http://www.yogiproducts.com/well-being/ Blog Section en KartaPurkh.Khalsa@YogiProducts.com Copyright 2011 2011-10-19T18:53:45+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/sleep/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/sleep/#When:18:53:45Z To enjoy a restful and rejuvenating sleep it’s important to clear the stressful energies from both the body and the mind, and our new Soothing Caramel Bedtime® is a delicious and effective sleep tea that helps do just that...Just like the mind, the body holds onto old thoughts, emotions and stressful feelings which can disrupt your sleep. To enjoy a restful and rejuvenating sleep it’s important to clear the stressful energies from both the body and the mind, and our new Soothing Caramel Bedtime® is a delicious and effective sleep tea that helps do just that. This tea combines traditional sleep aids, Chamomile and Skullcap, with unique California Red Poppy and L-Theanine for a one-of-a-kind sleep tea that helps to calm so you can fall asleep quickly, get a restful night’s sleep and awake refreshed.   Skullcap and L-Theanine work to calm an overactive mind and promote sleep, while Chamomile helps to relax and soothe. California Red Poppy is added as a powerful and effective herb that supports the nervous system and helps restore and calm the nerves, promoting sound sleep so that when you awake you’re ready to meet your day with energy and clarity. All of these wonderful and effective sleep herbs are combined with sweet, creamy Rooibos, Caramel, Vanilla and a hint of spice for a delicious, warming flavor that’s just right for drinking before bedtime. Relax, and enjoy a cup of our enchanting Soothing Caramel Bedtime tea for a good night’s sleep.   If you’d like to try our new Soothing Caramel Bedtime tea, we’re giving away 6 boxes!** To enter, send an e-mail to giveaway@yogiproducts.com with your favorite bedtime ritual before midnight on Sunday, October 30, 2011 and you could be one of our lucky winners!   Be Well,   Guru Hari     ** Offer is for US residents only. Winners will be notified via email within three (3) days after the Giveaway Period and will have an additional ten (10) days to respond to claim their prize. For questions, or to receive a complete copy of the official rules for the Yogi Bedtime Giveaway please email facebook@yogiproducts.com before November 30, 2011. 2011-10-19T18:53:45+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/staying-regular-with-soothing-mint-get-regular/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/staying-regular-with-soothing-mint-get-regular/#When:23:39:19Z We all experience occasional irregularity at some point in life, particularly during times of stress, change of routine or diet, during vacations or long trips in the car... We all experience occasional irregularity at some point in life, particularly during times of stress, change of routine or diet, during vacations or long trips in the car.   Here are a few tips I find useful for improving your overall digestive health as well as for getting relief during these uncomfortable times: Drink Water: Make sure you’re drinking enough water. Water helps make bowel movements softer and easier to pass. Diet: It’s also important to maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains high in fiber, such as apples, dates, prunes, pears, and wheat or oat bran. Sleep: Getting sufficient sleep plays an important in helping maintain good digestion. Yogi Get Regular Tea: If you are irregular, drink one soothing cup of Soothing Mint Get Regular before you go to bed for overnight relief. It’s a soothing and delicious herbal laxative tea that contains organic Senna Leaf, which is a natural, reliable and effective laxative. Soothing Mint Get Regular also contains other relieving herbs that support regularity and balance bowel function, such as Dandelion and Yellow Dock, while Licorice, Peppermint, Anise and Coriander help lubricate the colon and sooth the intestinal tract while combining for delicious flavor.   When drinking Soothing Mint Get Regular I recommend starting with a small dose, drinking plenty of water and gradually adjusting dosage to your physiology and body’s requirement. Also, during special times such as pregnancy and nursing, or if you’re taking any medications or have a medical condition, I recommended that you consult with your health care provider prior to using stimulant laxatives such as Soothing Mint Get Regular.   Be well,   Guru Hari   2011-10-17T23:39:19+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/visit-to-local-peppermint-farm/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/visit-to-local-peppermint-farm/#When:23:25:13Z Yogi buyer Rex recently spent a day in the fields seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, and learning about what it takes to grow and harvest the organic ingredients we source from Trout Lake Farms in Ephrata, Washington... Recently, I sat down with Yogi tea buyer, Rex to learn more about his recent trip to a farm where we source a number of ingredients I use in our beloved Yogi teas. Here's more about Rex, and his trip...   Tell us about yourself and what you do here at Yogi Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, I have a 13 yr old daughter and a 3 year old Schnauzer puppy. I am passionate about music cooking, spending time with my daughter and doing anything outdoors.     I’ve worked in many areas during my 19 years with Yogi, including production, inventory, and procurement. In my current job as buyer at Yogi tea I source, qualify, and purchase the ingredients and packaging materials it takes to create each carton of Yogi Tea.  