Someone said that technology was supposed to make life easier, and in a perfect world, it actually can! The challenge is dealing with viruses, worms, spam, upgrades, forgotten passwords, products that are sold without de-bugging, and sketchy return policies. The challenge is not only technology, but having expectations that are repeatedly unfulfilled. I answered my phone yesterday, and the voice at the other end said, “You actually answered your own phone…I’m amazed that I’m not speaking to a machine!” Standing on long lines, waiting on “hold,” trying to get a sales person’s attention while they talk on the phone, trying to buy something on line that has an endless loop, and the list of irritations goes on and on.

Regarded for thousands of years in the East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has caught the attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health benefits of different types of teas.

Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.

“There doesn’t seem to be a downside to tea,” says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD, LD. “I think it’s a great alternative to coffee drinking. First, tea has less caffeine. It’s pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids – are good for the heart and may reduce cancer.”