There is nothing more annoying than a mosquito bite … except, perhaps, when our beloved pup treks in from the yard infested with fleas!  So, Bigelow Tea has gathered up some “natural” tips to help you ward away the nasties while you enjoy an iced tea and summer family time!

Mosquitoes:

• Remove standing water from your yard.
• Plant citronella and/or light citronella candles.
• Install an electronic insect repellant (UV) machine.
• Rub any combination of these natural insect repellants on your skin: citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, cinnamon, lemongrass – along with a little olive oil.
• To soothe a bite: rub aloe vera (the fleshy leaf), lemon, lime, or neem juice.
• Hang up some carnivorous plants (they eat bugs)!

Bees, Wasps & Hornets

• Repel bees, wasps and hornets with strong smelling herbs (spearmint, thyme and eucalyptus). You can plant some in your yard or rub the oils on your skin.
• Repel wasps with citrus oil, cucumber peels, or make a natural wasp trap.
• Treating stings:  Ice and cold water. But if you experience difficulty breathing, throat swelling, dizziness or vomiting, rush to the emergency room. Wasps and hornets are venomous!

Fleas

• Give Fido a natural flea repellant dog treat (Brewer’s yeast and garlic repels fleas).
• Other natural remedies:  lemon spray, apple cider vinegar, and rosemary flea dip.
• Place cedar wood chips in corners of rooms, near pet bedding and furniture.
• Plant the herb Pennyroyal in your garden.

Spiders and Scorpions:

For ordinary spider bites, begin treating with cold water and ice (which reduces swelling), then apply a natural paste from herbs like basil, turmeric and olive oil, lavender and vegetable oil, or garlic. Bite symptoms lasting over 12 hours should be treated by a physician. And, of course, If you’re bitten by a venomous spider or scorpion, rush immediately to the nearest emergency room!

Images via Shine.yahoo.com and Care2.com

At Bigelow Tea, we keep away any summertime blues with blueberry mania!  Blueberries are tasty, lovely to look at, extremely nutritious, and they can be used as a key ingredient in so many different foods and libations – like tea!

July is National Blueberry Month, and we thought we’d share with you our love of this little blue fruit! If you like to garden, maybe you’ll want to try your hand at planting your very own blueberry bush! If that’s a bit too much effort, we hope you’ll give one of these two blueberry-inspired recipes a try.  First, taste our refreshing Fabulous Melon and Blueberry Fruit Salad and then sample some thirst-quenching Pomegranate Blueberry Iced Tea. Enjoy!

Fabulous Melon and Blueberry Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

6 Bigelow Blueberry Acai Herb Plus Tea Bags
½ cup water
4 tablespoons lime juice
3 teaspoons sugar
1 pint blueberries
1 cup honeydew melon balls
1 cup cantaloupe melon balls
1 cup watermelon balls
Mint leaves for garnish

Yield: Serves  4

Instructions:

Add lime juice, water, sugar and Blueberry Acai Herb Plus Tea Bags to a saucepan; simmer  10 minutes, to infuse flavor.  Squeeze, to extract as much liquid as possible, then remove teabags.  Cool.

Add fruit to large attractive bowl, pour syrup over fruit, toss gently.  Garnish with mint leaves.

You can use any assortment of fresh fruits, depending on what is in season.

Add a different flavor sensation by substituting one of Bigelow’s Herb teas such as Red Raspberry or Pomegranate Pizzazz .

Pomegranate Blueberry Iced Tea

Ingredients:

1 quart boiling water
2 Bigelow Pomegranate Pizzazz Herb Tea Bags
1 Bigelow Wild Blueberry Acai Herb Plus Tea Bag

Instructions:

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, add 2 Pomegranate Pizzazz and 1 Wild Blueberry Acai Herb Plus tea bags; steep for 10 minutes. Pour into pitcher; refrigerate until chilled. Serve in a tall glass with ice.

Sweeten to taste, if so desired.

Image (top) via Losingitandlovingit.com.

