“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
George Bernard Shaw

It’s important to take time out of our busy schedules to relax and have some fun. Are you or your friends enduring some challenging times? Seems so many are these days. We love to help and so relax and renew this long weekend. Sometimes it’s hard to stop and take time for ourselves, to support ourselves so we can support others. As advised on planes – always put your oxygen mask on first and then turn to help others.

Remember to find your joy – let yourself play – be silly!

And most of all laugh as much, as often, as you can.

Laughter is good for your health:

• It relaxes your body, relieving physical tension and stress
•  It boosts the immune system by decreasing the stress hormones and increasing the immune cells and infection fighting antibodies
• It releases endorphins – the natural feel good chemical that helps temporarily relieve pain
• It protects the heart by increasing the blood flow and improving the function of blood vessels

So… look after yourself this weekend, the world needs you, opt for some conscious fun and joy these long weekends for a refreshing time out!

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Definition of MOTHER…the greatest unconditional and infinite love we will ever experience in our existence… – GB LIFE

And now, are you still planning your treat for Mom for Mother’s Day? Here are some wonderful ideas we’ve received for inspired gifts.

If you haven’t picked or made a card yet for Mom here are a few Mom quotes you might like to include:

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.  ~Tenneva Jordan

“To a child’s ear, ‘mother’ is magic in any language.” -Arlene Benedict

“When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself.” -Nancy Friday

“No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.” -Sarah Josepha Hale

“My mother taught me about the power of inspiration and courage, and she did it with a strength and a passion that I wish could be bottled.”  - Carly Fiorina

“It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.” – Erma Bombeck

Congratulations to J. C. who won a Libre Tea Original in last week’s Mother’s Day giveaway.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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The story goes that Buddha received enlightenment, after 6 years of extreme austerity, living with inadequate food and water, was brought a bowl of milk porridge by a young maiden named Sujata. This offering led to a major enlightenment realising that without food one can do nothing. You must nourish the body, mind and spirit.

Tea is a wonderful way to nourish your body and soul. When combined with meditation is a great way to connect and become more aware of yourself, and mindful of your life and all that is around you.

Tea legends assert that Monks often used tea in their meditation practice to ward off sleep during their meditation – Green teas were known for this role. In the twelfth century and later in Japan, Matcha tea (a powdered shade-grown green tea) was used for the same purposes. It became very popular and this is when the Japanese Tea Ceremony first began.

“The tea ritual allows us to slow down, to focus, to open up to a broader view of our lives and feel more grateful for the miracle of our existence, whether you have tea alone or with a spouse or a friend, the ceremony is more important than the tea because it is a time you set aside to break free, to listen, to reflect, and to enjoy a simple, inexpensive, gracious act.” ~~Alexandra Stoddard

Enjoy your cup of serenity and settle your being daily with a tea moment.

Only a few days left to save on our Mother’s Day Sale :

15% off Libre Originals with coupon code ’Momsgift’ 
Ends May 6 at Midnight PST

Still looking for a gift to make Mom for Mother’s Day? Check out last week’s blog post for some great ideas!

Share with us what you will make your Mom for Mother’s Day for a chance to win a Libre Original!

For more information:
Why Tea is Used in Meditation and Ceremony
Meditation, Mindfulness and Matcha
Why Meditation and Green Tea Can Help You Avoid/Beat Cancer
Power of Tea

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Here are a few handmade gift ideas to inspire your creative juices and show how much you care.

• A photo of you (& your family) in a hand painted frame
• Handmade note paper
• Indoor Herbal Tea Garden with herbs like mint, chamomile, violets, coriander, thyme, stevia, lavender, lemon verbena (so many to choose from)
• DIY Plant Pot Slipcovers
• Knit a Tea Cozy, Make a bouquet of flowers with tissue paper or crochet a book mark
• Mom’s Homemade Herbal Tea – Mix a flavourful collections of herbs together and store in sealed container/jar. Add a label and a ribbon and you’ve created many memorable tea moments for mom!

