Say hi… to everyone. From the postal worker to the people you pass on your morning run to the barista at the café around the corner, every person you meet is a potential friend, or a potential character reference. The more people you greet, the more people you will naturally fall into conversation with, and the more people you will eventually get to know in your neighborhood. Being exclusive from the start will dramatically decrease your chances of meeting anyone worth knowing.

Offer your help to neighbors, and ask for their help in return. Once you’ve met your neighbors, go out of your way to do them a good turn if you are able. Just like in commerce, word-of-mouth is the best recommendation for a brand of water heater or a new friend that you can get. If you are generally known in your neighborhood as a friendly, helpful person, word cannot fail to get around.

Familiarize yourself with where everything is: track down the cute cafés, bars, and parks that you like and would like to frequent. You’ll meet a lot more people hanging out in public than hanging out at home. Start introducing yourself to the employees and regulars in your new haunts. If they deem you a good fit for their group, you’ll begin to meet other people through them. Merely showing up on a regular basis is a good start. Make yourself available to friendship.

Ask the advice of your new acquaintances: what are the best restaurants around here? What community events are worth a visit? Take their advice, and then follow up. You will have something to talk about—restaurants, hair stylists, dry cleaners, kickboxing classes—and you will gain a lot of valuable information in the process.

Take a class or join a group in your neighborhood. Depending on your neighborhood, join a community garden, sewing class, cooking class, yoga class, poetry workshop, mechanics’ evening… If you ask around a little bit, you are sure to find a group already in place that appeals to you. And if there is not a Dance Party Tuesday already established in your neighborhood, consider talking to a local club or bar about starting one. By making your own group, you can attract people who are guaranteed to share your interest, if you have the time and ambition to make it happen.

Go to art openings, poetry readings, performances, and lectures offered in your neighborhood that are open to the public. You are sure—with minimal effort—to meet someone who would like to share their perspective on the event. Interesting people tend to show up at interesting events: be one of them.

Walk your dog or run around the same time everyday, and get to know the other people who walk or run at that time. Get to know who else is training for the 5k, or is a Shiba Inu enthusiast, or is starting a playgroup for small dogs.

And most importantly, keep an open mind. Accept the invitations and opportunities (using your common sense) that come your way, even if you aren’t sure a day at the racetrack is your cup of tea. You never know who you might meet, or what group of friends you may suddenly find yourself a part of by going with the flow and keeping your outlook positive.

No matter the user or their argument, social networking sites allow others a look inside members lives; some share more information than others but with over 3 billion photos uploaded to the site monthly somebody is sharing something! The argument has been made both in favor of these sites with one side arguing that it’s a convenient way to network and keep up with friends and the other side claiming that it’s a gossip-fest for the nosy and bored. No matter what side you take, you must admit that their is validity to each point.

The argument in defense of these sites makes semi-perfect sense. Everybody’s busy. Period. It’s the American way and we’ve proven that not much will slow us down. Our lifestyles make social networking sites a fabulous way to keep in touch with people that we may not otherwise have time to catch up with. Old high school friends and co-workers, cousins who live out of state and maybe even your boss. Which brings us to the other side of the argument which isn’t bad either.

Social networking sites were designed with one thing in mind — networking. It’s probably a sure thing that when the masterminds of Facebook brainstormed the idea, they had no idea that, at some point, gang members would be accused of using the site for threats directed at other gang members. Throw in the Vague Status updaters, (i.e. “don’t know if i can take much more” or the ever popular “what’s wrong with me?”) with the Mafia/Farmville junkies while you click through your ex’s wedding pictures and you’ve got the perfect cocktail that will have you staring at your computer clock in horror wondering what happened to the last three hours of your life.

No matter whose side your on, I think that we’d all agree that over-sharing is never good for anyone. Think back with fondness to the days when the only people who knew what happened over spring break were there to witness it with there own eyes, secrets between friends were shared in person and you kept embarrassing pictures in photo albums in your closet. After all, you never really know whose watching. It just might be your boss.

Physical exercise stimulates circulation in your body, therefore allowing more oxygen to reach your brain. By doing so, more nutrients are supplied
to it. Going for a brisk walk in the morning, walking up and down the stairs or even bike riding are excellent ways to get the circulation of blood going in your brain and body. Regular physical exercise can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and help you keep a healthy blood pressure level. Elevated levels of blood pressure are not good for the brain, as they can lead to a stroke. Keeping your heart rate up by exercising also reduces levels of stress and depression which can both be damaging to brain cells.

