Teapot Diversions

A Rookie Firefighter gets a suprise on his first call

We picked this video up from William Lengeman over at Tea Guy Speaks. An entry to the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea Scholarship contest, the video titled "The Rookie" features a rookie firefighter who gets a huge surprise during his first call.

According to TeaUSA, sponsor of the national scholarship competition, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a national scholarship given for the most creative tea video as means to educate consumers about the delicious taste and the numerous health benefits of drinking tea from the Camellia sinensis plant.

To see the winners of 2009, visit www.teausa.org/calmasutra

Yixing Appreciation: Yin Yang Teapot

We found this little gem at a local second hand store.  It is of course two teapots that join to form a Yin Yang symbol.  It is a beautiful blue Yixing clay.  We hope you enjoy it's uniqueness as much as we do.

Stomach Cancer and Green Tea Consumption by Woman

A new study found that Japanese women who regularly drink 5 or more cups daily appear about 20 percent less likely to develop stomach cancer. Their was no however perceived benefit for Japanese men. Read the full article by linking here.

Green Tea and your bones

According to a new study from researchers at Oregon State University and the University of Connecticut, green tea may weaken bones.

The study conducted on mice found that green tea consumption may change the bone microarchitecture and reduce bone size. Read more

What about Green Tea spray and sun exposure?

According to a new study being reported in the UK Daily Mail, a new Green Tea Spray may protect against skin cancer.

Scientists at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Ohio applied the spray to 10 volunteers before exposing them to UV light.  According to the article, researchers said that the "tea spray boosts the skin's in-built immune system and helps it fight off the sun's harmful effects".  

Spray made from White Tea is said to have the same benefits.

Read the full article by linking here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1197976/The-tea-spray-prevent-skin-cancer.html

Green Tea and Leukemia

A new study from the Mayo Clinic published on Thursday suggests that high doses of green tea may prove to be a life-saver for leukemia patients.  Read more here.

Can White Tea Aid in Weight Loss?

According to a new study, experts are saying if you drink 4 cups of white tea a day and don't change anything else about your diet, you can possibly lose 4-8 lbs a year. Watch the full report from NBC:

Teapot Appreciation: Cat & Ball of Yarn

This is a great tea set for one.  A cat teapot and a ball of yarn cup. 

Video: How to Prepare Pu-erh Tea

Over at Tea Guy Speaks, we found this great video on How to prepare Pu-erh Tea.

"This is a demonstration of how to clean and carefully break apart a pressed cake of Pu-erh tea."

Tea Packet Raises Awareness About Taxation without Representation

While we are on the topic of Tea and Politics, we thought we would share this.

After the success of our last article detailing the Republican Tea Party, we were sent this teabag packet by a reader involved in the End Taxation without Representation Campaign being spearheaded by a coalition named DC Vote (www.dcvote.org).

According to the reader who contacted us, there is a real population of people in the United States that pay taxes but have no representation in Congress. 

According to DC Vote’s website,

“Currently, more than half a million Americans living in our nation's capital have no congressional voting rights. They have no vote for jobs, no vote for health care, no vote for education or any issue debated and voted on by the U.S. Congress.”

DC Vote, an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to securing full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia, uses the “End Taxation without Representation” slogan on tea bag packets they use as advertisement tools for their campaign.

A big Thank-you to the reader who sent us the teabag and informed us of the campaign!