Last month, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine weighed in on the issue with a review article that looked at more than 100 studies on the health benefits of green tea.

More studies are needed, they said. But they pointed to what they called an "Asian paradox," which refers to lower rates of heart disease and cancer in Asia despite high rates of cigarette smoking.

They theorized that the 1.2 liters of green tea that is consumed by many Asians each day provides high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants.

These compounds may work in several ways to improve cardiovascular health, including preventing blood platelets from sticking together and improving cholesterol levels, said the researchers, whose study appeared in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Specifically, green tea may prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), which, in turn, can reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries, the researchers wrote.

It may be difficult for Americans to consume as much green tea as Asians, but they can get greater amounts of antioxidants in their diet by drinking some green tea, as well as increasing consumption of dark fruits and vegetables, drinking moderate amounts of red wine and even eating some dark chocolate, said lead author Bauer Sumpio, a professor of vascular surgery at Yale.

"The collective intake probably is of significant protection to cardiovascular disease," he said.

Sumpio said what swayed him is laboratory research on cells showing that green tea can act in a way that prevents heart disease and cancer.

"For me, there is no downside to drinking green tea," he said. "It's not like red wine with the alcohol issue."

Sumpio and his co-authors concluded in the article that "the evidence is strong that green tea consumption is a useful dietary habit to lower the risk (for) and treat a number of chronic diseases. ... The consumption of six to 10 cups of tea per day might constitute an aid to increased health, longevity and quality of life."

SBSTeas.com recently had the distinct pleasure of talking with and interviewing Gail Gastelu Lady Gayle.

Lady Gayle is the publisher of the unique and information packed Tea House Times. Read on to learn more about this fascinating and wonderful woman!

SBS: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today. Lady Gayle tell me a little about yourself.

LG: I am Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Tea House Times, a bi-monthly afternoon tea publication. Readers of the publication refer to me as Lady Gayle; a nickname inspired by members of The Red Hat Society several years ago. I enjoy afternoon tea and the publication is a way to share that passion. In my spare time, I am also a Girl Scout leader.

SBS: How did you get into this particular field?

LG: Personal passion has led me into the tea field with particular attention to afternoon tea and Victoriana; areas that really interest me and most people who enjoy afternoon tea. The focus of a tea related publication puts my own personal skills to use while having fun with my passion for afternoon tea at the same time.

SBS: What made you decide to start writing and create a newsletter/publication?

LG: After years of working and raising children, most people re-think their lives such as I have. I want my work to be important, meaningful, and helpful in some way while still allowing important family time.

SBS: What makes Tea House Times so unique?

LG: Tea House Times combines everything enjoyable about afternoon tea such as beautiful Victorian decor, mismatched china, wonderful friends, and delicious foods, recipes, and tea. The Tea House Times is a celebration of friends coming together and offers relaxing reading and a fresh way to learn something new while keeping in touch with the past.

SBS: What is your favorite part of your job and why?

LG: Visiting tea rooms to write reviews is my favorite part. I absolutely love going to tea rooms. I love scones and clotted cream and it is fun to sample them from different tea rooms/restaurants. The scones are never the same, always different, always unique and delicious. Each afternoon tea experience is very unique and wonderful. And it is great to meet new people. And it is tons of fun to listen in on other conversations that people are having, which are always about how beautiful, how delicious everything is. It is such an enjoyable time and so special to share with friends and family.

SBS: In your life, what are you passionate about? What inspires you?

LG: I am passionate about teaching and passing on good values to children and sharing ideas with adults to pass on to younger generations. Afternoon tea is the perfect opportunity to pass on good manners, try new foods, learn how to be sociable, etc.

Inspiration comes in many forms. I am inspired by the uniqueness of each tea room I visit. I am inspired by the wonderful people I meet along the way. I am inspired by the innocence of younger generations. I am inspired by positive people in my own life and others who set good examples through various means to help other people.

SBS: What is your favorite tea?

LG: I drink a cup of green tea every morning and I do enjoy it, but when I have time for a full pot of tea, I prefer flavored green or black teas.

SBS: Describe the type of person you would like to reach with your publication.

LG: I want to reach people who share a passion for afternoon tea. That includes the great food, great times spent with friends, and those who thirst for knowledge while holding on to our past and good values.

SBS: What do you do to relax?

LG: Afternoon tea! Preferably not at home. When you run a business and a family, it is nice to get away from it all sometimes and just go to tea. And I do not mind if all my friends and family come along, I just want to be served and I want someone else to do the work and cooking for a change. When I find some quiet time to myself, I like to read or take in a good movie.

SBS: Where do you see yourself and Tea House Timesin five years?

