Green tea and Sensaria

I had to dedicate a post to some new online purchases that I have been enjoying immensely!!

The first thing is green tea. I found this fabulous website, Hibiki-an, that exports real, authentic green tea from Kyoto, Japan. They have the real stuff! If you look at the cost per unit of weight, it seems expensive, but because it's sooo strong (as I found out when I brewed my first pot) a little goes a long way. And it's SO good! I have a very low tolerance for bitterness, which is why I almost always add honey to any tea that's not fruity; with this green tea being so strong and having such a roasted flavor, I felt it needed some lemon, too. I can't tell you how much energy it gave me (after which I did not crash as with so many other caffeine-induced highs). It also really cleaned me out physically, if you know what I mean! ;)

I had to ask Megumi Kanda, the MSO's Principal Trombonist (who is also 7 months pregnant with her first child, a boy!), about green tea because there are several varieties. She is half Japanese and was raised in Japan so she's the expert. ;) Sencha green tea is every day green tea, and is generally less expensive. Gyokuro green tea is the best - "that's for the guests", laughs Megumi. So in order to qualify for the free shipping (at least a $35 order) I ordered both Sencha and Gyokuro. Honestly, I can't tell the difference! So if you decide to order some, I would try the Sencha first. We currently have enough green tea for at least the next year or so. Which is just fine with me!

The color of authentic Japanese green tea is just gorgeous; a lush, rich green. This picture is almost exactly the color of green tea. You can almost see the antioxidants and rich vitamins in it!!



















The other thing I had to tell you is that my friend Jenn, who is David's cousin, told me recently about this company called Sensaria that sells plant-based, cruelty free (i.e., no animal testing) products. She is a independent representative for them and I love their products so much, I have completely converted from Aveda. Their concept is similar to that of Origins and Aveda, in that they are plant based products and are ethically/ecologically conscious. The difference is that Sensaria's products are much more affordable. I urge you to check out her website and learn more about the products! I have tried: the Cherry Almond and Mango lotions (yummy scents), the Nourishing and Soothing cleaners (face care), the Nourishing Moisturizer, and the Rosemary Mint shampoo, which I liked even better than Aveda's Rosemary Mint shampoo. Recently Aveda raised it's prices through the roof, and I was so glad to find similar products that I liked even better for much more reasonable costs.

So if you're looking for high quality products that you can feel really good about ethically, I highly recommend them! Plus, there's a fabulous guarantee, and they'll pay for you to send it back to them at no charge to you and you'll get a full refund. How great is that?



























Anyway, David's just getting home from his concert and he'll need the computer to do his review, so I'd better sign off. Love to all of you and enjoy your rituals - green tea, sensuous and delicious body care products, or whatever else renews and energizes you!! :)

XO Love,
Darcy

P.S. My foot feels okay; it's a bit sore, because I made the brilliant {*smirk*} decision to go to bed with an ice pack under the covers. Of course I moved around in my sleep, and I woke up at 2am with the ice pack under one of the tenderest spots of the sprain. My foot had been pressed against an ice cube and was throbbing in pain. I kicked the ice pack out (with my other foot, of course) and unwound the ace bandage and found a new position and eventually went back to sleep. I was relieved that the pain eventually abated, and my foot was back to near pain-free by morning, but I'm going to be a lot more cautious and careful in the future.