This is the third time I have been able to join in withSu’s virtual tea partyand what a nice way to check in with readers.
I tried a new tea this week, the brand is Jazba and the type I tried was called “Zesty Lemongrass” – It had a tiny bit of chili pepper in it. It was mild and surprisingly delicious. Maybe the cold weather this week made me like it more? However, I was so tired of all the regular teas maybe I just needed change. And their box is pretty cool with the hearts and design.
…
The “Zesty Lemongrass” – with a bit of chili peppers in it – was refreshing because it was “different” – The other tea blends in this box of bagged tea are lemon blueberry, lemon citrus, and lemon green – which type do you want?
Offering some chicken salad for today’s virtual tea party (the hubs made it for us).
Easy to make – shredded cooked chicken – dark and light meat – then add tomato, diced onion, celery, pecans, walnuts, cucumber, and homemade mayo
Or would you care for some trail mix?
This trail mix was fine, but I was SO disappointed because I thought I was buying ONLY nuts. I try to stay away from sugar and the dried fruit is sugar (can have it sometimes but more on that later)- anyhow, when I quickly read the label, I “missed” dried fruit being listed. Then, there was not just a little bit – there was a lot of dried fruit (good stuff for those who can have it – dried cranberries and dried tart cherries) but in the future I will read labels slower.
Also…
did you know that I went to an English tearoom earlier this month?
Here is quick photo of the tray they brought us to go with our two pots of tea.
I did not eat very much at the tearoom. It relates to the dried fruit thing – and the sugar ((sorry, hope I am not being a Debbie Downer here)) but the food they served here (carbs and sugar food) will NOT help me support a strong bio-terrain and so not may options for me. But I am okay with that, I am. I do not feel like I am missing out. I am still learning more about how to handle situations like this. Although it is not easy – and I might have to skip certain activities if it does not work out for me. For example, I brought some activated charcoal to take to ameliorate the impact from the two scones I had – (notice the scones are missing from the platter – ha ha – and mmmmm – they were so good) but I do not think the activated charcoal helped as much as I had hoped it would (but thanks Dave). To read more about the bio terrain – check out this blog here. And – now enough of that – I do not want to ruin this virtual tea party with Terrain Theory talk.
…
Now – here is what made me smile this week: Dried lavender from Trader Joe’s ($3.00 a bundle)-Let’s put some lavender out at this virtual tea party – the subtle relaxing scent will enrich our conversation.
50 thoughts on “December Virtual Tea Party & Trent’s Weekly Smile”
I love lavender and rosemary. The hills here are full of wild rosemary at the minute and they look so pretty and smell good too. Which is more than I can say for the lemon verbena tea I have in the cupboard at the minute. It may well stay there unless I pep it up with slices of lemon. 😦 Lemon blueberry sounds interesting? All the best for the festive season, Yvette! 🙂 🙂
Hi Jo- the wild rosemary sounds so delightful – and for some reason your tea reminds me of soap – many years ago one of my favorite soaps was lemon verbena.
I tried the blueberry tea blend and it was medium good ☕️☕️
What a lovely SMILE post!! I’ll take some lemon blueberry tea, sounds so delicious! I’ve never had it before but now I’ll be on the look out for it to try. I also love lavender and it’s good to have around for relaxation I think! I missed the smile post this week, but will join the weekend coffee share. Trent does a fabulous job with the smile posts!! Your post makes me SMILE!! 😀Have a great weekend! 💖
HI D, YOUR comment BROUGHT A HUGE SMILE MY WAY – and thanks for that.
I guess some of this herbal tea stuff is not true tea ((maybe like almonds never make true milk -hahah)) but I like trying all kinds of herbal concoctions –
Okay looking forward to your coffee share – and Trent is a great host – and great blog amigo – ttys
Lavender is lovely any which way, Yvette.
I would choose lemon and blueberry tea, I think. Smile indeed!
A delicious combo. I am drinking a variety of tea called Royal Ritz atm.
A very nice tea party! The lemon blueberry sounds interesting to me. I like blueberry a lot. How do you like it?
