30th August, 2008: Building the Community, One Race at a Time
FAIRFIELD, Conn., August 2008 - Residents of Fairfield County and surrounding areas can look forward to the excitement of Bigelow Tea’s (www.bigelowtea.com) 21st Annual Community Challenge taking place on Sunday, September 28, 2008.
The Bigelow Tea Community Challenge, a running event sponsored each year by the makers of Constant Comment® and other fine teas, is a fun-filled, family event that includes a 5K Road Race, a 2-mile non-competitive Fitness Walk and a Kids’ Fun Run.
Open to the public, this annual event raises $60k for Connecticut charities including The Fairfield Senior Center, Sandcastle Playground, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, YMCA of Fairfield, Mercy Learning Center, Cardinal Shehan Center, Music and Art for the Humanity, Center for Women & Families, Janus House, Connecticut Food Bank, Operation Hope, Grasmere Eldercare Center and Burroughs Community Center.
Each year, over 1,000 participants come to support the cause.
All registration fees will include a free T-Shirt to the first 1,000 registrants, a Race Gift Bag voted “Best in Connecticut,” free refreshments and a chance to win several great raffle prizes, including 2 round-trip airline tickets.
The event will take place at Wakeman’s Club in Southport, Connecticut and while early birds can register on the Bigelow Tea website, a registration table will open at 8:00 am on the day of the race. The Kids’ Fun Run starts promptly at 9:00 am, followed by the 2-mile Fitness Walk at 9:30 am and the 5K Road Race at 10:10 am. An awards ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 am.
For additional information on joining this great community family event or you need directions and race registration, please visit the Bigelow Tea website at www.bigelowtea.com.
About Bigelow Tea Company
100 % family owned Fairfield, Conn.-based Bigelow Tea pioneered the specialty tea category more than 60 years ago. Bigelow takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s leading specialty tea company. The Bigelow Tea line includes more than 80 varieties of flavored, traditional, green, organic , herbal, decaffeinated teas and iced teas- including America’s number one specialty tea flavor, “Constant Comment®.” Also enjoy the Charleston Tea Plantation located on Wadmalaw Island just south of Charleston, South Carolina which is owned and operated by Bigelow Tea and produces American Classic Tea and products.
Bigelow Tea products are available nationwide and every variety can be found on the company website (www.bigelowtea.com). Tea lovers will also enjoy the company’s blog (www.bigelowteablog.com).
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PRESS CONTACT INFO:
Elizabeth April-Fritz
Bigelow Tea
203-334-1212
eafritz@rcbigelow.com
Valorie Luther
Creative Concepts
203.259.4202
vluther@creative-conceptsllc.com
Posted by Valorie at 8:45 pm | Comment (0)
29th August, 2008: Lemon Lift Tea Fan Pat Benatar Comes to CT
As we reported back in August of 2007 on our blog, Female Rock Star Pat Benatar Requests Bigelow Lemon Lift® Tea Backstage…Pat Benatar is a big fan herself — of Lemon Lift® Tea that is…
She will be performing, August 31st, at Fairfield Theatre Company, The Klein. This rock ‘n’ roll superstar, who is a four-time Grammy winner with six platinum and four gold albums to her credit, is touring with her producer, guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo. Pat Benatar is known for songs like “I Need A Lover,” “Heartbreaker,” “Fire and Ice,” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
Sing along with Pat Benetar and “hit me with your best…” pot – of Lemon Lift® Tea
Thanks goes out to the Fairfield Community Theatre for the photo
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
27th August, 2008: Tea Time at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Many of us have been glued to our TVs ever since the Olympics began. In addition to being entertained by extraordinary athletic moments, we have also learned a lot about Chinese history and culture. One aspect being promoted by China, as host of the 2008 Olympics, is tea…
Tea originated in China and is even older than the Olympic games themselves, which were first held in 776 BC in Greece. Tea was first discovered by the Chinese Emperor Shennong in 2737 BC.
Afternoon tea is served every day in the Olympic Village in a traditional tea room situated alongside acupuncture and massage salons. While sipping tea, athletes are treated to three tea-themed classical dancing shows performed by tea experts.
As another bit of “tea hospitality,” the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association created a tea of honeysuckle, ebony, green tea and citric acid designed specifically to cool down both visitors and athletes alike.
Next time you take your tea, you can feel like an Olympian too!
For more about Chinese Tea History, go here and here
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
26th August, 2008: Vacation is Good!
Just got back from a week off, you know I always forget how important it is to take some time away from the office to relax. I think I can skip the vacation, I really can’t afford to take the time but you know I am wrong. To take the week and let your body actually “relax” is so important. Sure, a good cup of tea filled with L-Theanine should relax you BUT nothing replaces a vacation. It took me about 4 days to finally start to get to a more “low key” place-and it felt great! Anyway, I am back, totally recharged and ready to hit our new tea season with all I got…bring it on, I am ready!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
25th August, 2008: Uma Thurman Will Really Need Her Favorite Tea Now
Uma Thurman to re-marry! According to People, Thurman’s Rep, Stephen Huvane confirmed that Uma and boyfriend, Arpad “Arki” Busson have announced their engagement but have not yet set a date. Can’t you picture her spending an afternoon sipping her favorite white tea while poring over bridal magazines or drinking Chai to calm her nerves as she plans her guest list?
