hot tea???

[tvillemom]

I love herbal tea. Especially the "zen" green tea from a company called tazo. I know this is not raw...so is there a way to get tea raw, I know I could do peppermint leaves, in hot water. What about green tea? Should I just not worry about it....ya know, I did give up coffee....so maybe I shouldn't worry about tea, but I'm just trying to take away the little NON raw stuffs that might cause me to crave more cooked food. What's your opinion, inquiring minds want to know.
Wendi

[DavidZaneMason]

It depends on YOUR goals. If YOU think caffeine is good for you, then you should drink more tea. If you are drinking tea for the anti-oxidants...I would wager you will get higher amounts and qualities of those in your fresh fruits & vegetables.

-As you noted, you can certainly steep your own herbs.

-Power & support to you!

-David Z. Mason

[trinity082482]

If you dont mind your tea not piping hot.. run your hot tap water until it steams, fill a mug, leave the tea bag in for a few extra min. The cooler the tea, the longer it takes to steep.. well the ones in the tea bags anyways =)

[salsababy]

If you dont mind your tea not piping hot.. run your hot tap water until it steams, fill a mug, leave the tea bag in for a few extra min. The cooler the tea, the longer it takes to steep.. well the ones in the tea bags anyways =)



Are you talking about the tea bag or herb leaves? Because from my understanding, the tea in bags is processed. Or maybe I am mistaken? Somebody point me in the right direction.... :confused:

I think there are always things that are contraversal in the raw food world. Even things like certain fruits, vegies, seeds and nuts are up for question. Isn't that crazy. I try to eat as natural from the ground as I can. So, probably the whole herbs rather than the packaged tea from now on. But each has to make their own judgement calls on things (ex. honey, maplesyrup, tea). I personally am not willing to give up on tea. I don't drink a lot of it at home (unless peppermind tea helps with upset stomach for me) but I know when I am out in the snow or in the mountains or what not- tea is an essential part of staying warm and I am not going to give it up. I don't feel I am losing a bunch of enzymes from drinking it and it is not a replacement for my raw food consumtion.

I feel that we want to be "raw" but we dont' credit ourselves as raw if we are under 100%. Yes, 100% is great and something to strive for. But I wouldn't want to NOT be considered raw when I eat 90%-99% raw. I think eating dariy and meat and stuff can detract from the raw lifestyle but eating some of the things that are contraversal (some may agree is raw others don't) doesn't mean you are NOT raw because somebody puts it into question. Maybe I am going off the deep end, but I love reading about people's inquiries about how to get 100% raw and their sincere efforts to get there. What I am concerned about (things I have read a little bit on here and personal blogs) is that people tend to beat themselves up becaues they may eat something contraversal and they dont' want to call themselves raw. Does this make sense?

[salsababy]

Sorry Trinity, I wasn't talking about you in particular. I was quoting you for my first line but then I got carried away with the rest of my post. I wasn't saying anything about you in the latter half. Wanted you to know so you weren't like "what the heck is she talking about- that's not me". ;)

[Sharon in Colorado]

In the summer I was making a lot of sun tea - just putting some white tea leaves, which are sun dried, and some mint leaves out in a jar of water. In a few hours it would be tea and I usually sweetened with agave as it dissolves better.

For hot tea I just use hot water, but I know it's not optimal. I usually don't drink hot tea unless I'm very cold - I prefer it iced.

[Revvell]

What I am concerned about (things I have read a little bit on here and personal blogs) is that people tend to beat themselves up becaues they may eat something controversal and they dont' want to call themselves raw. Does this make sense?

Personally, I don't care what folk call me long as they spell my name right. :p

Really, for me, who cares? Labels are stupid. I'm raw at 75%; no, you're raw only at 80%. You can be raw if you eat 50%. I'm raw because I add lettuce and tomato to my veggie burger. You're ONLY raw if you're 100%. :rolleyes: Sheesh! IF THIS is the biggest problem we have, we REALLY have no problems.

I'm with you. NO controversy about this! No beating oneself up about it! Get over it! It's not worth the time OR the energy!

Oh! and no hijacking threads. :D

Revvell

[salsababy]

Personally, I don't care what folk call me long as they spell my name right. :p

Really, for me, who cares? Labels are stupid. I'm raw at 75%; no, you're raw only at 80%. You can be raw if you eat 50%. I'm raw because I add lettuce and tomato to my veggie burger. You're ONLY raw if you're 100%. :rolleyes: Sheesh! IF THIS is the biggest problem we have, we REALLY have no problems.

I'm with you. NO controversy about this! No beating oneself up about it! Get over it! It's not worth the time OR the energy!

Oh! and no hijacking threads. :D

Revvell

LOL. Didn't mean to hijake the thread. ;)

I read and re-read the authors post and I believe they were sincere in trying to find the ultimate solution for the best choice possible.

Oh and her concern about whether drinking tea can lead to a SAD binge......hmmm....tea has actually helped me stay on track. I guess it depends on what flavor.

[JinxieKat]

If you like tea drink it, if you don't like it don't drink it. Smile and be happy!

Jinx

[trinity082482]

Sorry Trinity, I wasn't talking about you in particular. I was quoting you for my first line but then I got carried away with the rest of my post. I wasn't saying anything about you in the latter half. Wanted you to know so you weren't like "what the heck is she talking about- that's not me". ;)


;) I didnt even see it that way. Silly salsa :D

[Vegan Princess]

I still drink a cup of green tea with no sweetener each day. I'm not quite ready to give it up. I am not worrying about it.