Lavender Tea
4 Tablespoons Dried Lavender
1 Cup Mint Leaves
2-4 Tablespoons Stevia (optional)

Mix all together and store in a jar or air-tight container. To make: use 1-2 teaspoons per cup of hot water and steep until desired strength.

Good Night Tea
½ cup of  Chamomile leaves
½ cup of Mint Leaves
½ cup of Yarrow Flowers

Mix all together and store in a jar or air-tight container. To make: use 3 teaspoons per cup of hot water and steep until desired strength.

Why not serve your mom a cup of tea on Mother’s Day in her new Libre Tea Original – a gift that keeps on giving with many peaceful tea moments.

Mother’s Day Sale
15% off Libre Originals with
coupon code ‘Momsgift‘
Apr 26 – May 6 Midnight PST

What homemade gifts are you or have you given your Mom for Mother’s Day?

More info on Herbal Teas
Make Your Own Herb Tea Blend
Herbal Design for a Tea Garden
Homemade Herbal Teas
Grow an Herbal Tea Garden

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“What we are living with is the result of human choices and it can be changed by making better, wiser choices.” – Robert Redford

This week we will explore how to look after the earth by reusing, recycling and reducing our product waste.

Household waste can be divided into these 3 categories: about one-third is composed of paper; one-third is organic waste: food scraps, grass clippings, dead plants etc.; and the final third is made up of glass, metals, plastics, textiles (clothing, linens), wood, and other materials (electronic waste, washing machines, old furniture, rubber tires).

Reasons to Recycle, Reuse and Reduce:

• If all morning newspapers read in this country were recycled, 41,000 trees would be saved daily and 6 million tons of waste would never end up in landfills.
• Or get your fill of news electronically and don’t use newspapers
• Products made from recycled steel reduce water use by 40%, water pollution by 76%, air pollution by 86%, and mining wastes by 97%.
• Americans use 4 million plastic bottles every hour but only 1 out of 4 is recycled.
• One ton of paper made completely from recycled scrap saves 7,000 gallons of water, 4100 kilowatt hours of energy and 17 trees.
• Approximately 10% of the food Americans buy at the supermarket is thrown out. This results in dumping the equivalent of more than 21 million shopping bags full of food into landfills every year.

Our contribution can only be what we can do to support the earth’s sustainability for our collective future.

As my Grandma dear Ethel said, ‘Do It Now’ a dashboard sticker in her purple car a constant reminder.

We’ve been very thrilled to receive all of your tips – oh so many and so useful.

Share with us how you and your family Recycle, Reuse and Reduce for a chance to win a Libre Mug!

From Tuesday April 16^th until Monday April 22^nd we are randomly choosing winners from the daily Earth Day tips received.

Daily winners to date:
April 16^th – No tips rec’d – 2 will be chosen Apr. 22nd
April 17^th – Anne B
April 18^th – Jessica F

There are 5 more Libre Mugs to giveaway!

There is still time to save when you order your Libre Mugs!

Save 30% with coupon code

GetGrounded4EarthDay

April 5^th-22nd, 2013 Midnight PST

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Another key element of our earth is Water – its life giving! Without it we wouldn’t exist. So what can we do to preserve this precious resource that is diminishing and contribute to a sustainable earth! Let us know your ideas for a chance to win 1 of 2 Libre Mugs.

Last week we received some great Earth Day tips for the air element! This week we’d love your tips on conserving water. Here’s a few facts:

Did you know?

• Only 3% of the earth’s water is fresh water
• 25% of bottled water comes from municipal water, the same as our tap water
• In the US over 400 billion gallons are used everyday
• While in Canada and United State residents use approximately 100 gallons of water per day those in sub-Saharan Africa use 2.5 gallons per day
• 1000 gallons of water is used to produce 1 gallon of milk
• A faucet dripping once per second leaks over 55 gallons per week

What can we do?

