Drink more coffee, eat more chocolate and avoid lettuce? Did "Sleeper" really predict the future?

Recent AHA report up to five cups of coffee may help heart health - but there are disclaimers!

Has 2173 arrived early? Are cream pies good for you and wheat germ unhealthy?

In the movie, Sleeper, Miles Monroe (Woody Allen), is brought back to life in 2173 after being cryogenically frozen for two hundred years. One scientist is confused by Miles' request for wheat germ, organic honey and Tiger's Milk. "Oh, yes," responds the other scientist, those are the substances that some years ago were felt to have life-preserving properties."  

Incredulous, the first scientist asks, "you mean there was no deep fat, no steak or cream pies or hot fudge?" Shaking his head, the second scientist delivers the startling news, "those were thought to be unhealthy, precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true."

In the movie, Sleeper, 1973, scientists reveal what is really healthy in 2173

In 2026, we've seen studies that announce drinking coffee and eating chocolate may have more health benefits than previously thought. On the flip side, lettuce, the low-calorie, nutrient-rich leafy vegetable is to be avoided. . . at least for a few weeks this summer.

Within a week of news outlets reporting the dangers of Cyclospora -  a parasitic infection, which causes very unpleasant side effects - coming from iceberg lettuce sold in various retail outlets, affecting 27 states (including Michigan), we're also being told drinking lots of coffee may be good for you.

And, it's only 2025.

Of course, it's not quite that black and white, but we don't exactly need to be sour on the sweets, either.

When yesterday's nightly news teased: "up to five cups of coffee a day may help heart health", I was intrigued. Turns out, there may be no shame in asking for a few more refills of java at breakfast or lunch.

Feeling like Miles awakening to good news, I dug a little deeper. This week, Newsweek provided more detail (Scientists Reveal Why Up to Five Cups of Coffee a Day May Benefit Heart Health). The American Heart Association (AHA), issued a new scientific statement, concluding that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day - roughly three to five 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee - is "generally safe for most adults and may be linked to lower risk of heart failure, heart disease and stroke in some individuals".

For those of you who like energy drinks and soda, the news is not so good. Too much can lead to increased blood pressure and more. Note, not all caffeine is created equal.

Tea, not surprisingly, has similar attributes at coffee, but, apparently, not a sensational. 

But, we're in the tea business - we know tea generally fares better in health reports than coffee, so where do they stand in this recent AHA report?  

Not too surprising - and apparently not as sensational - similar attributes to that of coffee. 

There are, of course, disclaimers - experts warn that there's still a great variance in responses and what's safe for one person may cause symptoms in another. 

Tea and chocolate, sans salad. 

Feeling like I was on a roll of delightful discovery, I searched the web for any recent updates on the health benefits of chocolate. 

Earlier this year, Better Homes and Gardens published an article, "Yes, Chocolate Can Be Good For You - Here's Why."  Oh, yes, do tell! 

Per nutritionist. Danielle Omar, "real chocolate has some impressive health perks, thanks to its antioxidant flavonoid content."  However, just like caffeine, she adds the disclaimer, "not all chocolate is created equal."

Dark chocolate is the "best bet for a healthier treat".  It contains more antioxidants and less sugar than milk chocolate.

Bottom line, per the nutritionist, since chocolate is not exactly low calories, the key is to "eat in moderation."

There's a lesson here and, while I'd love to get a pass on more coffee, more tea and more chocolate, moderation is key.  

I'll continue to ponder over one more cup of coffee, one more cup of tea and, perhaps, a slice of cream pie. 

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: A Founding Mother - the extraordinary life of Abigail Adams

A Founding Mother, a riveting historical fiction tale of Abbigail Adams. 

In, A Founding Mother, a book of almost 500 pages, we learn relatively early Abigail Adam's passion for both her country and for tea. Her spirited character is captured by the authors in her opinion of the Boston Tea Party.

"Well, I think it's sublime", declared Abigail Adams. The famous tea-overboard-Patriot-protest appealed to her "principled defiance". As she explained, "no one had been harmed, and I could feel no pity for those tea leaves floating in the harbor - though, I daresay, I was thirsty enough for tea that I was tempted to taste it."

Even steeped in harbor water, our country's second First Lady felt it had to be better than coffee.

Abigail Adams, wife of one president, mother of another, from the farm to France:

A Founding Mother, co-authored by Laura Kamoie and Stephanie Dray, a History Professor and Attorney, respectively, is a riveting historical fiction tale of Abigail Adams, the wife of one president and mother of another. She birthed six children (of which four reached adulthood), ran a farm for several years while her husband served abroad and eventually joined John Adams in Europe when he was appointed Ambassador of France.  