I am with you on sugar but I am too strict. I take dried fruits over any disserts. I would like to see dried fruit products that do not have sugar added.
Hi YC – did not try the blueberry ones yet
and I agree that DRIED FRUIT AN BE A GREAT dessert option – and sadly they do add sugar – or worse – corn syrup and preservatives – also, dried fruit can be dehydrating to the body – and I can see why this would be a great option also for some snacking – but sadly some people have sugar NON-stop – every meal and every snack has it snuck it and this was an example of how bombarded our culture is with sugar – and I see “healthy” snacks pumping up the fruit as “good for you” not realizing that sugar on the pancreas adds up – and could share more (like the five servings of fruit a day is BS and is not good for health) – but think I will end now – thanks for the comment amigo
That tray from the English tea room looks a little sparse: over here you’d get a lot more!
I’m a traditionalist, I’m afraid: if it doesn’t contain any tea, then to my mind it isn’t tea! Lemon and chilli may be ok in food, but to drink? Lemon is fine, but chilli? Yuk! 😉
Hi Clive, that tray was loosely scattered with items and sparse for sure (even before we took the scones) although it did look a little more full than what you see here
nd I was wrestling with a few things when the tray arrived – I hate food that is “over-handled” – ((I had a summer job in 1993 and the awesome chef schooled me about the importance of getting food that is handled less and offered tips – some might call it paranoid and he was just saying to “be careful” – and while i am sure they used gloves and had a sanitized kitchen – for some reason right now I just saw “over-handled” food and then I bet their was friggin CANOLA OIL in everything and that is some toxic shit))
and I know what you mean abut tea – dear purist! so this herbal concoction will never replace REAL tea – and especially not an English cuppa
Hi Yvette. I’m glad there was more there to start off with – it did look a bit mean! You’re right about precautions, especially in current times. I worked holiday jobs in catering from 1969 to 1972, and standards varied! Sorry to be a pedant about tea, but it’s an infusion if there’s no tea in it 😉
Hi Clive, I get what you mean about tea – and this might sound cranky, or like a first world problem, but the cheap “paper napkins” they had at the tea room were not the best – I guess it is COVID related – no cloth napkins and it makes sense – I am still glad i went to connect with the son’s fiancé’s mom – but a one time event for moi.
and
be over to soon to catch up on some Tuesday tunes – and really looking forward to it – ttys
A virtual tea party sounds great! I do eat too much sugar, though not as much as the average American… except for this time of year 😉 I make my own trail mix, but I do use dried fruits and berries in it. Yes, sugar, but not as much as those molasses cookies I like so much this time of year!! Love the lavender. I hope there is still a lot of scent left to add to the ambiance. Have a great weekend!
Hi Trent – I really did not want to get on the “sugar topic” but it was a current event in my life and hopefully it came out smoothly – and a bit of scent left – but also that rich purple color was part of the charm – maybe it spoke to me because so much red and green right now
I’ll try the honey lemon tea, thank you very much, and some of the chicken salad, which looks amazing as does the English tea. You might remember I had an afternoon tea with our older daughter when I was in Pasadena before Thanksgiving. So much fun. In fact, I just got a large shipment of tea that I ordered from the same company, Chado, and am excited to try them.
I was just at our Trader Joe’s yesterday and unfortunately, I didn’t see any dried lavender. But earlier in the year, they had some lavender in the flower section and when it started to be finished, I tied it in bundles, hung it upside down, and dried it. Every time I go in, I look for it again but haven’t seen it since. One of the things I loved about visiting my s-i-l and b-i-l in France when they lived in Provence was the availability and low cost of lavender.