• When doing laundry and using the dishwasher always have full loads
• Take 5 minute showers; use a kitchen timer to double check
• Use a low-flow shower head
• Don’t use the toilet as a garbage; kleenex’s are compostable
• Turn the water off when brushing your teeth
• Wash cars with a bucket rather than the garden hose
• Clean driveways, sidewalks and patios with brooms instead of hoses

Share with us your Water Earth Day tips for a chance to win a Libre Mug!

Giveaway 1 & 2 – Share your Earth Day Tips (week one – air; week 2 -water) on our blog for a chance to win 1 of 4 Libre Mugs – 2 winners will be picked randomly on April 12^th and 2 more will be picked the following week on April 19^th.

AND for the final week … Giveaway 3 – Starting Tuesday April 16^th to Monday April 22^nd we will randomly choose a winner from the daily Earth Day tips received.

There are 9 more Libre Mugs to giveaway!

There is still time to save when you order your Libre Mugs!

Save 30% with coupon code

GetGrounded4EarthDay

April 5^th-22nd, 2013 Midnight PST

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The Tea gang over at Little Yellow Teapot’s gave LibreTea Steeping Mug (co-founder of the Tea Gang) the honor of steeping Dong Ding Oolong Tea from Naivetea. “This was a departure from the vendor’s recommended method but turned out to be a very good one.”

Rebekah from All That Glitters loves her Libre Large! “it’s so aesthetically pleasing! adorable!!!” and how  “if you ever need an extra water bottle it can serve as that, too!”

April from Down South Savings has a Libre Tea Original and says, “It definitely makes enjoying tea on the go a pleasurable experience! The cup is also a perfect size for any tea lover.”

Randi from A Lucky Lady Bug reviewed the Libre Tea Poly Mug and says, “Not only is this a cute way to carry your tea everywhere you go but it helps keep your tea hot longer and the exterior cool to touch!”

“Jen from Jenny at Dapperhouse likes her Libre Original and says, “I completely recommend trying tea for your health and you just HAVE to get the Libre Tea Glasses to enjoy them to the fullest.”

Trying To Go Green says this about her LibreTea Mug “I love that i can take this tea on the go. It is a great product and it comes in a few other sizes. If you are a big tea drinker like I am then you definitely need this.”

Erin from Erin and Baby says, “Libre tea glasses are my new favorite thing. I love tea so I knew this would be so fun to try. Libre tea glasses can be used for hot and cold tea.”

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Jenn from Jenn’s Review Blog said this about the Libre Tea Mug, “The mug is very sleek and I love that it’s clear glass inside and polycarbonate outside so it’s not fragile. You can see the tea seeping and the leaves in the glass, and even though it’s double walled.”

Dana from Pittsburgh Frugal Mom says, “This is simply the most practical on the run tea brewer I have ever used.”

Kay from Kaisy Daisy’s Corner likes her Libre and says, “It is a great way to make loose tea which I discovered is really good tasting and good for you. It is fun trying all types of teas and the Libre Tea Glass makes it easy. “

Jennifer from One heart, One family is Travelling with Libre Tea! “I am in love with this product! I tested the Original libre tea glass and was thrilled that it did everything it claimed to do.  I can easily drink my loose leaf tea without getting a mouthful of tea leaves. It’s safe to drink around my 3 active children without worrying about my tea spilling or my children getting burnt from hot glasses.”

Here’s what Little Yellow Teapot has to say about the Libre, “Speaking of oolongs, that Libre tea Steeping Mug did a fine job on this one: The Tea Gang Explores Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea from Teavivre.”

“Kaitlyn from Wifessionals says she is “absolutely obsessed with my Libre and am excited to give it to tea-loving family & friends for upcoming holidays!”

Hearth and Home reviewed the Libre Tea Original and says, “A unique and useful tea travel mug, this tea accessory is a study in sheer elegance.”

