English Breakfast Tea by EnjoyingTea.com

I sampled EnjoyingTea.com's English Breakfast tea. I chose the very convenient tea bag although I could have opted to review the same loose tea use a teaball. No matter, this tea reminded me that breakfast is a very good time to for a tea party!

I did add boiling water to a bodum glass (so I could see the color (how dark or light it steeped just to report my findings in this review). I waited five minutes, then added Agave and some lemon to it. This tea was not as dark in color as I had expected and truly would be perfect with scones of any kind. I enjoyed this tea hot but don't think it would be as good with ice.

One comment I did have was that I noticed this tea bag package did not have a label on it, and upon opening the plastic covering, the teabag label attached with a string to the teabag also did not state what type of tea it was. I mention this because of course every tea-throwing hostess will use a tea box and proudly display her tea collection so that her guests can pick their favorite tea from the teabox. Not having a label stating English Breakfast tea was a bit of a bummer. I could  hand write on the package, but this just seemed like work.

Excuse me for being picayune but such a wonderful online tea store no doubt can handle picayune criticism!

I am excited to continue to witness the success of EnjoyingTea.com. Their selection and variety not to mention price are impressive. Visit their store today. Plenty of time for me to get organized for a Christmas Tea Party this year! I just dusted off my teapot and teacups. I have my favorite teas ready to present.  I perfected a pretty good scone recipe too. Contact me and I'll shoot you my scone recipe. Gotta go write my guest list. Martha Stewart I ain't. But I'll sure have a lot of fun trying....
 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from EnjoyingTea.com for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Rarely (if ever) do I get excited to find a Christian fiction book which I can't wait to devour. Redeeming Love was like finding an old friend. I had read this anointed work by Francine Rivers about 15 years ago when I first became a Christian. I was sorry to have lent it out and not gotten it back. So naturally, I jumped at the chance when I saw Multnomah had offered Redeeming Love in their Blogging For Books program. I was pleased to receive a print copy to read and enjoy all over again.

This book was a Twentieth-Anniversary edition complete with a Study Guide, which is why I also recommended this book for a Women's Bible Study as well as a personal growth tool for anyone who "is hurting and hungry." I quoted those words because Ms. Rivers dedicated this book "To those who hurt and hunger."

Scripture and people of note throughout history were mentioned at the beginning of each chapter. The storyline was so intriguing and paralleled the story of Hosea in the Bible. Without spoiling by sharing too many details, I recommend each reader to first read the Book of Hosea in the Bible in order to lay the groundwork for this book. 

Since I have read the entire Lineage of Grace series (historical fiction) by Francine Rivers, I have come to appreciate her ability to stick close to a storyline in which a Christian Bible-reading woman could relate to in the Bible. The fiction aspect of Redeeming Love to me was merely in the names of the main characters as well as the era in which the story took place.

I will always stand in long lines and wait in the rain to receive a book by Francine Rivers. Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah I didn't have to do either to receive Redeeming Love. I was truly blessed to once again have and then to review such a wonderful book. It will be a part of my personal library now. I recommend this book to women everywhere! Get your copy today.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Oolong Teabags From Enjoyingtea.com

Enjoyingtea.com once again tickled my taste buds with a tea I have never tried. I read the box first. I decided to try the very clever trick recommended for a great tasty iced tea. I boiled 8 ounces of water and then placed not one - but two teabags in the water. I let the teabags steep just til the water was cool enough to place in the fridge. I came back about an hour later and added ice.

Duh. Why didn't I think of doubling up on tea bags long ago in order to get a full-bodied cold tea? I did not add lemon or honey to the cold tea. I just didn't miss those two elements in this nutty tea. I usually add lemon and honey to hot tea, but wanted to experience this tea with nothing but ice. It was delicious. Refreshing. I will make this tea often. I will make it ahead of time and leave it in the fridge. 

