Winter

The Importance of a Wintertime Tea Ritual

~ rashatayeh

With winter in full swing and COVID-19 induced anxieties in the air, there’s never been a better time to create your own wellbeing tea ritual. The benefits of various teas themselves, and the act of having a tea ritual, are both incredibly valuable at this time. Here’s why:

Benefits of tea consumption

  • Boosts immunity
    Germs thrive in cold weather, and with the threat of COVID-19 virus still being prevalent, it’s never been more important to strengthen our immunity. Tea warms the body soothes sore throats, reduces symptoms of congestion, fevers and common colds. Ingredients like ginger, lemon, thyme and turmeric are particularly beneficial to have in a brew. Beit e’Shai Immunity Organic Herbal Tea has been one we keep having every day this season.
  • Alleviate seasonal depression
    Winter has a way of bringing down your mood, with the sun setting sooner and the chilly temperatures creating a reclusive mood. Luckily, tea leaves include an amino acid called L-Theanine, which promotes the production of dopamine and serotonin. Make sure to keep regularly consuming green tea and black tea to support your mood., Also seek ways to support your mind, body and spirit, such as regular exercise and exposure to the sun on the occasional sunny (albeit chilly) winter days.
  • Soothe aches and pains
    Aches and pains throughout the body become more pronounced during winter, because our muscles are contracting and losing heat. Some people may also feel that their joint pain worsens during winter. Having a warm beverage can help to counteract some of these pains, while the anti-inflammatory properties of many teas reduce joint pain.
  • Slowing down and being mindful
    The beauty of slowing down and being mindful offers many benefits, like allowing us to check in with ourselves, emotionally and physically. We like to think of having a cuppa as meditation. From choosing your tea, heating the water, selecting your favourite teacup, and waiting for the herbs to infuse, every moment offers a chance to bask in simple rituals. Being mindful during these motions can give us clarity of mind, reduce stress, improve our concentration and relax and rejuvenate our bodies.

Our favourite teas for winter wellness

In order to support your body and mind during winter, find a tea that is perfectly soothing and warming. Here are some of our favourite beverages:

  • The Immunity Organic Herbal Tea
    Our immunity blend is a spicy mixture developed to strengthen the immune system. The invigorating ingredients include Peppermint, Lemon Verbena, Thyme, Ginger and Turmeric, all of which are known for their health benefits. To enjoy, brew at 70ºC for 3–4 minutes, using one heaped teaspoon per cup of water.
  • The Aynar Spice Infusion
    This aromatic and spicy blend promotes healthy blood circulation and body warmth, making it the perfect winter beverage. Enjoy the nourishing flavours of Cinnamon, Aniseed and Ginger, best simmered at 100ºC for 8–10 minutes. We recommend serving with walnuts for the perfect pairing.
  • Homemade Fire Tonic
    To kick things up a notch, make your own fire tonic at home. Place fresh garlic, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, salt, cayenne pepper, Sichuan pepper, lemon juice and lime juice all into a jar. Pour apple cider vinegar into the jar until all the ingredients are fully submerged. Stir and cover tightly, letting it stand in your pantry for 6-8 weeks. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a large measuring cup, and either discard the solids or use them in your cooking. Rinse out the jar and pour the liquid back into it. Add two tablespoons of honey, shake or whisk, and keep in the fridge. A spoonful will do wonders when you feel a cold coming – otherwise, you can also dilute one or two tablespoons of it in hot water and consume it as a tea.

By integrating tea into your winter rituals, you can carve out a little time to yourself in all the chaos of life. The teas you choose can also help to alleviate winter coughs and colds, boost your immune system, or improve your mood. Whatever your preferred brew, make sure to enjoy it as a regular part of your daily routine to best take care of yourself!

Tea Salon: Fundraiser for Dalia Association

~ rashatayeh

This is your exclusive invitation to our first Tea Salon, a fundraising experience hosted by Beit e’Shai for Dalia Association based in occupied Palestine.