Mental exercises are extremely important in preserving brain power. Try different word and number games that stimulate the pathways. Sudoku is a fantastic number game that will get you thinking and concentrating.
Word games such as crosswords, which force you to remember random facts, and Scrabble are also fun and healthy for the brain.

A unique way to preserve your brain power is to try doing routine things with your non dominant hand or foot. One example is brushing your teeth with your right hand, if you are left handed. It allows the brain to use pathways that are dormant because they aren’t used often.
Try kicking a soccer ball with your non dominant foot.

Antioxidants are found in food that is full of nutrients and can prevent free radicals from damaging the body’s cells. This in turn can prevent heart disease and cancer, but the brain reaps benefits as well. Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables with an abundance of color. Make it a daily routine to include carrots, red and yellow bell peppers and tomatoes
in the salads you eat. Berries such as blueberries and raspberries are full of antioxidants and can easily be tossed into morning cereals and smoothies.

1.Repaint- if you have a piece of wood furniture that no longer matches your décor, try giving it a new color. Visit your local hardware to buy a stripping agent, strip off the old paint, and get to painting. Be creative with stencils, which are very easy to use if you get the correct stencil paint.

2.Re-tee- if a favorite tee shirt isn’t working out for you anymore, try making it into something new. I would recommend a tee shirt pillow. This is a great idea for kids who have grown out of their favorite shirts. If your tee shirt isn’t a favorite, or is in bad condition try cutting it into squares and using the pieces as dust rags.

3.Reuphosleter- if your old chairs don’t match your décor anymore, try re-covering their seats. Many chair seats lift out and can be reupholstered, just pop out the staples, recover, and staple back with a staple gun. This also works for pillows, just make a pillowcase out of the material of your choice and pop in the old pillow.

4.Polish or Refinish- is your table, or another piece of wood furniture scratched? That is easily fixed with furniture polish. If scratches are too deep try stripping the piece and refinishing it.

5.Stain it- is your glass door or window boring? Making stained glass is easier than you think. Stain glass kits can be found at most craft stores and stencils make it even easier.

6. Clean- use a lemon peel and salt to clean stains off of dishes and mugs. Boil apple slices in greasy pots to remove blackened grease.

7. Remove Scratches and Scuffs- some of the biggest problems we have with our things are scratches and scuffs, but they can also be the easiest to fix. Use toothpaste to remove scratches from CD’s or a banana peel to remove scuffs from shoes. Try using a car buffer to remove scratches from your hardwood floors. Use jeweler’s rough and a soft buffing pad to remove scratches on glass, and then clean with water and ammonia.

8. Combine- take old candles that have been burned down and combine them. You can do this by heating them and then pouring them together. This can also be done with chips of soap by melting the chips and pouring them into a soap mold.

9. Reuse- scrub the labels off of jars and reuse them to store things or for crafts. Reuse things such as soap bottles by refilling them. Cut apart old Christmas cards to make gift tags. Use old dryer sheets to clean showers; they work well to remove soap scum.

10. Make a Mosaic- Use old glass bottles, vases, scratched CD’s, and est. to make a mosaic. Just smear your surface with grout and place your pieces. This can be done on tabletops, vases, and more.

1. Beaches, Bikes & Bonfires

Drive to the beach with your bikes in the car (or you can rent bikes on the beach).  Have a light picnic packed: some crackers with bleu cheese and walnuts, hard boiled eggs, and chilled strawberries with cider (since champagne might not be allowed on the beach). Take a bike ride along the beach right before the sun sets. Don’t forget to bring some firewood and a blanket in case the beach has a bonfire pit where you and your sweetheart can lay in each other’s arms watching the sun melt behind the clouds.

2. Dinner for Two

Create a mixed CD or play list on your iPod of songs that evoke romance between the two of you. If you are the nostalgic type, choose songs that will bring back certain memories of you two together. When your significant other is out for a couple hours, prepare a homemade meal consisting of his/her favorite dishes. Set a small table up with candlesticks, place settings and a single flower on each chair. Time things so that when he/she walks in, the music is already playing softly. Don’t forget to have chilled wine and a favorite dessert to top off the dinner date.

