Stop and stare -The art of brewing coming to life with flowering teas

Tea packs all the goodness of antioxidants and flavonoids. Up until recently, we had only heard about black tea, green tea, oolong, white tea, Darjeeling tea and Chinese greens. Other variants were quite rare. No matter what form it came in, it always packed all the goodness in a nice warm aroma. Tea is great for waking you up in cold mornings as well as soothing nerves at night after a long day. However, nothing compares to the magic blooming tea can brew with each unfurling petal and leaf.

image:teabloom.com

What is flowering tea?

The process of crafting flowering tea is quite delicate yet tedious. Artisans need a great deal of practice and patience to successfully join dried tea leaf and flower together to replicate a real whole flower complete with the petioles. The artists craft the bud in such a way that pouring hot water on them causes the petals to unfurl and release the aroma into the steaming liquid. As the flower steeps in the water, the aroma fills the teapot and rejuvenates aesthetics. After a long day at work, making a pot of tea with your family and loved one can cleanse all the tedium with the aroma that fills the room.

Health benefits that come with flowering tea

Many skeptics ask about the health benefits of the fancy, delicate and elegant designer tea. While it is indeed pretty, it is also extremely nutritious for a stressed body. Just like traditional green tea, it has a generous dose of antioxidants, flavonoids, manganese, xanthene and a mélange of other necessary organic compounds necessary for our regular metabolisms. Whatever the day takes out of us, the flowering tea has the power to restore.

Just like good natural and organic green tea, flowering teas have the power to protect your cells against damage and aging. Throughout the day we collect some pollutants and cell-damaging chemicals in our body. The effect of the detoxifying chemicals in the tea deactivates these chemicals and helps in flushing them out of our bodies.

A different kind of a bouquet

In addition to the traditionally dried tea leaves, these flowering teas also contain a central bud made from dried flowers. All around the world, artisans and craft tea companies use several kinds of dried flowers due to their unique aroma, healing properties, and relaxing nature. For example – the craftsmen in the Yunnan province of China use jasmine, lily, globe amaranth, osmanthus, and chrysanthemum to make the central bud. Each of these flowers has a unique composition of vitamins, xanthenes, anti-oxidants and necessary immune boosting components.

Flowering teas have many variants. You can pick from among several flavor and aroma combinations. It is not a grab-and-go drink. You need to take a step back, relax and enjoy watching the tea bloom into full magnificence in its glass teapot. It is a performance piece like an opera that soothes the eyes, body, and soul.

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Electric Bikes

What is an electric bike? It is just like a regular bike, only a whole lot more fun! The rider can either use it manually like a regular bike, or turn on the motor for more power.

image:epiccycles.ca

The benefits of an e-bike

What are the benefits of an e-bike? Anything you ever knew about riding a bicycle will be changed the instant you get on your new e-bike. Whenever you get on to your new e-bike, you will experience something you have never before experienced; remember the joy you felt when going down a hill on your traditional bicycle?  The wind in your hair, being able to rest your feet on the pedals until you hit the bottom of the hill. Well riding an e-bike will give you that similar feeling, only all the time. The e-bike has a motor that kicks in to assist you as you are pedaling; a motor that is easy to maintain, quiet and smooth running.

Electric bikes can operate in two methods—the first method of operation is the Power Assist (PAS), this method is when the motor comes on and connects the instant you start to pedal.

The second method an e-bike operates is Power on Demand (POD); this is when the handle throttle controls the motor, similar to that of a moped.  

How far can I ride my e-bike on a single charge?

You will need to calculate the watt-hours that your e-bike’s battery has in order to answer this question. 

The “watt hours” is how you calculate how much energy your e-bike’s battery back holds in order to know exactly what the range is you may travel at one time before needing a new charge. The way to figure your watt-hours is to multiply the voltage by the amp hours (Ah). For instance, a 36-volt, 10 ah battery has 360-watt hours. If you are thrifty with your energy usage, you can go about 20 miles for every what hour, which means a 360 watt power pack will let you travel 18 hours. The range also is dependent upon where and how you ride your e- bike. 

When shopping for an e-bike, there are three important features to think about:  the watt-hours the e-bike potentially has as far as the range; the cost of the e-bike; and the weight of the bike. 

If you want better performance from your e-bike, you are better off to buy a battery that has a name brand, these will last longer and require fewer charges than a battery that was made in China with a generic name. The only downside to this is that for a battery pack with name brand cells will be slightly higher in price. 

One way to test your e-bike salesman is to ask him or her the brand and chemistry type that is in the cell pack; if he or she cannot answer your questions, seek the answer elsewhere, or do your own research on the subject. 

Once you find the e-bike that fits your range and other needs, you are going to ask yourself why you didn’t buy an e-bike sooner.

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Party Entertainers for Kids- What you should know

Games and crafts are fun aspects of children’s parties but there are times when you want your kids to have something special to celebrate their day. Party entertainers such as clowns, cartoon mascots and magicians can help to create unforgettable events and make sure that all the guests have a great time.

image:pixabay.com/en/girl-birthday-party-cake-kids-1098020

Choosing a suitable party entertainer requires some research to avoid ending up with a disappointing event. Before making a final decision or signing a contract, there a number of tips that are worth keeping in mind when you want to hire a party entertainer for your son or daughter’s celebration.

Party Budget

It is important to determine your party budget before you start looking for the best entertainer. Remember to consider all costs, including drinks, food, gifts for the guest of honor, goodie bags and the event space. If you can accommodate an entertainer in your list of expenses, you can cut down on costs in some areas. Find out the rates that are ideal for you before you embark on your search for an entertainer.

Shopping Around

It is always a good idea to shop around for party entertainers before making a final choice. If you reside in a large city that offers several options, talking to more than one entertainer can help you find a high quality performer and save money.

• Carrying out a quick online search for kids party entertainers within the area can save a lot of time. This will give you an idea of the options that are available.
• You can browse the web for activities, characters and base rates offered. It is also essential to look at videos or pictures from previous events. Note down your favourites and contact the businesses directly rather than relying on quote services and online rates only.
• Planning ahead will give you more time for shopping around. If you plan to book an entertainer, you may find it difficult to track down exactly what your child is interested in if you do not have enough time.
  

Interviews and Inquires

• ·While contacting potential party entertainers, do not hesitate to ask about what their usual act involves, references and experience. Inquire about how comfortable they are around children and kids’ parties. For instance, a magician who typically performs at business of corporate events is probably not a good option for a group of children. 
•  Consider the duration of performances and how much time the entertainer needs. Younger children may not be able to sit still for hours. Preteens may prefer a lot of participation, audience interaction and hands-on activities.
• Do your research before calling an entertainment service provider. Decide on the location, date and time. You need to be able to clearly describe the type of entertainment you want and whether there is a particular theme for the party. You also need to be aware of the number of guests.

Confirmations

After organising your child’s party, everything should be confirmed ahead of time. Confirm the location, date and time. Make sure that the contract includes all the pertinent information before you sign it. Proper planning and preparation will enable you to enjoy the celebration with your children.

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