The wonderful thing about summer is that it’s nature’s way of giving us an energy boost. The sun’s out, the weather’s warm, and suddenly we all want to spend more time outdoors, which is a good thing. But Bigelow Tea wants to remind you that there’s something we all need to keep in mind, especially when the heat rises above 85° F:  hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more! It’s very easy to get heat stroke or faint from dehydration, so make sure you keep your favorite libation close at hand (and remember that alcohol actually dehydrates the body).

We’ve all been told that water is the best thirst quencher, and Bigelow Tea certainly loves water…. because without water, we can’t make tea! However, another interesting study has come to light, indicating that tea appears to hydrate the body just as much as water!  Sponsored by the UK Tea Advisory Panel, the study surveyed 21 volunteers who drank volumes of either tea or equal amounts of plain water.  When their hydration levels were tested, it was noted that there was no discernable difference.  The research findings are purported to dispel the notion that the caffeine content in tea causes dehydration. That’s music to our ears!

But that’s not all. Did you know that drinking hot tea in the summertime is also reported to cool you down?  In the sage words of former British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), “If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you.”

On that note, happy summer and enjoy your favorite cup of hot, flavorful Bigelow Tea!

Image by Daily Mail cartoonist Jonathan Pugh via Dailymail.co.uk

As a family-owned business, Bigelow Tea has been lovingly nurtured by three Bigelow generations. We know that family is everything, and that there’s nothing more enriching than spending quality time with our nearest and dearest. And since this beautiful month of June has been proclaimed Great Outdoors Month, why not gather your family and friends for some fun in the sun? Enjoy the sights, sounds, scents, touch and taste of nature! There are so many outdoor activities to enjoy!

The Sights

Take a moment to step outside, look around and revel at the world’s precious natural resources. Take a day trip to the mountains for some hiking or travel to the nearest ocean, river or lake for some sailing. Consider visiting a national park or simply relaxing outside in the backyard.

The Sounds

Stop and listen to the rustle of leaves, chirping birds, the ocean waves, and the sound of children laughing and playing!

The Scents

There’s something to be said about the smell of a freshly mowed lawn, the fragrance of blooming flowers and the oaky whiff emanating from the barbecue and fire pit. Mmmm.. Breathe it in!

The Touch

The splash of sea water on your skin, enjoying the sand beneath your feet, rolling down a grassy hill or feeling a warm breeze caressing your face – this is how summer touches us!

The Taste

Of course, it all goes better with your favorite cup of Bigelow Tea, or maybe a refreshing glass of a Bigelow Tea Iced Tea!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors!

Images via Clearwaterspine.com, Yukoncharlies.com, Schools.penncrest.com, Ics.uci.edu, and Colorfulplaces.com.

A garden is the gift that keeps on giving, especially when you lavish it with TLC (plenty of tender loving care!). And it’s proof positive that our Bigelow Tea mantra — “Do the right thing and good things will follow” — applies to every aspect of our lives.  Whether your garden is small or large, rustic or coifed – it’s a space of nature that is guaranteed to feed your soul.  So, join us in the practice of Sustainabili-TEA as we celebrate Gifts from the Garden Month this May, by paying homage to some of the most delightful bounties we receive from our garden.

1. The gift of spiritual well-being and serenity.

It’s a fast-paced, pressure-filled world out there.  A garden is your own safe haven where you can relax, meditate and gain some perspective. It refreshes your mind and rejuvenates your body and soul.

2. The gift of nourishment.

It’s always a thrill to enjoy the fruit of your labor – literally! Ever notice that the veggies and fruits picked from your garden always seem to taste much better than their store-bought counterparts?  And you don’t need lots of space to start planting. Container gardens can work just as well – on a smaller scale.

3. The gift of healing.

Plant your very own aromatic herb garden. Learn all about the wonderful world of herbs.

It’s a fascinating study.

4. The gift of climate control.

Trees, glorious trees! Need we say more?!

5. The gift of beauty.

Flowers are nature’s jewels…

6. The gift of creatures.

Birds and butterflies are attracted to gardens. Try making a bird feeder out of …. a teacup? Yes, you can!