3. Classic Movie Date

Instead of going to your local movie theater, do some research online to find places that are showing outdoor movies. Try for a matinée or late night show. If there are no outdoor movie venues in your area, look for an old fashioned drive-in. Choose a genre that you know both of you will thoroughly enjoy. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the modern blockbuster hits and see an old classic film. Bring pillows and blankets so you’re comfortable. To munch on, pack baggies of caramel corn and a thermos of coffee or lemonade. Get cozy and spend the night in front of the big screen while being under the stars.

4. Cooking Duo

Whether both of you know how to cook, only one of you, or neither, you can always spice things up by taking one night out to cook a meal together. Choose something different than the average dinner. Saute black olives and garlic in olive oil and then toss with some linguine. While one person is taking care of that task, the other can quickly boil some shrimp for shrimp cocktails as an appetizer. Have some french bread on the side (but not too much as it can be heavy and put you to sleep) and for dessert try some dessert wine like a Muscat Canelli. After everything is cooked and ready to eat, prepare a nice setting so the two of you can dine alone. The meal will taste that much sweeter knowing you two created it together.

5. Hike & Love Letters

Each of you can take an hour out of the week and separately put together 10 reasons why you love each other. Early Saturday morning, pack lunch, hiking gear and your letters and embark on a hike together. Plan the level of difficulty of the hike depending on how active the two of you are. The more challenging the better, as you will feel more accomplished by the time you reach the top. When the two of you have reached the highest and are about to sit down to eat and rest, pull out letters and take turns reading them to each other. Not only will you feel exhilarated from the hike, but it will have made the event memorable for both of you.

6. Hot Oil Massages with Rose Petals

Don’t want to go out anywhere? Get some store bought massage oil for a romantic night in. Try Lavender or Jasmine essential oil. If you want to get creative, buy some stones used for hot stone therapy. Strew the bedspread with fresh rose petals and on the dresser or side table, have some glasses filled with white wine infused with chopped strawberries soaking at the bottom of each glass. Take turns giving each other sensual massages. Heat the oil up by rubbing it between your palms. If you use hot stones, simply heat them up for 20 minutes in a crock pot or roasting pan. Keep them hot by placing them in a bowl filled with hot water. Gently place them on your partner’s body in areas that are sore or sensitive. This will put both of you in the mood and you will each appreciate the skill and warmth in each other’s hands.

7. Bed & Breakfast Cottage with Horseback Riding

Want to do something different? If you’re willing to splurge for a weekend with just the two of you, save up for a night at a bed and breakfast or romantic cottage somewhere out of town. Pack lightly but with just enough so the two of you are comfortable and equipped with everything you need on your weekend away. Don’t forget upbeat CDs that you know both of you will enjoy during the road trip. Try to book a place that has a ranch nearby so you can go horseback riding together. If not, look for interesting places in the area of the bed and breakfast that you two can go exploring in.

8. Recreating a Favorite Memory

Do you have a special first date? Or maybe it was down the line in your relationship but the memory has always stuck with you. Recreate that special day the two of you had. Be sure to bring a camera with you. Go to that same exact spot that made the sparks fly between the two of you. Go to the same restaurant you did before and chat about what you first chatted about the first time around. It will evoke feelings of nostalgia and also remind the two of you how far you’ve come and the reasons why you knew you were right for each other from that moment on.

9. Camping Right Outside

If the weather is right, set up a tent together in the backyard. On a portable radio or iPod, play romantic songs and slow dance to them under the stars. Have a thermos of hot cocoa to warm the two of you up. Get snuggled up inside the tent and stay up late into the night and just talk about things you want to do together in the near future. Keep the conversation light and playful but don’t be afraid to open your hearts to each other in the middle of the night.

10. Fun in the Snow

When it snows, get bundled up and ready for some fun in the powder. If you live where it doesn’t get cold enough to snow, try planning a trip just the two of you where you can rent a cabin for the night in an area that’s full of snow. Armed with energy after a hearty meal, prepare for a full on snow ball fight. Build your own forts far away from each other (but not too far) and begin bombarding each other with snow balls.  Afterward, take some time to create your very own snowman. Use little knick-knacks for the eyes, ears and nose. If you’re lucky enough, there will be a frozen pond nearby where you two can go ice-skating together. After coming home, drink hot cider to warm your insides and snuggle together by a fireplace.

To start, there are seven main varieties of beer:

Ale- a type of beer brewed from malted barley and hops, using a type of yeast that is top-fermented. This type of beer is fermented quickly to give it a full-bodied, mildly sweet, and fruity taste.

