[-] I've reached a point of unfathomable burnout. In fact, it's gotten so bad that I quite literally don't sleep well anymore because I can only think of how truly burnt out I am.

I'm approaching vacation in exactly 2 days. Here I am, sleepless in my office because I did all sorts of work throughout the house to get ready for the aforementioned vacation. I realized some time last week, as I was literally salivating over the idea of a little time off and R&R, that the last time I went on vacation (and I use the term loosely) was in September 2008.

This 2008 "vacation" was 4,000 kilometre road-trip to attend a weekend retreat that was all very deep and psychological. Needless to say, my soul is in some serious need of refreshment; I'm looking very much forward to a couple days out in the wilderness.

I wanted to take a few moments to let the world know that Tea, as part of a bit of a ritual for me, has truly been helping calm my nerves in the last month. In times when every little bit helps, a hot cup of tea can go a long way to soothing one's weary soul.

It all started aroung 8 months ago. My wife and I, when visiting my parents, decided we needed to get out of their house and opted for shopping as a nice escape. The day turned out to be utterly hellish. Crowds, traffic, screaming children and adults, and ultimately unsucessful shelf stocking had left us totally drained and a touch irritable.

In this moment, the prospect of returning home to my parents house was actually rather horrific. We decided instead, in a last ditch effort at a nice day, to pop into a neighbouring town which is well known for its boutique shops and antique atmosphere. After parking the car, we promptly entered an aromatherapy shop on the main strip -- after all, aromatherapy sounded truly relaxing at a time like this.

The store was quiet with soft music playing in the background (I really do love that new-agey sort of music like that of Enya or Enigma). Immediately greeting you is a strong, calming blast of essential oils and anything else thats both high-end and meticulously scented; a true pleasure for one's sense of smell.

Walking deeper into the store, we were then greeted by an older woman who was one of those ladies who could be anyone's beloved grandmother. She welcomed us, and followed up her "Welcome!" with the greatest words I had heard all day: "Would you like a cup of tea?"

My wife and I looked at one another in pure confusion. In our greyish state of mind, neither of us could comprehend what was unfolding before us. After a few seconds of stunned silence, we turned to the woman and accepted her kind offer.

She promptly served us each a cup of their in-house blend of Lavender-Mint organic tea. Now, Lavender-Mint isn't exactly a common flavour 'round these parts. In fact, I've not seen any other such fragrant tea in my travels since that day... But I'm here to tell you that it's one combo that immediately won its place in my heart as a most soothing, calming blend of tea.

We ended up buying a bag of the stuff; as well as their Lavender essential oil for burning, and haven't looked back. It was a truly memorable finish to an otherwise forgettable day.

Lavender-Mint: A remarkable tea with all of the notes of a really robust mint tea (think Tazo Refresh with a hint of Chamomile), packing an über underbelly of soul-tranquilizing fragrant lavendar that tickles the tastebuds like you wouldn't believe.

Back to the 'ritual' I alluded to earlier? Try burning a little essential oil with your relaxing arsenal of teas. I find that a touch of lavender in the room can elevate even the most drab of herbal teas. Adding to that, is the warm yet soft glow of the candle that ever-so-gently heats the oil tray. Combined, these elements provide a comfortable sanctuary from the worries of the world in which we live.

And now you know how I've made it through the last month.

For more information on this Aromatherapy store and if you're interested in ordering some of this magnificent tea, the store is called TAP and their teas can be found at the following URL:

http://www.tapstore.ca/tea.html

I know I'll be going back there again.

Treating Burnout With: (You Guessed It) Tea. - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/3593695169958960818/comments/default

[-] Alright, I'll admit it: I've been slacking. The three other men who blog here haven't been exactly prolific either, but I won't publicly accuse them of slacking because I haven't talked to them individually yet. Indeed, I hope they are doing well, savoring fine tea, and enjoying life on the whole. I suppose it's one of those "guy" things that four men can be co-authors of a blog and not even talk to one another with any regularity.

I might joke around sometimes, but I like my fellow bloggers: inimino, frost, and GreenTeaGeek. They're good guys, they're enthusiastic, and they know their tea. I'll contact them individually and see if we can get this blog moving again. In the meantime, I want to share two online sources of information about tea.

First, the Philadelphia Inquirer has this interesting article about men drinking tea. Hat tip to Tea Guy Speaks for that link. A mere hat tip? Heck, I'll take my hat off to that guy.

Second, I've found another men's tea Web site, Manteas. This one's a bit more edgy than Tea Guy Speaks and The Manly Teas; it's got attitude, and I like that.

That's the update for now. If things go well, more updates and regular blogging will follow soon. Be well and enjoy your tea!


New Tea Resources - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/7645503926425247697/comments/default

[-] So, as I pondered the meaning of life whilst sipping away at my latest teasession (tea + obession -- I make up words just so you know), a cool breeze drifting in the window, prominent Canadian artist Sam Roberts' latest album pumping through my living room, I thought, "Hey -- this would be a fantastic time to write my first blog entry on The Manly Teas."

