*Vastu Chai Pure White Tea Summer Lemonade*

I made this up last summer and since the sun is blazing, I was inspired to brew it today.

250 ml of fair trade, organic Vastu Chai “Pure White Tea” brewed strong

750 ml of filtered water

Juice from 1 organic lemon (large)

3 tablespoons of organic maple syrup (or honey)

chopped fresh lemon balm (I also made a batch with fresh chopped pineapple mint)

add a bit of ice and chill!

Light. Refreshing. Revitalizing.

~ A bit of white tea offers that extra perk needed on a hot day with the added benefits of MAJOR antioxidants (even more than green tea!).

~ Lemon water is uber-cleansing promoting digestion and detoxification. It’s high in vitamin C and has countless other health benefits.

~ Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a cooling and calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion. Even before the Middle Ages, lemon balm was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings.

Enjoy!

-E

At long last, the white stuff is dwindling and the green stuff is in full view.

Kinnickinnick, the first sign of green

Early morning light, extended bright.

Ponderosa Pine, early morning dog walk in Kelowna, BC

Birdsong and buzzing.

Kelowna Market is hopping!

The crocus comes out of hiding.

Kissing crocus, the first flowers up

Time to start the garden seedlings.

Organic seedlings, Kelowna Farmer's Market

Moving from the still of winter toward the blossoming of summer.

Happy Spring Everyone!

libre glass n' poly tea vessel

Isn’t she lovely…isn’t she wonderful?!

My new Libre tea glass has taken my chai experience to the level. Now I can take it with me on the road, to the yoga studio, to a movie (tucked secretly under my coat, of course ), anywhere I want!

I’ve always been in love with the concept and unique design of these tea vessels. Promoting the enjoyment of loose leaf brew, and all of the inherent benefits of loose tea drinking, is something Libre excels at. They are sleek, chic, and functional. Super easy to use and clean.

beautiful design!

Avni’s on-the-road tea prep for today…

Vastu Chai Green Tea Masala

• Boil water for 1-2 min
• Turn off and let water sit until boiling stops
• Add 1 tsp of loose green tea masala to your libre tea glass
• Pour in hot water
• Enjoy…wherever you may be or wherever you are going!

*Boiling the water, instead of just using hot water, purifies it. BUT, we don’t want to scald our delicate green tea leaves, which should taste earthy, subtle, and light. Using water just under boiling ensures that the astringent/bitter flavour from the tannins is not too pronounced. Same applies to our Pure White Tea.

To learn more about Vastu Chai visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Find Libre on Facebook and Twitter too!

We were thrilled to be notified by Western Living Magazine that Avni was voted one of the top 40 foodies under 40 in western Canada for 2012! Click on the photos below to read.

Peace!

Lindsey Williams!

Congratulations Lindsey!  Please email us at info@vastuchai.com to claim your prizes! If you don’t claim within 24 hours we will draw again.

A big heartfelt Thank You to all who participated in the contest. Watch for more giveaways in the near future!

It could be YOU next!

Have a beautiful day!

Did you know we were voted one of the top 200 ethical companies in North America by Ethical Ocean? Chosen from over 3,000 companies, we are proud of this accomplishment and we want to grow! You can help us by participating in our social media contest…

• 5 class pass to The Yoga Lounge in Canmore, AB (no expiration)*
• $15 gift certificate to the Communitea Café in Canmore*
• Luscious bath and body product from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company
• Various blends of Vastu Chai

All you have to do is:

• Go to our Vastu Chai Facebook page and “like” us (www.facebook.com/VastuChai)
• Then “share” our posted contest link where the contest rules are outlined to spread the word
• Finally, write “shared!” in the comment field below the contest link on Facebook

So easy! We can see who’s done the sharing and commenting and we’ll enter you into the draw to win.

Spread the word to help us grow!

The winner will be announced on Monday Feb 20th at 12 pm (MST) on our web site blog.   We’ll post a link to it on our Facebook page as well. You can directly check our blog or our Facebook page for results.

*If you are an out of town winner, we will mail your prize to you. The yoga pass and café gift certificate are transferable and have no expiration date so you may save them for when you visit our beautiful mountain town…or pass them on to someone you know that may use them.

Best of luck to you all!

The Victoria Tea Festival is coming up in a few short weeks. It’s North America’s largest tea exhibition happening on February 18th and 19th at The Crystal Garden in Victoria, BC.

Avni and Laura will travel there to showcase Vastu Chai and hob-knob with many fine folks making tea.

If you are in the area stop by!

“Discover a world of tea from the traditional to the trendy as you sample hundreds of teas or learn about such topics as “cooking with tea” at one of the complimentary presentations. Taste black, green, white, oolong, or herbal teas uniquely and exquisitely prepared by local, national, and international exhibitors, noting how the flavours may differ depending upon origin, soil type, style of tea, processing techniques, and preparation. Shop for all your favourite teas, tea wares, tea-related products, and silent auction or raffle items. Experience the event to the fullest by attending both days, engaging with the exhibitors, and learning about the benefits of tea in your diet.”

For more details see victoriateafestival.com

Avni speaking about the origin of chai at the Festival a few years ago

Vastu is the connection between our being and nature. It is to be vibrant and blissfully satisfied.

To attain our full potential, it is essential to find balance and maintain equilibrium in our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual states. To seek this balance, is to focus on the Vastu principles of happiness, health and well being. These principles guide us into our conscious mind, a place of awareness and clarity where we are grounded in our surroundings and are one with the universe. We can be connected in this way, by taking time out to be ourselves, to be present, to be in the moment.

This time of year is hectic to say the least. We are often surrounded by the pressure to spend money, and our precious energy, in ways that may feel inauthentic and forced. Chaos and imbalance usually follow. Our hope is for you to find balance during this season by taking some time to nurture to yourself so that you can give to your family and friends in ways that come straight from your heart without leaving you feeling depleted or anxious.

Whether that self-nurtuing comes in the form of a quiet meditation, a walk in the woods, a long-overdue yoga class, or simply by enjoying a steamy cup of tea on the couch in solitude, we hope that you experience peace, infinite joy, and good health that extends into the New Year. Let the light that Winter Solstice brings into your life…be present, be blissful.

From the Vastu Chai family to yours…

Happy Solstice and Happy Holidays!

In light,

Avni, Erin, Laura, Amrat and Kokila

Winter solstice light on Grotto Mountain, Canmore.

For a limited time, Ethical Ocean is offering 50% off Vastu Chai. Get yours on-line here.

Offer expires October 31st at midnight!