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Sheli x
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Teapigs Liquorice and Peppermint
I was dubious about trying this one as I hate liquorice. Why get it then, I hear you ask. I ordered this tea as part of my selection box as I was intrigued by it and it also had some great reviews.
I've only just got into peppermint tea after a long time of trying the ones in hotels and really not liking them. I then found a peppermint tea in Waitrose when I embarked on my great flavoured tea adventure and found that I really liked it.
So I gave the Teapigs twist on the peppermint tea a go a few nights ago when I wanted a hot drink before bed. When I brewed it I could see the peppermint leaves and bits of liquorice root in the temple. I didn't think that it smelled particularly of liquorice, but more like a fresh peppermint tea.
After leaving a few minutes and taking the bag out I found that the liquid had gone dark, but with a hint of green around the edge. I left it to cool a little before trying, and was pleasantly surprised by the flavour when I did. At first it just tastes like a really good peppermint tea, but then you get a little sweet hit of an aniseedy type liquorice taste at the back of your mouth.
I really enjoyed the flavour and as a bonus found it soothing for my sore throat. I have already gone and bought a big pack of 15 temples from Waitrose after discovering that my local store stocks a few flavours!
I had a couple more minty ones in my selection box so will let you know how I get on with them.
I've only just got into peppermint tea after a long time of trying the ones in hotels and really not liking them. I then found a peppermint tea in Waitrose when I embarked on my great flavoured tea adventure and found that I really liked it.
So I gave the Teapigs twist on the peppermint tea a go a few nights ago when I wanted a hot drink before bed. When I brewed it I could see the peppermint leaves and bits of liquorice root in the temple. I didn't think that it smelled particularly of liquorice, but more like a fresh peppermint tea.
After leaving a few minutes and taking the bag out I found that the liquid had gone dark, but with a hint of green around the edge. I left it to cool a little before trying, and was pleasantly surprised by the flavour when I did. At first it just tastes like a really good peppermint tea, but then you get a little sweet hit of an aniseedy type liquorice taste at the back of your mouth.
I really enjoyed the flavour and as a bonus found it soothing for my sore throat. I have already gone and bought a big pack of 15 temples from Waitrose after discovering that my local store stocks a few flavours!
I had a couple more minty ones in my selection box so will let you know how I get on with them.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Teapigs Everyday Brew
This was the first Teapigs tea that I tried pretty much straight away when I got home from the parcel office!
When I unwrapped it, I was really impressed at the quality of the bag. There was none of your average papery stuff. This one was made of a silky muslin type material that felt really luxurious before I had even put the kettle on!
Another thing that is impressive is that when they say that they use real tea, they mean it. There are actual pieces of tea leaf in the bag instead of the normal powdery brown stuff you get in the supermarket.
When the tea was brewing it turned a wonderfully dark brown colour and smelt really nice and strong! I left the bag in for just over 3 minutes and when I took it out, the contents had rehydrated and filled the bag completely in its pyramid shape! I was really, really impressed by this as ou normally end up with a soggy mess from traditional tea.
Finally, I got to taste it! I added some skimmed milk and let it cool a little first, then went in or my first sip. I like strong tea, so this was great for me. It had a really great flavour and felt quite luxurious to drink, a real treat.
I will definitely be putting in another order soon and this tea will feature on it for certain!
I will let you know my thoughts on the other flavours as I try them out.
When I unwrapped it, I was really impressed at the quality of the bag. There was none of your average papery stuff. This one was made of a silky muslin type material that felt really luxurious before I had even put the kettle on!
Another thing that is impressive is that when they say that they use real tea, they mean it. There are actual pieces of tea leaf in the bag instead of the normal powdery brown stuff you get in the supermarket.
When the tea was brewing it turned a wonderfully dark brown colour and smelt really nice and strong! I left the bag in for just over 3 minutes and when I took it out, the contents had rehydrated and filled the bag completely in its pyramid shape! I was really, really impressed by this as ou normally end up with a soggy mess from traditional tea.
Finally, I got to taste it! I added some skimmed milk and let it cool a little first, then went in or my first sip. I like strong tea, so this was great for me. It had a really great flavour and felt quite luxurious to drink, a real treat.
I will definitely be putting in another order soon and this tea will feature on it for certain!
I will let you know my thoughts on the other flavours as I try them out.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Headspace
I have taken up meditation. I never thought I would be saying those words and not so long ago would have probably laughed at myself. But I have found a form of meditation that works for me in the form of Headspace.
It is a mindful form of meditation and I have downloaded an app that makes it really easy for me to do, and it only takes 10 minutes!