Incredible and admirable as all of this was, we know from history, neither Abigail nor John were done yet. 

Saucy Second First Lady:

While we are celebrating the great achievements of our Founding Fathers on this 250th anniversary of our country, it's also the perfect time to honor those patriot women who, though, had not the right to vote, were substantial contributors to the launching of America. A Founding Mother, just out May of this year, puts our second First Lady (though that term was coined several years after Abigail Adams held the role) front and center stage. Along with her lawyer/politician husband, Abigail Adams had a front row seat to the American Revolution, events that lead to it and those that followed, with the continuing challenge of keeping a new country united.

Often described by her husband as "saucy", Abigail Adams was not only smart and opinionated, but resourceful and ambitious as well. At home, she'd plant, harvest, can and bake with as much mastery as entertaining French nobility and future presidents. Abigail had a bittersweet relationship with Thomas Jefferson, first as friend and then as defender of what she felt were his slights to John Adams. Without approval or knowledge of her husband, she engaged in a fiery correspondence with our nation's third president. Saucy, indeed!

 A Founding Mother, is a fast-paced page-turner steeped in history. It's also a great refresher on some of the most tide-turning events in our country's early existence and the sacrifices of both our Founding Fathers and Founding Mothers.

Boston Tea Party, a Patriot Lady's idea? 

 In A Fouding Mother, Abigail Adams shares that there was talk among the women in town that the protest had actually been the idea of Patriot lady, Sarah Bradlee Fulton. She had helped make the disguises and advised the men on how to conduct themselves. The rebels "took care to ensure that this act of political protest cannot be dismissed as anything else. Not a ship was damaged; no cargo destroyed. They even swept the decks clean of spilled tea leaves".

Abigail Adams reaction:  "only a woman would have suggested that".

A resounding two gloved thumb's up to A Founding Mother.

Suggested tea pairing:  Elmwood Inn's Abigail's Blend created by Bruce Richardson, who also serves as the Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. He was commissioned to design this tea for the Museum's tearoom, aptly named, "Abigail's Tearoom".

This blend was inspired by the Chinese teas tossed overboard. If you are a fan of English Breakfast blends, you'll will enjoy Abbigail's Blend.

Celebrating 250 years of America and 90 years of the Wienermobile: Oscar Mayer brings fun and frankfurters to town!

Oscar Mayer celebrates the "United Tastes" of America with free food & festivities.

Oscar Mayer is getting in on the patriotic bandwagon, or, more precisely the Wienermobile  - all to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. 

Hotdog Serendipi-tea:

Last Saturday delivered an unexpected treat — or, as we at BTS like to say, a bit of serendipi‑tea. I was out on a last‑minute errand at our local drugstore before heading north when I noticed a corner of the parking lot had been cordoned off. Red, white, and blue banners fluttered in the breeze, food trucks lined the curb, condiment stations stood at attention, and center stage was the unmistakable Wienermobile.

I called my husband immediately to cancel any lunch plans he might be making — we’re having hot dogs.

Oscar Mayer currently has six sausage‑shaped, souped‑up vehicles traveling the U.S., hosting events that celebrate special occasions and promote their packaged‑meat products. These festivities are run by “hotdoggers,” college interns who — I can personally attest — greet and serve with all the energy and enthusiasm they can muster… or should I say, mustard?

I’ll take credit (or blame) for that pun, but wordplay is practically the hotdoggers’ native language. One hotdogger, Ben Knapp, told the Detroit Free Press (Feb. 19, 2026) that driving the Wienermobile is “bunderful.” He added, “We’ve got buns and buns of puns. When you’re in the Wienermobile for so long, it kind of takes over…”

Fellow hotdogger Bridget Doyle chimed in, “…we relish every single pun we deliver.”

It was, in every way, a pop‑up parking‑lot party of fun and frankfurters.

Oscar Mayer hosts a pop-up parking lot party with fun and frankfurters.

The Oscar Mayer Origin story:

Oscar Mayer opened his first meat shop in 1884, just ten years after arriving in America from Bavaria at age 14. The store was an instant hit, earning $59 on opening day (about $1,800 today). His hot dogs were known for their high quality, so to distinguish them from competitors (who were often selling inferior meat), Mayer became one of the first to brand his products — a promise to customers that they were getting the good stuff.

 

The Wienermobile spreading joy and love of meat:

The original Wienermobile debuted in 1936, created by Carl Mayer, nephew of the founder. Slightly more than a century after Oscar Mayer opened his first shop, a brand‑new fleet of Wienermobiles launched in 1988. Their mission, per the company website: “spread the joy and love of meat.”

