What is in your cup?

[beppe]

yeah, moderation, sure. I do not want to enter a gender labyrinth.
I am greedy, of sensations, of pleasures, of emotions, of everything. So those that I choose to give up are just different facets of the same weakness. Whenever I felt frustrated, by whatever reason it might be, it was either a smoke, a trip to the fridge or ice cubes tingling happily away in a swirl of something fine.
No more.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by beppe

yeah, moderation, sure. I do not want to enter a gender labyrinth.
I am greedy, of sensations, of pleasures, of emotions, of everything. So those that I choose to give up are just different facets of the same weakness. Whenever I felt frustrated, by whatever reason it might be, it was either a smoke, a trip to the fridge or ice cubes tingling happily away in a swirl of something fine.
No more.

Yes, Beppe, and I agree - some people can't do moderation, it's all or nothing for them. But I was referring to those who can and for some reason seem to choose to make themselves miserable by depriving themselves completely. That's the behavior I don't understand.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by beppe

Just had a big glass of decaffeinated coke and sparkling water.

Having stopped eating, smoking and drinking leaves me little choices (I am slightly fed up with teas and coffees). I do not want to fall into the trap of mixing Ron and Coke or worst. Resisting to light a cigarette is easy , resisting to assembling and eating a triple deck sandwich is easy, resisting to the idea of a tall frosted glass with ice cubes tingling and a bubbling concoction smiling at me is a little harder.

I stop drinking alcohol at times for long periods, coffee, tea, no problem, I don't like carbonated drinks (I never have). I like to eat, but I can resist even the most delicious fare, but smoking is the one vice that I could never get out of my system. I quit smoking 7 years ago, and I'll still have a cigarette every so often. I also still love it when someone lights up a cigarette near me - I love the smell. Yes, you read right. Not stale cigarette smell, but that smell of a cigarette when it's first lit up.

[Latinandgreek]

Peppermint tea in my cup.

[ProfCrash]

I know I have given this in pieces but thought I would give my overall take on my Pu-Erh experiment.

So this weekend I tried the Bai Beeng Moonlight White 125 gram Tea Cake, Vintage 2009, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea and the Tibetan Golden Mushroom, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea. Both were good but neither blew me away. I think they are both uncooked Pu-Erh but I am still trying to figure all of that fun out. They both appeared to be more raw tea then more processed tea and they looked to be more green and red color in the cup then the TuoCha's which have looked very dark and black in the cup.

I am finding that I tend to prefer what I think are the Black Pu-Erhs, or cooked Pu-erhs. I like the stronger, earthier flavors that come from these Pu Erh. I am guessing that the ones that I have liked are black because,well, the tea looks black when in the infuser and the two that I think were raw/green looked like regular tea that had been compressed together.

Color me confused.

Anyway, here is my list of Pu Erh prefrences so far. The non loose leaf ones where either Tuo Cha (small compressed balls), discs, or mushrooms.

1) China Pu Erh Tuocha Tea Gschwendner (would buy again)
2) Shu Pu-erh Tuo Cha Vintage Blend (would buy again)
3) Bai Beeng Moonlight White 125 gram Tea Cake, Vintage 2009, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea
4) Tibetan Golden Mushroom, Organic Fair Trade Pu-erh Tea
5) Shu Pu Erh Classic Vintage Blend (loose leaf)
6) Pu Erh Ginger (loose leaf)
7) Pu Erh Vanilla Mint (loose leaf)

I have one more TuoCha to try and I will probably have that tonight. I am going to give the disc and mushroom many additional tries. I have plenty so that won't be a problem. (grins) I think they might grow on me over time. They are much more mellow, more subtle, then any of the green teas I have drunk. It could be that I just need to give myself some time to taste them and appreciate them.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Yes, Beppe, and I agree - some people can't do moderation, it's all or nothing for them. But I was referring to those who can and for some reason seem to choose to make themselves miserable by depriving themselves completely. That's the behavior I don't understand.

The self floggers you mean.
I gave up smoking because of something related to a pretty blonde kissing an ashtray. So I had to stand up to my bluff and had to quit smoking, and that's it (I think I won after all, even if she did not kiss me than or ever will, maybe, who knows). I gave up eating (except nourishment of course) to get back in shape, I gave up drinking to give moral support to a dear friend struggling against it. Than I found out that giving up drinking did a lot of good to my taste buds and weight loss, and that giving up smoking made me a free man again. And losing weight has been a great joy. And now I do not want to give up those silly games. Why should I ?

