Today was the anniversary of my Grandma Clara’s death. She passed away when I was about 6 and I was catching up with my mom yesterday about who my Grandma really was, reminiscing.


It had dawned on me that I know and remember very little about Clara. I have snippets and factoids memorized about her, and I can still hear her voice (I inherited my lower, throatier voice from her I believe. Thanks Grandma!), but I didn’t know much about her. One of the things my mom mentioned during our discussion was that Clara loved to drink tea. With milk.


“Huh!” I thought, “So I’m not an alien after all! My tea obsession does come from somewhere!”


And while Clara liked to drink more traditional black and green tea, my taste leans HEAVILY herbal. I get my caffeine from coffee and diet dew, thank you! In honor of my darling Grandma Clara, I give you my top five commercial teas. Of course nothing beats “real” tea, but life isn’t always lived at a cafe or at home, is it? Sometimes we are on the go or at work or just lazy! So…

8. Any blueberry or very fruity tea- but only if its herbal. I don’t like the bitterness of green tea unless its freshly brewed at a restaurant. 
7. Tazo Cinnamon Rooibos tea- With a splash of milk. Yummmmm.
6. Aveda Peppermint tea- Better than sleepytime teas!
5. Celestial Seasoning’s Honey Vanilla Chamomile. I’m actually drinking this right now. It’s got an extra edge over regular chamomile, which I also love.
4. Celestial Seasonings (seasonal) Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, Gingerbread Cookie, and Sugarplum Fairy. Dessert teas, to be sure, but I hoard them over the holidays so I can have them off season too!
3. Yogi Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut, Sweet Thai Delight and Mayan Cocoa Spice- All of these have distinct notes in them that I have to be in the mood for, but are definitely fun and I like to share them with guests! I think they are mostly decaf or low-caf.
2. Yogi Lemon Ginger tea- When we were in LA, I was about to get the plain Ginger variety, which is also tasty. The clever barista (bless his soul, kind stranger from Abbot’s Habit…) suggested I try the Lemon Ginger instead. A new obsession was born. This one gets a bit strong if you don’t take the bag out after a little while!
1. Good Earth Original Caffeine Free. No surprises here- everyone knows how obsessed I am with this tea. Orange oil, cinnamon, chicory root, ginger, papaya, mmmmm. Sweet and spicy and delicious. I live in fear that I will run out or they will discontinue it.


So there you have it! I’m having a little tea time tonight and honoring my lovely Grandma.
Cheers everyone!


Of course I’m not forgetting Munch Madness! Last night Broccoli the Braggart took on Super Spinach for the Veggie crown and… Broccoli wins! Tomorrow they appear again in the final match!


So who will take on Bash Brother Broccoli ? (yes, that’s a Mighty Ducks reference. I’m Minnesotan after all).


Pineapple vs. Strawberries!


Vote it up my friends! And let me know how you feel about tea. Do you like it? Any favorites I just have to try?


-Meri