The Henry Ford  has a 1952 Wienermobile!

Our very own Henry Ford museum (Dearborn, Michigan) is home to a 1952 Wienermobile and it's got a lot of homegrown parts. Though the body was built in Wooster, Ohio, the chassis is from Chrysler's Dodge Division in Highland Park, MI and the engine is a Chevrolet V-8. 

It stands over ten feet tall and over 22 feet long. That's one big Dodge dog. 

Hot dog! Free food and festivities celebrating the United Tastes:

As I made my way from the drug store to the newly erected party area, I was greeted by friendly hotdoggers. They pointed the way to the food truck where guests could select from a variety of meats and buns. When I asked where to pay, I was told, "it's all free - in celebration of America's 250th birthday!"

Then came the icing on the cake — or perhaps the mustard on the bun.

Guests could have a hotdogger write their name on their sandwich in the condiment of their choice. Tempting, but since I was taking the dogs home, I decided to spare the car seats from potential mustard artistry.

And of course, the cherry on top: a photo op and tour of the Wienermobile itself.

All things American

Though this wasn’t “on my bingo card” for Saturday morning, to borrow from a hotdogger, I too, relished the unexpected – and delicious – celebration of America and hot dogs. We'll look forward to when the Wienermobile rolls into town next.

Suggested tea pairing with grilled hotdogs: we recommend a hearty black tea, like Assam or Assam blend (e.g., breakfast tea). 

For more information on Oscar Mayer and the Wienermobile, visit their website at OscarMayer.com.

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, a novel that brings much pleasure and a return to Bath

A return to Northanger Abbey (and Bath!)  - served with a fine English china teacup for General Tilney.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

Right on, Henry Tilney!

Let me hastily add, a blogger who has blogged for almost twenty years, with much content featuring her favorite author, (festivals, travels, fan fiction, biographies), but has yet to include a Tuesday Tea and Tomes focusing on a novel by Jane Austen must be intolerably remiss. 

Today, your humble blogger addresses this omission, inspired by a recent, indulgent weekend rereading Northanger Abbey. I not only reconnected with Austen's first - though published last - novel, I also revisited fond memories of walking the streets of Bath, where much of Northanger Abbey takes place. Both bring me much pleasure.

Catherine Moreland, who our novel's narrator observes, was not born with the usual characteristics of a heroine:  plain-looking (though grew into "good looks"), kind and caring parents, and "occasionally stupid". Not the distinguishing traits of someone destined to live in a gothic mansion and experience great mysteries - if only in her 17-year old imagination.

The Pump Room - tea and society!

Touring and shopping in Bath.

Although Catherine doesn't possess the wit and sophistication of Elizabeth Bennet, she approaches the great appeal of the Pride and Prejudice's protagonist in her openness, sincerity and willingness to take action (I'm looking at you Fanny Price). When acquaintances of Catherine decide to cancel her plans with already engaged friends, she immediately forgoes a lady-like saunter and excessive overthinking to chase down the misinformed party and set things right.

We say, literally and figurately, you go girl!

Catherine's adventures start when she is afforded an opportunity to travel to Bath with good neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Catherine is thrilled to participate in the excitements of city life. She attends balls, connects with society at the Pump Room, enjoys walks to the Crescent and partakes in Mrs. Allen's passion, fine fashion shopping. (Mr. Gulley and I managed three of the four when visiting Bath in 2023, see blog, Becoming Jane, Part 1).

Jane's home (and ours) in Bath

Walking to the Royal Crescent

                  

Catherine is soon acquainted with the rather boorish Thorpe family, including eldest son John, whose "conversations. . . began and ended with himself", and, in great contrast, the engaging, novel-reading Henry Tilney. In short order, a collection of misunderstandings and flirtations ensue among their circle, leading to an unexpected invitation to the novel's namesake, and home of General Tilney, Henry's father, Northanger Abbey. It's a mysterious, centuries-old mansion - the perfect setting to spark the imagination of Catherine, an impressionable and enthusiastic reader of Gothic-novels.  (And, although much to question in General Tilney's character, we give him props for his pride in selecting Staffordshire china for his home.)

It's here where the coming-of-age story takes Catherine from an impressionable girl to a capable young lady, better for the experience, though the journey was challenging.

When we leave Catherine, she's not yet to be described as accomplished, but she endears with refreshing self-awareness. How can we find fault with a leading lady who knows she can be clearly understood, not for her mastery of word or phrase, but her lack of.  "I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible" Catherine explains to Henry Tilney.

When the narrator to your story is Jane Austen, no need to worry. She'll do all the heavy lifting and so exceedingly well that, even after 250 years, Austen's novels continue to bring pleasure. 

If they do not, please see Henry Tilney's commentary above. 

Red, White and Brew: Honoring the patriots, opportunists and teas thrown overboard at Boston's Most Famous Tea Party.

Celebrating America's 250th birthday and a nod to the red, white and brew of the Boston Tea Party.

 

This weekend, American celebrated its 250th birthday. At Barb's Tea Service we honored the red, white and brew with traditional festivities of the Fourth including fireworks, barbeque and (for us) true blue tea. The latter brought to mind another US milestone event, the Boston Tea Party (now marking its almost 253rd anniversary) and its incredible story:  the patriots' protests, the precious cargo thrown overboard and the folks who tried to pick up the pieces of those who literally "spilled the tea".

Patriots' Protest:

The Boston Tea Party, one of the Patriots' protests of England's "taxation without representations", took place December 16, 1773. Members of the Sons of Liberty raided three British cargo ships and dumped  their tea inventory into the harbor.  

A relatively peaceful rebellion, there was no great physical harm to humans or to vessels. The real casualty was the loss of all that tea. 

Precious Cargo Overboard!

The British ships carried five different types of teas:

1. Bohea (bow-hee) black

2. Congou (kong-gue) black

3. Souchang black

4. Singlo  green

5. Hyson  green

The total value of the tea tossed is estimated to be approximately $1.7 million in today's dollars.

Kicking out those who harbored spilled tea:

One of the Patriots, George Hewes, who participated the tea tossing, recalled that during the time of the purge, "there were several attempts made by some of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity to carry off small quantities of [scattered tea] for their family use. . . watch[ing] their opportunity to snatch up a handful from the deck . . . and put it in their pockets."

Hewes claimed he recognized one of these opportunists as Captain O'Conner, who, when he supposed no one was looking, filled both his pockets and lining of his coat with the scattered tea. Hewes tried to capture  O'Conner by snatching on to the offender's coat, but the outer garment ripped and he escaped - but not without punishment. Hewes observed that as the Captain made his way through the crowd, "each one, as he passed, [gave] him a kick or stroke."

Another attempted tea-taking resulted in similar vigilante justice. Hewes described an older gentleman who also tried to take advantage of the spilled tea, but was quickly caught.  His pockets were emptied and their contents, along with the elder absconder's hat and wig, were thrown into the water. However, that was not the last of his indignity. Per Hewes, "in consideration of his advanced age, he was permitted to escape, [but not without]  now and then a slight kick. . ."

The Destruction of Tea, as the Boston Tea Party was originally referred to, was a bold rebellion against England, and truly embodies the independent spirit of Americans. 

Over 250 years later, with the relative ease of accessing our favorite teas via in-town shopping or on-line ordering, we're fortunate not to have faced the temptation of ignoring all that spilled tea. 

Happy 250th and here's to celebrating the Red, White and Brew!

Source:  Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum |  

More on the five teas, particularly Lapsang Souchong, check out Barb's Tea Service Podcast 13

Castle Impossible: A Chateau show with familiar faces and a tearoom!

 

Castle Impossible reach out to Escape to the Chateau

What could be better than a French chateau renovation television series? How about deux French chateau renovations shows with an overlap avec cher amis and a salon du the? 

That is possible, with Castle Impossible, a new series (HGTV/HBO), in its second season, featuring Daphne and Ian Figueira, who share similar trials and tribulations of the stars of their show's predecessor, Escape to the Chateau -  and dear acquaintances of ours - Dick and Angel Strawbridge.  The Figueiras recently invited Dick and Angel to assist them in their latest manor update - a first floor tearoom!

Chris and Barb Gulley with Dick and Angel Strawbridge in NYC, 2024.

Escape to the Chateau - the OG

We first fell in love with the Strawbridge's chateau saga, when it premiered in the US in 2020. We were glued to Escape to the Chateau where we not only saw a charming couple with two young children tackle design and structural challenges to their historic home, but were invited to meet extended family, attend weddings and join in on tea parties. 

After nine seasons, Dick and Angel decided to take a break from filming, turning their efforts to global tours. In 2024, the Strawbridge family came to the US and I had the good fortune to interview Angel for TeaTime Magazine in January of that year. We were invited to their show in New York City and brought along, daughter, Rachel, and Brooklyn residents, son, Matt and daughter-in-law, Jenna.