Obviously I am a very weak person regarding my tender spots (that is why I mentioned the gender labyrinth)

[beppe]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I know I have given this in pieces but thought I would give my overall take on my Pu-Erh experiment.

Don't worry. Nothing will be wasted. It is here on record.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I stop drinking alcohol at times for long periods, coffee, tea, no problem, I don't like carbonated drinks (I never have). I like to eat, but I can resist even the most delicious fare, but smoking is the one vice that I could never get out of my system. I quit smoking 7 years ago, and I'll still have a cigarette every so often. I also still love it when someone lights up a cigarette near me - I love the smell. Yes, you read right. Not stale cigarette smell, but that smell of a cigarette when it's first lit up.

You see? You are strong. You know how to measure yourself against your limits. I am not and I have to find the occasional fortuitous essential motivation to do what you can do so easily, switching on and off at your pleasure.
That is why now that I have been able to achieve it, i do not mix myself that Ron and Coke that I would like so much, or do not light up one of my wife's Camels. Food no, i am not hungry. Food is the easiest, it is enough to eat enough of the good stuff I cook myself. Steamed rapini and tuna fish to night.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by beppe

The self floggers you mean.
I gave up smoking because of something related to a pretty blonde kissing an ashtray. So I had to stand up to my bluff and had to quit smoking, and that's it (I think I won after all, even if she did not kiss me than or ever will, maybe, who knows). I gave up eating (except nourishment of course) to get back in shape, I gave up drinking to give moral support to a dear friend struggling against it. Than I found out that giving up drinking did a lot of good to my taste buds and weight loss, and that giving up smoking made me a free man again. And losing weight has been a great joy. And now I do not want to give up those silly games. Why should I ?

Obviously I am a very weak person regarding my tender spots (that is why I mentioned the gender labyrinth)

I refuse to give up eating. I just make myself go to the gym. 30 minutes on the elliptical burns about 400 calories for me. That is a candy bar. I try and stick to the idea that four days at the gym = a large fry with my meal on Monday. and tuesday. 20 trips to the gym is a hamburger and fries at Five Guys. I drink alcohol but normally only on the weekends and even then two or three beers or glasses of wine.

I know what my weaknesses are and I know that giving them up just makes me want them more. It is easier to modify my exercise regime so I can enjoy the things that I like and not gain weight. I dropped 25 pounds the year before my wedding. I have kept that 25 pounds off, even though my work out routine dropped from 5 days a week to 3 days and was pretty lame. I am hoping that maintaining the same diet and increasing my workout regime to 5 days a week will help me drop another 10 pounds but I am not stressing over it.

It is more about moderation then anything. One of these years I will apply that rule to my tea habit but I don't see that happening any time soon thanks to all the new teas I have been exposed to here.

[goth1k]

Coffee, black no sugar

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I refuse to give up eating. I just make myself go to the gym.

I chose the other route. I just eat a little less of what I usually eat, and I don't go to the gym. I do go dancing a couple of nights a week (ballroom and SCD), but that's because I like dancing!

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I chose the other route. I just eat a little less of what I usually eat, and I don't go to the gym. I do go dancing a couple of nights a week (ballroom and SCD), but that's because I like dancing!

Each person is different. I cannot afford to not exercise. I dropped 25 pounds and did not drop pants size. I still wear a size 10, some pants used to be a 12 but most were 10s. I can hide weight easily but do better when I exercise and firm up. And I really like my french fries and candy bars and burgers.

I did move from 3 nights a week at Five Guys (great burges, my average order is 1600 calories) to once a month. It took 2 years to get down to that level but I worked on it.

I have been surprised to find out how much I like the gym. I have been going for two years now and don't feel like slacking off. I live my spin class and really enjoy kick boxing. I ended up slacking last year because my Achilles Tendon was inflammed and I needed to go for Physical Therapy. I ended up giving up soccer two nights a week due to the achilles problem and bad knees which I failed to replace at the gym.

I have recently started working on the elliptical and am liking that. I want to add in swimming one night a week, a couple of nights on the elliptical paired with weights, spin class, and kickboxing. A nice round series of excercises that take 45 minutes to an hour and are challenging.

I could be adding a night or two of tennis with a friend.

