Asian Tea Time: OBSESSED

Can we talk about tea time in Asia?

I don’t even know where to start there’s so much to talk about, tea-wise, YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

Firstly, I’ve become obsessed with some new practices over here & tea time is definitely first on my list to share with you guys.

SO: tea-time.

( I’m like barely scratching the surface in terms of really, truly being a tea-time conissour but here’s my experience in the last week ).

RULE #1: pick a specific time everyday. RULE #2: pick your poison ( AKA your favorite tea; I’ve become a die hard ginger tea lover bitch in Asia ). RULE #3: have a tiny sweet ( like a mini cookie, a little finger sandwich, or some berries ). RULE #4: there are really no other rules or rules at all but I thought the above three would be helpful.

Basically when I’m having my Asian tea time here I REALLY commit to it.

Like I try to put my cell phone away ( hard ), clear my mind, & get in a tea mode.

That’s how in to tea time I am, guys.

Here’s the thing: we’ve been eatinnnngg. Like really eating. I mean the works, desserts, finger sandwiches, soups, big salads, filets, cookies, you name it. I guess let’s call in indulging? Don’t judge.

( Side: basically when I get back to California it’s time to strap on some ankle weights & not take them off for a few weeks. I’ll also be avoiding champagne & going heavy on the fruit/veg/fish/eggs. But let’s not talk about that boring shit because I’m still here…eating. And eating and eating ).

Anyway I SWEAR TO GOD THAT TEA IS HELPING ME STAY SLIM HERE. If it weren’t for tea I would have easily already gained a cute seven pounds of sticky rice real fast.

I started thinking: why am I not gaining weight? I mean we’re walking & kayaking & moving but I should be packing on a few LB’s, you know?

And then I started examining my new tea ritual: I wake up every morning & drink real ginger tea with lemon. Then around lunch I have peppermint tea ( PEPPERMINT IS AN APPETITE SURPRESSENT; some Asians are known to smell peppermint aromatherapy before they eat a meal! ). And then with dinner I will drink green tea with my dinner & end with more ginger tea. So ya, basically it’s tea lyfe over here. Tea for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.

You with me still?

So I looked in to this whole tea theory & here’s what I found about my ginger tea obsession & weight loss ( info via ):

Stimulates Appetite – If you have a sluggish digestive system and find that you need to get your digestive fires going before a meal, ginger can help. It may be the case that you don’t produce enough stomach acid, and ginger can act as an appetite stimulant, getting your digestive juices revved up so that you are able to digest your meal better. Improper digestion of foods leaves them fermenting in your digestive tract, and can contribute to weight gain.

Helps with Weight Loss – Losing weight is one of the most significantly positive things you can do for your overall health, and ginger can play an integral role in the process. The reason is because it acts as a fat burner, specifically helping to make sure that the weight you’re losing is from fat, and not just general weight or water loss. Another factor that helps shed the pounds is that ginger helps you feel full, so you’ll eat less and feel fuller longer, reducing your overall caloric intake.

Relieves Tired Muscles – The sort of muscle tiredness you get after strength training is the type that ginger works best on. This means that your muscles will recover better and allow you to take part in cardio workouts on your off days. It means you’ll be more likely to be more active instead of being out of commission on the days following your weight lifting workouts. Increased lean muscle mass generally equates to natural weight loss as you burn calories around the clock.

Helps Manage Glucose Levels – Research out of Australia suggests that ginger can help keep blood glucose levels in check. This is important because these levels have a direct impact on weight loss and weight gain, as well as how energetic or lethargic you feel throughout the day. If you’ve noticed that you get a midday crash it’s likely due to your blood sugar levels, and adding ginger to your lunch might help you stay focused and on task. An all-natural alternative to products like 5 Hour “Energy”.

Helps the Body Absorb Nutrients – When you’re trying to lose weight getting the right nutrients is essential. But if your body is overweight and not used to getting the nutrients it needs, it may have become used to not getting the required vitamins and now it doesn’t properly absorb them. More ginger means that you’ll be better absorbing the sort of nutrients that will help you in your pursuit and get you better results more quickly with the same amount of effort.

( more ginger benefits here | more general tea benefits here )

Benefits of tea in general? This source states that:

Tea contains antioxidants
Tea has less caffeine than coffee
Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke
Tea protects your bones
Tea bolsters your immune defenses
Tea protects against cancer
Tea helps keep you hydrated

Nonetheless I obviously didn’t know I was going to have such a strong love affair with tea while in Asia. I can’t believe the instant connection. It’s really quite the love story.

Let’s also touch on this: I’ve been really in to fully adding herbs to my tea.

Sound weird/sketchy?

It’s not.

And filling tea with herbs is just really damn good & filled with benefits.

I’m a lemon grass or mint girl myself. You?

Basically I’d move to Hong Kong for their tea time…Perhaps it’s time for me find another hobby while we’re here?

And ust remember: IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD FRESH GINGER TEA YOU HAVEN’T LIVED.

Ok, fun chat- dinner time. x, Lauryn

* my favorite brand of tea in California is by Nume ( not sponsored, I just like it because it’s organic/non-GMO ).

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