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T Handle Mug Review

This post shares, from an accessibility perspective, a T handle mug review. The mug is made by Carter Designs. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s experience. 

Accessible Mugs Can Be Helpful

Swelling, strength, mobility issues with fingers or hands–among other things–can make it very helpful to have a mug that works for your body and circumstances.

This T Handle mug is the third type of mug that I’m reviewing for accessibility on the blog. I bought it, paying retail price, from The Wright Stuff.

White porcelain mug with a T handle next to a yellow measuring tape measuring the height of the mug.
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Enjoy Drinking Less Tea

How to enjoy tea when you can’t drink much of it

Why I’m Drinking Less Tea

There are many reasons you might find yourself drinking less tea. Here’s mine…

In recent years, normally I enjoy one full tea session a day (about 3g of tea). Sometimes, I creep up to double that. Recently, however, I’ve radically reduced my tea consumption due to an acid reflux flare. Tea is usually mildly to moderately acidic. Also, caffeine can “loosen up your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring of muscle between your esophagus and stomach,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.

navy and burgundy tea bowl with white interior. A handful of leave leaves are floating in water in the bowl. A pink orchid and variegated ivy are nearby.

So, I’ve worked my way down from the higher end of my caffeine range to less than half a gram a day. I’m sincerely hoping this reduced tea consumption will be a temporary measure and I am consulting with doctors. But, while I’m here, I still want to enjoy drinking less tea.

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Cold Brewing Tea

How To, Why, and Tips

Cold brewing tea usually involves putting tea leaves (or tea sachets) into room temperature or cold water. Then, you store it in the refrigerator from a few minutes to 12 hours to allow it to steep. You never use hot water. This method is called mizudashi (水出し) in Japanese, according to the Global Japanese Tea Association.

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Starry Sky Tea Set from Umi Tea Sets: Review

I’m delighted to share my experience using the Starry Sky tea set from Umi Tea Sets.

On the Umi Tea Sets website, the full name of this teaware is “Chinese Starry Sky Jian Zhan Tea Set.” The version I am reviewing includes a teapot, six teacups, a fairness cup (sometimes called a fairness pitcher), and a two-piece ceramic tea strainer. It arrived in a beautiful deep blue “gift box” with multicolored fabric on the top.

Blue glazed teapot from Umi Tea Set Starry Skies Jian Zhan Tea Set. The teapot sits on a rock and daffodils are in the background.
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Tea Practice Poem

A tea practice poem? Have you ever heard of a gatha (pronounced GAH-tuh)? It’s a short poem used in some Buddhist traditions to redirect our mind to the present moment. Think of it like a “[meditation] practice poem.”

In honor of national poetry month, I thought I’d share Thich Nhat Hanh’s practice poem, or gatha, for mindfully preparing to drink tea. I use it a lot! In fact, if you have attended any of my Tea Mindful Together virtual meditations, you may have heard it before. (Subscribe to my newsletter to find out about these events and more.)

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Zojirushi Thermos Review for Traveling with Tea

This post reviews a Zojirushi Stainless Mug (basically a Zojirushi thermos) that I bought and used for outdoor and traveling with tea.

Preparing for a trip during which I knew I’d be drinking tea mostly outdoors, I decided to take a good thermos. That way, I could fill it with water to drink or hot tea–one vessel would work for either. This was going to be a more rugged trip than my usual traveling style, so I didn’t pack as much teaware as I usually do.

My old thermos leaks, so I wanted something better. I’d heard good things about Zojirushi, so I bought their 16 ounce “stainless mug.” I don’t know why they call it that and not a thermos!

Zojirushi thermos or stainless mug--lavender--next to a white teacup with a teabag on a tree stump
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Post about Preparing

A post about preparing–and why I haven’t been posting more on the blog lately.

Tea things are in the works, but not ready to materialize yet.

Life has been very busy as a professor and personally. Tea things, of course, are in the mix, too.

Here are a few things in the works to share in this post about preparing.

  • I’ve been looking for “freecycled” teacups to use for an upcoming tea event.
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Blog Tasting Notes

Enhance Your Tea Tasting

I’ve been thinking about how to enhance your tea tasting.

There’s an underappreciated way to improve your ability to have a fuller tasting experience and clearer communication about tea. Simply put, it is increasing your exposure to a wider range of foods!

White porcelain tea tasting cup and aroma cup on a small white tray
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Suggestions for Mindful Tea

This post shares suggestions for mindful tea. With things you probably have in your cupboards right now, you can change how you prepare or enjoy your tea. Small changes could lead to big rewards, adding some calm and presence to your day.

What’s Mindful Tea

Starting with a definition, or understanding, of mindful tea is a great way to begin.

What’s Mindful Tea?
Photo of Traci --a white woman with shoulder length silver hair wearing glasses and all black and holding a teacup. This image symbolizes her monthly event for TIN subscribers--Tea Mindful Together
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Blog Tasting Notes

Burdock Root Tea

I love trying herbal teas, like burdock root tea, that don’t appear in the typical chain grocery store in the U.S. That’s partly because for years I thought I didn’t enjoy herbal tea. It turns out, I’m just not a big fan of mint or chamomile–probably the two most popular herbals in the United States.

So, when one of my favorite tea companies, Soocha Tea, added a new herbal tea to their collection, I knew I had to try. Maybe it would be a new option to add to my Herbal Tea Recommendations!

Dark amber steeped burdock root tea in a glass teapot with a green handle and a metal tea infuser inside and a metal lid on top
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