I absolutely LOVE tea. I drink several cups every day. And I love almost every kind. Green tea. Black tea. Herbal tea. When I decide to take an herb to fix a problem, like a sore throat, or to enhance my health, it's more than likely in the form of a tea.
So I thought, why not spend an article talking about have a successful tea party? Sure, not every tea party features . Scones aren't exactly low fat. And you can easily ruin a perfectly good cup of tea by adding sugar and cream. But if you plan it correctly--a tea party is a great way to celebrate health and good company.
Instructions
1. Invite your guests and request that they RSVP. Get a count of how many people will attend and make a guest list. Ten to fifteen people is a good number for a party like this. You want to make sure you have enough food.
2. Choose the teas you will serve. If you want to be ultra traditional--just serve black tea or Earl Grey--or you can get creative and serve a variety of herbal tea blends. You can also plan your own.
Consider when choosing the teas and plan around any health conditions by asking what medicines they are taking. Some of the herbal teas can't be taken under certain circumstances. For example, with a medicine like Coumadin, herbs like Stinging Nettle need to be avoided. Or you can serve teas based on your guests' needs. For example, if you have a guest who complains of allergies, green tea is a good choice.
3. If you are going to have a healthy tea party, serve healthy foods. Finger sandwiches on whole grain bread with healthy fillings are a wise selection. Avoid serving rich pastries such as scones and croissants and opt for lighter versions such as healthy homemade tea breads like banana bread. Keep your guests well supplied with plates of fresh fruit like orange wedges, melon slices and strawberries and serve small portions of cheese. Remember, tea is supposed to be a light meal, not a heavy one.
4. If you have a location with some nice grounds to hold the party, consider having it outside. This is especially nice in the late spring and early summer in most climates. There's something intriguing about having a tea party outside in the gardens. It's reminiscent of the days in England when tea parties were a regular occurrence.
Tags: , healthy foods