Pale ale or Bitter- is a type of beer where the malt is dried with a fuel called coke. Is crisply carbonated and varies in strength and appearance.

Stout or Port- is a dark beer made of roasted malt or barley, hops, water, and yeast. Stouts tend to be stronger beers and come in many varieties.

Irish or Dry Stout- a black ale that is very dark in color and has the flavor of coffee. Guinness stout is an example.

Imperial stout- a brew invented for Catherine II of Russia in the 1700’s, it has a high alcohol content.

Baltic port- a port with a higher alcohol content, made for the Baltic region.

Milk Stout- is a brew with a small amount of lactose added to add sweetness and body to the beer. An example is Mackeson Stout.

Oatmeal stout- is a very bitter beer in which oats are added during the brewing process. This is a rare and hard to find drink.

Chocolate stout- is named for its dark color and chocolate flavor; some of these beers are brewed with small amounts of chocolate.

Coffee stout- is a dark malt brew with the flavor of coffee; some of these beers are brewed with coffee grounds.

Oyster stout- a stout made for drinking with oysters; some of these drinks are even made with a handful of oysters in the brew.

Lager-is a beer that is brewed and stored cold. Lager is also produced with a different yeast and fermenting method than ale. Lagers tend to be light in color, mild in taste, and highly alcoholic.

Wheat beer- is made from mostly wheat and some barely. Flavor is based on brewing method and style of beer.

Hybrid beers- are beers that don’t fit into other categories, like bottom fermented and steam beers.

Lambic- is a Belgian beer that is fermented with wild yeasts; this is an aromatic, cloudy, acidic beer. It comes in pure, gueuze, marz, faro, kriek, and fruit (raspberry, blackcurrant, peach, apple, pineapple, plum, banana, apricot, strawberry, grape, lemon, blueberry, and cloudberry) varieties.

An important part of beer flavor is how it is packaged. It can be kept in the following ways:

Draught- draught beer is kept in a keg pressured with nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Nitrogen pressure allows for a frothier creamier tasting beer with a “bigger head”.

Cask- cask beers are unfiltered and not pasteurized and are fed by gravity into the glass.

Bottle- bottled beers keep some yeast, which allow for some sediment.

Cans- cans are the most inexpensive form of packaging, and are typically only for cheaper beers. Although used for cheep beers, the can is best for preventing light from ruining the beer.

Temperature also affects the flavor of beer, cold beer is considered refreshing while warm beer is considered to allow a person to better taste the flavors of a full bodied beer.

Some beer brewing nations include Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium. the United States, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Australia, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan, China, and many others.

Dogs- dogs need a lot of care, space, and time. Small and large dogs need a large area to walk around at home, as well as they need to be walked everyday. They also need to be washed and groomed. Dogs are also quite expensive; you need to pay for tags, vaccinations, food, toys, and other supplies. Dogs give their owners lots of love and make wonderful companions. They typically live for around 12 years. Research different breeds to decide which is the best for you. Also remember to adopt your new friend from a local shelter rather than buying one.

Visit www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/puppies_arent_products.cfm for more info.

Cats- cats tend to keep to themselves and sleep a lot, but they are still very loving. They require food, water, a litter box, and a lot of love. Many people have outside cats, but it is best to keep them inside. Cats do not need as much space as dogs, so they are good for people with smaller homes; they also clean themselves. Cats live for around 15 years.  Many are available at your local shelter.

Rabbits- rabbits require an indoor or outdoor hutch; preferably outdoors since rabbits typically have a strong odor. They need to have their hutches cleaned often as well as they require careful handling. Rabbits typically live seven years. Be careful they may bite.

Rodents- rodents like fancy mice, rats, and hamsters require an indoor cage, which will need to be cleaned often. These critters may bite until they are properly trained and used to their owners. Most rodents are nocturnal.

Mice- prefer the company of another mouse of the same sex and typically live for 1-3 years. Be careful many mice have foul smelling urine, which makes for a smelly cage.

Hamsters- prefer to live on their own and typically live for 2 years.

Guinea Pigs- are very friendly and enjoy being handled. They typically live for 4 to 7 years.

Ferrets- ferrets are very friendly when they want to be, but can also inflict nasty bites. Ferrets need a lot of room to play and have a lot of energy. They have a musty smell that may be very strong. Ferrets live for around 7 years.