The Chinese credit Oolong tea with having slimming effects. A cup a day may keep the bad cholesterol away... Check it out for yourself! http://cholesterol.about.com/od/cholesterolloweringfoods/a/tea.htm.

Order a box or two or three - today at http://www.enjoyingtea.com/enooteabag.html! For less than $3.00 (and free shipping with min. purchase) you will receive a box of 20 teabags. I highly recommend Enjoyingtea.com Oolong Tea bags. They have instant Oolong tea too. May sample some. The instant tea I reviewed recently was so convenient in a water bottle with cold water while on the run. See Instant Jasmine Tea review. Happy sipping!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from Enjoyingtea.com.I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Damascus Countdown by Joel C. Rosenberg

I chose to review Damascus Countdown because honestly, I enjoy Joel C. Rosenberg's writing style and his art of telling a fictional story in a Christian family friendly fashion. This 465 page novel was exciting from beginning to end. I rarely am able to head off to bed with a book and stay awake for longer than ten minutes or so. However, with this book I actually had to force myself to shut off my nightlight and go to sleep (at times the action left me wide-eyed!).

Without being a spoiler (and without narrating the story, which you already can read about at Tyndale House), this story was eerily similar to what is happening in Israel today. The story highlighted David's plight to save the day. He was a hero and I felt that I was riding on his shoulder throughout the book. I cheered and sighed and stamped my feet.

I appreciated the one-word demonstration of sound as illustrated on page 87. The author drew me in to the scene with the use of Beep... This one word ushered in a voice mail message sequence. Segues such as this were used throughout. For example, there were changes in scenes which occurred rapidly with the use of a subtitle listing the city and state. I did not feel confused in the least even though the scenes changed rapidly and the pace of the characters had increased exponentially. For these reasons and so many more, I was able to be drawn into the storyline and enjoy myself immensely! This fast-paced writing style was artfully done by the author.

This book could be made into a Hollywood Blockbuster! However, I would rather read the book. I enjoyed many hours of escape from the daily grind while reading Joel C. Rosenberg's book. I highly recommend it for a great summer read! Buy two copies. One for your personal library and one for your best friend. You can share the plot together as it unfolds and exclaim over and over again, "Can you believe......"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Doctor's Skin Recovery Serum by Dr. Denese New York

 

This product by Dr. Denese is a new must-have in my microdermabrasion skin care arsenal. I apply this serum (liberally btw) on my face and neck after using my Microdermabrasion machine. I leave it on for a full 12 hours - yes I do not rinse until after coffee and croissant! The trick with this recovery serum is that one must leave it on so that it can do its work to restore the damage done to skin cells and to get rid of surface pigmentation inconsistencies.

After a microdermabrasion, toning and recovery serum session, my skin not only glows but looks evened out, the skin a more healthy brown and less discoloration or white marks due to sunblock.

I am one of those people who believe that my daily dose of Vitamin D must come from the sun (it's free - after all!). I take a supplement from Life Extension called FernRoot which is an oral supplement that will undo the sun's damage before my cells are radicalized. I also wear UV/UVB Broad Spectrum lotion but still - having products that can help my surface sun damage is so helpful! Also convenient. And affordable - which I appreciate most.

Be prepared to use this product liberally. If you do not, you will not enjoy its many benefits as quickly! Dr. Denese outdid herself on this serum. Get yours today...

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from Dr. Denese New York for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Unexpected Love: God's Heart Revealed in Jesus's Conversations With Women by Julie Zine Coleman

Unexpected Love was a breath of fresh air! This anointed work by Julie Zine Coleman highlighted nine women of the Bible and their interaction with Jesus in the Bible. The tone in which the author used was conversational but rich in context. I actually felt like I was there in each scene with Jesus and the women, listening in on their conversations!

I learned about water used for purification rites as well as being a part of the first miracle (wedding at Cana). Water has so much more meaning than to satisfy our thirst!

