13th May, 2008: Bluesy Tea
Green tea may be all the rage, but a raspy voiced singer-songwriter named Dendee has got the blues over the beverage. The London-born musician bemoans the traditional English Tea he’s come to miss while living in America in his light-hearted song “I want a cup of tea,” which was featured on the Tea Muse online newsletter.
It soon becomes apparent that it’s not just the drink, Dendee misses, but the British foodstuffs typically paired with tea as well. Items like Toad-in-the-hole, which are sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, and spotted dick, a steamed suet pudding with dried fruit.
So, steep some Bigelow Earl Grey, then click here for a listen.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
5th May, 2008: Speaking of Tea
Regardless of when or where they were born, some of the world’s greatest thinkers have held tea in high regard. People such as the English novelist Henry Fielding who gave us the character of Tom Thumb. The Chinese philosopher T’ien Yiheng. Vietnamese Zen monk Thich Nhat Hahn. Or Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. Their own words summed up their sentiments toward tea.
If Fielding were alive today, he might prefer to enjoy his tea while watching a soap opera. Or that’s the sense one might get from reading this quote from his novel Love in Several Masques: “Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.”
Yiheng considered tea a form of escape. “Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world,” he said.
Thich Nhat Hahn used tea in practicing mindfulness, a trend which has gained renewed interest today. He advised, “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”
Lastly, there is Alexander Puskin who described tea as a delicious luxury with the words, “Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth.”
Find more tea quotes to whet your appetite, like these published earlier on the Bigelow blog.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
28th April, 2008: Organic Tea for Stefani
Gwen goes organic when it comes to a healthy diet, and that includes her tea. The Grammy-winning singer even insists on organic tea while on the road. According to Showbiz Spy, Gwen Stefani’s health-conscious tour demands include a buffet of organic fruit and vegetables, 30 bottles of branded vitamin water and organic tea.
Stefani is likely to get her way. She’s a serious artist with two Grammy Awards to her credit and five additional Grammy nominations. She may be known as much for her sense of style as for her music, however. Stefani is immediately recognizable in any Hollywood spread with her bright red lips and platinum blond hair. She has even designed her own clothing line, L.A.M.B., which is sported by top celebrities such as Halle Berry.
For more information on Stefani or her latest music cd, The Sweet Escape, visit her official website.
Photo by Jill Greenberg, Gwen Stefani Official Website.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
21st April, 2008: Ryan Phillippe Takes Tea to Go
Celebrity photographers recently captured shot after shot of actor Ryan Phillippe sporting a cup of tea while out-and-about. Iced tea, that is.
The quiet star and one-time husband of actress Reese Witherspoon isn’t new to the beverage. According to a number of entertainment news sites, early in his career, Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John once took him out for tea. The stars made quite an impression. Afterwards Phillippe recalled, “I was sitting there looking at them interact, and I’m thinking, these people have raised millions of dollars to save people. The potential power of celebrity is astounding.”
Phillippe currently stars in Stop-Loss now playing in theaters.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
14th April, 2008: Norah Jones Talks Teapots with Newsweek
Singer – and now actress – Norah Jones, was recently caught discussing teapots with Newsweek reporter Ramin Setoodeh. Prior to the release of her first film – My Blueberry Nights, which premiered in November – the multi-Grammy winner confessed she learned how to act by watching co-stars Jude Law and Natalie Portman, then shared details from her personal life.
In the interview, Jones revealed she is making a teapot set in a pottery class and, when asked if tea was good for her voice, answered, “I don’t know. Coffee gives me bad breath.”
Whether or not the musician enjoys tea for her vocal chords, flavor or fresh breath, we do know that Jones isn’t one to leave her tea behind the scenes. During earlier concerts – including a recent BBC event covered by a British entertainment site – she was known for bringing her tea on stage.
For more information on this talent, visit the Norah Jones web site.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
7th April, 2008: Huffman Relaxes with Tea and a Book
Like her mother, actress Felicity Huffman’s favorite pastime is reading in bed while drinking tea. The television star likes tea in bed with family sagas, a zippy mystery, a monk’s meditations, and a child-rearing playbook, according to O, The Oprah Magazine.