I have tried mindfulness before and it really didn't work for me. In fact it was quite the opposite and made me feel quite agitated and annoyed. This is totally different though. I can see where the mindful elements are, but the whole way that it does just works well for me.
I found out about it in a magazine and thought I would give it a go after how crappy I have been feeling recently. I cannot recommend it enough and have also ordered the book that goes with it. Part of the programme is available for free through the app, but there is also an option to subscribe to more content. Saying that, there is nothing to stop you from repeatedly listening to the Take 10 programme, so doesn't feel like a swiz. I will keep you updated on my meditation journey!
It is a mindful form of meditation and I have downloaded an app that makes it really easy for me to do, and it only takes 10 minutes!
I have tried mindfulness before and it really didn't work for me. In fact it was quite the opposite and made me feel quite agitated and annoyed. This is totally different though. I can see where the mindful elements are, but the whole way that it does just works well for me.
I found out about it in a magazine and thought I would give it a go after how crappy I have been feeling recently. I cannot recommend it enough and have also ordered the book that goes with it. Part of the programme is available for free through the app, but there is also an option to subscribe to more content. Saying that, there is nothing to stop you from repeatedly listening to the Take 10 programme, so doesn't feel like a swiz. I will keep you updated on my meditation journey!
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Teapigs
Today my order from Teapigs has finally arrived (it only seems like so long as I got lost twice on the way to the parcel office!) and it is amazing!
Teapigs pride themselves on selling real tea and I found out about them after reading a friends blog and had to give them a go!
They are quite pricey as you are paying for the quality so I went for a selection box to start me off and I've me the opportunity to try put some of the flavours. I hate it when you buy a whole packet of something and then find that it's not for you, so I think the selection of option is a fab idea.
The selection box gives you 12 small packets of tea, each with enough for two cups. I doubled up on three of the packets, so have a grand total of 9 different flavours in the box. It was a lovely touch that the packers also included a bonus sachet of earl grey too.
I can't wait to try them all and will let you know how I get on!
Teapigs pride themselves on selling real tea and I found out about them after reading a friends blog and had to give them a go!
They are quite pricey as you are paying for the quality so I went for a selection box to start me off and I've me the opportunity to try put some of the flavours. I hate it when you buy a whole packet of something and then find that it's not for you, so I think the selection of option is a fab idea.
The selection box gives you 12 small packets of tea, each with enough for two cups. I doubled up on three of the packets, so have a grand total of 9 different flavours in the box. It was a lovely touch that the packers also included a bonus sachet of earl grey too.
I can't wait to try them all and will let you know how I get on!
The end of the tunnel
I haven't done much blogging over here this year as my plans for a healthier and happier 2013 basically haven't been going too well up until now. But March is my month, I can feel it!
I thought it was best not to record some of my thoughts and feelings out in the public domain over the last couple of weeks, but I am starting to get through that now and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
March is currently looking like it will be a better month that the two that have preceded it this year (although that is not difficult!) and this month I will be going on a mini break with my lovely other half to West Wales and will also be starting a new job in a new department that looks very exciting!
I have been making a few changes to how I live this year and have also been trying a few new things. My plan is that I share more things right here, even if they are just my opinions on products or services or that type of thing. I plan to schedule some posts so you should see more of me, even if my mind is elsewhere and I forget to do stuff on a set timescale.
I promise to be back soon. And in the meantime, here is Bruce sunbathing when I was trying to make the bed!
I thought it was best not to record some of my thoughts and feelings out in the public domain over the last couple of weeks, but I am starting to get through that now and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
March is currently looking like it will be a better month that the two that have preceded it this year (although that is not difficult!) and this month I will be going on a mini break with my lovely other half to West Wales and will also be starting a new job in a new department that looks very exciting!
I have been making a few changes to how I live this year and have also been trying a few new things. My plan is that I share more things right here, even if they are just my opinions on products or services or that type of thing. I plan to schedule some posts so you should see more of me, even if my mind is elsewhere and I forget to do stuff on a set timescale.
I promise to be back soon. And in the meantime, here is Bruce sunbathing when I was trying to make the bed!
Monday, 21 January 2013
Things that make me smile - Soup
My health kick and this cold weather have coincided nicely and resulted in me making some homemade soup!
I've made two different varieties of pea soup over the last week. One with cubes of pancetta and one without. Rather than the traditional pea and mint soup, I prefer to make it with basil. It's low in calories, filling and pretty damn yummy!