Step inside the warmth of Preston’s Oshun Retreat, with a cup of Beit e’Shai tea in hand, for a magical Sunday afternoon filled with music, dance, henna art, massage and reiki healings. Tea Salon offers a chance for our Beit e’Shai community to connect in support for Palestine and Dalia Association-مؤسسة دالية المجتمعية.

Proceeds raised from this Tea Salon will fund a community supported agriculture project: Om Sleiman Farm – مزرعة أم سليمان. Om Sleiman Farm is a small organic farm in the Ramallah area that offers ethical local produce to the West Bank region. This initiative is made possible by Dalia Association – the only community foundation that realizes Palestinians’ rights to control their resources and sustain their own development for generations to come.

Your host, Beit e’Shai owner and founder, Rasha Tayeh, is a Palestinian artist, herbalist and nutritionist. Rasha invites guests to an afternoon of relaxing self care and community care over a casual gathering and delicious teas; heralding her business’ intention to create a healing home for all of us who have been displaced, dispossessed or exiled.

Dalia Association and Beit e’Shai believe that by reviving traditions of philanthropy and volunteerism, we create new systems that make giving easier and more trust worthy.

When: Sunday 28th July 2019, 3 – 6pm
Where: Oshun Retreat, 5/27 Enfield Ave Preston
Cost: $30 or if you’re feeling extra generous $40
Book online at: https://www.trybooking.com/BDCIN
All proceeds will go to Om Sleiman Farm, supported by Dalia Association in occupied Palestine.

Your entry fee will give you access to our Tea Salon offerings and we encourage you to get in early and register your name for massages and healings from our amazing local therapists and healers including:

Lori Curran from The Humble Nook
Jelena Nikcevic from Soul Aquarian Therapy
Poppy Sophia from Om Chi Reiki

About Beit e’Shai
After living back home in occupied Palestine in 2014-2015 under the harsh reality of military occupation, Rasha Tayeh had to move back to Melbourne, where she set up her business Beit e’Shai (House of Tea in Arabic, pronounced bayt eh shy). Beit e’Shai (established in 2017) is an apothecary and teahouse, with all teas and tisanes handmade by Rasha using 100% natural blends from certified organic ingredients. Informed by her ancestor’s wisdom and drawing on her knowledge and appreciation of traditional Arabic medicine and Palestinian herbalism, Rasha creates aromatic teas and herbal medicines that focus on health, wellbeing and comfort.
Beit e’Shai is built with intention to create a healing home for everyone.

About Dalia Association-مؤسسة دالية المجتمعية
Dalia Association makes grants available to support relevant civil society initiatives, especially grassroots efforts that seek to supplement local resources. A permanent endowment will be built over time to ensure sustainable income for current and future generations. Dalia’s work advocates for systemic change in the international aid system so that it respects Palestinian rights and responds to local priorities.

For more information visit:
www.rashatayeh.com
www.beiteshai.com

Beit e’Shai and Rasha Tayeh acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of this land on which we live and work, and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

—

Oshun Retreat is located at street level / ground floor. The venue is wheelchair accessible with an all-abilities bathroom facility.

Tea Salon Flyer

Happy Winter Solstice

~ rashatayeh

I am celebrating Winter Solstice by offering 40% OFF my online apothecary & teahouse, Beit e’Shai.

Visit my online store and enter this promotional code at checkout: SOLSTICE
Offer ends 11:59pm this SUNDAY 24th June.

There’s no better way to celebrate this time of year than with a hot cuppa tea.

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Promo_Solstice

I’ll also be trading at the Solstice Festival at Section 8 with this huge sale tomorrow, Saturday 23rd June, where my friends MzRizk and BE. are hosting a design market & block party.

Im so proud that my business is part of this amazing line up of local artists & artisans showcasing their local and ethical products and designs.

You can read more about this weekend’s Solstice Festival on i-D, Acclaim and Broadsheet.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Herbal Infusions for Winter Wellness

~ rashatayeh

I’m pretty excited about this Sunday!  I’m hosting a workshop at Preston Market, check out the details below…

  • Cost: $25
  • When: Sunday, June 3rd 10:00am to 11:15am
  • Where: Pam Lane, at Preston Market
  • Registrations at this link

What’s it all about?

