strainer that came with it. Loose leaf tea is a big deal in Asia–there are so many varieties and flavors that you won’t find in most grocery stores in the US. But with some looking, anyone can experience for themselves the superior flavor of loose leaf tea.

For as long as I can remember, I have tried to like bagged tea. I tried all varieties, especially the ones that revolved around fruit flavors like orange or apple-cinnamon. But I couldn’t get into them. They just didn’t taste good. Putting milk and sugar in the tea didn’t make them better. I may as well have been drinking hot water. Not only that, but adding milk has been shown to negate any health benefits from drinking tea at all!

When you buy loose leaf tea, you’ll instantly see the difference in the quality of what you’re brewing. There is just something about seeing a bunch of real leaves and dried fruit in your tea strainer that make tea bags (with their finely ground whatever) look so…limp and sorry looking. You kind of want to pat them on the shoulder and say, “Hey? Maybe next time.”

Next is the flavor. You cannot compare the flavor you get from tea brewed with loose leaves to that brewed with tea bags. There is no need to add sugar or milk to it because the tea already very flavorful. Loose leaf teas that have dried bits of fruit in them are the best. You get natural sweetness from the fruit. Best of all: it makes your breath smell delicious.

Needless to say, when you love the tea you’re drinking, the health benefits come easily. During the colder fall days I would drink 2-3 cups of tea a day, and over a few weeks I noticed that I had lost about 2 pounds without changing anything else in my daily routine. That is not to say tea is the new revolutionary diet pill, but countless studies have shown the health benefits of drinking tea (especially loose leaf varieties.)

Lastly, the financial aspect is a pretty good one. Since loose leaf tea is generally sold by weight in ounces, more often then not you’re getting a good bargain. To get an idea, two ounces is enough for maybe 10-12 cups of 6 oz. tea if you brew with a teaspoon of it each time. If you buy a variety of different flavors, then you will have tea for a very long time. Different places sell loose leaf tea at different prices depending on the rarity of the tea. The most expensive I have seen is $5.00 an ounce, and the price I see most other teas at is about $3~6.00 for 2 ounces. I bought a 4 oz. bag of tasty green tea with dried fruit from IKEA for only $.99. Deals galore!

If you don’t know where to look, try exploring a nearby neighborhood with small, privately-owned cafes, tea bars, or places that revolve around natural remedies. Chances are they will sell the tea leaves as well as let you try the tea brewed with it. Asian grocers will undoubtedly sell loose leaf tea, mostly various kinds of green tea. There’s always the internet (which I haven’t ventured with yet) and there’s always Borders.

Yes, it seems that our lovable mega bookstore chain (as well as Gloria Jean’s Coffee) now offers loose leaf tea apparatus. They sell strainers and loose tea that they put into large cheesecloth-like bags. Although pricey, if you want to try it for yourself before integrating loose tea into your lifestyle, then it’s worth paying extra for your first taste of great tea. After that, save money by buying your tea from small grocers and cafes. They need your money more, and their lower prices will make you feel doubly-good about helping out their small business.

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