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Listen to Mimi Lam's interview on The Ageless Sisters talk radio show.

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Mimi Lam on The Ageless Sisters Show

I will be appearing on the Ageless Sisters Show on BlogTalkRadio.com Thursday, November 20th, 1:00 EST
learn more and tune in: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theagelesssisters

Bulletproof Coffee

The trend of bulletproof coffee peaked my interest and curiosity. Dave Aspey, who claimed to have lost 100lbs by eating a high fat, low carbohydrate diet, popularized this coffee. The coffee is made with the addition of unsalted grass-fed butter, palm and coconut oil and sweetened with raw honey.

Adding butter to tea is not that unusual, as some cultures practice this. It a staple beverage of Tibetans that live in high altitude and the locals know it as yak tea.

I take coconut oil everyday so instead of taking it straight, I added it to tea brewed with 1/3 milk and 2/3 water. In addition to the coconut oil, added 1/2 teaspoon of grass fed butter and raw honey to taste. Take the tea and blended it in a personal blender. I experimented with vanilla Rooibos, black and red chai. Wow! what a delicious hot beverage. Rich, creamy and foamy on top. Try it, you will love it.

Learn about the health benefits of coconut oil

Rejuvenate With Coconut Oil

While I was in India, I experienced my first luxurious coconut oil hair treatment which left my hair with added body and shine. The Indian people consider the coconut palm tree as the source of many life-sustaining elements because every part of it is useful in maintaining and restoring health. For example, the coconut itself provides meat, water, milk, cream, and oil; its flower, sugar and wine; its husk can be used to weave cloth, as a decorative garden planter, and by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners for its antimicrobial properties. Actually, in those areas where the coconut palm tree grows in abundance, the coconut is used to treat a variety of health problems with much success.

Due to the "bad press", I had been under the impression that coconut oil is unhealthy for the heart as it is labeled as an artery-clogging saturated fat. The tendency is to avoid saturated fats as they are said to raise "bad" cholesterol levels in the blood, coconut oil included. However, before researching coconut oil, I did not know that there are many different types of saturated fat, and that each has a different effect on the body. I found that not all saturated fats raise blood cholesterol levels and/or have an adverse effect on the body; coconut oil falls into this category.

Coconut oil is considered a "functional food," which means that it has health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Most fats are digested and metabolized in the stomach and small intestines; digestive enzymes secreted by the stomach and pancreas and bile from gallbladder are essential to fat digestion. Coconut oil, however, is easily digested without the secretion of the above enzymes and therefore is completely broken down before it leaves the stomach. As it enters the small intestine, it is absorbed before traveling to the liver for storage as fuel. I do not recommend ingesting coconut oil in the evening as it is very energizing and therefore may prevent one from falling asleep. Therefore I add one tablespoon of coconut oil to juice, a smoothie or hot tea in the morning for a daily energy booster, and a second dose after lunch. Coconut oil also takes the edge off hunger pangs which helps with appetite control.

I use coconut oil for cooking as it can withstand higher temperatures than either olive oil or canola oil. Coconut oil, being highly saturated, is very stable and resistant to oxidation thereby decreasing the production of free radicals. I also apply coconut oil to my body and face. Pacific Islanders have a tradition of applying the oil to their skin from head to toe because it protects their skin from the hot sun, keeping it smooth and healthy. I like using this oil for giving and receiving massages as it improves skin appearance and helps to soothe sore muscles. It is better to combine coconut oil with other oils as it is very absorbent. My favorite combination is almond oil with coconut oil.

You don't have to take this trek to enjoy Mimi's Natural tea.

Tea, A Pathway to Wellness and Enlightenment

My life has been so enriched by teas and herbs that I am compelled to share my passion with you. Use teas and herbs in recipes, bath water and facial preparations to name a few. However, nothing compares to the simplicity of sipping tea for nourishment and the pure enjoyment of it.

For several thousand years, in many cultures, tea is second only to water as the beverage of choice. Growing up in an Asian household where tea was always offered to visitors; to mah zong players; and along with dim sum (yum cha), the family tradition of gathering at a restaurant.

Tea is the go -to beverage for both health maintenance and illness prevention. We relax with a nice cuppa tea. We make important decisions over a cup of tea. We create community and bond over tea, gathering to chat, catch up with each other's lives, commiserate, and share joys and sorrows. My mother believed that tea is the ultimate antidote to any crisis, real or imagined.

What is tea?

Tea is a beverage made by steeping the leaves from a tea plant in boiling water. There are different types of tea, including black, green, oolong, and  white, all derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinenis tree. The leaves are harvested by hand-and a trained eye-by plucking the shoot holding the two youngest leaves and a small bud. The various distinctions (green, black, oolong and white) result from the fermentation process, causing enzymatic changes within the leaves. Green tea is lightly fermented; oolong, partially fermented and black tea, fully fermented. Although today the plucking of the tealeaves is still accomplished by hand, the remainder of the processing from fermenting, to air-drying, to withering, to rolling, to final roasting is mechanized.

