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March 3, 2010
The Souvia Saturday Forums allow our local to community to interact with a variety of local experts on a variety of topics. The informal sessions last from 10am until Noon – No rsvp necessary just stop by!
Here are the next three
March 6th – LeAnn Hull – Candidate for US Congress District 3
 LeAnn Hull is running for US COngress, District 3
LeAnn Hull is a local business owner who has entered the race for US Congress – She Will be at the store to discuss issues affecting all of us and her views of potential solutions.
Read more about her at www.leannhullforcongress.com
March 13th – “Best Laid Plans”
Do you have a living will, POA and an estate plan?
Marsha Goodman, Attorney PLLC
March 27th – DWD – Driving While Distracted
 Charlie Sobczak of Driving MBA will be here to discuss the dangers of distracted driving including texting and cell phone use. He’ll have a simulator to show how distracted driving will impair your ability to avoid accidents.
Charles has a diverse background ranging from a traffic agent responsible for weight and balance of aircraft to hazardous material coordinator, customer service supervisor as well as sales. From 1993 to 2003 Charles was in charge of certification and on-going training of sales personnel in automotive retail.
February 9, 2010
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Quick and Current
Tea and Chocolate
Goings on
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If you missed the
Segment on Tea and
Chocolate for
Valentine’s Day
it is archived here
Featured Teas
Several New teas arriving
Lomi Lomi Herbal infusion
is a delight for the senses
Taiping Monkey King is
a unique and rare green
tea with a long leaf style
Sencha Kombucha is a
green tea with kombucha
powder. Plum like
flavor is simple to make
Fog Tea is a green tea
also known as “Clouds
of Mist” or Wu Lu. Grown
in misty mountains it makes
a great tea.
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Quick and current
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February not only contains Valentine’s Day, but is also American Heart Month. Tea is a great way to tackle both! Black Teas have been shown to strengthen the cardiovascular system and tea fills the bill in many other ways for Valentine’s Day. In this edition:
- Souvia Teas can be found in more places like The Java Spa in the Sachi Salon and the Water Mart at Camelback and Miller. Ask for Souvia Teas at your favorite haunts – we can deliver anywhere in the country!
- The popular Souvia Saturday Forums continue on February 13th at 10am, providing speakers on a variety of general interest topics. They are free and run from 10am-Noon on selected Saturdays. Next up: Greg Peterson on “Creating your own Urban Farm”
- See below for tea pairing, teas that are arriving and teas that are going away
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Tea and Chocolate
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 Can you imagine a chocolate chip cookie without a glass of milk, a peanut butter sandwich without jelly, vanilla ice cream without hot fudge? There are certain food combinations that take the taste from just good to simply delicious!
Wine, for example, is often paired with foods and desserts to enhance the flavor in both. Tea shares many of wine’s complexities and pairing it with food can enhance the taste experience of both. Since February highlights chocolates and sweets as the perfect gift for your Valentine, why not take it to the next level and create tea and chocolate pairings for that romantic Valentine’s dinner that will surprise and delight?
One way to look at tea and chocolate is as friends, where similarity in characteristics enhance the flavor, or as lovers, where contrasting characteristics will complement each other through their differences. Since tea and chocolate share the same flavor profiles, floral qualities and bite from astringency and tannin, they practically invite you to create fun and tasty combinations. While you should always trust your taste buds to find the right combinations, there are some general guidelines that might help you get started.
- White teas have a very delicate flavor and pair well with mild chocolates and fruit. Try a Silver Needle or Bai Mu Tan with chocolate covered strawberries or a white chocolate cheese cake.
- Green teas have vegetal flavors and aromas and pair well with creamier tastes such as berry flavors and milk chocolate. A Japanese Sencha with its savory profile, for example, is a good match for white or milk chocolate.
- Oolongs are partially oxidized teas, are very complex in flavor. The lightly oxidized, greener oolongs go well with rich sweet desserts like caramel filled pralines, milk or dark chocolate, while the more oxidized oolongs complement the stronger flavors of dark chocolate.