Winter is here and as the days grow shorter and the nights colder, we all need a bit of extra care. A hot cup of nurturing tea will help warm the bones and sooth the soul. Beit e’shai (Bayt eh shy) in collaboration with Rhubarb Rhubarb Organics, presents the Herbal Infusions for Winter Wellness Workshop at Preston Market. The workshop will discuss various herbs and spices that can support us during winter. Join us for this workshop so you can experience a warmer season!

What will we cover?

During the workshop, nutritionist Rasha Tayeh will prepare different organic herbal infusions and discuss their benefits for wellbeing. We will learn about herbal infusions for good sleep, digestion, and staying warm during winter. We will enjoy tastings from Beit e’Shai organic herbal tea with instructions on how to brew the tea and practice self-care during Winter.

Who will be teaching?

Rasha Tayeh is a nutritionist, herbalist and artist. Her practice is inspired by the seasons and ways in which we can enhance connections with our bodies, our communities and with nature. She combines principles of nutrition and herbalism in her wellness workshops.
Rasha is the owner and founder of Beit e’Shai (House of Tea in Arabic, pronounced bayt eh shy). Drawing on her knowledge and appreciation of traditional Arabic medicine and herbalism, Rasha creates aromatic teas and tisanes that focus on health, wellbeing and comfort.

Questions about the class? Please email melbourne@lanewaylearning.com.

Hip Hop High Tea

~ rashatayeh

I am honoured & very excited to be collaborating with DJ MzRizk and Belleville Melbourne in hosting this year’s Rizky’s Hip Hop High Tea!

MzRizk will be playing throwback RNB jams from the 90s and early 2000s, head Chef Jarrod Moore will be designing an all vegan menu and I will be matching teas from my Beit e’Shai Apothecary and Teahouse.

Rizky’s Hip Hop High Tea will take place at Belleville on Saturday May 25 from 2pm – 4pm. Located in a Heritage-Listed building just off Little Bourke Street and inspired by a dive bar in Paris, it is the perfect space to enjoy a few cups of tea with friends and family.

Playing beats while you sample tea and eat, Rizky’s Hip Hop High Tea remixes the traditional High Tea into a casual and entertaining atmosphere that everyone is welcome to enjoy.

Cost: $70 per person, plus booking fee.

Book your tickets at this link.  Bookings essential for catering and dietary requirements.

We can cater for guests that have Dietary Requirements. Please send an email to hiphophightea@mzrizk.com with your dietary requirements after you have made your booking. We will not be able to accomodate those with dietary requirements if we have not been advised by May 16th, 2018.

Minimal door sales available on the day, however those with dietary requirements may not be able to be catered for so it is preferable to purchase tickets in advance!

 

For more details contact Danielle Rizk: hiphophightea@mzrizk.com

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Winter Warmers

~ rashatayeh

Winter seems long in Melbourne this year…  or maybe I always get to early August & feel completely over it!

Truth be told, it really isn’t my favourite time of year and Im constantly learning ways to embrace it…

Here are a few things that have helped in my winter hibernation this year:

  • Slow down: actually do less and don’t feel bad about it.  Acknowledging that my energy levels are not the same as they are in the warmer months and not feeling bad about it, takes a bit of getting used to – but learning to be okay with simply doing less & slowing down can be quite liberating
  • Sleep well: take advantage of the long nights to rest the body & the mind
  • Meditate: this time of year can be powerful for reflection, enhancing our psychic tendencies & intuition
  • Exercise: keep the blood circulation moving to keep your body warm & the fire in your belly alive.  Its easy to slow right down & stop exercising during the colder months, but this stagnation can add to winter’s darkness & dull our digestive system too.  So why not move energy through your body by doing something you actually enjoy?  Don’t go out for a jog in the freezing cold, if that’s not your thing (in fact, that just sounds awful to me) … I personally like dancing, so I’ve been going to gigs & having a good old dance … or dancing at home can be just as much fun sometimes
  • Yoga: I’ve been hanging out with my dear friend Lori Curran – who’s a brilliant massage therapist & yoga teacher – she has been a great support while delving deep into my yin yoga practice this winter.  Yin yoga works with connective tissues & aims to increase the circulation in the joints and improve flexibility. It is a more meditative approach that cultivates awareness & inner silenceo
  • Joints, muscle & back balms: during my Winter Apothecary workshop back in May, I made a whole bunch of homemade remedies & ointments for joint & muscle aches as I have a tendency to feel the cold right in my bones during this season.  The ointments have relaxing & warming essential oils like lavender, cinnamon, rosemary & Chinese wintergreen.  If you have a tendency to developing ganglion cysts or have arthritis, keeping warm with ointments like these can really make a difference if you feel more pain during the colder months
  • Saunas, spas & hot baths: there is nothing better than the heat gained from having a full body treatment like this.  I make sure going to the Japanese Bathhouse in Collingwood is a frequent ritual to get me through the season
  • Eat & drink warm things in cold weather:  It sounds intuitive, but Im often surprised how many people complain how cold they are as they’re having a (very healthy) but very cold salad for lunch… if you’re already cold in your body & you’re eating cold food, chances are you will keep feeling pretty cold.  So instead enjoy hot soups, steam your veggies, drink warm water and have cups of tea to balance your temperature
  • Speaking of tea, here’s a favourite winter warmer my mum taught me how to make, we call it Aynar in Arabic – it’s one of those things that truly keep me warm for hours…

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Aynar Tea recipe

4 large slices of ginger

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. aniseed

1 tsp. crushed walnut (to serve, optional)

Pour 3 cups of water into a pot, then add the ginger, cinnamon & aniseed.  Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat (with the lid slightly open from one side).  Simmer until the water is reduced down to half of the initial amount, about 1 & 1/2 cups.  This could take up to 30-40 minutes.

Strain contents & pour tea into your favourite teacup & serve warm with crushed walnuts … or not, I actually don’t like the walnuts in there, sorry mama!

I usually get 2-3 more brews from these ingredients especially if I’m making it during the day.  For the repeat brews, instead of adding 3 cps of water to bring to a boil, I add 2 cups of water and reduce the content to 1 cup.  When working with different parts of the plant, such as roots and barks, its important to know that they can take on heat (more so than leaves & flowers for example) so you can certainly brew them more than once to get most of their benefits & not waste any goodness .  I always leave ingredients in a bit of water & cover the pot in between my brews.

I absolutely love the smell of my house as it fills with spicy ginger and sweet cinnamon notes when I make this.  The whole house feels warm.

Hang in there, spring will be on its way soon.

t

Winter Apothecary & Open Studio

~ rashatayeh ~ 1 Comment

Winter is time to reflect, conserve energy and go deeply inwards.
I will be using this time to catch up on research, writing and medicine making.

Before I take a break from hosting workshops during the colder months, I would like to invite you to a Winter Apothecary workshop of medicine making at my studio.

During the workshop we will make an ointment, syrup and herbal infusion – using simple & safe homemade recipes that help support us during winter, strengthen our immunity & protect us from general ailments.

You will also have an opportunity at the end of the workshop to view/experience selected works from my previous art exhibitions, including audio portraits from “On Food & Memory” and short film screening “Growing Food Project” – with an opportunity to ask questions about my creative practice & the research behind “Spice Trails & Trade Routes”.

Cost: $35 per person
When: 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Saturday 13th May 2017
Where: MESMA Studio, Level 1, 6 Nicholson St Coburg

For bookings visit: https://www.trybooking.com/PNGK
Spaces limited to 20 guests

Since its Mother’s Day the following day, if you book 2 tickets & bring your mama along, you can purchase 2 tickets for $60.

For your Mother’s day discount, enter this promotional discount code: mama-love
(this only applies when purchasing two tickets).

If you have any allergies please be sure to let me know via email, when you book. The ingredients used may contain honey, beeswax, nut & seed based oils.

If you have any questions, please contact me on rasha.tayeh@gmail.com