Christine from Blending Familys enjoys ‘Tea Drinking with Libre Tea’. The great thing about using the Libre Tea Glass is that all I need is hot water. I can keep the loose tea at the top of the mug until I am ready to use it.

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First – to get grounded, we’re having a sale on our Libre Mugs  - enjoy  a tea moment at home or the office – the Libre Mug is perfect with an easy hold handle.

Save 30% with coupon code

GetGrounded4EarthDay

April 5^th-22nd, 2013 Midnight PST

So now sit back and enjoy a tea moment and let’s explore how we can do our bit to sustain our Earth: air, water and earth  - each plays a part in the overall system.

Reflect on your favorite ways to contribute to sustaining the earth and you can win! This week we’ll pick a winner from contributions about clean air actions you do.

Every winner receives a Libre Mug!

Giveaway 1 & 2 – Share your Earth Day Tips (week one – air, week 2 -water) on our blog for a chance to win 1 of 4 Libre Mugs – 2 winners will be picked randomly on April 12^th and 2 more will be picked the following week on April 19^th

AND for the final week … Giveaway 3 – Starting Tuesday April 16^th to Monday April 22^nd we will randomly choose a winner from the daily Earth Day tips received.

That’s a grand total of 11 Libre Mugs to giveaway!

Take a deep breath and revel in the knowledge that this air has been around since the beginning of time. We breathe in the same recycled air that the dinosaurs did when they were alive. Their air, however, was less polluted. Through man’s evolvement and time our air has become less clean and healthy.

In an underdeveloped country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air.  ~Changing Times magazine

Here are a few suggestions to help keep our air clean:

• Walk or ride a bicycle when possible, instead of driving
• Take a bus or carpool when necessary
• Plant trees
• Try to avoid using products in aerosol cans
• Use natural cleaning solutions
• Work with groups to stop deforestation
• Use less heat and air conditioning

Looking for more ideas? Check out this Act for the Planet pdf that has a 30 Day Challenge. It’s full of great simple ideas that are easily accomplished.

This week share with us your actions to generate and sustain cleaner air in our ‘Get Grounded for Earth Day’ giveaway!

We ought to think that we are one of the leaves of a tree, and the tree is all humanity. We cannot live without the others, without the tree. – Pablo Casals

Now take another deep breath and smile with the knowledge that you are making a difference and are helping make this world a better place.

For more info:
Sky Rainforest Rescue
Help us save the air we breathe
Global Warming Tips
National Geographic – Deforestation

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“The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.”
- Steve Maraboli

Spring brings new life and with new life we have new opportunities. But it can be hard for some of us to let go of the negative thoughts and feelings to make room for new life and experiences.

Keeping hold of the negative, whether it is with ourselves or someone else, can make us ill, tired, frustrated and more.

Releasing the negative thoughts and feelings can be cleansing and refreshing as we no longer have to carry their weight on our shoulders.

How to let go and start anew?

• Write down you negative thoughts, painful memories, feelings. Acknowledge any role you may have played, if any. Then burn the list and all the negativity attached to it.
• Give the benefit of the doubt – in some cases, the person does not know how to behave differently or at that time in their life is not capable of more.
• Apologize to those you may have hurt in the past and be free of any residual guilt.
• Pause and reflect on goals that you set for yourself, take time to see what is working and what isn’t, and decide how you are going to make the changes necessary to refresh and renew your spirit and physical self

For more ideas on how to refresh and renew:
7 Simple steps to forgive others and yourself
New Year to Renew and Refresh
Let Go Of Negative Feelings: 3 Ways To Watch Them Disappear

Be sure to check out MyYogaOnline April 2nd for a new Spring Cleanse Challenge – They have some great prize packages lined up!

Congratulations to Sheri H., the winner of our World Water Day 2013 Contest!   Water Aid was the most popular water saving organization! Their donation will be on its way shortly. Thanks to all of those who participated.

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