- Black Teas tend to have a stronger flavor, more body and their tannin content matches up well with rich and full flavored dark chocolate, maybe with a hint of berries, citrus or nuts.
We like rich and creamy desserts and, therefore, choose for a perfect Valentine’s dessert would be a Ti Kuan Yin Oolong from China with its slightly toasted notes and a slice of creamy chocolate caramel cake.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic and would like to sample some creations, sign up for our “Tea and Dessert Pairing” class on Sunday, March 7th from 2 until 4 PM.
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Lots going on at the store…
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 Lots happening over the next month or so
- Souvia Saturday forums started last month. These are presentations of general interest to the community. No registration necessary, just stop in and learn something new. Got an idea for a topic or speaker? Send us a note
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The Chinese New Year starts in February and it is the “Year of the Tiger” – We have an instore drawing for a boxed set of some of the top teas from China
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New arrivals in March – Licorice Root and White Cherry
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Leaving us soon – Pumpkin Pie, Nutcracker Suite, Assam Mangalam, Snow Buds Special, Spring Green, Cupids Arrow, Gingerbread House, Ginseng Oolong
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Thanks for Reading
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Win a Souvia T-shirt for answering the following question – Name two herbals that are good for your heart. Send your answers to info@souvia.com. I will draw 4 winners this month…
We hope to see you in the store or online soon. If you can’t get in remember we ship same day and your tea will arrive quickly!
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January 30, 2010
Souvia is going to be on the radio as a guest of Pete Peters and Deborah Brown.
The show is The Boomer and the Babe Show and it airs every Monday – Friday at 11AM on KXXT, 1010 AM in the Phoenix market.
we will talk about things you think you know about tea – but don’t! “There are a lot of myths about tea, caffeine, cultures, and more” says Bret Wingert, Co-owner and Founder of Souvia Tea.
You can also listen or watch the show live or recorded on www.boomerandthebabe.com. The link to the video of the show will be on the home page on the upper right.
If you would like to join me at the show, they have seating available for about 20 people. The Boomer and The Babe Show is broadcast from the We Are Family Thrift Store at 107th Ave and Peoria in Sun City, Arizona.
We hope you’ll enjoy the show
We will be on the show Tuesday 2-2-10 at 11am MST
January 27, 2010
January 30th – 10:00 am
- Delta Payet
– Owner of “Delta in Skin”
“ Have you ever wondered what Microdermiabrasion feels like?”
- find out how this treatment works
– find out how to treat and reverse sun damaged skin
“Also Known as the “Lunch Time Peel” This treatment is for the wrinkles, sun-damage, acne/acne scars, too much oil, too little oil, stretch marks, pore size, the bumps on the back of the arms to unwanted pigmentation and yes, even those ingrowns. How it works: A closed loop system utilizes both highly regulated suction and pressure that moves inert abrasive crystals over the surface of the skin. This action causes no pain while it removes the outer layer of the skin.”
December 15, 2009
Kerstin just finished making a ton of great cookies and sweets for Christmas. I absolutely love German goodies and look forward to them every year. I really enjoy something a little sweet after dinner. While my kids can eat sweets without any outward signs, I have to spend more time hiking the mountains or on the treadmill to counteract the effects. Fortunately, there are some alternatives that satisfy but don’t pile on the calories. Teas and Herbals can provide the sweet treat without the guilt – Teas like Pumpkin Pie, Tiramasu Marscapone and Gingerbread House are examples of very low calorie teas that even when not sweetened, curb the cravings.
Kerstin was recently on Sonoran Living Live here in Phoenix to talk about this and even gave a recipe for a Chai Latte that has less than a quarter of the Big Chain’s calories with no compomise in flavor.
While I plan to occasionally indulge with the home baked goodies, it is nice to have a alternative for days when I don’t have the time to work it off.
Have a great Holiday time whatever your tradition!
November 13, 2009
The world of tea and health is dynamic and new information is always emerging. Here are a couple of recent articles
- Tea and Breast Cancer - The Examiner
- 12 signs you’ll live longer - Prevention.com
The news is consistently good and the even better tea tastes great. it is a win-win!