I drink about 4 cups of Yogi tea each day, my favorites are Ginger, Lemon Ginger, and Green Tea Energy.   I buy over 100 herbs and botanicals from all around the world, including the United States, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Egypt, India, Poland, Croatia, and many more wonderful places.   Can you tell us about your recent visit to Trout Lake Farms in Ephrata, Washington? Trout Lake Farms in Ephrata, Washington. I spent the day with their team in the fields seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, and learning about what it takes to grow and harvest the organic ingredients we source from them.   During my visit, I knew when I was close to the Mint fields because the aroma fills the air. It’s very fragrant and has a relaxing effect on the body and mind. It was harvest season for Peppermint and Spearmint so I could see the essential oils on the leaves which was really cool. Watching the farm operations and seeing the great care they take makes you appreciate and understand the hard work that it takes to farm organically.   We buy many organic herbs from Trout Lake, including Burdock, Dandelion and Rhubarb, found in the the DeTox line and others, as well as Valerian, Spearmint, Peppermint and Skullcap that are in our Bedtime tea.   Rex in the Spearmint Fields at Trout Lake Farms in Washington, July 2011 Rex and the Trout Lake Farms team in the Peppermint Fields, July 2011 2011-10-17T23:25:13+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/energizing-teas/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/energizing-teas/#When:23:15:44Z Refreshing Mint Revitalize™ and Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy® are designed to support and increase your energy level.   In response to several comments about our newest teas, I wanted to share how these teas work. Refreshing Mint Revitalize™ and Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy® are designed to support and increase your energy level. When you observe your body and mind you will find that your energy level fluctuates quite a bit during the course of each day and also during the month and during the seasons of the year.  Energy is a very dynamic thing and at Yogi we focus on three essential factors - unblocking energy, increasing energy and balancing energy in the body and mind.   To unblock the energy we need to improve circulation.  In both of these new teas, Organic Assam Black and Organic Green teas are used to naturally open circulation.    Refreshing Mint ReVitalize is an invigorating blend of Organic Peppermint and Organic Assam Black tea with added energizing botanicals Gurana Seed and Kola Nut. Spices cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger, and black pepper enliven your senses and assist in detoxifying and circulating the energy in your body and mind.    Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy is a delicious blend of Organic Green tea and Organic Assam Black tea in combination with Organic Rooibos and Honeybush. L-Theanine, naturally occurring in green tea, helps to keep the mind calm and focused – leaving you energized without jittery side effects. Vanilla bean and exotic spices are included to provide deep rich flavor  and help with circulation.   Be Well!    - Guru Hari   2011-10-17T23:15:44+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/meet-guru-hari/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/meet-guru-hari/#When:03:22:31Z He's been making (and sipping) Yogi teas for over 30 years....Guru Hari Khalsa is the tea master for Yogi and oversees product research and development for the company's US and European operations.  His passion for delicious food and flavors started at a young age after watching Julia Childs on PBS right after Sesame Street.  At the age of 14 he was flipping crepes and making soups in a French cooking school.  This lead to a curiosity in herbs and spices and their flavors and effects.  At 20 he met various yogis and healers from India and began to practice yoga and meditation, which naturally lead to the study of the ancient healing systems of Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Tibetan Medicine, all of which use food and herbs to nurture and heal the body. Guru Hari and been creating (and sipping) Yogi teas for over 30 years. He continues to be inspired by a passion for good food and good health and an incredible creative ability to combine herbs and spices into deliciously purposeful teas to support health and wellbeing. 2011-08-09T03:22:31+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/come-to-check-out-the-yogi-blog/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/come-to-check-out-the-yogi-blog/#When:00:58:26Z We’re excited to share that our vibrant Facebook community has grown so much this year that we’re moving our talk of herbalism, the Yogi lifestyle and our dozens of delicious teas to the Yogi Facebook page: www.facebook.com/yogiproducts.  