I have always been a tea-drinker more regularly than a coffee-drinker. It has been this way for most of my life, since the effects of coffee on me create a jolt-leading-to-crash experience oftentimes. Teas remain my beverage of choice and especially green teas! Understandably, while any caffeine-containing products may offer an initial experience of increased energy, they could also turn out reinforcing the underlying exhaustion and/or depression. When we listen to our bodies better, we can pick up the cues that something is out of balance, which leads to exhaustion. If that is the case, do not choose caffeine as the drug of choice! First figure out where the imbalance lays—in any number of lifestyle choices that are not in our best interests or working well. Then, once the body is optimized via healthy choices as a foundation and factors of exhaustion are eliminated via concerted efforts, then we may improve it even further with healthy sources of teas!

About two months ago, I discovered Yaupon Holly, an ancient tea with an incredible history! I simply went to a Farmer’s Market to check out the vendors and stumbled upon a lovely father-daughter duo at one of the stands. I instantly felt connected and wanted to learn more! They sent me home not only with teas that day, but also knowledge to share!!

Rise Yaupon is a family-oriented passionate company producing sustainable teas center around Yaupon Holly, a plant native to the Southeast United States; it is the only naturally caffeinated plant in North America. Yaupon tea has over 8,000 years of consumption!! With its growing popularity, people are beginning to uncover the remarkable health benefits associated with this unique tea. Furthermore, Yaupon tea is naturally free of tannin with a smooth, clean taste (and won’t stain our teeth). “It is not only a refreshing beverage but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and offers various health-enhancing properties.” The antioxidant content in Yaupon tea makes this tea a super-food!

I enjoy sipping on this new favorite tea of mine each morning as I bring my tumbler with me to work. I think Yaupon Holly has just the right amount of caffeine to keep me feeling recharged and focused without the sense of being overly wired. Adding a little bit of local honey into the brewed tea makes it perfect for my morning warm sips. Say tea, shall we?!

To learn more, visit: www.riseyaupon.com - "Drink tea. Be healthy. Do good."