People think my life must be much different since Desperate Housewives went on the air. Actually, it’s very much the same: I still drive to work, go to the farmers’ market, and hang out at home. And I still have to read before I go to sleep. The truth is, my only hobby is reading in bed with tea. I come by it naturally reading in bed is one of my mother’s favorite pastimes, too, says Huffman.
In fact, her tea tradition would comprise an idyllic day for the actress. It’s such a sanctuary and a resource for me, according to an article on her official website. And what tea would Huffman be drinking? Herbal. It’s Felicity’s favorite.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
31st March, 2008: Liv Tyler Inspires Tea Book
Good manners start young. No one knows this better than Dorothea Johnson, founder of the Protocol School of Washington and the grandmother of actress Liv Tyler (the daughter of Aerosmith musician Steve Tyler who is best known for her film work in Lord of the Rings and Stealing Beauty).
Johnson had already authored several books on tea and etiquette when she felt inspired to teach young people the finer graces of living. Based on her close relationship with her famous granddaughter, Liv, she came up with a picture book and etiquette manual titled, Children’s Tea & Etiquette: Brewing Good Manners in Young Minds. Published by Benjamin Press, the book covers a number of social graces, from the basics of saying “please” and “thank you,” to tea party table manners. It also touches upon the history of tea and includes a smattering of tea party recipes.
For more information about Johnson’s book, go here.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comments (2)
24th March, 2008: Barbra Streisand Tea Memories
The little girl was called Sam and 30-some years ago she chanced into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, thanks to the antics of her older brother. Sam L. Lamp has recounted the tale for The Celebrity Cafe: she was invited to join Barbra Streisand for tea after her brother gave his tag-along sister the slip during play. “I remember her manager coming out and asking me if I wanted to have tea with ‘Barbie.’ Well, I thought he was talking about a doll not Ms. Streisand. He led me to the back and we sat and had tea and she was very sweet.”
What makes Miss Lamp’s tale especially interesting is knowing a little more about Streisand’s childhood. According to one celebrity site, in her youth, “Barbra found all sorts of ways to entertain herself while her mother buried herself in work. She played tea party and dress-up … [and] she spent hours singing in the halls of her apartment building.”
We’re glad to hear that Barbra continued her tea traditions into adulthood. And glad that she kept singing.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
18th March, 2008: The Wizard Speaks: Tea Tops Dr. Oz’s Anti-Aging Checklist on Oprah
As seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz’s Anti- Aging Checklist features tea, both green tea and white tea, as part of a regiment for looking younger and living longer. As Mellow Monk points out, Dr. Oz recommends drinking four cups of green tea and/or white tea per day. In order to combat the aging process, in addition to drinking tea, you need to stock your kitchen with anti-oxidant rich items. Dr. Oz’s favorites include blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes. The checklist outlines other “musts” like benchmarks for sleeping, vitamins, exercise and more.
Looking younger and living longer is certainly appealing…no ruby slippers required.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
10th March, 2008: Patti Scialfa’s Tea in Life and Art
Patti Scialfa may be best known as the wife of musician Bruce Springsteen and a player in the E Street Band, but she also happens to be an artist in her own right … and a tea lover, to boot!
We first learned of Scialfa’s association with tea after the release of her 2004 recording “23rd Street Lullaby.” Featured in the album is a song of the same name – which was penned by Scialfa and received four-star reviews in Rolling Stone magazine – that opens with a sultry reference to Jasmine tea (view lyrics here.) But, surprisingly, her tea preferences seem to lean in different directions. According to a Smoking Gun write-up, Patti’s backstage digs are furnished “with soy milk, green tea, various protein and energy supplements,” while a Fox News interview exposes her as a serious musician and Earl Grey lover.
To learn more about Scialfa, her latest album, “Play It as It Lays,” or tour information visit Patti’s official site.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