Hi Janet, your new shipment of tea sounds awesome – and I thought of you twice this week – first – I made a “pot” of tea and I usually do the bag and mug – so when the pot brewed t reminded me of you. Also, stopped by Costco (not my favorite store) but i think of you with that store – so add that to my “reminds me of Janet” list
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and the bundles you hung sound wonderful – I also think Virginia likely had more lavender ((right now more)) than some areas because of our climate and local farms – oh and I know some of your France posts too
I’ve not heard of this virtual tea. I’ll be checking that out. Lovely lavender. Can’t get enough of that. I love tea. This post made me want some so I’m going to make some!
oh my goodness is it nice to say hello to you Tara – I mean “daisy smiley face” and hope you are having a nice month of December
and I am with you on real tea and herbal tea concoctions – cannot get enough of it
also, Su’s virtual tea parties have been fun and hope she does them in 2021
I believe I’d try the lemon-blueberry tea and think Summery thoughts Yvette. The chicken salad looks delicious – would not mind some on crackers right now. I do like trail mix and put cranberries (Craisins 50% sugar) in mine along with the nuts and some other nibblers but only make it at the holidays so indulge myself a little. I do eat nuts other times, including pumpkin seeds and hulled sunflower seeds which I put into my oatmeal every morning.
Hehe. I had a delicious Thai prawn, apple and lemongrass salad recently. The apple was unexpected and added a whole new dimension of taste and texture. It was the yummiest Thai dish I’d had in years
I’d love some chicken salad and some trailmix please. I’m not a fan of lemon in my tea, so maybe next time on that. The lavender looks beautiful. Once upon a time I had a recipe for something that needed dried lavender and it was hard to find! I think it was a cake…and I think I thought it tasted like soap, so I don’t have that recipe any longer!
hahahah – Dawn, that is so funny about it tasting like soap – and I am not familiar with the edible flowers or the recipes that are out there –
no tea for you but glad the others appealed – and appreciate your visit my friend
You had me at “tea” Prior.
It is my potion of finding my way back to the real world each morning.
And yea, sugar is not my friend either.
My wife wanted to buy me some flavored almonds for Christmas because they are a big part of my plan to keep enough protein in my diet, but they tasted too good, so I looked at the label and sure enough, there it was, sugar. . .
Honestly, the flavoring did not need it and I sure don’t need it but it’s very presence on the ingredients label will prevent me from buying these again. How can manufacturers keep on ignoring us on this point?
Best blessings for the new year at the Prior House.
“Ruffled feathers and endless squawking over a minor difficulty is typical of a crow’s life. I lean back on the counter and realize that could be my line….”
priorhouse blog 
I love lavender and rosemary. The hills here are full of wild rosemary at the minute and they look so pretty and smell good too. Which is more than I can say for the lemon verbena tea I have in the cupboard at the minute. It may well stay there unless I pep it up with slices of lemon. 😦 Lemon blueberry sounds interesting? All the best for the festive season, Yvette! 🙂 🙂
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Hi Jo- the wild rosemary sounds so delightful – and for some reason your tea reminds me of soap – many years ago one of my favorite soaps was lemon verbena.
I tried the blueberry tea blend and it was medium good ☕️☕️
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What a lovely SMILE post!! I’ll take some lemon blueberry tea, sounds so delicious! I’ve never had it before but now I’ll be on the look out for it to try. I also love lavender and it’s good to have around for relaxation I think! I missed the smile post this week, but will join the weekend coffee share. Trent does a fabulous job with the smile posts!! Your post makes me SMILE!! 😀Have a great weekend! 💖
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HI D, YOUR comment BROUGHT A HUGE SMILE MY WAY – and thanks for that.
I guess some of this herbal tea stuff is not true tea ((maybe like almonds never make true milk -hahah)) but I like trying all kinds of herbal concoctions –
Okay looking forward to your coffee share – and Trent is a great host – and great blog amigo – ttys
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The shredded chicken looks amazing.
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Hi – it was good and the homemade mayo had avocado oil, an egg, dash of ACV and salt – easy and healthy without corn oil and crap
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That sounds sensational.
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I’m not a tea drinker, but Zesty Lemongrass with a touch of Chilli does sound enticing
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Hi Derrick – it was maybe not true tea – but that herbal concoction was such a surprising treat!
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Lavender is lovely any which way, Yvette.
