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When I was in my early twenties, I visited New York City for the first time and found myself in front of the famed Plaza Hotel, home to Eloise, the fictional 6-year-old girl who lived at The Plaza and who drove both employees and celebrated guests crazy. As I walked through the lobby, I decided to stop at the Palm Court, where “Afternoon Tea” is a daily tradition.
Seated under an enormous stained-glass ceiling, I sipped tea, dined on cucumber sandwiches and tried not to eavesdrop on Yoko Ono and her friend, while a nearby string quartet played Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. <PREVIEWEND> That day I learned Afternoon Tea is a great way to take time out from our busy schedules, get centered and focus on something other than ourselves. If you’ve had breast cancer and want to prevent recurrence, or prevent breast cancer in the first place, you might consider developing your own tradition of Afternoon Tea. Taking time to connect with yourself, or disconnect, is good for your immune system, plus it strengthens your mind-body connection.
For starters, let talk about what kind of tea to drink and why: Instead of the traditional, Earl Gray, it may be more beneficial to drink green tea, preferably decaffeinated, and organically certified, Chinese green tea. While several studies have shown some of the chemicals in green tea have antioxidant properties that could be a powerful weapon in our fight against breast cancer, other studies are not as conclusive. I don’t know about you, but as long as decaff green tea doesn’t do me any harm, taking time to relax, listen to music, sit back and close my eyes, or read a few chapters in a good book, is a welcome daily practice. Since many of the teas grown in China have been sprayed with unsafe levels of pesticides, organically certified teas are the only way to be sure your tea is safe to drink.
TO MAKE GREAT TEA:
Bring water—the better the water, the better the tea—to a boil in a non-reactive tea kettle. Pre-heat your ceramic or porcelain tea pot, or cup, with some of the boiling water and let stand until the vessel is warm, then pour out the water. Simultaneously, turn off the heat under the tea kettle and let the water cool for 60 seconds before pouring it over the tea. If using tea bags, add one per cup. Some people cover their tea pot or cup with a tea cozy to retain warmth. Let the tea steep for a minute or two, then taste frequently, taking care not to leave the tea bag in too long or your tea may become bitter.
Serve with lemon slices, but skip the milk, clotted cream and substitute honey for sugar. Make your favorite zucchini bread or blueberry muffins. If you don’t eat white flour, try substituting whole-wheat flour, or spelt, along with applesauce or honey for sugar.
As I write this, I’m drinking a new organic, decaff green tea from Whole Foods and thinking about Yoko Ono and her unique, sometimes wacky sense of fashion. That day at the Palm Court, she had on a gentlemen’s Victorian top hat, with a purple veil that wrapped around the crown and dipped down across one side of her face. For those of you who don’t know, or don’t remember, Yoko Ono is an artist, musician and widow of former Beatle, John Lennon. As I sit here, I’m listening to John Lennon’s iconic song, Imagine, and adding a new line of my own:
“Imagine there’s no cancer (sic). It’s easy if you try. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Listen to John Lennon’s voice and imagine… Play song from iLike.com
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Kathy Gutierrez commented on 20-Jul-2010 02:25 PM I love this ! My Grandmother was English and we ALWAYS had afternoon tea growing up! I am starting up the tradition today! Thank you for the great article! - Kathy
Luann commented on 22-Jul-2010 04:14 AM Hi Brenda, thanks for the reminder that something so simple as Green Tea can be so beneficial! And taking a little time out in the day to enjoy the tea is another great reminder! Thanks for that! Hugs today Luann
JBBC commented on 24-Jul-2010 06:04 AM Brenda, I enjoyed this post so much. You describe it all so wonderfully that I was right there with you in the Plaza sipping tea and eavesdropping :-)
Anonymous commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:18 PM This is the first time I have ever done such networking and not really familiar with it all. I saw your interview on an Austin TV station and became interested in your website. I am a 3 time survivor. Breast cancer in 1996, rectal cancer in 2007 and breast cancer in 2009. Each one of my cancers I have found and was able to detect it early. I tested positive to the BRAC I analysis and that made my decision to have a double mastecomy this last time and am currently undergoing reconstruction. Completed my chemo one month ago and my hair is starting to grow back! Have a colostomy as a result of the rectal cancer in 2007. I thank God, my husband, my family and friends of all their love and support through all of this. I am blessed and my heart goes out to the victims of cancer and their families.
