In the quiet morning hours, when everyone else is sleeping, I make my way to the kitchen and turn on the tea kettle to make green tea.
This ritual has been going on for several years now.
I loved my morning cup of coffee. I remember feeling that I wasn’t quite awake until I had that first cup. I miss the smell and that first taste. It was good!
However, I have given up my coffee, most likely for good.
Green tea is now my morning beverage.
I would love to say I’m on the cutting edge of the latest health tips, but I didn’t really choose my own. You see, my husband is somewhat of a health nut. He likes to follow the latest advice about what foods will keep you healthy and extend your life. He is a good influence on me about eating better.
So back to green tea. We went through a period where I made my coffee, and he made his green tea. It seemed like a lot of work to be going in two different directions first thing in the morning.
When you live with someone, their habits influence you, or at least you notice them. I did notice the tea ritual. It smelled nice, and Jim didn’t seem so “addicted” like I was to that first cup of coffee every morning.
I decided to give it a try and have been drinking green tea ever since. There are many wonderful green teas out there. Once you stop drinking coffee and the withdrawal headache eases, you realize that green tea is a bit lighter going down.
Now that I’ve stopped the coffee habit, the idea of going back doesn’t appeal to me.
As I mentioned, there are many wonderful green tea products available. I‘m not a salesperson or getting any affiliate benefits, but I love to drink Yogi Green Tea Super Antioxidant.
The Yogi Tea Company: How It All Started
Yogi Bhajan started the company in 1969. He was an inspirational teacher of holistic living and started teaching yoga in America. He shared the wisdom and knowledge of Ayurveda and healthy living with his students, which they named “Yogi Tea.” The recipe contained five traditional Ayurvedic spices: cardamom seed, cinnamon bark, clove bud, ginger root, and black pepper.
In 1984 the endeavor grew into the Yogi Tea Company, which started in Southern California, and by 1986, the Yogi tea was distributed nationwide in three flavors. The philosophy of the company is to serve. I love the guiding principle, which is to “Feel Good, Be Good, Do Good.”
Green tea has less caffeine than coffee and black tea and helps reduce free radicals. Each teabag contains exactly 21 mg of caffeine compared to approximately 90 mg in an 8 oz cup of coffee.
The ingredients in Yogi green tea are:
- Organic Lemongrass
- Organic Green Tea Leaf
- Organic Licorice Root
- Jasmine Green Tea Leaf
- Organic Alfalfa Leaf
- Organic Burdock Root
- Organic Dandelion Root
- Grapeseed Extract
- Irish Moss Powder
- Emblic Fruit (Amla) Extract
Green tea has been used as a medicine for years, and there are definitely benefits to drinking green tea.
Here Are 7 Health Reasons that May Interest You:
This one bears repeating, Less Stress: Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety. It helps you feel more relaxed and has a calming effect.
Improved blood flow and lower cholesterol is another benefit of drinking green tea. It helps to prevent high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
Studies have shown that green tea protects brain cells from dying and restores damaged brain cells. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Green tea seems to help people with diabetes by keeping their blood sugar stable. It helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Apparently, this can prevent high insulin spikes and can protect against the damage from a high-fat diet.
Green tea is thought to help healthy cells in all stages of growth. It is thought to help to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.
Green tea is good for you because of the catechin content. Catechins are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Green tea is rich in catechins because it is not processed much before it is poured into your cup.
Your metabolism can increase and change when you drink green tea. You burn more calories from fat. Once you’ve lost the weight, green tea can help you keep it off. On average, if you drink three to four cups a day, you could burn an extra 50 to 100 calories.
When You Want to Relax
Another tea that I‘m in the habit of drinking from Yogi Tea is their Bedtime tea. I really like its spicy flavor. It helps me relax and feel more ready for sleep. Parents who are experiencing sleepless nights due to concerns for their child, consider trying a bedtime tea before you go to sleep to see if it helps you relax. Two of the ingredients are Valerian and Organic Chamomile, which can help with nervousness and restlessness.
Another tea that I haven’t tried but sounds interesting is Honey Lavender Stress Relief tea. This would be a good one to drink if you want to start the habit of afternoon tea like our lovely British friends. When you need to feel a bit more relaxed, this might be a good tea to try.
Inspiration
Another nice feature is that you are given a lovely inspirational quote/message attached to each bag along with your Yogi Tea. It helps get your day off to a good start. Their website says that yogi inspirations are life‘s simple truths, created to awaken a sense of goodness within you.
Finally, here are some sample inspirational messages, which hopefully will get your day off to a good start.
- Be kind to the earth. In return, she will be kind to you.
- Sometimes you find what you need when you look for what you want.
- Remember yesterday, live for today, praise tomorrow.
- Life loves the person who dares to live it.
- Inspiration is unlimited power.
- Your intuition is your best friend.
- Let your mind dance with your body.
- Compassion has no limit. Kindness has no enemy.
- The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
- Learn something from every person you meet.
- Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a method of traveling.
- The Power of love is infinite.
- Live from your heart.
- The mind is like a parachute: it only works when it’s open.
- Speak kind words, receive kind echoes.
- Believe in the magic in yourself.
- Love endlessly, honestly, every day.
- Find your song. And sing it.
- Wonder about everything.
- Learn to see the invisible.
