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Happy Now (by guest blogger Heidi Dixon Kwon)

Being the wife of a medical student means embracing delayed gratification, being flexible with unaligned schedules and acclimating oneself with lonely nights. Perhaps these challenges are simply realities for the average adult… but, I’m not sure. I’m still pretending to be one. However, what may be a bit more unique to ‘the life of a pupil’ are the lofty dreams and hopes that many students and student-spouses cling onto as they look toward their post-graduation life. Those elusive, fanciful dreams about being able to afford organic olive oil, bakery bread and brie cheese without having to double check our bank statements whilst in the checkout line. Or the anticipation that one day, we’ll own a car where the passenger door locks and unlocks without us having to...

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Tea Makers Profile: Executive Chef Mark Gordon

At Far Leaves Tea, we call those who drink loose leaf tea, Tea Makers, because they don't just drink tea as a beverage.  They take the time to make and experience loose leaf tea through the numerous different infusions as the tea leaves unfurl.  In the spirit of learning more about how these Tea Makers began their tea journey and their tea rituals, we are, of course, sitting down and having tea with them.   We are fortunate to have chef Mark Gordon, executive chef of San Francisco's Rose's Cafe, Rose Pistola, and Terzo, be our first Tea Maker Profile guest.  Below was our tea dialogue where he shared the why's and how's of his loose leaf tea experience with us. Q:...

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Gluten Free Matcha (Japanese Green Tea Powder) Mochi Balls by FLT co-founder Donna Lo

  As you probably know from my earlier blogs, I am a fan of easy cooking.  With Harvest Moon Festival (中秋節; also known as Mid-Autumn Festival) coming up shortly (9/15), it is the perfect time for a pairing of something sweet and a nice cup of tea like one of my favorite oolongs from my hometown, Wenshan Baozhong, one of our featured teas in our Tea Club this month, while watching the beautiful full moon with your family. Buy Monthly Tea Club Subscription: 3 Fresh Teas per Month In this blog, I am sharing a Japanese mochi dessert-inspired recipe, with the added twist of the addition of tofu to the (gluten free) dough for even better texture, as well as a nice...

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Back to School (by guest blogger Heidi Dixon Kwon)

September is a month that brims with a palpable sense of anticipation. As the warmer seasons slowly fade to a close, the roads come alive while children fill hallways and people return tan and giddy from their vacations.  This month is that moment Fall reaches out to take the baton from Summer, marking the unofficial start to a new year of diligence — be it in academia or work. Within the walls of our small apartment, our roles in marriage begin to shift again. Daniel, who had graciously stepped up in his laundry game, grocery shopping and meal prepping during his time off, now returns to his mountain of books and assignments. A fresh year of exams and boards unfolds in a...

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10 Best Taiwanese Foods That Make You Want Some Tea: #1 Vegetarian Temple Food (by guest blogger Amy Hsiao)

I have memories of myself walking by the many temples as a young child growing up in Taiwan on my way to school.  Even though I wasn't necessarily a Buddhist, I would always say a word or two of blessings (especially on exam days) and be on my merry way, feeling more comforted.  Temples are part of the culture in Taiwan, with bustling activities of visitors praying, burning incense, chanting and offering food to the deities on key lunar calendar dates corresponding with days of worship in exchange for blessings of wellness for/protection of their families and loved ones.   Buy Organic Wellness Tea Gift Set In Taiwan, unlike many other Buddhist countries, the monks/nuns eat vegetarian-only food with the...

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