My daily ritual includes morning coffee and afternoon tea. These two beverages keep me grounded even if passionate coffee and tea drinkers will say that that will not classify me as a coffee and tea lover. It is probably just in my mind, but I get the feeling that coffee wakes up the energy in me that was left stagnant by a few hours of inactivity. Tea in the afternoon helps digest the various foods that made its way into the body system. It mellows the body, getting it ready to slow down as it ends the day.

Gourmet tea or coffee is my favorite gift from friends or relatives who travel abroad. They are always on the lookout for discount gourmet tea in their shopping expeditions. They have brought back black, oolong and white tea. They come in tin containers, packets or tea bags. I welcome them all, but my absolute favorite is a local sweet tea powder. It is a great thirst quencher when mixed with water and lots of ice.