Every word in the Bible is used to demonstrate God's love and plan for each of us. Often, someone will throw out the lie that God disrespects women or seeks to repress women. This lie from the pit of hell is refuted over and over again in each Biblical account in this book. I saw the woman at the well in a new way as well as Martha and Mary. The author dove into a word here or there and expounded on the context and  historical perspective of that word. Her digging and explanations were so rich and she was an excellent teacher for this reason.

There were many great comments such as (page 150), "Being part of a Christian organization doesn't give you a relationship with God any more than touring the White House makes you the president."

I recommend this book to anyone seeking to grow closer to Jesus (which includes a lot of us!). This book would also make for an excellent women's or teen's Bible study book as there are two sections: "For Today's Woman" as well as "Food for Thought" at the end of each chapter. There was also a section titled "Journaling" at the end of each chapter with excellent questions to challenge the reader to journal.

Unexpected Love was all about Jesus being in love with women. This book will bless you and remind you to take time every now and then to spend time at Jesus's feet as He truly longs for us to take a breath and a moment to inhale His sweet aroma. What a blessed God we serve!!! Truly, Unexpected Love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

EnjoyingTea.com Flask & Instant Jasmine Tea: Applause All Around

You got me at carabiner. Yes, this stainless steel 20.3 oz artfully decorated - might I add gold-threaded interior washer arrived waiting to be tested.

And test I did. I added room temp bottled spring water, then added 3-1/8 tsp of Instant Jasmine Tea. I shook, then waited. See, I thought the instant tea had to disintegrate. Boy, was I wrong!

This flask with the instant tea from EnjoyingTea.com is so much better than the add the loose tea variety and strain, or mash a strainer to the bottom of the bottle and then drink. You can drink this tea right away! No doubt, you can add warm water (but don't have to) and then chill in the fridge. I just added room temp water and an ice cube from my water bottle ice cube tray (It freezes in a size suitable for water bottles).

The instant Jasmine tea was earthy, and full of flavor. I did not miss my coffee this morning and even took my Juice Plus supplements and all my other supplements with the tea without even missing my oj. If I had the time, I would chill in the fridge, but I found chilling not even necessary.

I have never found a tea product to be so accommodating and easy for the person on the go. This product would be perfect for car travel. The only product I have ever tried similar to this product was Yerba Mate. But I sincerely liked the flavor of the Instant Jasmine Tea compared to the more earthy, less floral Yerba Mate.

I highly recommend any tea lover test drive this instant tea in the flask. I did appreciate the carabiner. I love small touches and then the rest just adds to the specialness of a product. This picture does not do this inexpensive ($8.98) flask justice. Get one today, along with an instant tea of your choice. For you. For a friend. For an enemy. Why not? You might just turn an enemy into a friend!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from www.EnjoyingTea.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

EnjoyingTea.com Giveaway

Rules:

1. Like Us On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/EnjoyingTeacom/221634471260281
2. Email Christina your name christina@wordsofgrace.info
3. Choose the tea you would like to win by visiting www.EnjoyingTea.com. If you do not choose, a tea will be chosen for you (one small canister of tea included)
4. There will be only one winner. Winner will be notified via email. Winner will be chosen at random. Giveway open only to U.S. residents with valid US postal address.  Deadline for submitting your chance at winning giveway: Midnite, July 26th
5. Hope you win!!!
   

THE GIVEAWAY
An excellent tea maker that is practical and simple to use. Made of durable food grade plastic. Stainless steel filter included. Dishwasher Safe. Approx capacity: 470ml (16 fl oz). 3 1/2" Diameter x 5 3/4" Height. Made in Taiwan with BPA-free Tritan plastic.