November 9, 2009
Thanks to Bella Donna of BHealthyBHappy LLC, (and a guest Souvia Instructor) for the nice note and great recipe that follows
“Dear Souvia,
I have been using your teas as a base in my healthy smoothie drinks for years now. There are
so many different flavors and I appreciate the quality of products that you offer. I have recently
discovered your Angel’s Kiss tea and must say that the smell alone is ‘heavenly’. The flavor
is absolutely delicious and am going to start using it in one of my smoothies that I offer to
clients who come for detox treatments.
I thought I would share my recipe in case you could pass it on to your customers and I think
they would appreciate it as my clients do. It offers many health benefits and is especially good
now with flu season upon us. Enjoy, share, play with the ingredients.
Bella”
www.BHealthyBHappy.com
IMMUNE ENHANCING SMOOTHIE
Mix in a bowl:
4 T. yogurt with 2 T. organic flax seed oil
Mix in a blender:
1 t. honey
1 t. bee pollen
1 T. cinnamon
1/4 cup fresh lemon or lime juice
2 T. freshly ground flax seed
5 soaked and rinsed almonds
5 soaked and rinsed walnuts
1 apple with seeds and skin, remove top and bottom of core
1/4 cup organic grapes
1/4 cup fresh cut pineapple including core
2 T. Brewer’s yeast
½ cup any flavor kombucha
1 cup green tea
5 spinach leaves
Add yogurt and flax seed oil mixture
Re-blend and serve immediately.
September 30, 2009
 When people first come to tea, they often arrive from the world of coffee.? Many are either trying to avoid caffeine altogether or seek an alternative source for there morning cup.? ? This leads to inevitable questions about tea and caffeine.? ? While I tend to drink tea for taste, the caffeine can be a benefit on early mornings!? As this is a topic of interest to? many, I always educate myself through reading (remember – Google does not equal research!), obtaining further education through Specialty Tea Institute webinars, the World Tea Expo, and consultations with herbalists and naturopaths.
There is a lot of information on the web, some of it better than others.? A couple of points to keep in mind as you search for answers about tea and caffeine.
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- All tea contains caffeine
- How the tea is brewed and the leaves you start with dramatically affect the caffeine in your cup
- Tea is one of the very few foods that contain L-theanine - an amino acid that can counteract some of the caffeine effects
- Caffeine in tea tends to be absorbed more slowly than caffeine in coffee
In general, Black Teas have the mosts caffeine in the cup followed by Oolong, Green, then white teas.? ? ? This assumes that the teas are brewed properly.? For example, leaving white tea leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes will not only make a bitter brew it will also extract a lot of caffeine from the leaves.
L-theanine kicks in 10-20 minutes after consumption.? The net results is a reduction in some of the less pelasnt physiolocial effects of caffeine without a loss of a popular benefit – mental alertness.? This is why tea is said to be stimulating yet calming.
So, whether you drink tea for taste, a boosts or both arm yourself with information so that you can make informed choices about tea and caffeine.
September 16, 2009
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Contents
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Early or Late
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Immunity
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All about Tea
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Featured Items
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Banana Split
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Smooth black tea with
? a rich banana taste –
As yummy as the
dessert without the guilt
- Great Iced!
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Souvia on TV
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Check out our most
? recent TV appearances
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August 11th on
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and see us August
12th? 9-10am on
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? Jiaogulan
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Jiaogulan is best known
as an herbal medicine
reputed to have
powerful? antioxidant
and adaptogenic
effects that increase
longevity.? It has a
pleasant Oolong like
taste and color.
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Early or Late…
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As many? children head back to school the summer? spontaneity is exchanged for? more structured routines. Traffic? flow changes, stores are less crowded during the day, and other schedule patterns change.? Based on customer feedback, Souvia is making some schedule changes too:
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Monday, August 17th? our Phoenix location will open at 7am – Monday through Friday
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Our Scottsdale location will stay open until 7pm, Monday through Friday.