Green Teas are still the favorite in China, Taiwan, and Japan. Green tea steeps into a mild, slightly bitter-tasting, pale greenish-yellow-colored beverage. Green tea is rich in antioxidant polyphenols.

Oolong Teas commonly offered in Chinese restaurants is slightly bitter, and brown or amber in color. When you have dim sum, request this tea to be served combined with chrysanthemum flower and rock candy.

Black Teas are an amber-colored, full body, non-bitter beverage. Orange pekoe is a black tea. Earl Grey is a black tea infused with the oil of bergamot. English breakfast, the most requested black tea, is a blend of small-leaved Ceylon and Indian Assam tea. If you want a heartier brew, order Irish breakfast tea.

Scented Teas are made by mixing flavoring(s) with tealeaves. Jasmine blossoms are added to green or oolong to make jasmine tea. Fruit scented tea are generally made with essential oil with black tea. An example is Earl Grey, a black tea made with oil of orange bergamot.

White Teas are teas that have remained in their natural state. It goes thru minimum processing compared to the other teas. They are left to wither (air dry) for two to three days and then dried in large pans over fire. The taste is very delicate. These teas are never served with milk.

Tisanes commonly called herbal teas, They are not consider teas, since they do not come from the tea bush.Tisanes are infusions made with herbal leaves, flowers, seeds and roots. See Herbal teas

Tea is a low calorie, containing vitamin A, C and E as well as health promoting compounds called flavonoids. Polyphenols, or tea flavonoids, act as antioxidants, countering the effects of free radicals in the bloodstream. Back in the 1970's, medical researchers sought to determine the reason certain Japanese inhabitants in a tea-growing region had a much lower rate of cancer than those in other in other regions, despite their history of heavy smoking. They discovered that the tea contained a powerful subgroup of polyphenols called catechins. Green tea contains 30% catechins; black tea, three to 10%. One catechin in particular, EGCg, is found only in tea. EGCg, one of the most potent antioxidants yet discovered, is up to 20 times more effective than vitamin E in preventing and inhibiting cancer growth.

Research has shown that all teas are effective in inhibiting bacteria that cause dental plaque. Green and black tea are known for their ability to aid digestion. The catechins found only in tea aid in strengthening the immune system by promoting the growth of disease fighting t-cells. It has been shown that green tea activates an enzyme in saliva that speeds up the digestion of carbohydrates. Therefore, tea is served with and after meals to promote digestion and sooth the digestive tract.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are brewed from plants for their flavors and their ability to cause subtle changes in our body chemistry. Herbs were brewed into healing teas long before they were sipped merely for enjoyment. When brewing herbs, I prefer the use of distilled water. Distilled water is "hungry", that is, it extracts maximum health benefits from herbs. When brewing the soft parts of the plant, steep covered for five to 15 minutes, depending upon preferred tea strength. This is referred to as an infusion. When using herbs like burdock root, or the bark of a plant, simmer for 15 to 30 minutes in order to extract the plant's medicinal properties. This method is called a decoction. You can also place herbs in cold water and let it steep in the sun.

Ancient medicine promotes prevention by keeping the body systems in balance. Modern medicine owes a lot to the plant world. Approximately 70 percent of drugs are derived from natural substances; usually only one part of the plant is extracted to make a drug. To enhance synergistic balance in the body, I feel that it is better to make use of the whole herb.

Herbs shoud be included in a healthful diet and lifestyle. Know your herb before ingesting it and research possible reactions with your medications. A friend of mine who was on cholesterol -lowering medication, decided to take red yeast rice capsules. A few weeks later, she was feeling not quite right, so she visited her doctor who discovered that her cholesterol was too low.

Another simple, healthy tea is hawthorn. The leaves and berries are used in some of my tea blends. The hawthorn berry has the same antioxidants found in grapes and tea. Medicinally, it is considered a safe cardiovascular tonic. It has been recorded in European formulas since the late 1800's

Red Rooibos, found in Africa, is naturally sweet. Red tea contains healthy amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, fluoride, manganese, zinc, calcium, Vitamin C and a fair amount of alpha-hydroxyl. Because it is caffeine free, I like to blend this tea with rosehips, hibiscus, lemongrass, bilberry, hawthorn berries. This is a great immune booster. This tea is wonderful iced as well as hot.

Driving after dark became difficult for me, vision-wise. Coincidently, last year I had a crazy urge for bilberries. I ate them in pudding mixed with raw honey and chia seeds. Drank it in iced tea and made a jam for my toast. While out driving 35 miles an hour on a winding road one night soon after, I realized that I had no night vision problem. I found out a few days later that the Royal Air Force Pilots ate bilberry jelly to promote night vision during WWll

A few years ago, I had a detached retina while I was at an anti-aging conference in Brazil. My doctor was able to reattach it and warned me that I would surely develop a cataract. A cataract was also developing in my right eye also.  I made a tea of eyebright, goldenseal, raspberry leaves, and cayenne in distilled water. After the solution cooled down, I filled two eyecup with the tea and used as an eyewash. The cayenne stings only slightly, lasting for a few seconds. I did this twice daily for about 2 months with great results. I am so grateful for this tea, as it was the savior of my right eye.

