Better than the B-side of a record, we’ve recently attained B Corp status! Certified B Corps (where B stands for ‘Benefit’) are a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and environment.  Cofounder of B Corp Jay Coen Gilbert states “B Corporation certification is key to distinguish good companies from just good marketing. With their commitment to the triple bottom line, The Tea Spot stands as a leader in the movement for a better way to do business”.

Throughout the certification process it helped us develop and articulate a set of core values for our company which we have since added to our employee handbook. Even though we’re a small company currently, integrating these hard core commitments now will help keep us aligned with our goals as we grow. Our vision for a profitable, sustainable and philanthropic business has a singular focus: to help people live longer, healthier lives by making loose leaf tea an everyday luxury. Our mantra, “Modern Brewing. Conscious Living.” translates into five core values:

1. Develop groundbreaking innovations and deliver extraordinary customer experiences in support of our mission.

2. Ensure that our products have a positive net effect on the environment and their practices are consistent with eco-friendly values.

3. Inspire and support each other at the workplace through employee ownership and reciprocal relationships – understanding that respect, integrity and active teamwork are the building blocks of our successes.

4. Build and maintain reciprocal relationships based on respect and integrity with the buyers, suppliers, and colleagues in our community and industry.

5. Advance our mission through social entrepreneurship by means of our 10% Pledge for Cancer Wellness, donating 10% of all sales in-kind to cancer wellness and community programs.

We were since featured by Development Crossing, a Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development media company, in their CSR Minute news report for attaining this certification. They feature companies committed to a triple bottom line (people, planet, & profits). You can watch the quick video segment here.

As our Tea Spot team flies to Las Vegas for the 2011 World Tea Expo, beautiful Colorado opens up beneath us like a topographic map in Kodachrome. The pronounced mountain ranges, rivers and canyons, ski hills and few highways make everything easy to identify. The routes which we cycled just last week on the 26th annual Ride the Rockies look formidable from this perspective. Seeing Winter Park and Berthoud Pass North of I-70 triggers a vivid memory of our final day of the ride.

Our RTR team on Berthoud Pass

That day began with a 30 mile climb, culminating at the top of Berthoud Pass, and our third and final crossing of the Continental Divide of the week’s ride. I had to hold back tears of joy at the summit – we’d made it up in an amazing time – more than 30 minutes faster than we’d planned on. Our window for riding was perfect. We’d checked the hour-by-hour forecast from the weather service, and avoided all the early morning rain and snowflakes in the Winter Park area. We saw nothing but clearing skies and warming temps throughout the ride. The top of Berthoud Pass felt like our finale. It was the end of our exertion and effort for the past six days of cycling about 80 miles a day. We took our final team picture and said our goodbyes to some friends before beginning the easy 20-mile soar down to Georgetown.

My brother explaining to his wife why he took so long to descend Berthoud Pass

But we didn’t quite glide in as high as expected. About three miles into the descent, my brother Alex suffered a catastrophic flat on his front tire. A sudden flat on a front tire at high speeds is a great recipe for disaster. As his bike swerved out of control, he pulled his weight way back and got his chest on the saddle, and managed to get it to the side of the road upright. After fixing the flat, we made it down to Empire and stopped for tea to re-group, just five miles from the finish. The town of Empire, by the way, was welcoming and thrilled to have all of us RTR riders coming through on joyful finale. I am grateful, Rocky Mountain High, for all the memories from last week – the highs and lows and experiences we’ll carry with us always. There’s nothing like Ride the Rockies to make you thrilled about being in Colorado.

Some habits remain constant in my routine, whether I’m camping, cycling, or traveling for business. Loose leaf tea is a daily ritual I never deny myself. For serenity and health benefits both, it’s an indulgence that I’ve now learned to take with my wherever I go. So it’s probably a good thing that my work is taking me to the World Tea Expo… with my Tuffy Tea Steeper in tow!

Hi Tea Spotters! It’s been a while since I have blogged. How is your almost spring going?? It’s absolutely beautiful in Boulder, Colorado!

I’ve been working on a new project at home. It’s nothing major, but I am nurturing two plants! I am enthusiastic and determined to give them the best TLC these little cacti have ever known. — I know, cacti are almost foolproof, but green thumbs have to start somehow! — Anyway, being the dedicated apartment gardener that I am, I’ve been looking at techniques to use now and later (when I have my dream garden).

I was thrilled to discover that I can use tea in the garden! Both brewed tea and leaves are great sources of nutrients and minerals for plants. FYI, if used on house plants, this can attract gnats or small flies…

Tea leaves can be placed near the base of acidic-loving plants such as roses or tomatoes, scattered atop the soil or even scratched into the soil. Green tea, specifically, is high in nitrogen and can help with pest or insect problems.

Steep your Oolong too long? Share with your petunias! Brewed tea has similarly great benefits for plants. So maybe steep your leaves once more or splash your leftover tea to feed your garden. Either way, you’ll soon notice it blooming with gratitude.

Also, tea composting is another option to recycle loose leaf tea. This method includes brewing the compost and then spraying the “tea” on plants and can have an amazing impact. I will explain that process in greater detail next week (I’m still learning how it works!).

For now,

Life’s a garden, dig it!

Flower Garden

The first order of Blog business today is to thank Bo. I appreciate the shout out and lovely depiction of, as he put it, “dedication.” I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to feature me in the midst of having my eyes-wide-dilated and wearing The Tea Spot Tee. Awesome!

Now, I’m going to pay it forward (or backward). I’d like to introduce you to our newest team member, Tea Spot Barbie. I was lucky enough to capture this beautiful moment between Bo and Barb. I don’t want to jinx it, but I think they have a good thing. Excited to see where this goes!

Bo serving Tea Spot Barbie

Public Disclaimer: Unfortunately, there is only one Tea Spot Barbie. That’s right. She’s a one of a kind and not for sale. However, Barbie with a tea set can be purchased, but my sister modified that model, gifting me the one and only T.S. Barbie… sorry folks.

PS. Which tea to you pair with sarcasm??

Cheers to sass!

Earlier this week I spoke with an adorable woman who had purchased some of our tea. She called inquiring about a recipe for an at-home face mask she saw on Dr. Oz. (In case you don’t remember, we love Dr. Oz for recommending our Tuffy Tea Steeper!)

She had purchased our Matcha Green Tea and Monkey-Picked White loose leaf tea.  I came across the instructions online and we talked through it.

The recipe is an anti aging remedy intended to rejuvenate the face for more youthful skin. My only edit to the borrowed recipe is to clarify that the white tea is steeped. (Part of her confusion was in which form to add the white tea.)

Dr. Oz White Tea Face Mask (Borrowed from DrOZfans.com and slightly modified)

Directions:

1.  Place ¼ cup  green tea powder in a bowl

2.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

3.  Add 1-2 tablespoons white tea (after tea has been steeped)

4.  Leave the face mask on for 10-15 minutes

5.  Rinse face off and follow with a moisturizer

Though Dr. Oz did not give exact measurements, this is a good starting point. If you want to thicken it up, add more green tea powder. If you want to make it thinner, add more lemon juice and white tea.

I have yet to try this, but I’m looking forward to it when I do. An anti aging remedy made from tea? Yes, please!

Cheers to fresh faces. :)

Matcha Green Tea