Drinking green tea may help you feel calmer and peaceful.
It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink. Green tea is beyond a superfood. ~ Christopher Ochner, Ph.D.
While I love my green tea, I do miss the taste of coffee. On occasion, I splurge and head over to Peets or Starbucks for a decaf mocha.
I would love to send you a Yogi Well-Wish. Leave a comment, and I‘ll pick a lucky reader and send you two complimentary Yogi Tea samples with my own personalized message!
Congratulations to Patricia Deanes. Her Yogi Well-Wish is on the way!
Will it be coffee or tea for you? Let us know in the comments.
Get your Free Guide today.Is your child struggling with drugs or alcohol?
I am a HUGE tea lover…. This is a great article and I look forward to sharing with my holistic lifestyle clients!
Glad you like tea as well Lynn! Thank you for sharing.
What a lovely article, Cathy! I don’t drink either tea or coffee, but if I did it would definitely be tea. You’ve made it sound so appealing!
Thank you Sandra!
I’m a big fan of Tulsi Green Tea!!!
Oh good, Vasantha. I’ll have to try that one! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m a tea drinker too Cathy. Love the smell of coffee but never really loved the taste – it was always a concept thing.
Like Vasantha I frequently drink Tulsi tea, especially the original. But I also like Traditional Medicinals who make great chamomile tea, not forgetting their ginger which is also lovely after a meal.
Sadly green tea has caffeine which I can’t tolerate.
It was so interesting to read how drinking tea has been so good for you. One day maybe we can have a nice ‘cuppa’ together.
Love Elle 🙂
Yes, green tea does have a bit of caffeine in it, but it is less than coffee, so for me, I don’t feel that addiction of having to have the first cup in the morning.
I’m glad that you found some teas that work for you. I would love to have a a nice ‘cuppa’ together! Thanks for stopping by!
Cathy, you’ve inspired me. I’ve been wanting to stop drinking the one cup of coffee a day but just didn’t want to give it up. I’m going to give the green tea a try to see how it goes. I’m having the sleeping time tonight as I’ve been having a little trouble getting to sleep.
Thanks again for your inspiration!
Patricia
That is wonderful that you are inspired to try drinking tea. Let us know how it goes. There is a bit of transition time, but I would not go back to drinking coffee everyday. Tea is milder and more relaxing. I do drink the sleepy time almost every night and it does help me get to sleep. Good luck!
Dearest Cathy.
I am diabetic.
I must make a habit of drinking
Green tea. I love the sound of Tulsi
Tea. Can I use tulsi leaves
in South Africa? There are so many types of green tea,I’m not sure what to use.
Thanks for sharing
Regards
Lallie
Hi Lallie,
Glad you are interested in drinking green tea. I would just start trying some and see which ones appeal to you. The plant, tulsi is native to the Indian regions, however you may be able to find it in South Africa as well. I would just try experimenting and see what you like. Let us know how it goes!
Wow, Cathy, the way you’ve written this, I cannot not try it :). And I’m a died in the wool, love my morning cup of coffee kind of person. Thanks for sharing!
I totally understand Lisa. Coffee does taste good and seems right for first thing in the morning. You may like tea once in awhile. Glad you want to give it a try.
I am lieing here in bed after one of those sleepness nights & have just read your green tea article. You have just motivated me to jump out of bed, start the kettle and face my teenager with a big smile. 🙂
Thanks!!!!
Wonderful, Mary Catherine! Good to hear. If you are having trouble sleeping, try the Sleepy Time at night. It helps to relax you in a natural way. Enjoy!
Sounds wonderful. I want to try it!
I hope you do Carolyn. Let us know how it goes.
I just love green tea, it’s a wonder drink any day better than the normal cup of tea, my sons have also taken after me. It’s really relaxing. A very nice article.
I drink green tea,and its really so relaxing and refreshing, it has worked wonders. My Sons never love to drink tea, but they have taken a liking for green tea.it’s a nice article.
I’m so glad to hear that you like green tea, Sunita. It is relaxing and refreshing. Enjoy!
I just loved the inspirational messages…so uplifting…the benefits of drinking green tea outweigh that of coffee so the shift is highly suggested! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Wonderful Lynn, Glad that you were uplifted by the message.
hi Cathy – I’ve been a lifelong tea drinker too but have opted for black tea – orange pekoe being my favorite. I’ve always known why green tea is good for you – this post just helps reiterate that so thank you. I will be picking up some green tea this which I believe is far better for us than black tea!
I’ve really enjoyed the change of drinking green tea, Vishnu. It definitely has health benefits, so glad to hear that you are going to give it a try. Let me know it goes for you. Thank for stopping by!
Hi Cathy,
I totally relate to your article because I’m a big fan of tea. I avoid buying bottled tea but instead I prefer homemade one. I love that spiritual connection and being “in tune” while I enjoy a cup of tea. Keep inspiring!
Zaria
What a lovely article, Cathy!
I want to try it!
Thank you
Great Article- I LOVE iced Green Tea- It’s so easy to make and is so light and refreshing. I want to try as many green teas as I can find to make it iced. Water, Honey, Green Tea Bags, freeze it and let it sit in the fridge- freezing cold and so refreshing on hot days. And all the health benefits too 🙂
Great article
Here’s a description on thebest time to have green tea and get the most benefits