Brenda Coffee commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:23 PM Anonymous,
You have experienced more cancer than any 10 people should ever have to endure. Your story tells me you are definitely a survivor. Given your history, opting to have a double mastectomy sounds like a smart decision. At some point, I would love to visit with you further about your grit and your faith. I think you have much to teach all of us.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
You have experienced more cancer than any 10 people should ever have to endure. Your story tells me you are definitely a survivor. Given your history, opting to have a double mastectomy sounds like a smart decision. At some point, I would love to visit with you further about your grit and your faith. I think you have much to teach all of us.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Celina Dewberry commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:24 PM Brenda,
Thought I'd pass this on as well. CNN just gave information on tea and memory loss. A study done at UCLA reported that tea or people who drank tea regularly had less cognitive memory loss. Studies also showed 30% of those who drank it at least 4 times a week were less likely to get Alzheimers.
Thought I'd pass this on as well. CNN just gave information on tea and memory loss. A study done at UCLA reported that tea or people who drank tea regularly had less cognitive memory loss. Studies also showed 30% of those who drank it at least 4 times a week were less likely to get Alzheimers.
Jennifer Denton commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:25 PM Hi Brenda!
Great blog post! Where did the picture come from? I love that tea pot. As someone who starts, breaks and ends her day with tea, I wholeheartedly agree that afternoon tea is a wonderful tradition and can be good for the body, mind and spirit.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Great blog post! Where did the picture come from? I love that tea pot. As someone who starts, breaks and ends her day with tea, I wholeheartedly agree that afternoon tea is a wonderful tradition and can be good for the body, mind and spirit.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Brenda Coffee commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:28 PM Jennifer,
I took this picture at Pier One. The manager said I couldn't photograph anything in the store. Kind of reminded me of the manager of a national pet store who said I couldn't photograph the gerbils. Was I invading his privacy?
XOXOXO,
Brenda
I took this picture at Pier One. The manager said I couldn't photograph anything in the store. Kind of reminded me of the manager of a national pet store who said I couldn't photograph the gerbils. Was I invading his privacy?
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Heather commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:30 PM Brenda,
Have just now had a chance to read this "latest installment" and the chance to read Amy's blog. It's funny how reading the very same things that happened SO LONG ago can bring that "wave" of nausea back so quickly . . .There are truly some things that we will never forget - and am afraid that those bags of draining fluids will forever fit in that category!
I loved visiting with you again this afternoon, and LOVED what you picked out . . .You truly do have a WONDERFUL sense of style about you!
Keep me posted on the San Antonio Woman, as well as Austin Woman!
I am so proud to watch what you are doing for the countless numbers of women whose lives you are touching!
With great fondness and admiration,
Heather
Have just now had a chance to read this "latest installment" and the chance to read Amy's blog. It's funny how reading the very same things that happened SO LONG ago can bring that "wave" of nausea back so quickly . . .There are truly some things that we will never forget - and am afraid that those bags of draining fluids will forever fit in that category!
I loved visiting with you again this afternoon, and LOVED what you picked out . . .You truly do have a WONDERFUL sense of style about you!
Keep me posted on the San Antonio Woman, as well as Austin Woman!
I am so proud to watch what you are doing for the countless numbers of women whose lives you are touching!
With great fondness and admiration,
Heather
Edie commented on 19-Sep-2010 05:32 PM Enjoyed your discussion on Green Tea...Some years ago while visiting in Santa Fe, I attended afternoon tea at the St. Francis Hotel. That was my first experience with Tea Time. (I may substitute my afternoon coffee time for tea time, after reading your latest Blog.)
Best Personal Regards, edie
Best Personal Regards, edie
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Drinking green tea with a little local honey is a practice that I started after treatment...and throughly enjoy! Thanks for the great information!