…. and, remember to pour yourself a cup of tea while you admire your beautiful garden!

Photo via Tipnut.com, Hubpages.com, Smilinggreenmom.com, Treehugger.com, Gardenguides.com, Growherbstoday.com,Thebestbrainpossible.com, and Artfrenzy.biz.

“Do the right thing, and good things will follow.”

~ Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea

On April 22, 1970, a United States Senator named Gaylord Nelson founded the first Earth Day, to engage Americans nationwide in a campaign to learn more about our impact on the environment and to commit to making the planet an ecological haven. Over 20 million Americans throughout the country—from college campuses to local town halls—attended the first Earth Day event. What happened next was nothing short of inspirational. The call to action was not only received and accepted by Americans, it was heard by people around the world.

Now, more than 140 nations participate in their own annual Earth Day event. Earth Day is global! And it all began with one lone senator who had the foresight to comprehend the power of community and the common desire to sustain itself for no other reason than “because it’s the right thing to do.” Since 1970, we—as a global community—have revolutionized the way we handle waste, recycling, power consumption, our precious natural resources and every aspect of our lives.

At Bigelow Tea, we’re always finding new, innovative ways to practice Sustainabili-TEA. Our commitment to the environment has never been stronger! We wholeheartedly encourage each of you to participate in your local Earth Day celebration on April 22^nd. Spearheaded by the Earth Day Network, the non-profit organization responsible for organizing the event, this year’s theme is A Billion Acts of Green®—calling on individuals, communities, and corporations across the globe to pledge their commitment to making the world a whole lot greener.

Be inspired. Practice sustainable living. It’s the right thing to do. Happy Earth Day!

Image via, earthday.org

You know that here at Bigelow Tea we make many great-tasting teas, and you also know that we’re dedicated to sustainabili-TEA (doing right by the environment, the community and our employees). That’s why we were excited to learn that noted sustainable-food expert Michael Pollan is a tea lover!

Mr. Pollan, who is featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary film Food, Inc. and is the author of several best-selling books, was the subject of a New York Magazine profile, and not surprisingly, he enjoyed a soothing cup of green tea while chatting over a sushi lunch.

But tea is not only an afternoon indulgence for Mr. Pollan, it’s a part of his most important meal of the day: “I have tea in the morning; any one of a couple different black teas.”

Bigelow Tea offers so many delicious green and black teas with such a wide variety of flavors, that Mr. Pollan’s affinity for making tea a regular part of his diet will never grow old if he drinks Bigelow Tea. Morning, noon and night, no matter the time of day, tea is a delicious addition to the daily routine. And with our commitment to sustainabili-TEA, our teas are comprehensively beneficial—from the environment that produces them to the drinkers who consume them.

We’re beginning to wonder if there’s anything tea can’t do: It’s delicious and cool and is a beverage of choice for one of America’s leading sustainability experts. What’s not to love?

Photo by Melissa Hom via New York Magazine

Trying to figure out how to get the kids excited about natural dessert treats?  When you plan your next birthday party, have fun and experiment with Bigelow Tea‘s FruiTEA Wigglers.  Kids and adults totally love these fruit-filled gelatin treats! The secret ingredient is, of course, our fruit-flavored herb tea! You can try different flavors and even combine them—you just can’t go wrong with this sweet treat. And, if you want to practice your own Sustainabili-TEA, here are some ideas to make your children’s party eco-friendly.  Above all, have fun with it!