I would choose lemon and blueberry tea, I think. Smile indeed!
A delicious combo. I am drinking a variety of tea called Royal Ritz atm.
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mmmm – the royal ritz sounds delish!
and hope you have a wonderful weekend Amanda (cheers with tea cups)
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Cheers right back at you.
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A very nice tea party! The lemon blueberry sounds interesting to me. I like blueberry a lot. How do you like it?
I am with you on sugar but I am too strict. I take dried fruits over any disserts. I would like to see dried fruit products that do not have sugar added.
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Hi YC – did not try the blueberry ones yet
and I agree that DRIED FRUIT AN BE A GREAT dessert option – and sadly they do add sugar – or worse – corn syrup and preservatives – also, dried fruit can be dehydrating to the body – and I can see why this would be a great option also for some snacking – but sadly some people have sugar NON-stop – every meal and every snack has it snuck it and this was an example of how bombarded our culture is with sugar – and I see “healthy” snacks pumping up the fruit as “good for you” not realizing that sugar on the pancreas adds up – and could share more (like the five servings of fruit a day is BS and is not good for health) – but think I will end now – thanks for the comment amigo
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That tray from the English tea room looks a little sparse: over here you’d get a lot more!
I’m a traditionalist, I’m afraid: if it doesn’t contain any tea, then to my mind it isn’t tea! Lemon and chilli may be ok in food, but to drink? Lemon is fine, but chilli? Yuk! 😉
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Hi Clive, that tray was loosely scattered with items and sparse for sure (even before we took the scones) although it did look a little more full than what you see here
nd I was wrestling with a few things when the tray arrived – I hate food that is “over-handled” – ((I had a summer job in 1993 and the awesome chef schooled me about the importance of getting food that is handled less and offered tips – some might call it paranoid and he was just saying to “be careful” – and while i am sure they used gloves and had a sanitized kitchen – for some reason right now I just saw “over-handled” food and then I bet their was friggin CANOLA OIL in everything and that is some toxic shit))
and I know what you mean abut tea – dear purist! so this herbal concoction will never replace REAL tea – and especially not an English cuppa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Yvette. I’m glad there was more there to start off with – it did look a bit mean! You’re right about precautions, especially in current times. I worked holiday jobs in catering from 1969 to 1972, and standards varied! Sorry to be a pedant about tea, but it’s an infusion if there’s no tea in it 😉
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Hi Clive, I get what you mean about tea – and this might sound cranky, or like a first world problem, but the cheap “paper napkins” they had at the tea room were not the best – I guess it is COVID related – no cloth napkins and it makes sense – I am still glad i went to connect with the son’s fiancé’s mom – but a one time event for moi.
and
be over to soon to catch up on some Tuesday tunes – and really looking forward to it – ttys
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Lots of tea rooms use those at any time, not just now! At least you’ve done your duty 😉
Tuesday Tunes are having a rest this month. I’m doing an Advent Calendar of songs – just the 18 for you to catch up on so far 😂
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A virtual tea party sounds great! I do eat too much sugar, though not as much as the average American… except for this time of year 😉 I make my own trail mix, but I do use dried fruits and berries in it. Yes, sugar, but not as much as those molasses cookies I like so much this time of year!! Love the lavender. I hope there is still a lot of scent left to add to the ambiance. Have a great weekend!
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Hi Trent – I really did not want to get on the “sugar topic” but it was a current event in my life and hopefully it came out smoothly – and a bit of scent left – but also that rich purple color was part of the charm – maybe it spoke to me because so much red and green right now
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Yes, the rich purple is gorgeous, and, perhaps, you are right, that it stands out against the traditional Christmas colors.
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I’ll try the honey lemon tea, thank you very much, and some of the chicken salad, which looks amazing as does the English tea. You might remember I had an afternoon tea with our older daughter when I was in Pasadena before Thanksgiving. So much fun. In fact, I just got a large shipment of tea that I ordered from the same company, Chado, and am excited to try them.
