30th March, 2007: A Balanced Life
You know it is important to remember that our jobs and careers cannot absorb 100% of us. I sometimes need to remember that fact…It is quite easy to get caught up in what we have to do, where we need to be going and how are we doing at this moment, but you need to remember how important it is to make sure you are seeking balance in your life. Of course I clearly recognize that this is easier said than it is done, but some one has to remind us if we forget. I recently have had a few things happen in my life to give me that wake up call. Telling me to… SLOW DOWN , don’t forget to smell the roses, tell the people around you that you love them, take the time to do NOTHING. Our careers and jobs are very important, they need us to be the best we can be, but with out that balance, well we might think we are giving 110%-we really are not. When I joined the company 20 years ago, I knew I liked being in the tea business. These days, I JUST LOVE IT….a warm soothing cup of tea, that should help me for sure.
Cindi
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
28th March, 2007: Tea Time Bigelow Tour
Diane Smith of Positively Connecticut recently visited Bigelow Tea and spent the day with Cindi Bigelow. Diane toured the plant, visited the test kitchen and took part in the quality control “slurp test.”
The Bigelow segment “Tea Time” will be featured March 31st at 6:30 pm on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV).
Please check your local Connecticut cable station for the channel in your specific area.
Posted by Liesl at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
27th March, 2007: We love Bigelow Videos!
Take a look at these Bigelow tea enthusiasts! Send us your video too!
Posted by Liesl at 6:00 am | Comments (4)
26th March, 2007: Bigelow Tea receives grant to install Solar Panels in Fairfield headquarters
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) announced (and it was announced on Building CT Green) that the Clean Energy Investment Committee has approved a grant of $777,000 to Bigelow Tea Company to defray approximately 55% of the cost of installing a 171-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company’s Fairfield, Connecticut headquarters facility. The solar PV system will be mounted on the rooftops of four different building levels and will supply approximately 195,600 kilowatt hours annually, or 6.7% of the total electrical needs of the headquarters complex.
“We are pleased to be supporting R.C. Bigelow’s latest effort to protect our environment,” said Lise Dondy, president of CCEF. “The company has already demonstrated that it is a diligent environmental steward through its involvement with Fairfield’s Clean Energy Task Force and the energy efficiency and conservation measures it has taken over the past several years at its Fairfield facility.” Dondy added, “Furthermore, Bigelow’s solar panels, once installed, will help alleviate the electric load in the heavily congested region of southwest Connecticut.”
Cindi Bigelow, co-president of R.C. Bigelow, commented, “We are extremely delighted to be part of this renewable energy program. Doing our part to make the planet a better place is very important to all of us at Bigelow. This solar project is just one more example of how we are trying to be more environmentally friendly. We could not be more pleased to have partnered with the town of Fairfield and their ‘Green Talks’ to help spread the word of what each person can do to make environmentally-responsible choices. We are continually examining different ways that Bigelow can preserve, protect and promote a sustainable future in every part of our business operation.”
Posted by Liesl at 9:40 am | Comments (3)
23rd March, 2007: Green Tea and Living to Be 100
Japan’s Health Ministry recently released the information that more than 28,000 of its population are centenarians – people who have been alive 100 years or more. That’s over twice as many people in that age group as in the United States. The Japanese in this group have many things in common, particularly a healthful diet high in protein. Another stunning fact is 80% of them drink green tea every day.
Posted by Elizabeth at 5:40 am | Comment (0)
23rd March, 2007: Bigelow Tea Sponsors Tea Fundraiser
Reported by the Connecticut Post, Bigelow Tea sponsored a tea fundraiser organized by Investmark which took place at the Westport Women’s Club. Cindi Bigelow spoke on tea health and cancer.
The tea for the fundraiser came courtesy of Cindi Bigelow, co-president of the Fairfield-based tea company her grandmother started more than 60 years ago.
Bigelow opened the event with a discussion about the health benefits of tea — even, she acknowledged, when it’s not a Bigelow brand.
The health benefits come from the tea bush, the processing of which results in three types of tea — green, black and oolong. Anti-oxidants are much stronger in black tea, which is made from crushing, exposing to air, drying and chopping the leaves. Green tea comes from leaves that are steamed before being dried and chopped; oolong comes from leaves that are crushed and exposed to air for a shorter period.
“They’re doing all kinds of cancer work with tea,” Bigelow said, citing a raft of university studies and reports. Black tea is studied for its cardiovascular benefits, while green tea is part of cancer studies.
“You are drinking the brew of a vegetable. It is loaded with antioxidants.”
Posted by Cindi at 5:27 am | Comment (0)
22nd March, 2007: Bigelow’s Organic Green Tea: USDA and QAI seals
Did you know that Bigelow has certified Orgranic Green Tea and Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea?
One or our readers was curious how we classify the tea as organic, here is the answer:
Bigelow’s organic Green Teas are grown and produced in strict accordance with the organic industry’s hightest standards. As a result, the organic green teas have earned both the U.S. Departnment of Agriculture (USDA) and Quality Assurance International (QAI) seals.
Bigelow’s organic green tea is naturally grown and processed using natural fertilizers to maintain a healthly and safe growing environment while also working with socially responsible farmers who empahsize the conservation of the soil and water to enhance enviromental quality for future generations.
Bigelow is proud to be a part of the organic community!
Posted by Valorie at 2:26 am | Comment (1)
21st March, 2007: Bigelow Tea for Dinner:Enjoy this Recipe!
Poached Tilapia with Bigelow’s® Green Tea with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients:
½ cup boiling water
6 Bigelow Green Tea with Lemon* Tea Bags tied together
4 additional Bigelow Green Tea with Lemon tea bags
3 to 4 tablespoons of cold butter, cut into pieces
4 Tilapia fillets
Salt & white pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. of tarragon, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of shallots, minced
1/4 cup of orange juice
Instructions:
Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over 4 Bigelow Green Tea with Lemon tea bags and steep for 4 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. Set aside (to be poured over fish fillets later).
Butter a large flat glass dish. Season fish with salt and pepper. Position the fillets flat in the buttered glass dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, bring the 1/4 cup of orange juice to a boil. Turn off the heat; add the 6 tea bags and tie them together. Steep for 6 minutes, then remove. Squeeze the tied tea bags to extract as much liquid as possible back into the saucepan. Discard the tea bags. Add the teaspoon of shallots, bring back to a boil. Turn off the heat and whisk in the butter, a cube at a time. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
Pour the infused tea that was set aside, over the seasoned fish fillets, cover with a glass cover or plastic wrap. Place fish in the microwave on high, for 3-4 minutes, or until just cooked through. Remove and let stand for 1 minute before transferring to plates. Spoon sauce over fish, sprinkle with fresh tarragon and serve.
Yield: Serves 4
Posted by Liesl at 10:40 am | Comments (2)
20th March, 2007: Cold Weather and Hot Tea!
Got to love this cold weather…I know I do. However, it is good news, bad news. Good news is…our tea sales are looking very strong this winter! That is good for everyone of us here at Bigelow, bad news….walked 6 blocks in the city this Saturday nite-not dressed for it and with that wind whipping through me, I have my self a lovely chest cold….good news again, I can drink all the tea I want to help myself fight this virus! Lesson learned, appreciate the cold weather but respect it as well…dress appropriately!!!!!
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comments (3)
19th March, 2007: Drink Green Tea!
Yahoo Food reports on 7 reasons why you should drink Green Tea. From cutting cancer’s risk to loosing weight, check it out here.
Posted by Valorie at 5:59 am | Comment (0)
