Hello all and I hope you are well!

This newsletter is going out a little early because I wanted to send one more reminder about the last upcoming break of the year. Please note that the shop will be closed from Monday, September 5th through Wednesday, September 14th. The shop will be open for regular hours this Thursday through Sunday, so be sure to stop by to stock up on all your favorites!

Only a few weeks of summer remain.....but that means the first day of autumn is right around the corner and so are our popular autumn teas and tisanes! :) Limited quantities of our summer teas are still available - see the New at the Shop section below for the complete list, along with the list of teas and tisanes inspired by the flavors of fall that will be available in shop and online shop the weekend of September 17th.

Tulsi is one of my favorite tisanes. This warming Ayurvedic herb supports the immune system and is a wonderful addition to any autumn and winter regimen. We do a deep dive this month into this fabulous herb.

The summer menu for Gong Fu Tea Service will remain in effect through Sunday 9/18. Once the autumn menu is created, it will be communicated on the Facebook page and in the October newsletter. Appointments for this seated service are being accepted and please see below for all the details. I look forward to you joining me for this relaxing and culturally enriching experience.

There are still some spots available in our tasting workshops. The complete schedule through November is listed below, along with availability. Feel free to join us for an interactive, fun, and educational evening filled with tea! :)

I appreciate your continued support of my small business and I wish you much health and great tasting cups of tea!

-- Kristine, FDN-P

Chocolate Lovers Samplers have been assembled and are now back in stock in the shop and online shop!

I've also been busy getting ready for autumn and have been busy ordering all your favorites!

Mark your calendars - the indoor Women's Expo is back!! :)

I am honored to have been selected for a twelfth year to exhibit at this annual event that showcases the creativity and talent of women entrepreneurs from Suffolk and Nassau Counties. The timing is perfect for the upcoming holiday season, so be sure to stop by to show your support for all of the exhibitors and get some gifts knocked off your list. I will be donating a tea gift basket for the event and don't forget to check out all the raffle prizes!

When: Thursday, October 6th

Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Where: Middle Country Public Library

101 Eastwood Boulevard, Centereach

Check out the event's website womensexpoli.org or Facebook page Women's EXPO LI

****Please note that the shop will be closed this day! I always have a limited selection of products at this event, so if you're planning on stopping by to pick up anything particular, please place your order in the online shop and indicate Women's Expo in the Comments section. Deadline to place orders for the event is Sunday 10/2.****

Gong Fu Tea Service

The summer menu for Gong Fu Tea Service will be available through Sunday 9/18! This Chinese method of tea preparation means "done well" and it requires time and focus, delivering a more aromatic and flavorful infusion than those prepared using the more familiar western method of tea preparation. I am happy to be able to offer this cultural aspect of tea and guide you further through your own tea journey.

Tea Tastings & Pairings Workshop Schedule

Journey with us on select Saturday evenings for an exploration of tea. Whether it is a fun and unique tasting of a flight of teas or a "foodie" excursion where we pair a few of our favorite things, you will be experiencing a unique, informative, relaxing and interactive adventure - no passport required!

Here are the workshops that are scheduled for the next several months:

Famous Teas of China - September 17th (waiting list)

Teas of Japan - October 1st (1 spot remaining)

Rare, Hand-Crafted, Small-Batch Teas - October 15th (waiting list)

Preparation Techniques - October 29th (3 spots remaining)

Tisanes for Winter Health - November 12th (2 spots remaining)

   Workshop descriptions and policies, are posted at infuseteabarny.com.

Workshops begin promptly at 7:00 PM and go to 8:30ish. Feel free to stay on after the workshop to enjoy the highly recommended second infusions of each tea that will be prepared. Cost is $30 per person. Pre-paid registration is required and seating is limited. For questions or to register, please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or stop by the shop. I look forward to seeing you in class! :)

Tulsi

Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum, is an herbal tisane, not a "true" tea, that originates from India. It is also known as Holy Basil, as it is a member of the basil family. It is mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic and Hindu texts and has been revered for

thousands of years as the "elixir of life". It is also known as "The Incomparable One" and "The Queen of Herbs". Considered a sacred plant, almost every household in India has one and it is believed to purify the air, ensure a healthy life, well-being and spiritual purity. The three most common types of tulsi are: Rama (green leaf); Krishna (purple leaf); and Vana (forest growing), the latter of which usually grows wild.

Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic traditional medicine as a healing herb to restore balance and support the immune system. It is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, Vitamins A and C, iron, and zinc. Another main compound found in tulsi is eugenol, which is the source of the clove aroma and its antiseptic and analgesic properties. In herbalism, tulsi is classified as both an adaptogen and an immunomodulator. Adaptogens assist the body to adapt more effectively and efficiently to stress, and tulsi has been shown to be one of the most effective adaptogens. Immuno-modulators help to balance the immune system's response to conditions, whether it be stimulating a weak immune response to combat bacteria, viruses, or allergens, or tempering an overactive immune response. Tulsi also has traditionally been used as a diaphoretic (stimulates sweating), an expectorant and remedy for bronchitis, colds and flu, to relieve fever, headaches, digestion and other stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, and malaria. Current research may validate some of these traditional uses, particularly the regulation of blood pressure, reduction of oxidative damage caused by stress, reduction of bacterial and viral infections and their symptoms, including colds, flu, and fevers, and the reduction of asthmatic symptoms, allergic rhinitis, and allergies to mold and animal dander.

Tulsi is a naturally caffeine-free tisane and is a great alternative for those who are caffeine-sensitive or looking for a beverage to drink in the evening. The herb is energetically warming, making it a great option to drink in colder weather or if you are feeling cold. The infusions are smooth and medium-bodied. Rama tulsi has notes of clove, mint and basil. Krishna tulsi has an additional spicy, peppery note. Vana tulsi has notes of pine and clove. Tulsi infusions can be consumed either hot or iced. It is important to buy organic tulsi because it is a plant that can grow in soil that is contaminated with toxic levels of chromium. 

Tulsi is considered to be a safe herb; however, it is most effective when not used consistently over extended periods of time and should be consumed in moderation if your blood is slow to clot or if you have hypothyroidism. Also, it is recommended to not consume tulsi before surgery, during pregnancy or nursing, or if trying to get pregnant, due to its anti-fertility effect.

In addition to the three types of tulsi listed above, we also offer a blend of all three types and blends with other herbs. Feel free to check out any of our organic tulsi or organic tulsi blends during your next visit to the shop or online shop and let me know what you think!

Do you or someone you know need a personal health detective to address chronic wellness issues that can't seem to be resolved? Make 2022 the year you find results for good!

As a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Practitioner, I help clients get to the root of their health and wellness issues and reclaim the vitality that they very much deserve. I offer fully customized, programs that are unique to each client and that incorporate holistic protocols addressing body, mind, spirit and senses. This is an extension of my work in tea and herbalism for the past fifteen years, but I will now be able to help those of you who need it at a much deeper and personalized level than I can offer in the shop. In addition to the new tools in my toolbox, I will continue to draw from my experience in using tea for health, along with my herbalism training, during the development of the comprehensive protocols that will be specific to the bio-individualized needs of each client. I will educate and empower you to make the choices that are best for YOUR health so that you can be your own health advocate moving forward. I look forward to showing you what I can do to help you achieve your wellness goals and enjoy continued vitality well into the future!

To learn more, please visit https://vitalityholisticwellness.net. If you are ready to make the investment in your wellness, then I would be happy to discuss the potential opportunity with you. You may book a complimentary discovery call directly through the website so I can learn about your issues and you can learn more about how I work and how my approach is different from the conventional medicine and/or alternative approaches that you have already experienced. I also have an email address specific for Vitality Holistic Wellness business and I ask that all inquiries regarding these services be directed to kristine@vitalityholisticwellness.net.

The website also shares My Why - the reasons why I am so passionate about this approach to health and wellness. This is a very personal experience for me and I share my 32-year journey toward finding health and wellness and dealing with autoimmunity and a compromised immune system, among many other issues that you or someone you know may be experiencing. I hear from so many of you about your own chronic wellness issues and I share my story as a way to connect and open the door and show that there is hope…even after 32 years! If you would like to read my health story, please click here. It is long, so make sure you have a big mug of tea :)

I also email out a newsletter with health and wellness tips that do not fit within the scope of this newsletter. If you are interested in receiving the Vitality Newsletter, then feel free to sign up while you're at the website!

New at the Shop

Limited stock of summer teas are still available! The following popular blends from years past have returned: Minted Coconut Lime Green Tea, Cherry Pineapple Herbal Tisane, Coconut Lime Herbal Tisane, Coconut Fruit Punch Fruit Tisane, Kiwi Peach Fruit Tisane, Pomegranate Lime Fruit Tisane, and Watermelon Fruit Tisane. All are currently available in the shop and online shop. Grab your favorites before they are gone!

All your favorite autumn teas and tisanes will be back and available in the shop and online shop beginning September 17th! Apple Molasses Black Tea, Gingered Vanilla Toddy Black Tea, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, Pumpkin Pie Black Tea, Roasted Chestnut Black Green & Yerba Mate Blend, Maple Walnut Green Tea, Rooibos Maple Walnut Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Creme Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Spice Herbal Tisane, and our house-blended Mulling Spice Organic Herbal Tisane. 

Infuse Tea Bar & The Pleasures of Tea

106 Main Street

West Sayville, NY 11796

www.infuseteabarny.com - shop

www.pleasuresoftea.com - online shop

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500+ Loose Leaf Teas, Herbal Tisanes & Functional/Medicinal Herbs

Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert

Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism

Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner - Vitality Holistic Wellness