[Morn]

I am with Vegan Princess. I still drink it occasionally. I am not a big hot tea drinker (but I did have it when I went to PF Changs a few weeks ago. And the time before that was while I was on Vacation in AZ. So I don't partake alot but if I did want to, I wouldn't worry about it. I think if I order it I am trying to stay away from something worse that I could be drinking and have settled on tea so I don't drink alcohol, or hot cocoa, or coffee.

Plus sometimes having something hot or warm just takes a little of the chill out of winter.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Personally, I don't care what folk call me long as they spell my name right. :p

Really, for me, who cares? Labels are stupid. I'm raw at 75%; no, you're raw only at 80%. You can be raw if you eat 50%. I'm raw because I add lettuce and tomato to my veggie burger. You're ONLY raw if you're 100%. :rolleyes: Sheesh! IF THIS is the biggest problem we have, we REALLY have no problems.

I'm with you. NO controversy about this! No beating oneself up about it! Get over it! It's not worth the time OR the energy!

Oh! and no hijacking threads. :D

Revvell

I agree with RRREEEVVVEEELLL

The labels just don't make sense.

I don't like the percentages either.

Don't understand how some people say they are 99% raw because they will have a tuna fish sandwich or a cooked mexican dinner once a week. There's no way of calculating that. I really think some people just do a mind calcluation over a volume or caloric calculation when they say things like that.

But I do think that it's important if you are looking at it health-wise.

If you want to eat optimally and purely, then you don't want tea at all.

But if you are transitioning, then you might find it easier to have a little tea than a doughnut. See what I mean?

[Mira Sheri]

If you dont mind your tea not piping hot.. run your hot tap water until it steams, fill a mug, leave the tea bag in for a few extra min. The cooler the tea, the longer it takes to steep.. well the ones in the tea bags anyways =)

I don't know what the situation is in the US/UK, but back home in Norway (where the water still is incredibly clean, thank God! Here in England I have to filter it or buy bottled! You won't believe the amounts of water I drink when I'm home! :D ) we were always told not to drink water from the hot water tap. It's something to do with the hot water making the pipes rusty, and then you end up drinking the rust. I don't know too much about it, but just thought I'd mention it.

[tvillemom]

OK...just found my old thread here. Ya'll are too funny! :D I guess NOW I'm not so nervous about my cup of hot tea. IT IS better than having the doughnut! ;) I guess I was just wondering HOW to make a RAW tea, because all I know to do is heat the water and pour it over the premade tea bag, which I know is not raw. Anyway, still enjoying a nice herbal tea, or green tea.....and NOT worrying about what % RAW it makes me....I'm still 100% as far as what I EAT....and lovin' it!
Wendi

[maraw]

Personally, I don't care what folk call me long as they spell my name right. :p

Really, for me, who cares? Labels are stupid. I'm raw at 75%; no, you're raw only at 80%. You can be raw if you eat 50%. I'm raw because I add lettuce and tomato to my veggie burger. You're ONLY raw if you're 100%. :rolleyes: Sheesh! IF THIS is the biggest problem we have, we REALLY have no problems.

I'm with you. NO controversy about this! No beating oneself up about it! Get over it! It's not worth the time OR the energy!

Oh! and no hijacking threads. :D

Revvell

You know, Revelle (mis-spell intentional), sometimes you just really hit it straight! And I love you for it!!

I couldn't agree with you more. When I'm cold, hot herbal tea warms me up. Simple - it feels good, and makes me happy. I have no guilt.

[tvillemom]

Maraw, your light just shines! When I read your quote: 1 John 4:4...I know why....yes, HE is greater! :D '
Wendi

[**jessireebob**]

Tvillemom, I make my own herbal tea using dried chamomile, rosehips, hibiscus flowers, lemongrass, dried apple slices, citrus rinds, etc. Just get herbs and flowers (dried, or dry yourself with dehydrator) and mix up and then use hot or boiling or dehydrator heated water (whatever feels right for you...) This way you get your hot tasty drink wihthout the caffeine. Granted, it's not raw if you boil the water, but nor is it commercially processed.

And it's yummy and so pretty!

Re: the labels, I agree with what most folks wrote here. I used to follow Atkins style eating (very high veg version) and every time I ate off-plan I felt like I had to start all over. Like I wasn't low-carb if I ate sugar, or I wasn't low carb if I ate a banana, or I wasn't low carb if I ate saltines. (And heck, if I wasn't low-carb, then I may as well binge, right?! :eek: ) It was so all or nothing. I love that people call themselves raw in one sentence, and then in the next say they are 80%. Cool! If 80% feels good, and you feel raw, then that's awesome. Then you ARE raw! No all or nothing mentality. Lots of room for listening to one's own needs. No such thing as a failure or a cheat or a falling off the wagon. It's ALL part of the raw journey...


:D

[Gwena]

Revvell, your posts continuously crack me up. Love them! :D

I drink tea and choose not to worry about it. It works for me. When we have time, we do the sun tea. Most often times it's hot water over a tea bag. Oh well. I'm still raw. :p

Here here when it comes to the percentage talk! I agree with all ya'll. Do your best, and be happy. Worrying about percentages is a sure way to wig yourself out. :eek: