Tag Archives: reviews

Hey Mama teas (for preggos!)

So I get emails every other day from people wanting me to review products or talk about their websites on my blog. I ignore many of them (not trying to be rude–I just ain’t got the time right now), but an email from Hey Mama teas caught my eye. I’m spending a lot of my time nursing this little guy right now . . .

photo (1) . . . and these pregnant-and-nursing-mama-friendly iced teas were just calling my name.

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There’s nothing like a fun beverage to get you through the every-other-hour feedings that go with this stage of infancy.

So I agreed to give them a try and write up my honest opinion about them.

First, I tried the peach flavor.

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Instead of being sane about it and sampling a little of each of the four flavors, I accidentally finished the entire bottle of peach.

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Whoopsie.

It was delicious! It has a delicate, iced tea flavor–not too sugary/juicy, but definitely flavorful. Think ethereal as opposed to sugar rush. Really delicious. And it says “supports healthy lactation” on the front (which is, incidentally, what I was doing as I consumed it) (lactating, that is =).

Other reasons to feel good about this product? It’s organic, caffeine free, and has a very short and simple ingredient list.

And it tastes like it would mix well with, um, vodka. Though that would make it a little less preggo-friendly, heh heh.

Better try those others.

So: the mint I liked, the lemon was ok, and the raspberry I didn’t like (not too surprising since I didn’t ever like raspberry leaf tea anyway). But that peach flavor . . . yum.

You can buy these teas on their website at $19.99 for a 4-pack (with free shipping).

My conclusion: too pricey for me at the time, but if it’s in your price range and you’re looking for a pregnancy-geared fun beverage, go for the peach.

Hope you’re all having a restful Sunday–and I hope to post some recipes soon!

No promises–can’t make those with a newborn around–

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–but there’s a salad and a spaghetti sauce that are dee-vine and I can’t wait to share.

The Me I Want to Be

ortbergDuring my week recovering from surgery, my mother-in-law Sara was a godsend. She took care of Alice, cleaned my bathrooms, did my laundry. She also recommended a book called The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg, which I picked up at the library and am now about halfway through.

I’m convinced I not only need to buy my own copy, but that I need to buy copies for everyone I know. And that I should re-read this book at least once a year in perpetuity. In fact, this book is already on the way to every member of my immediate family (and I already know my Dad is going to love this guy’s sense of humor, since it’s exactly like his).

In the very first chapter, Ortberg says that he used to evaluate his spiritual life by his faithfulness with devotionals–a daily set-aside time for Bible-reading and prayer. That’s my tendency; I’m disciplined, a lover of routine. I can read the Bible once a day (and enjoy it!)–that’s not a problem. But there is a problem with evaluating oneself that way: a Pharisee would get a high pass! Ortberg suggests that a better way to evaluate your spiritual life is by asking two questions: Have I been growing more easily discrouaged recently? Have I been more easily irritated recently?

If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes,’ then I’m struggling spiritually with peace and love, two of the pillars of a thriving spiritual life. And guess what I answered to those two questions?

A resounding ‘yes.’ Not just since my ectopic pregnancy and surgery, but starting this spring and until now, I’ve been struggling with happiness. I’ve been feeling angry, irritable and discouraged at my job, at home, with my circumstances. So what that I’m reading the Bible once a day? Something hasn’t been right in my spirit.

Every chapter of Ortberg’s book has been like that for me: eye-opening. Refreshing. Bringing self-examination, but with a message of hope (because the gospel is hope).

Based on the title, you might think this book leans in the self-help direction, or perhaps has a kind of narcissistic “find yourself” bent. Neither is the case. This book is solid. Ortberg, a pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, takes us to Scripture and reminds us of the wonderful truths in it. He’s not presenting anything new, but he writes about these truths in a fresh way that I am just loving.

I’m reading the chapter right now on anxiety, and how the Spirit is a non-anxious presence in our hearts. It’s wonderful, and it’s reminding me of the immense freedom I have in my relationship with God. Freedom to enjoy him, to grow in the Spirit, and to become more myself.

Pick up a copy–but not at the library. This book is worth owning!