Come find us there and enter to win a free season of Yogi Tea with winners chosen every week. We hope you enjoy this next evolution in our ongoing conversation with you! 2011-02-25T00:58:26+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/the-doshas-and-food-cravings/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/the-doshas-and-food-cravings/#When:18:08:44Z It turns out to be pretty predictable what you’ll be drawn to eating when things get stressful or celebratory. Food cravings are common, and I'm sure we've all lost the craving battle a time or two before. As it turns out, it can be pretty predictable to what you'll be drawn to eating when life gets stressful or celebratory. It all boils down to the doshas. Your personal constitution is such a dominant force in your mood and biochemistry that you literally construct an entire life and lifestyle around your strong and weak points. Look at your career, romantic relationships, and, yes, food cravings and it's pretty obvious which dosha dominates your metabolism. Mr. Kapha, for example, was born into a body that excels in stamina. Slow and steady, that's him in a nutshell (albeit an extra large size nutshell). Since solid stamina is his birthright, Mr. Kapha creates a life in which he gets strokes for having stamina, being able to work hard and long without a break. He doesn't set any speed records, but he's that guy who is always available to take that extra overtime shift when his coworkers are totally drained. We are also unconsciously drawn to foods that help us be our best. We are drawn subconsciously to the food chemicals that support our behavioral gifts in life. Vatas excel at being creative and are drawn to white sugar, which digests instantly and gives them a blast of quick euphoria. Pittas, those habitual overachievers, are productive and really, really like spicy food, which blasts them into the stratosphere of determined energy and intensity. Kaphas go for grease and salt (think that Costco tub o' chips), which give the body the ingredients to make adrenal hormones, which are like the life blood to the solid and steady Kapha.   2011-02-15T18:08:44+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/chocolate-superfood-for-valentines-day/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/chocolate-superfood-for-valentines-day/#When:22:11:00Z CHocolate trumps superfruits as antioxidant Just in time for Valentine's Day, researchers have come out with some information that will brighten the day for Chocoholics. The scientific study, sponsored by, who else, Hershey, compared dark chocolate to popular superfruits, including acai, blueberry, cranberry, and pomegranate. Dark chocolate was higher in antioxidant chemicals than all the so-called superfruits. Pretty super! Happy Valentine's Day, and now enjoy your "antioxidant" snack. You can always use Yogi's version of a chocolate snack in an herbal tea. 2011-02-14T22:11:00+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/new-dietary-guidelines-redux/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/new-dietary-guidelines-redux/#When:17:13:00Z Mark Bittman, New York Times columnist, rebuts the 2011 Dietary Guidelines I blogged about the new USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recently, and now a heavyweight weighs in, and his praise is stinting. Mark Bittman, long time food columnist, admits that the new guidelines are an improvement on previous versions, but thinks they don't go far enough. I agree with him. Bittman points out that our government speaks out of both sides of its mouth. In an effort to not offend giant food lobbies, it delivers a milk toast message that is nowhere near as strong as it could, and should be. Far better would be, as Bittman mentions, a step up to Michael Pollan's now famous motto, "Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants." I am also a fan of Pollan, and recommend his books as a great way to understand nutrition and the American food delivery system.     2011-02-10T17:13:00+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/the-doshas-and-parenting/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/the-doshas-and-parenting/#When:17:02:56Z Our constitutions affect how we behave with our families. Our constitutions affect how we behave with our families. Because this is determined largely by heredity, families usually have a concentration of people with the same dominant dosha. Two pitta parents, for example, will almost always have all pitta dominant children. When the parents are of different constitutions things can get less predictable. A child's constitution is also influenced by the age of the parents and the prenatal health of the mother. Vata parents tend to be distracted and spaced out. Since the hallmark of vata is irregularity and inconsistency, vatas tend to have a problem with their own discipline, not to mention maintaining a consistent routine and sense of discipline. Of course, kids are masterful at sniffing out these lapses in the rules so a vata parent's house is usually stimulating with a plethora of just-started art projects, but little sense of routine or well established rules and procedures. Think nobody washing the dishes. Pitta parents tend to be intense and demanding, just like they are at work. They tend toward easy anger, but the flip side is that they will be consistent disciplinarians and run a tight ship. Everyone knows the rules. A pitta household is productive and often the parents, especially if they are athletes themselves and have pitta kids, will encourage their little ones to excel in sports. Kapha parents are likely to be slow, even lethargic, and easy going. In the race between the tortoise and the hare, they are the tortoises. Mama and Papa Kapha like consistency and regularity, so the family will usually have evolved a pretty set schedule. Kapha parents dislike confrontation (let's hope they never have teenagers...), so discipline may be hard to find in the home. Kaphas are built for comfort, not for speed, and the family pace may seem like molasses to an observing pitta. But they make up for it with stamina, so the family unit actually does often get a lot done in the long run, they just don't set any speed records. 2011-02-10T17:02:56+00:00