Happy New Year and welcome to our education and wellness issue!
January is National Hot Tea Month. For me, tea has always been more than just a drink. It’s a ritual that is connected to family. It is a reminder to slow down and savor life’s moments. When my mother-in-law visits, we sit down at 2 p.m. for tea and snacks, sharing conversations that range from the profound to the mundane. Whether it’s a quiet morning cup or an afternoon chat, tea is woven into the fabric of my life. Now I know plenty of coffee lovers must be reading this—I used to be one of you. For nearly a decade, my local Starbucks baristas knew my order before I even reached the window. But then came the migraines. My neurologist strongly advised cutting out coffee. Giving up tea, however, is a vice I simply cannot relinquish. (Sorry, Dr. Aggarwal.) But when I left the world of coffee behind, finding a good cup of tea became a surprisingly difficult task. After a couple of years searching around Edina and Linden Hills, I’m happy to share I’ve finally found the best spots for a spot of tea.
If you’re like me, perhaps your kitchen cupboard is full of nonstick pots and pans. There may be a few stainless steel ones in there, but they’re at the back of the cupboard and only used as a last resort. When I found out about Minnesota’s new law that goes into effect on January 1 that bans forever chemicals (polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) in cookware among other items, I began to realize while nonstick pans may offer convenience, I couldn’t ignore the studies that reveal the potential health risks of PFAS. It’s clear we need alternatives. We’ll walk you through safe, sustainable cookware options and tips for using stainless steel, cast iron and ceramic pans that can make healthy cooking easy and enjoyable.
Wishing you a year filled with wellness, learning and the joy of trying something new.