FruiTEA Wigglers

Ingredients:

• 6 Bigelow® Red Raspberry Herb Tea bags*
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 packet unflavored, unsweetened gelatin (1 tablespoon)
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (or other fresh fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, or diced peaches)
• 6 small tea cups

Yields: 6  4oz. servings

Instructions:

• Place teabags in 2 cups boiling water and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes.  Remove tea bags and discard.  Add 2 tablespoons sugar to hot tea, stir to dissolve.
• Meanwhile, place ¼ cup of cold water in a medium bowl and add the gelatin.  Stir to combine.  Allow to sit for 2 minutes.
• Add hot, sweetened tea to bowl with gelatin, whisk to combine.
• Evenly distribute the raspberries (or other fresh fruit of your choice) among the teacups.
• Divide the gelatin mixture evenly between the teacups.  Carefully place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours, or until set.
• Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

*Variations: You may substitute any of Bigelow’s fruit-flavored herb teas—such as Perfect Peach, I Love Lemon, or Pomegranate Pizzazz—in this recipe. Also, you can mix equal amounts of different teas: Perfect Peach plus Red Raspberry or I Love Lemon plus Red Raspberry are two delicious combinations.

Photo (top) via Russmarket.com.

Spring has sprung and you know what that means – it’s time de-clutter, recycle, clean, and get the house organized! In the spirit of Sustainabili-TEA, here at Bigelow Tea we have some great tips to get you started with your green spring cleaning – indoors and outdoors. And when you’re finished, pat yourself on the back for a job well done – then sip a cup of your favorite tea, open up the windows, and breathe that fresh spring air!

De-clutter

• Don’t try to do it all in one day; go room by room.
• Get some bins and label them “Keep,” “Donate,” “Recycle,” “Trash.”
• If you need help, recruit the kids!
• If you haven’t used it in two years, say goodbye to it.
• If it’s broken or outdated, get rid of it.
• Keep only the clothes that fit you.

Donate

• Drive to your nearest clothing bank and make a drop-off.
• Call your favorite charitable organization to pick up the larger items by truck.

Recycle

• Recycle everything you can.
• Find out what can be recycled, and how.
• Books are precious. Pass your old books on to your local hospital, retirement home, or library.
• Alternatively, sell your books. Please don’t discard them!
• Time to hold that garage sale!

Clean

• Okay, so now you’re ready to start cleaning and de-toxifying your home!
• Try to use eco-friendly cleansers.
• There are so many “recipes” for household cleansers….like vinegar, baking soda, or lemon.
• Bring the outdoors in.  Houseplants help to purify the air.

Organize

• Begin to organize your home, room by room.
• Label, label, label.
• Don’t get overwhelmed. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

At Bigelow Tea, we’re loyal supporters of our local farmer’s markets.  As part of our commitment to Sustainabili-TEA, we love fresh veggies and fruits courtesy of Mother Nature (and the wonderful farmers who lovingly tend their crops)!  It gives us an excuse to experiment in the kitchen….so, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan – or not – you’ll really enjoy some of these lunchtime treats that we’ve concocted! Try them out and let us know what you think!

Colorful Grilled Tofu Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 6 Bigelow® Pomegranate Pizzazz Herb Juice Tea bags
• ¾ cup boiling water
• 1lb firm or extra firm Tofu, drained and cut into 8 slices
• 2 cups baby lettuce or spinach
• ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 8 slices whole grain bread
• Mustard and mayonnaise, if desired
• ¾ cup roasted red peppers, drained
• 4 slices Swiss cheese

Yield: Serves 4

Instructions:

• Place tea bags in a measuring cup and add boiling water. Steep  5 minutes. Remove tea bags and reserve ½ cup tea.
• Place tofu into a large dish, pour tea over and marinate for ½ hour, turning once or twice.
• Preheat grill and grill tofu turning, once after 5 minutes, cooking both sides for 5 minutes.
• Prepare sandwiches by tossing greens with vinaigrette.  Spread 4 slices of bread with mayonnaise and/or mustard, 2 slices of tofu,  ¼ of the greens,  ¼ of the red pepper, and a slice of cheese, cover with another slice of bread.  Continue until you have 4 sandwiches.

And, since we’re in a vegetarian frame of mind, take a sneak peak at more of Bigelow Tea’s über healthy lunchtime recipes….

Grilled Vegetarian Mushroom Quesadillas

&

Lemon Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

And, to top off your luncheon, make sure to sip some refreshing Bigelow® Frozen Iced Tea!

Bigelow® Frozen Iced Tea

Photo (top) via Avegetariandiet.com