I think I will make some homemade cawl (a Welsh word for casserole) next weekend to keep us warm and healthy!
I have done some exercise over the last week too, mainly in the form of walking, but every bit counts eh? Despite reducing my calorie intake and doing more exercise, I haven't yet lost any weight, but we will have to see how that goes!
I've made two different varieties of pea soup over the last week. One with cubes of pancetta and one without. Rather than the traditional pea and mint soup, I prefer to make it with basil. It's low in calories, filling and pretty damn yummy!
I think I will make some homemade cawl (a Welsh word for casserole) next weekend to keep us warm and healthy!
I have done some exercise over the last week too, mainly in the form of walking, but every bit counts eh? Despite reducing my calorie intake and doing more exercise, I haven't yet lost any weight, but we will have to see how that goes!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
A healthier and happier 2013
So far in 2013 I haven't been feeling particularly great for a number of reasons, but this year I want to aim for a healthy and happy year!
I have put on some weight over the last couple of years, mainly due to moving into an office job where I don't get much opportunity to be active and am generally too tired and demotivated to do any exercise when I get home. I want to lose about half a stone to make me feel better about myself.
I am planning to do this not by drastically changing my eating habits as generally they are not too bad, but by introducing more exercise into my life and by making more informed choices.
I eat quite a lot of fresh food as due to food allergies it is easier for me to cook from scratch than to go down the ready meal or takeaway route. The main changes I need to make are to add more fresh fruit and veg to my diet and to keep an eye on my portion sizes when eating with my boyfriend.
Most importantly I MUST start doing some exercise! I never used to have to do any specific exercise as I previously had an extremely active job. As I get older and am now spending a lot of time sat at my desk I have found it difficult to find an exercise regime that inspires and motivates me. The few times I have managed to get myself in some sort of routine of trying to take up some sort of exercise, the routine has been ruined by illness or work pressures.
I know that if I exercise I will feel better about myself, it will raise my mood and it will make me look better, but I just can't motivate myself to do anything!
In the last week I have done sit ups on 3 occasions and have also done 30 minutes of step on the wii fit. I know it's not much, but it's a start. I have also downloaded the myfitnesspal app to record my eating habits and exercise so hopefully this will motivate me further to do something to lose that half stone and keep it off!
Are any of you doing anything special to make your life healthier and happier? Do you struggle to get motivated to exercise or get stuck in the vicious circle of not being able to force yourself to exercise due to a low mood?
I have put on some weight over the last couple of years, mainly due to moving into an office job where I don't get much opportunity to be active and am generally too tired and demotivated to do any exercise when I get home. I want to lose about half a stone to make me feel better about myself.
I am planning to do this not by drastically changing my eating habits as generally they are not too bad, but by introducing more exercise into my life and by making more informed choices.
I eat quite a lot of fresh food as due to food allergies it is easier for me to cook from scratch than to go down the ready meal or takeaway route. The main changes I need to make are to add more fresh fruit and veg to my diet and to keep an eye on my portion sizes when eating with my boyfriend.
Most importantly I MUST start doing some exercise! I never used to have to do any specific exercise as I previously had an extremely active job. As I get older and am now spending a lot of time sat at my desk I have found it difficult to find an exercise regime that inspires and motivates me. The few times I have managed to get myself in some sort of routine of trying to take up some sort of exercise, the routine has been ruined by illness or work pressures.
I know that if I exercise I will feel better about myself, it will raise my mood and it will make me look better, but I just can't motivate myself to do anything!
In the last week I have done sit ups on 3 occasions and have also done 30 minutes of step on the wii fit. I know it's not much, but it's a start. I have also downloaded the myfitnesspal app to record my eating habits and exercise so hopefully this will motivate me further to do something to lose that half stone and keep it off!
Are any of you doing anything special to make your life healthier and happier? Do you struggle to get motivated to exercise or get stuck in the vicious circle of not being able to force yourself to exercise due to a low mood?
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Reading in Progress
You may have noticed my lack of posts on my blog recently, and more markedly, the lack of book reviews. Fear not, I have not stopped reading. My friend Elaine and I have decided to set up a blog dedicated to book reviews and news as we both read a huge amount and thought it would be a good idea to pool efforts.
Please check it out and add it to your reading list! http://readinginprogress.blogspot.com
My intention is to use this blog to talk (and rant) about the important things in my life and other bits and bobs. Watch this space for new posts....
Please check it out and add it to your reading list! http://readinginprogress.blogspot.com
My intention is to use this blog to talk (and rant) about the important things in my life and other bits and bobs. Watch this space for new posts....
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