Birds- birds come in many different breeds, many which live for a long time. Many birds can be very expensive. Birdcages need to be cleaned often and can get a strong odor if left unattended. Birds need a lot of care, they need to be able to take short flights to stretch their wings, but care must be taken to make sure they don’t fly too far or anywhere dangerous. They also need toys and things to climb on to entertain themselves

Fish- there are many varieties of both salt water and fresh water fish available, many can be very expensive and hard to care for. The two types of fish that are easiest to care for are goldfish and beta fish.

Goldfish- there are many varieties of goldfish, they can live up to 35 years. Goldfish prefer to live with other goldfish and need to be kept at a certain temperature and their tank needs to be kept clean.

Beta Fish- Male beta fish have to be kept in a tank alone, but they are very decorative and can be kept in small tanks. These fish come in a rainbow of colors and live for 2-5 years.

Turtles- there are a wide variety of turtles available for sale, but you must be very careful. Young turtles can carry salmonella and are illegal to purchase due to the fact that they can make young children very ill. Some turtles also may snap and can cause some nasty injuries. If you do chose to purchase a turtle try a yellow belly or red-eared slider, they are a calm breed, which can be friendly. Turtles live in a tank with water in the bottom and a sunning log. They are beautiful creatures if well cared for, but they need a filter on their tank as well as regular cleanings and calcium treatments. Do not confuse a turtle with a tortoise, which can grow very large and have many lifestyle and dietary requirements.

Hermit Crabs- Hermit crabs are easy to care for and fun for kids, though they may pinch. They only require small amounts of food, a wet sponge, and a tank of sand. They also need some toys and things to climb on. Hermit crabs like to change their shells, and when their shell is empty you can paint and decorate it.

Reptiles and Amphibians- Reptiles and Amphibians such frogs, snakes, and lizards are difficult to care for. There are many different breeds of these critters, each with its own needs. Many require live food and heat lamps, as well as you may need permits to own these pets.  Although they are difficult to care for, these creatures are each beautiful and unique.

1. Photographs- photo frames have come a long way from the standard 8×10” and 4×6” rectangle, wood frames. There are different shapes, sizes, and colors available for frames. Try a collage frame, a frame that is a unique shape and holds a lot of photos. These frames can be found virtually everywhere.  They can cost anywhere between $5 and $50 dollars. Target has a very large variety of these frames at reasonable prices.

2. Iron- there are many large pieces of iron décor, that come in a variety of different shapes and sizes (though they tend to be large). These sculptures are ornate and come in a variety of finishes. These items are usually found in stores with lawn and garden departments.

3. Wall Scrolls- these pieces originated in the East and are usually very ornate. You can find them in black and white and in rich colors. They can be made of a thick paper or a thin cloth hung from a rod. Typically these scrolls reach from near the top of the wall to the bottom, but smaller one’s are available.

4. Woodcarvings- many cultures make woodcarvings, and they have meaning to a variety of people. You can find carvings that match your décor, color scheme, or interests. These carvings are made from a variety of woods, with a variety of finishes, some are even painted. You can find carvings from Bali, Africa, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Celtic designs, as well as American pieces.

5. Wall Decals- wall decals are smaller pieces of wallpaper, vinyl, or large stickers that come in a variety of shapes and colors. These decals are typically found in nurseries but can also be bought for other rooms. The new trend in decals is words and phrases written on walls (these can also be done with stencils). Visit www.uppercaseliving.com for a variety of decal options.

6. Decorative Plates- these are plates that are not made for eating, but are elaborately painted, and are made to hang on the wall. They are available in plate or platter sizes. Many of these plates are hand painted and have been common in homes for many years. Some come with mountings in the back, others fit into small metal holders that hold them up on the wall.

7. Art Work- most people think of artwork as being fairly expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You can buy art used, from new artists, or if you are really bold you could paint some yourself to save money.

8. Posters- posters aren’t just for teens anymore; they are now available for adults. Posters can reproductions of famous art, photographs, or of old time advertisements. Some posters can even look as good as expensive art when framed. For good quality posters and great guarantee on all products visit Allposters.com.

9. Tapestries- wall tapestries are made a thin or thick material and hung from metal or wooden rods. Tapestries have been used as decor in households for thousands of years, and come in many styles, colors, and with a variety of content.