So, here I am. Since I have nothing important to say, I thought I would take a few minutes to talk about how I became obsessed with Tea. I should let you know -- there is a dark part of this story. I spent many years of my life as the anti-tea. I simply couldn't handle the thought of drinking 'unsweetened, *gasp* tasteless' liquid. That, combined with the fact that I've never been much for hot drinks of any sort, led me to a long period of darkness in my life.

September 2007. I took a life altering journey to Utah USA (wait just a sec -- this life alteration had absolutely nothing to do with Jesus - lol). It all started right around the time I pulled into the McDonald's drive-thru in Missoula Montana and ordered some grease with Iced Tea on the side. I consumed my McMeal in my hotel room and went for a big swig of the liquid stuff... Hark, what's this?

It might be important to notate here (in case other Canadians haven't done so yet), anywhere you go thats north of the border, "Iced Tea" means sweetened iced tea. It's practically soda, but without the bubbles.

I was taken aback at first. It wasn't my normal 'cup o tea' so to speak. To make a long story short, my life changed drastically in Utah and one thing I took back home to Canada with me is my love for unsweetened tea.

The teasession has done nothing but build since then. My stash of specialty tea rivals that of my long-time-tea-lover wife. I'm clearly hooked. Perhaps hopelessly addicted. But that's "okay" with me. My addictions are few & far between. My other extremely prominent addiction is FRISK mints... My desire for a good FRISK has even diminished since the discovery of tea. After all, I need to keep my taste buds primed and ready for the next symphony of the senses.

Tea, it's what's for dinner.
~Brian

What the dickens? - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/5532083801272836864/comments/default

[-]

Celebrate RSS Awareness Day! - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/8078113422264099597/comments/default

[-] Courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Introduction to Tea - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/6116762487182119158/comments/default

[-] This is interesting news. I haven't tried any of Honest Tea's products yet but, since I get to Whole Foods Market often enough, I'll have to give them a try. I like that they're organic. I wonder what my co-bloggers think about the mass production issue. Inimino? GreenTeaGeek? Any thoughts?

Coca-Cola Buys Major Share in Honest Tea - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/1432406914378271008/comments/default

[-] Hey boys, it's already January, and you know what that means, right? You don't? Well, then, let me tell you: January is National Hot Tea Month. How cool is that?

Of course, we don't need any particular reason to drink tea (other than the fact that it is great stuff), but hopefully, we can use January as an opportunity to try some new teas and spread the word about how amazing tea truly is. Please spread the word, and remember to tell your male friends that "real men drink tea!"

Hat tip to Teapot Diversions for the information about National Hot Tea Month. In addition to learning that tea has its own month (I wonder if there is also a national iced tea month?), I have discovered a new blog that has some great content.

Drink Up in January - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/6461475887848773441/comments/default

[-] May your year be filled with black, white, green, oolong, pu-ehr, red,* and herbal teas!**

Have you ever noticed how comforting a hot cup of tea can be on a cold winter's night? Despite the biting January frost, the tea warms my whole being. Ahhhhh, great stuff!

It's January 3. With the holidays slowly becoming a memory, I want to focus on more tea drinking and, of course, tea blogging. I'll have plenty of teas to savor and mention here, because my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew gave me a lot of tea as gifts for Christmas and for my birthday (November 28). I look forward to drinking them and writing about them.

Here's to a safe, healthy, happy, prosperous, peaceful, and tea-filled 2008!

---

* Or rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) herbal infusion.

** Or herbal infusions.

Happy New Year - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/6099373380985365869/comments/default

[-] Thanks to the fine folks at the Mercury Cafe, I've discovered a new tea retailer here in Chicago: Tea Essence. Today, at Mercury Cafe, I enjoyed Tea Essence's 7th Heaven black tea. It's a full-flavored tea with just a hint of floral taste. It's sweet and bold, but not overpowering. It's perfect for a cold December day.

Tea Essence expresses some of its philosphy on its home page:

"Here at Tea Essence we believe that tea is more than a beverage: it’s your gateway to a happier and healthier life. There is a tea out there for everyone and we’re here to help you find yours.

"We offer a vast selection of fine, organic loose-leaf teas, each offering a wide spectrum of health benefits, from fighting heart disease and cancer to boosting your immune system."

A tea out there for everyone? That's an interesting idea. I'm happy to see the reminder about the health benefits of tea, too. They are fairly close to where I live, so I will have to head there soon and explore. Ah, tea--one of life's delights!

New Tea Place - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/560891200201340991/comments/default

[-] I haven't posted anything about bottled teas here. I want to change that because bottle teas seem to be growing in popularity. If you have any suggestions for bottled teas to review, let us know. Thanks.

Bottled Teas - http://www.manlyteas.com/feeds/2509366423969587806/comments/default