Would you like to experience the quiet consolation of two very special teas or do you just want to try something a little different? Bigelow offers a perfect blend of spices and black tea in an amazing Chai that will melt away your stress and a truly delicate White Tea with a touch of tangerine to lift your spirits.
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
22nd August, 2008: Quilted Cups
Do you enjoy homespun hobbies? We’ve found the perfect craft for tea lovers. In just a few hours you can enjoy tea cup wall décor with the look of quilting, even though no stitches are required!
Designed by Annabelle Keller for Dow, this tea-themed design is unique and easy and perfect for your home or gift-giving. To create the quilt, you’ll need approximately one yard of total fabric (in your favorite patterns), white craft glue and Styrofoam backing. You’ll also need a few craft utensils, including permanent marker, scissors and straight pins.
To get started, review the full supply list and instructions on the Teatime Quilt project page. Next, download the free pattern here. Finally, cut and glue your way to a tea-riffic wall hanging!
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
20th August, 2008: Is Green Tea Heart Healthy?
A recent Time article poses the question ‘Does Green Tea Help the Heart?’ Something many new and long-time tea aficionados are interested in knowing in light of the flurry of recent health claims. Dr. Nikolaos Alexopoulos of the Athens Medical School in Greece and his team answer with a new study. “The study…was a randomized trial involving the diameter measurement (dilatation) of the brachial artery of healthy volunteers on three separate occasions - after taking green tea, caffeine, and hot water (for a placebo effect). The measurements were taken at 30, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption. Dilatation of the brachial artery as a result of increased blood flow (following a brief period of ischaemia of the upper limb) is related to endothelial function and is known to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk.
“Results showed that endothelium-dependent brachial artery dilatation increased significantly after drinking green tea, with a peak increase of 3.9 per cent 30 minutes after consumption. The effect of caffeine consumption (or hot water) was not significant.”
More simply, arteries were kept flexible and relaxed allowing better blood flow and providing protection against changes in blood pressure.
“The American Heart Association does not yet include the beverage in its dietary recommendations, however, more studies like this one” and other insights provided by experts, like the information previously presented in this Bigelow® post or this Bigelow® post with videos may change that. But why wait? Be proactive. Think tea, drink green.
Posted by Ruth at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
19th August, 2008: Tea Cups for People on the Go
Modern society moves at an ever-increasing pace. In fact, the typical tea cup may now be out-of-step with our hustle-and-bustle world as much as we’d hate to admit it. As Alexis at the My Tea Cups blog notes, “tea cups are works of art, and I try to enjoy every bit of tea in a beautiful cup as often as possible. However, there are times when I don’t have those precious moments to sit and sip, and I have to take my tea on the go and drink it from an oh so boring paper cup.”
That’s the dilemma facing many of us. Until now, that is. Alexis’ post goes on to introduce a new type of to go cup. One that’s not only convenient, but that’s also environment-friendly. As Alexis describes it, her find is a “porcelain cup with silicone lid that looks like a paper cup.”
If you need to take your tea time on the run, be sure to check this out for yourself here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
18th August, 2008: Tea Songs by Nirvana and Others
Tunes about tea have been popular ever since the Big Band days of Tommy Dorsey. In more recent memory, however, even American grunge band Nirvana came up with a tea song to sing, Pennyroyal Tea. Now you can listen to that and other tea tunes online via a coffee and tea blog.
Other listening options include Have a Cuppa Tea by the Kinks where the lyrics recommend tea…
If you feel a bit under the weather,
If you feel a little bit peeved,
Take granny’s stand-by potion
For any old cough or wheeze.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
15th August, 2008: Fire up the grill…for another great tea recipe…
Tea Marinated Grilled Tofu
Ingredients:
8 6-inch wooden skewers
1 14-oz. Package extra firm tofu
3 Bigelow® Green Tea with Pomegranate tea bags
3 Bigelow® Earl Grey tea bags
2 cups hot water
½ teaspoon salt, plus additional for sprinkling
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1 inch rounds
8 Baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned (about 8 oz.)
2 tablespoons canola oil (for brushing)
Non-stick grill spray
Yield: Serves 4
Instructions:
Tofu is a great vegetarian, low-calorie alternative for your grill, and marinating it in tea gives it great flavor and color. A touch of honey adds sweetness and helps to create a beautiful grill marks as it caramelizes.
First, set wooden skewers in water and allow to soak for approximately 30 minutes.
Next, sandwich the block of tofu between two plates lined with a few layers of paper towels. Place something heavy on top plate (like a can) so tofu can drain for 10-15 minutes.
In large bowl, combine hot water and tea bags and steep for 5-7 minutes.
Squeeze out tea bags into bowl, remove, and add salt and honey to tea. Stir until honey is dissolved.
Cut tofu into 1 inch cubes, and add to bowl. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
Thread 2-3 cubes of tofu and 2-3 pieces of vegetables onto each soaked skewer, being careful not to pack the skewers too tightly. Brush each skewer with canola oil and season with a pinch of salt.
Spray a gas grill with non-stick grill spray and preheat to medium-high. Place skewers on grill, and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and tofu begins to form a nicely colored crust.
Note: be very gentle when turning skewers (use a grill spatula), as the tofu is delicate.
Remove from grill and serve hot.
Please check our recipe section for delicious recipes for all of your upcoming gatherings. Excite your guests with appetizers, side dishes, dinner, desserts and beverages made with Bigelow Teas.
Posted by John at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