It lets me enjoy my burgers and fries while still staying in shape. I make sure to eat 2-3 pieces of fruit a day and 2-4 servings of veggies a day. Most days I am eating chicken and wheat pasta or brown rice.

[Stitchawl]

What a day for a daydream
What a day for a daydreamin' boy
And I'm lost in a daydream
Dreamin 'bout my bundle of joy

And even if time, Ain't really on my side
It's one of those days For takin' a walk outside
I’m blowin' the day To take a walk in the sun
And fall on my face On somebody's new Mowed lawn

Good morning all!
Sun's up and shining and all the snow has melted away for a new day of adventure. I have a big mug of NBT's "Georgian Caravan Tea" sitting beside me, awaiting it's fate. A bit too hot to taste yet, but the smell is wonderful! Lightly smoked, like a baby Lapsang Souchong... just ever so delicate... I can't wait to taste it!

Originally Posted by willijt

Hmmm. Neither "kyosoo" nor "dohbeen" seem to bring up appropriate information in Google.

They wouldn't. They are the Japanese words for "teapot."

But when I use "Tokoname" as the primary search word, and then select "Images" in Google, I see many variations on that theme of teapot. Perhaps the style of pot takes it name from the name of the place which popularized it.

With things Japanese, they are often referred to without western grammatical prepositions. So rather than 'a teapot from Tokoname,' it would just be called a 'Tokoname teapot.' As the town is famous for its cay works and kilns that produce both tea pots and bonsai dishes, both get called by the same 'first name.'


First taste of the Georgian Caravan tea... very, very similar to McNultey's "Lightly Smoked Lapsang..." Interesting... There is just a bit of roughness to it though. I like that.

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I figure since I don't smoke and don't drink any alcohol at all (and never have, to either one), I'm allowed one vice.

Take two. I think a body can never have too many vices.

I don't remember who said it, but whoever said, "If it tastes good, spit it out." did a great disservice to a lot of people. Because for some reason, a lot of people actually DO that... I don't get it.

I'm with you! If it tastes good, have seconds! If it feels good, do it again!

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I quit smoking 7 years ago, and I'll still have a cigarette every so often.

I'm soooo jealous! I stopped smoking twelve years, five months, three weeks, five days, 3 hours, 13 minutes ago (I have a little computer app that tracks this) and I WISH I could have one every so often. But I know me. I couldn't do that. I really don't want one. I want a whole carton. I know that if I even took one drag that within a week I'd be back to smoking two packs a day of unfiltered menthols!

Originally Posted by beppe

Obviously I am a very weak person regarding my tender spots (that is why I mentioned the gender labyrinth)

Meee too... mee too....

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I refuse to give up eating. I just make myself go to the gym.

I get enough exercise just pushing my luck. For me, life is too short to spend it sweating in a gym. I'd rather sweat swimming under water, or paddling down a river. Or picking up my motorcycle when I fall down. Once I learned that the body continues to burn fat even while we sleep, I figured that 'my' best weight loss program was to sleep more!

Exercise as a life style, rather than exercise along side my lifestyle. Which, I'm quite ready to concede, might not enable me to live a longer span, just a happier one. I really am waaaay too lazy.

Back to Georgian Caravan tea... it has a slightly sweet taste around my cheeks. Not on my tongue, but on my cheeks. Weird. Full bodied, a bit earthy and smoky, and most definitely a good brew on a cold day. Yes!! That's it! Where Lapsang Souchong goes better with cold and 'rainy' days, this Georgian Caravan tea is just the ticket for cold and sunny days! It's certainly a tea that I'll re-order! In fact, I think I'll have another cup right now!


Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

OK so I made the Sheng Pu-EErh Saiqing Ya Tuo Cha Vintage 2005 tonight. I think it is a green Pu-Erh. It is nice enough but not the strong, earthy taste that I like.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

OK so I made the Sheng Pu-EErh Saiqing Ya Tuo Cha Vintage 2005 tonight. I think it is a green Pu-Erh. It is nice enough but not the strong, earthy taste that I like.

You're lucky you have a name to go along with your tea. I'm beginning my experiment with NBT's pu-erh sampler, but each pack is only labeled with a number, and no name. When I go to their web site I can find plenty of pu-erh teas with names, but none with numbers!

Anyway, #1 has a very slight earth flavor but a pronounced earth smell. The taste is not particularly intense, but not unpleasant. It's nothing that I would buy...


Stitchawl