Drinking tea is not only enjoyable and healthy; it is a way to connect with others and with our inner selves. Teatime is an opportunity to suspend thought, ease your mind and body, and rest your soul. I developed a tea ritual to help me connect with my inner self, which I would like to share with you: Concentrate on remaining present/in a tea state of mind as you prepare your tea, from the boiling the water, to brewing, to steeping, to sipping. Breathe it in, taste it, feel it warm your insides, body and soul. Express gratitude to the tea for enhancing your sense of being one with the I AM. Slow down and feel the love...sip by sip.

Beyond Tea

Many people enjoying drinking tea-hot or cold-for both its flavor and its many health benefits, which have been touted for quite some time. Green tea, for example, contain powerful antioxidants which help to fight free radical, contains cancer fighting properties, and even helps to make us beautiful( see green tea beauty tip recipe from my friend Peri, at the end of the article). Some studies have shown that tea can speed up the calorie -burning process. All teas contain free radical-fighting flavonoids, and consuming tea helps to prevent plaque build-up.

Tea leaves can be used for more than just making tea such as in cooking, the same as using any dried herb. Culinary tea is used in preparing scrumptious starters, mouthwatering main courses, tasty desserts, and even cocktails. Create light and refreshing summer beverage by mixing tea into sangria. Adding tea also helps to decrease the alcohol content in sangria. You can also use tea mixed with rice to add a smoky flavor to your meat dishes. I like to smoke braised soy sauce chicken in my wok.

When I was young, my mother would make tea eggs. The delectable scent in the house during this time can be likened to that of a baking apple pie. Tea eggs are prepared as hard-boiled eggs except the eggs are boiled in a solution of soy sauce, black tea, and Chinese five-spice powder, which is available at most Asian grocery stores. If you cannot find five-spice powder, you can substitute as follows: 1 cinnamon stick; two Tbsp black tea; one tsp black peppercorn; 2 star anise; one-half tsp clove; one Tbsp fennel seeds; half tsp of sugar; one cup of soy sauce.

Bring 12 eggs to a boil in a pot of cold water, and then simmer for a few minutes. Remove eggs and then rinse in cold water. Using the back of spoon, gently crack the entire perimeter of the eggshells but do not remove the shells. The soy sauce solution will marbleize the eggs through the cracks in the shells. Return the cracked eggs to the pot, cover with water and add the dry ingredients along with the soy sauce. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for two hours. Add water if necessary to keep the eggs submerged. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight. You can eat the egg hot or cold. Yummy!

If you do not maintain an herb garden and /or lacking a certain herb for a recipe, you can use herbal tea bags instead. One time I had a craving for tabbouleh. I had all the ingredients with which to make it except for the mint. Therefore, I put about 1/2-cup of bulgur into a large bowl, and then poured in an equal amount of strong mint tea, stirred, covered and let sit for about 10 minutes. Next, I added a mixture of lemon juice and  1/4-cup olive oil to the bulgur. To this, I added a handful of chopped parsley, one teaspoon of fresh chopped dill, a rinsed can of chickpeas, a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, and finally a handful of spring mix greens. Mix gently and season to taste with sea salt. Delicious!

It is summer, I love my ice pop, and just Have to have it! I also love chai tea as it reminds me of my visits to India. Last week I had a brilliant idea to make ice pop out of chai tea! It was so wonderful! Gently simmer two teaspoons of Chai tea blend in three cups of water until it is reduced to two cups. Let cool, and then add two scoops of vanilla ice cream, (I prefer to use coconut milk ice cream). Mix the ice cream and chai tea in a blender, pour into Popsicle molds and freeze.  Enjoy!

For this green tea facial, I recommend using matcha powder to mix this mask. (Matcha is the green tea powder used in Japanese tea ceremonies). Mix one tablespoon of water, 1-1/2 tablespoon matcha powder and 1/2 tablespoon glycerin to a smooth, thick consistency. Apply to face for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off and feel how soft and smooth your skin is. Since green tea is high in antioxidants, your skin will absorb nutrients while you are "wearing" the mask. Moving beyond just drinking tea can be fun, creative and beneficial.

Lavender

The French grow lavender for essential oils and perfumes. Lavender oil's calming effect acts as a nerve tonic and remedy for tension headache. There are endless uses for lavender. As a sachet in your clothing drawers, it not only smells great, it also protects your clothing due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Calming lavender tea is great for relieving stress, headache anxiety, mood swings and lifting your spirit. It is a wonderful herb to add to water with mint or cucumber slices. Not only is it refreshing but beautiful to look at.

Use lavender in a facial steam treatment. Fill a pot of water with some lavender flowers; bring to a boil. Turn off flame, tent a towel over your head, and enjoy the steam while you are getting a facial treatment. Fill an old stocking with lavender and sea salt, tie under your bathtub faucet, and soak in it. Use lavender tea as a wash for cuts and wounds. Simmer a pot of water with lavender. Allow the scent and the antiseptic and antibacterial properties to purify and refresh your home. Always have on hand: Lavender the herb of harmony.

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Chamomile

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