On making our Elixir

We make this cool tea that is a combination of a bunch of natural herbs and flavors. It not only "regulates" the body's "processes", it also is healthy, refreshing and great for the skin. It's almost like an elixir in terms of its medicinal properties. Admittedly, we are not scientists and we are not trying to run afoul of FDA rules by marketing this as a medicine or "drug" because it's not. It's just a natural drink with natural flavors that's good for a person. Zac and Lola is all about that. Living better. We simply believe there's a better way to live and that is our quest. To live better. Take the ginger, for example. It is one of many ingredients in our elixir. Ginger is a healing plant. My grandmother used to drink this every single day. She lived to 98 years old. There is something intrinsically good about this drink. You are going to love it too. Instead of our ginger drink, which we planned to launch first, maybe we'll start with this elixir. It goes reeally well with these green pear macaroons (made of grated green pears, butter, sugar and whisky). The great thing about this drink is that it is good for kids and grown ups. Grown ups have the added benefit of adding some whisky or brandy to it and making cocktails for grown up parties. Or even hot toddies in the winter months.

A turtle for inspiration

This morning the crape myrtles were an explosion of rich red and green lushness. Such a lovely sight as I sit here reading about celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow who are avid tea drinkers. I like Gwyneth Paltrow's newsletter, GOOP. Has she gotten around to doing an issue about tea? Maybe one day she could profile something from Zac and Lola. That would be cute. I am just about to enjoy a cup of my latest brew (I am working on a recipe that I plan to patent) and I've just noticed a tiny little turtle prodding along it's way. Poor little thing! Is he lost? Where did he come from? Where is he going? I love nature. I have become even more appreciative of nature over the years than I was when I was a youngster. There is a genius and connectivity to it all. It is good for one's health to live closer to nature when they can. That is why I like where I am now, in Georgia. I see so many critters and creatures I don't get to see when I live in a more metropolitan city like New York. I love New York of course. But it's nice to be in a place like this: slow, laid back and conducive to capturing nature walking by as you imbibe a cup of tea....I really like this brew I am working on. It's delicious. Especially when sweetened with a bit of agave...look at this little creature. He moves so slowly. But he sure gets where he's going.

A patridge in a pear tea

I am in Atlanta and there is a pear tree laden with green pears in the yard.
I love fruit trees in a yard. That, and butterfly gardens are my favorites. The pears are green and they are perfect for making a cup of pear tea (you grate the green skin into the water and you use a couple of leaves too). This is amazing, it's almost like a nectar, and so healthy, so good! I have sweetened it with honey just for a little added kick. That and a couple of blueberry/poppy seed muffins is a divine breakfast. This is definitely a better way to live. I wish this for everyone on Earth.

Ginger heals, soothes and invigorates

The first flavor of tea Zac and Lola will produce is ginger. It was an easy decision because that is the tea we drink most in my family. For 3 generations.

It is a simple brew, really, but so healthy; an elixir full of anti-oxidants and vitamins and all things that are good for you. My grandmother drank this everyday and she lived to be 98 years old. She was a poor woman who lived on a farm and ginger was literally the thing that kept her alive because she had tremendous digestive issues and so she drank this all day to soothe it. That is where I learned about ginger and I've been drinking it my whole life. For myself, I like to let the ginger sit in a glass bowl in the sun for a little while, like an hour or two then I boil it.

Then I pour it in a tea cup and sit in a quiet corner and sip till its all done. Ok. I've decided I'm a bit hungry so I am making a couple of apple fritters to go with my ginger tea (no sugar in tea please!) Look at these beauties. Aren't they lovely?

Butterflies, Boots and Blackberry tea

I woke up this morning with great intentions for Zac & Lola. I have a lot to do as far as getting the business up and running. I need a license for one. And a permit. And other things. But I wanted to begin my day as peacefully and beautifully as possible, and not let the process get me harried. So I took a walk first, after watering the garden and saying hello to Zac and Lola's spirits. I took a walk up the hill in my black yard boots. And when I came back, I put on a pot of tea.
After taking a walk, I sat down outside under the oak tree and read a magazine. It was an old issue of O magazine, one where she's in a pool of water. I was reading something about Ellen Barkin and how she stays fit and beautiful at 53. Then, my eye caught the vision of a swallowtail butterfly who comes to visit me every day since Zac and Lola changed form. He is absolutely beautiful. There are actually two of them and I think sometimes it must be Zac and Lola in another form. So I ran in for my camera and took a picture.
Finally, my tea is ready. It is my daily tonic, a hot cup of blackberry tea. Today I've added a rose bush and it smells and looks wonderful. I swear by these brews. My skin has never looked so wonderful....Bliss.......Now, I can begin to work. I must get a license and permit before Zac and Lola teas hit shelves.

Zac and Lola is launched today!

This will be our brand photo and our teas will only be available in Georgia initially - in the Alanta area, outside the perimeter. Of course, if people like it as much as we do, we hope to branch out to other parts of Georgia and then the rest of the country.

So far we have been shopping for bottles. We have some samples arriving this week. I sure wish I knew how to make bottles for myself because no one quite does it exactly how I want it to look. We want a certain look and it's hard to find the right bottle.

We can't wait to see our product on the shelves. You are going to really enjoy our delicious teas. To me they are more like flavored water than tea. And with some of them are full of anti-oxidants - e.g. the wildberry bush - which I drink every morning before I start my day. It has really given my complexion a nice sheen. I thought it was just the Georgia sun. But now I realize it's also the wildberry bush tea. It's really amazing how wonderful it is for my skin. I'm not a dermatologist, obviously, so I can't say for sure this is scientific. I just know that the more I drink this tea, the better my skin looks.