I was just at our Trader Joe’s yesterday and unfortunately, I didn’t see any dried lavender. But earlier in the year, they had some lavender in the flower section and when it started to be finished, I tied it in bundles, hung it upside down, and dried it. Every time I go in, I look for it again but haven’t seen it since. One of the things I loved about visiting my s-i-l and b-i-l in France when they lived in Provence was the availability and low cost of lavender.
janet
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Hi Janet, your new shipment of tea sounds awesome – and I thought of you twice this week – first – I made a “pot” of tea and I usually do the bag and mug – so when the pot brewed t reminded me of you. Also, stopped by Costco (not my favorite store) but i think of you with that store – so add that to my “reminds me of Janet” list
—
and the bundles you hung sound wonderful – I also think Virginia likely had more lavender ((right now more)) than some areas because of our climate and local farms – oh and I know some of your France posts too
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I’ve not heard of this virtual tea. I’ll be checking that out. Lovely lavender. Can’t get enough of that. I love tea. This post made me want some so I’m going to make some!
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oh my goodness is it nice to say hello to you Tara – I mean “daisy smiley face” and hope you are having a nice month of December
and I am with you on real tea and herbal tea concoctions – cannot get enough of it
also, Su’s virtual tea parties have been fun and hope she does them in 2021
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I’ve been off and on (mostly off) the blogosphere a lot of this year. Happy to be back and visiting good bloggy friends. 🙂
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Happy you are back too – and wishing you a good weekend
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Great weekend wishes for you, too!
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The tea selection sounds like so much fun – lemon blueberry is intriguing. Was it delicious?
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Hi – the tea was medium good (if that makes sense) and my fav was the zesty one
😉
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It makes absolute sense Yvette.
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I believe I’d try the lemon-blueberry tea and think Summery thoughts Yvette. The chicken salad looks delicious – would not mind some on crackers right now. I do like trail mix and put cranberries (Craisins 50% sugar) in mine along with the nuts and some other nibblers but only make it at the holidays so indulge myself a little. I do eat nuts other times, including pumpkin seeds and hulled sunflower seeds which I put into my oatmeal every morning.
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Mmmm – thanks for sharing about your trail mix and treats
And the lemon-blueberry tea was petty good – not for all the time but a njce change
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I love the taste of lemongrass; especially in drinks (and Thai food). Great to have your company.
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Thanks su – mmmm -now you have me thinking of good Thai food !
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Hehe. I had a delicious Thai prawn, apple and lemongrass salad recently. The apple was unexpected and added a whole new dimension of taste and texture. It was the yummiest Thai dish I’d had in years
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mmmm – sounds good – do you happen to know which kind of apple it was?
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Granny Smith
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mmmmm
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What a delicious looking chicken salad, Yvette. I have a craving for one now.
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Hi – wish I could send some your way – but virtual will ha e to do – have a great day 😊☀️☕️☕️
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Virtual is perfect.
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I’d love some chicken salad and some trailmix please. I’m not a fan of lemon in my tea, so maybe next time on that. The lavender looks beautiful. Once upon a time I had a recipe for something that needed dried lavender and it was hard to find! I think it was a cake…and I think I thought it tasted like soap, so I don’t have that recipe any longer!
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hahahah – Dawn, that is so funny about it tasting like soap – and I am not familiar with the edible flowers or the recipes that are out there –
no tea for you but glad the others appealed – and appreciate your visit my friend
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Hi Yvette did I hear mention of chilli? That’s me sorted …a lovely happy post full of cheer and food it made me smile…Thank you 🙂 x
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You had me at “tea” Prior.
It is my potion of finding my way back to the real world each morning.
And yea, sugar is not my friend either.
My wife wanted to buy me some flavored almonds for Christmas because they are a big part of my plan to keep enough protein in my diet, but they tasted too good, so I looked at the label and sure enough, there it was, sugar. . .
Honestly, the flavoring did not need it and I sure don’t need it but it’s very presence on the ingredients label will prevent me from buying these again. How can manufacturers keep on ignoring us on this point?
Best blessings for the new year at the Prior House.
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