LG: Five years, wow. Having come so far in just 3 years, I hope to go even farther. We havve already gone from a basic newsletter to a glossy publication in under 3 years. I would like to reach out to more people, help people relax, get loads of more subscribers to share our passions and help all of our fine subscribers, such as yourself, meet up with these like minded individuals.

SBS: Anything else you would like our readers to know about you?

LG: I am just your average mom, pursuing a passion and turning it into a full time business. I believe it is a passion most of us share especially in wanting to pass on good values, find time to treat ourselves to a relaxing tea with friends, and as the girls in my Girl Scout troop would say, make the world a better place.

SBS: Lady Gayle, thank you so much for your time today, it has been a pleasure getting to know you. We are excited to offer Tea House Times to our SBSteas.com customers, and look forward to many more years of wonderful reading.

Be sure to pick up your copy of Tea House Times today!

Bio
Gail Gastelu is founder and publisher of The Tea House Times, a bi-monthly publication for afternoon tea lovers available in tea rooms and by subscription. Gail shares her passion for Afternoon Tea and finds ways to help men and women relax and rejuvenate. Gail writes articles for several other publications promoting and sharing worldwide passions for afternoon tea. Gail works hard to help tea room owners find resources, marketing ideas, quality advertising avenues, and through Tea House Times offers numerous ways for tea room owners to communicate with customers to promote their passion for afternoon tea as well.

The Tea House Times is a bi-monthly publication Celebrating a Passion for Tea, Victorian Treasures, and Friendship. The Tea House Times is a valuable reference with entertaining, educational, enjoyable reading including Afternoon Tea Recipes, Tea Connoisseur, Readers' Choice Tea Rooms, Tea Room Reviews, Victoriana, Craft, Etiquette, Friendship quotes from the late 1800's, Book and Product Reviews, Events, a Society Page, and Travel.

SBS Teas recently had the distinct honor of talking with and interviewing Author Darlene Fahl-Brittian. Darlene is the author of the unique and inspirational book "Sipping Tea - Celebrating Me" Her book is about tea, life, love, and healing with the God Force in our lives.

SBS: Darlene, tell me a little about yourself.

DFB: I am married, 17 years now, to a man that no matter what idea I come up with, his reaction is "okay Baby, let's do it!" What a blessing that is. We have two children, a 14-year-old son, a 12-year-old daughter, and a Bichon Frise. We live happily in Southern California. I was born and raised in the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada, in the city of Saskatoon. I bet that rolls off your tongue easily!


SBS: How did you get into this particular field?

DFB: Purely by Divine Intervention. I stated one day "okay God, I am ready now, just let me know what I am to do now." In a world-wind of events, I attended my first World Tea Expo, back when it was the " Take Me 2 Tea Expo" and I was hooked. I wanted to know more, taste more, see more and BE more. Tea was the perfect partner for meditation, and prayer, and quiet time of any sort. That is what I wanted to encourage people to do, to "take it easy", to "relax", to stop the world, if only for a few moments a day. Tea is "steeped", and rich, in the tradition of reflection and contemplation. What could be more appropriate than tea? Nothing, as far as I was concerned, but many billion before me, have thought the same thing too. I was not the first.


SBS: What made you decide to start writing?

DFB: We were putting together to sell a fundraiser, and I wanted to make the little gifts of tea and tea things that were special and personal. I began creating prayers to tie on the gifts. The buyer got to choose a prayer with their purchase. In the beginning the selection was limited but people were excited to find "just the right prayer" to make the gift special and unique. If the person they were buying for was experiencing health challenges, they selected, "Longevi-Tea", money concerns, "Prosperi-Tea", sluggish or depressed, "Vitali-Tea", struggle, "Difficul-Tea" etc. Half the fun was in selecting a prayer. Then, people started asking for specific prayers, "can you write me a prayer for peace, for a boyfriend, for forgiveness, stress," etc. So, I did, and when I had over 80, a good friend said "Darlene, you need to put these in a book." That is when I knew I could make the prayers into a book. That is when everything "clicked".


SBS: What makes your book Sipping Tea – Celebrating Me so unique?

DFB: I would have to say, the prayers, that is what makes this book so unique. Yes, there are many books about tea, out there, and there are many books about spirituality. I am not the first to marry these two perfect partners, but, I believe I am the first to create an entire series of healing prayers to be enjoyed with a cup of tea.


SBS: What is your favorite prayer or passage in your book and why?