10. Wall murals- these massive pieces of art are a relatively new trend. They are posters that typically vary from 72×48in to 144×96in, though they can be found in larger sizes. You can find these at Allposters.com also.

Remember that your home is your personal space and it should be a reflection of you. So fill your home with things that interest you and what you find beautiful.

First lets start with the basic types of tea.

Black- black tea is more oxidized than the other types of tea, which gives it its color. It tends to have a deeper flavor and more caffeine than the other teas. It is believed to have good vascular benefits. Black tea is generally the tea you find in iced tea.

Green- green tea is believed by most to be the healthiest tea; it has high levels of anti-oxidants, is believed to be useful in weight loss, to strengthen bones, prevent kidney stones, help digestion, reduce heart disease and cholesterol, fight cavities, and improve cognitive function. Green tea in some mixtures can contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.

White- white tea is believed to have similar benefits to green to but with a milder flavor. Although white tea is believed to have more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities, though it does not have the amount of fluoride that green tea does.

Oolong- is classified as somewhere between green and black tea, that has its own distinct flavor.  Excellent for skin care and completion. Also aids in metabolism and digestion. Known for being a weight loss tea, more so even than green tea.

Rooibos- also called red tea, is an African tea, which is believed to have all of the same benefits as green tea but with anti-aging properties as well as pain fighting, benefits.  Red tea is a very healthy tea that is loved by some, but has a distinct sweet flavor that others do not like. It is used by many to help sooth upset stomach and is also given to children because it contains no caffeine. It is used in infants to treat stomach ailments and colic. It is also used to treat allergies, skin conditions, hay fever, headache, and insomnia. It contains copper, iron, potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, manganese, alpha- hydroxy, and magnesium. This tea helps figh colds and reduces the effects of allergies. It has high levels of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Pu-erh- pu-erh tea is proven to lower cholesterol and is believed to help with the effects of over alcohol consumption. Pu-erh tea is aged and is believed to taste better with time.

Maté- a South American tea that has a high stimulant level but without the jitters or addictive qualities of caffeine. Is used as and appetite suppressant.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are made by mixing different herbs with different teas to make a variety of flavor and sensory combinations.

Some tea herbs include:

Anise- mild anti-parasitic, relives digestive problems, relieves toothache, treats lice and scabies, and soothes menstrual cramps. Used in chai tea.

Barley- taste similar to coffee when brewed into a tea.

Bergamot Peel- used in some sunscreens, help protect skin.

Cinnamon-  teats tooth ache, fights bad breath, aids in type 2 diabetes treatment, treats colds, aids in digestion.

Catnip- used as a sedative and to help relax.

Cloves- a treatment for stomach upsets, vomiting and diarrhea, toothpain, digestive problems, and hiccoughs. May also help prevent premature ejaculation.

Cardamom- used to treat infections in teeth, gums, and throat, to break up kidney and gall stones, for lung congestion, and digestive diseases. Also treats stomach aches and reduces inflammation.

Cacao- Believed to lower cholesterol, has a a high level of flavonoids, and used to make chocolate. Also has good effects on the cardiovascular system.

Chamomile- used as a sedative, helps relieve insomnia, treats sore stomach and IBS. May cause blood thinning.

Chrysanthemum- aids in recovery from influenza, treats acne, treats sore throat, helps reduce fever, treats eye pain, clears the liver, reduces stress, and treats circulatory diseases.

Dandelion- a liver tonic and laxative.

Dill- used to ease upset stomach.

Echinacea-helps to prevent the common cold by boosting a person’s immune system, wards off infections.

Fennel- aids in weight loss, relieves vision problems, colic, and toothaches. Used to make gripe water and as a diuretic. Increases breast milk production. Is also believed to treat chronic cough.

Ginger- used to treat diarrhea and nausea as well as other stomach ailments.  It has also been used to treat inflammation and diabetes.

Ginseng- may enhance a persons libido, is believed to reduce stress. Has a high level of anti-oxidants.

Hibiscus- used to treat kidney problem. Has a mild flavor and is often blended with fruit. Also believed in the Middle East to increase longevity.

Jasmine- a fragrant herb that is believed to treat and prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, and relieve Anxiety. It is also believed to have anti-bacterial properties.

Lemon Balm- has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that allow it to be effective against herpes.  Can also be used to reduced stress and as a mild sedative. This herb has a high anti-oxidant level.

Lemon Grass—has a citrus flavor and may contain cancer-fighting properties.