Basic Instructions

1. Place tea leaves in the Smart Tea Maker.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Steep tea to your taste.
4. Place the Smart Tea Maker on top of a cup or mug and let the tea drain into the cup.
5. Remove the Smart Tea Maker to stop the flow. Your tea is ready to serve.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this Giveaway Opportunity from EnjoyingTea.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Enjoying Tea.com - Chinese Restaurant Chrysanthemum Puerh Tea

 EnjoyingTea.com blessed me with the opportunity to review a tea I have not only never have tasted - but have never known existed!! For those of you who have never drunk a flower tea - Chrysanthemum and Puerh are the go to after dinner drink in Chinese Restaurants to help digestion and lower cholesterol levels. Who knew?

Don't allow the petite-sized tea bag to fool you - even before I added boiling water, honey and lemon (I always add lemon and honey to my tea) I was assaulted in a very good way with an earthy scent. I am not sure if the earthiness is from the flower or the Puerh. If you Google Puerh (actually spelled
Pu-erh correctly in Chinese), you will realize the cholesterol-lowering properties are from the Puerh.

Who doesn't want their HDL levels raised? My husband would benefit from this tea. I plan to brew it early in the am. Most likely in my coffee pot or french press or my EnjoyingTea Flask (soon to be reviewed) I would add a few tea bags and steep. Cool, then blend with a spirulina powder fruit shake for his breakfast on the go. Shhh - he will never know I have added this tea goodness to his morning routine!

Puerh does contain some caffeine, although drinking Chrysanthemum Puerh Tea by www.EnjoyingTea.com would be a much lower caffeine, healthier alternative to my regular cup of Joe. Of course the Berean in me Googled 'Chrysanthemum Tea' for fun. I found a great site for health benefits of drinking this tea http://www.bewellbuzz.com/wellness-buzz/10-health-benefits-chrysanthemum-tea/.

Check out www.EnjoyingTea.com for tea recipes. Check out these recipes.

Please support this amazing company and feel free to encourage viewers to like us on Facebook.  Please see link for our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/EnjoyingTeacom/221634471260281

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from EnjoyingTea.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Breakfast with Bonhoeffer by Jon Walker

I had looked forward to reading this selection as I am attracted by anything Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was quoted throughout the book, but no references annotated to prove I was indeed getting the real Bonhoeffer. Instead of the chosen title, his book should have been titled What Would Bonhoeffer Do?

There were Scripture references sprinkled in as well as challenges posed in parallel fashion to the trial or lessons learned. I appreciated the author's transparent sharing of his trials and struggles but I believe the book would have been better if it was presented in a more objective or general confession format (TMI). Some examples would be: premarital sex and getting pregnant, heeding advice from a pastor who advised getting an abortion, getting a divorce but not disclosing why, online dating, random mentions of pornography which were not in context, no common sense, and confusion (example page 169, last paragraph).

Another struggle I had was with the writing style. Sometimes a paragraph would be in present tense (reminded me of the beginning of a joke - a la "A guy walks in a bar and...) and then the very next chapter I would not understand the timing. I often wondered if I was thrown into a flashback or current situation with information missing. Because of this disjointed, fragmented style, I would not understand and be able to commiserate with the situation the author was facing.

I concluded the author did not have male accountability (p.131-132) but then cheered when Mark appeared for a sentence (p.141). I had a problem with the author's decision on page 195, "Naively I said, I want to pray for the money I need, and then walk to the mailbox the next day and find a check for exactly the amount I need." I realize the author admitted this was not wise (after the fact), but I witnessed so many of these types of decisions being made throughout the book. Yes, we must trust but God also tells us if we do not work we will not eat. Having been a pastor, the author should have known better 2 Thess 3.

There were beams of brilliance scattered throughout which I appreciated. The author had a way of sharing his thoughts in breakthrough moments of descriptions of emotional pain, watching nature and casual humor. I appreciated his health issues and struggle to live a healthy life emotionally as well as physically. He was a victim throughout and I am still wondering why his wife divorced him and would not disclose where she and the boys lived.

My favorite part of the book was knowing the author splurged on a new toaster. After all, nobody likes burnt toast.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Leafwood Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.