DFB: My favorite prayer, right now, is Securi-Tea. I say, right now, because that could change, I am still creating new prayers. Book Three will have the entire collection of over 100 healing prayers. My favorite chapter is, chapter nine, "The Agony of the Leaves". A close runner-up, is, chapter eight, "Forgiveness - The Key." I woke up one morning with the computer analogy of the mind and brain. When it comes to computers, I am still in another decade, so I know, that did not come from me, that it came from WITHIN me.


SBS: What is your favorite tea?

DFB: I love oolongs. But, if I had to give up any of the others, I would be devastated. I will admit though, that I like my tea weak, those rich, full-bodied black teas are just too strong for me. My palate is not ready for those, but, perhaps that will change too.


SBS: Describe the type of person you would like to reach with your message.

DFB: The person who is in pain, the one who is suffering, struggling, doubting and empty. My wish is that they will surrender their pain and give it to God. To know that they are not alone, that they are worthy, no matter what has transpired in their lives. That God tortures no one, and is always there in love, and not in judgment. And, of course, I want those that understand their journey, to sip and celebrate with me, read the prayers I have written in celebration of life and all that it entails.


SBS: What do you do to relax?

DFB: I am a gardener, a decorator and a crafter. I like to make old and abandoned things beautiful and functional again. I like everything and everyone to have a second chance, a new purpose. I have a special rocking chair - it is also my prayer chair. My husband bought it for me when we were dating, it was already "old" back then, I have rocked both my babies in it, and sometimes there were three of us on it. I sit in that chair, which now, has a few springs that have "sprung", and I am transported somewhere else - some place peaceful and blissful, and with a cup of tea, I know it is Heaven. I love my chair, I grew up in a house with several rocking chairs, and I have enjoyed just being in a chair that rocks since I was very young, that it is indeed very relaxing for me.

I have another special place I go to relax. At 45 years of age, I built myself a playhouse in my backyard. It is full of the things I love and cherish, as well as, many swap meet finds that now, have a new purpose. Most of the prayers were written in there. It has a very special energy all of its own. There is also has a small rocking chair in there.


SBS: Where do you see yourself and your book series five years?

DFB: Within five years, I will have other books in addition to the Tea Trilogy. There will be several adaptations from the Tea Trilogy, such as, a companion workbook from Sipping Tea - Celebrating Me, and it will also be a Day Workshop. I will have visited many tea plantations, and have attended all the certification classes available, and met numerous tea masters. I will have several meditation CD's including some weightloss meditation CD's. The prayers will be available individually in a number of formats, such as, cards, bookmarks, and magnets in the shape of a teacup with the prayer written on the cup. I will be a keynote speaker at many events, I will continue to do the educational tea seminars that I currently facilitate. I will be hired by companies to do Customer Appreciation Teas and Employee Appreciation Teas. I will continue to encourage people to incorporate tea into their individual spiritual practices and to find their own sense of inner peace while sipping tea. Did I mention that I will have met Oprah Winfrey and she will have every one of my books? I will also leave a lot of room for God because after Oprah, there is only God.


SBS: Darlene, is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you?

I am flexible, wherever this journey takes me, I go willingly. I am open to all things tea, all things God, and all good things.


Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada author Darlene Fahl-Brittian, began her career in the 1980's in the restaurant industry as a Director of Training. Her career took her to every major city in Western Canada. Her specialty was opening new restaurants. Later, Darlene went to Florida to complete her degree in Hospitality Management where she met an active- duty naval officer. They were married three years later, and moved to San Diego in 1990. After having two babies in two years, in my mid-thirties, she snapped out of the decadence of the 80's really quick. That was the beginning of a huge transformation for her. She knew there had to be something more, but what? After searching for sometime, Darlene then opened a retail angel gift shop, which she operated for most of the 1990's. Still searching for something more, Darlene took her search inward in 2001. It began by slowing down, staying home, decorating and landscaping her home. In 2003, "I told God I was ready, and here I am". Darlene is ready for whatever may happen next.

Pick up an autographed copy of Darlene's amazing book here.

Fresh Peach Iced Tea

Ingredients:
3 12-oz cans of peach juice
2 quarts tea
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions: (© SBS Teas)
Combine everything and chill. Serve over ice.


Iced Tea Directions: (© SBS Teas)
Make 2 quarts of iced tea:
2 heaping Tablespoons of SBS Gourmet Loose Black Tea.

Get the rest of this recipe and others by visiting our online forum

Dallas Texas area CBS11 News crews are profiling what could turn out to be a very revealing situation. They visited 10 of their local restaurants, ordered iced tea and then took the tea to a laboratory for testing. What they turned up, was not your average cup of tea. Suffice to say, we are taking our Tea traveler Set and drinking our loose tea it hot hot hot next time we dine out. Read the full story here.