Licorice Root – used as an expectorant, in tooth powder, and as a mild laxative. Also believed to help with shingles and viral herpes. Also believed to lower high stress drives in men and help sooth stomach and intestine ailments such as IBS and Crohn’s disease. May also have cancer curing qualities.

Lime Blossom- believed to sooth vomiting, reduce fevers, reduce inflammation, treat intestine disorders, fight users, and help to cure liver and gallbladder disorders and cellulites.

Mint- a strong diuretic that aids in digestion. Treats stomach and chest pain and whitens teeth.

Peppermint- sooths the symptoms of IBS and other stomach ailments.

Rose Hip- high in vitamins D,C, E essential fatty acids and antioxidents. Used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Used for its extremely high vitamin C content.

Rosemary- lowers the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s.

Stevia- treats heartburn and enhances glucose tolerance. Also used as a sweetener.

St. John’s Wort- used to reduce stress and treat depression. May enhance drug interactions and change metabolism of certain drugs.

Thyme- an antiseptic used in mouth wash. Used to cure coughs and bronchitis, also helps prevent sore throat by reducing inflammation of the throat.

Vanilla- believed to be an aphrodisiac and a remedy for fever.

Each tea is different because is affected by its age, region, flavorings (whether it is flavored by fruit, spice, or other), and brewing method. To learn more about teas and to purchase a large variety of tea visit www.teavana.com or a Teavana store near you.

Coffee Drinks:

Espresso- is brewed by forcing a small amount of water through finely ground dark roast coffee beans.  The foam that is produced, which is reddish-brown in color is called crema. Espresso is served in shots. In America, it is served in double and single shots, each shot is one ounce and contains as much caffeine as a 6 fl. Oz. cup of coffee.

Affogato- espresso over gelato (Italian ice-cream).

Americano- equal parts espresso and hot water.

Iced Americano- Americano over ice.

Antoccino- a single shot of espresso and an equal amount of steamed milk poured on top, the two are not mixed and are served in an espresso cup.

Black eye or Canadianado- a cup of regular coffee with two shots of espresso.

Breve- espresso with half and half.

Cappuccino- very common in American coffee houses, cappuccino is made from 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 milk foam. Many places will cut the 1/3 espresso down to one shot to cut costs.

Iced Cappuccino- cappuccino over ice.

Caramel Late- late with caramel sauce.

Caramel Macchiato- created by Starbucks, is a mix of vanilla, a shot of espresso, milk foam, and topped with caramel.

Con Hielo- espresso and sugar poured directly onto ice.

Cortado- espresso with a small amount of milk.

Espresso con Panna- espresso topped with whipped cream.

Guillermo- two shots of espresso over slices of lime.

Guillermo on ice- two shots of espresso over slices of lime, sometimes with milk.

Coffee- standard drip coffee, like what you make in your coffee pot at home, comes in a variety of roasts, strengths, and flavors.

Iced coffee- chilled coffee over ice. Some varieties such as “Frappuccinos” are made with ice cream, heavy syrup, or heavy cream. Most iced coffees contain heavy cream and have a high fat and sugar content.

Latte- one to two shots of espresso topped with steamed milk. Similar to a cappuccino, but with no foam.

Latte macchiato- steamed milk topped with espresso.

Mocha- a late with chocolate syrup, sometimes topped with whipped cream and coco powder.

Iced Mocha- a mocha on ice. Is sometimes blended and other times made with ice cream.

Red eye- coffee with one shot of espresso.

More Coffee Facts

There are many other different flavors and varieties of coffee available depending on the culture, location, and individual shop.

In American coffee shops, a wide variety of flavorings and syrups are available and can be added to all different sorts of drinks to flavor them to your liking.

In Europe, a variety flavorings and liquors can be added to coffees, this does not happen as often in this country. Standard alcohols added to coffees include cognac, brandy, whiskey, and other stiff drinks.

Coffee beans are flavored in many ways and shipped around the world from many different places. These beans are grown in South America, Africa, Indonesia, and the Middle East.

Beans are flavored using flavoring oils and artificial flavorings. The intensity of the beans depends upon the amount they are roasted.

Espresso now days usually made with an automatic espresso machine; these machines have been sized down and can be bought for your home. An automatic machine both brews the espresso and steams the milk. Some places still use hand held machines that use a lever and a spring to force hot water through the coffee, these machines require a high level of skill and pressure.