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? Hopefully this will allow those needing an early cuppa or those who work later and a chance to visit.
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With all the news about flu and illnesses transmitted in schools, we have invited Dr. James Moore, NMD,? back? to speak? about herbals that help boost and strengthen one’s immunity – naturally.? ? He is a popular speaker so be sure to register your seat early for the August 31st session.?
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Watch for new teas as we move into Fall.
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Tea Word of the month:? ? FTGFOP [eff-tee-jee-eff-oh-pee]? adjective?  ? ? Literally, Fine Tippy Golden, Flowery Orange Pekoe – A grading term based solely on how the tea leaves look, used primarily in India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka
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Kerstin’s Herbal Corner – Staying Healthy
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Staying healthy at home as kids head back to school.
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While in Germany, we heard about the “Schweinegrippe” (swine flu) as it is daily? headline news.? Many German kids are in school until late July and the flu bug showed no mercy this summer in the US either, affecting camps across the country and sending many kids home sick with the flu.? ? While some of the stories are a bit hyped and overblown, no one likes to get sick.
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Now that children are back in school and socializing with others, what’s the most natural way to protect you and your family?? ? Below are? five suggestions of what to do when your son or daughter brings home more than just homework!
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Start by incorporating more black tea in your diet -? Black tea has been shown to have anti-viral properties and? it is also an immunity booster.
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Consider herbal infusions: Elderberry, astragulus, lapacho, in addition to Cold Chaser are all great additions to tea to keep you healthy.? ? Elderberry can also be made into a syrup to help at the first sign of symptoms.?
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Besides drinking herbal remedies, reduce stress to help ward off a bug.? ? Sitting down to enjoy a cup of tea is a great way to slow down for a moment.? Choose what works for you be it exercise, yoga, or whatever.
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Consider infusions rich in vitamin C.? Hibiscus and fruit blends fall under this category.
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Arm yourself with information.? Learn more about natural herbal medicine, or consult a Naturopathic doctor and learn how the body can heal itself.? ? ? Take a class
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While natural remedies can shorten the course of an illness, it is best to take steps before symptoms appear.
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It’s All about the Tea
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We were invited in July to visit one of our suppliers in Germany.? As you know, we like the Germans due to the excellent flavorings and vigilance over things that do not belong in Tea,? ? We spent several hours tasting over 60 teas both flavored and Orthodox.?
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Tasting this many teas requires that one does not actually swallow them but it is a great exercise and helps determine the relative tastes and quality of teas.? We tasted teas and herbals covering the price, flavor, and quality spectrums.
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The result?? You’ll be seeing some new teas in the fall some not currently available from any other source in the USA.? ?
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We continue to explore new ways of staying in touch.? ? Dozens of you? are following ua on Twitter – we are posting the teas of the days, interesting news items on tea and other items? that may be of interest.? ? We have recently also started a Facebook page.
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? Our goal is always to educate and enlighten our customers about tea and herbals.? We hope the web based technologies enhance that.
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Other news about our teas
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Larger Tins – up to 250 grams of tea – keep it fresher, longer.
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One Pound Size – an excellent value for teas you love
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Key Lime Pie - back for a limited time and only while supplies last
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Thanks for reading this month.? We hope you will stop by for a morning brew in? our Phoenix location or shop until 7pm in Scottsdale.? ? Question of the Month:? A European study indicated that adding something to black tea might reduce its benefits to the cardiovascular system.? What did it refer to?? I will draw a name from the respondents to get 50 grams of the black tea of your choice.? Send you answers to info@souviatea.com
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We hope to see you in the stores but if not, remember we ship everyday!
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January 15, 2009
Tea gets questioned by the “police” in this video from the USA Tea Assocation.? Other than the fact there is a tea bag hanging out of the cup, its a pretty good summary of teas healthy properties!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NajJl3eOE6I&eurl=http://eating.health.com/2008/09/18/trendy-tea-caught-on-camera/&feature=player_embedded
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Enjoy!
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