Tea time and hydration

 

The end of 2020 caught me off guard. I started the year desperate and unemployed, and I ended the year with a handful of unexpected opportunities. Let me tell you that all the meditating and trusting in the universe I've been doing is starting to pay off. Maybe it's manifestation. 

A family friend told me to come meet the team of his new yoga studio. Turns out, it's not that straight forward. He started a whole wellness studio with a Chinese medicine and qi gong practitioner, Dr. Tae. My first meeting with the team took place in an unlit therapy room with four grown men sipping on foraged mushroom tea mixed with ginseng supplement powders and green tea extracts talking about meditation, weed wine, and fermentation. That was the moment I realized that my dreams were slowly materializing.  

Dr. Tae was excited to find out that I am a Registered Dietitian and suggested we shoot some content together. I have a mediocre social media presence at best, but I agreed because I just want to spend more time learning Chinese medicine theory and qi gong from him. We planned a content day around hydration to discuss the health benefits of pu'erh tea, ginger lemon honey tea, and dried mushroom tea, followed by a private yoga session led by yours truly.

I loved Dr. Tae's genuine joy in taste testing different types of pu'erh tea, but we were both awkward on camera. We're still getting to know each other personally, and that was definitely amplified on screen. There's so much rich information to share about these ancient true and tried recipes, but how do you make it interesting and accessible to the internet? We'll find out. 

In the meantime, here are some quick facts on the benefits of the different teas we brewed together:

• Pu'erh tea is fermented tea from the Pu'erh region in Yunnan China. Raw / green pu'erh provides the most benefits and least caffeine content. The fermentation process cultivates probiotics / "good" bacteria that promotes gut health and therefore clear skin. Pu'erh is typically served during dim sum to help cut down the fat and aid digestion of the oily foods and dumplings. 
• Ginger lemon honey tea is a staple and appropriate for the majority of people at any developmental stage. It's packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory goodness, but it's important to note that having a consistent intake of vitamin C and antioxidants is the most effective way to prevent colds and illnesses. Choosing local honey can help build your immune system, especially for those with seasonal allergies. Honey is soothing for the throat and should be used in moderation (like all sugars). 
• Ling zhi tea is made from dried ling zhi (reishi) mushroom, which is known as the "mushroom of immortality." It's portrayed in Chinese popular culture as a magical substance than can bring people back from the brink of death. Mushrooms absorb sunlight and produce vitamin D, much like humans do, and therefore are packed with vitamin D, which is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Water is the most important substance for hydration, and the above teas (in moderation) are just more ways to help stay healthy and hydrated. Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables help with proper hydration, while processed or salty foods, caffeine, and alcohol can withdraw water from your system. Hydration can also be affected by the season, your environment, and your activity level, so be sure to make adjustments accordingly.  Proper hydration helps with many metabolic functions in the body, hunger regulation, weight management, clear skin, constipation, blood pressure, and more. So do something nice for yourself today and stay hydrated :) 

Amateurs preparing for our first shoot!

Tasting two different types of pu'erh tea

One of my favorite teas with easily sourced ingredients

Dr. Tae gifted me his Elderberry Elixir, which is a great cold/cough preventative for all ages

Dr. Tae's pu'erh and mushroom concoction