We really enjoyed the live show and were introduced, in person, to their children and parents. After the fast-paced show wrapped up, which included Dick and Angel's meet up story, their chateau rehab journey and a hilarious vintage bingo game, our children (who had work in the morning) left for home, while Chris and I joined Dick and Angel for a little catch up.  It was here, Chris introduced himself as my "arm candy" and no one laughed harder than Dick Strawbridge.

We felt like we were meeting old friends - they truly are as engaging and likeable in person as they are on TV.  

For that story, see our March, 2024 blog, Escape to the Chateau:  Our escape to NYC for the 'Dare to Do it Tour'.

Angel Strawbridge knows tea parties, the go-to for tearoom advice.

Castle Impossible

Like Dick and Angel, Daphne and Ian are taking on a French mansion renovation, but they were spared the shopping - they inherited their 500 year old chateau, which once hosted King Louis XIII from Daphne's grandfather.  He bought the estate in the 1980's, quickly assessed it would be too much to restore it all, so he, instead, had it earn its keep as a filming site for movies and an event venue.

Daphne and Ian, originally from California, met in high school before heading out for college. They reconnected, married and were planning, in an ironic twist, to reside in a tiny home. That changed in 2020, when Daphne's grandfather willed the chateau to her.

Chateaus and NY connections connect

Jenna texted me last week:  Castle Impossible, Season 2, Episode 5. HBO. Thank me later. 

I queued it up, and, oh, yes, I did, indeed, thank my awesome daughter-in-law immediately after watching.

Beautiful tearoom at Castle Impossible - could it be open to the pubic someday?

This episode sees chateau owners meet up and connect over the challenges of, and passion for, historic home restoration. But what ups the ante on Episode 5 is Daphne's desire to turn a first-floor room into a tearoom for another revenue-generating opportunity. She enlists the tea catering expertise of Angel and they create a beautiful tea venue.

The purpose of the tearoom is to enhance the chateau's event-space rental business, so currently, it is not open to the public for general use and what we know would be an incredible afternoon tea experience. 

We'll keep watching - for more designs, expensive repairs, decor inspiration and a new little "Fig" coming soon. We'll also keep our fingers crossed that the tearoom will one day open its gilded doors for visitors. 

We like to think anything's possible for this castle!

The Eagle Cup has landed at Dunkin' bringing sweet, celebratory treats for America’s 250th

Dunkin' is celebrating  America's 250th with festive beverages, doughnuts and merch.

 
 

The Eagle Cup has landed at Dunkin' - and we got ours today!

Dunkin' has the holiday spirit, or more precisely, the Spirit of 76, which has inspired the doughnut shop's star-spangled menu and limited-time collectibles, including the Eagle Cup - available starting June 29 while the supply lasts. 

Along with holiday merch, per its website's press release, Dunkin' is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a lineup of refreshers, lemonades, Zero-beverages and coffee creations ready for the Fourth.  These festive drinks feature "nostalgic flavors, colorful toppings and indulgent twists" also available starting June 29.

We were drawn to the Peachberry Tea Dunkin' Zero, a zero-sugar beverage featuring peach and blackberry flavors mixed with black tea. Not bad, especially if you are really thirsty, and despite no sugar, it tastes very sweet. 

At Dunkin' - no long lines yet!

The Peachberry tea is among eleven new beverages - a few built on familiar flavors like lemonade and fruit punch to full-on exotic such as the Peanut Butter Dunkalatte. The latter confection combines espresso and coffee milk with smooth peanut butter flavor.  Hmmmm. . . 

But, of course, the menu wouldn't be complete without some patriotic doughnuts from the house of Dunkin'. Although not a lot of new flavors, most of the fun comes from their shape and decoration. The rocket pop donut is a star-shaped yeast shell with rocket pop-flavored filling (cherry, lime, and raspberry flavors mixed in buttercreme). The stars and stripes donuts are dipped in blue icing and topped with red, white and blue sprinkles. Lastly, the holiday munchkins are mini chocolate glazed dough balls, also  donning the red, white and blue sprinkles.

Nothing says "Happy Birthday USA" like a Dunkin' Eagle Cup!

According to Anthony Epter, vice president of menu innovation at Dunkin', "this summer, Dunkin' is bringing the energy of America's 250th birthday to every part of the menu. . . [to make] every Dunkin' run a little more festive and every sip a celebration."

Well, I think we can all take a page from Dunkin's enthusiasm for America's Semiquincentennial. We're ready for a grand party to salute our country's milestone complete with fireworks, parades and barbeques featuring iced tea in Eagle Cups and red-white-and-blue decorated doughnuts. 

But, we may pass on the peanut butter dunkalattes. . . 

Available while supplies last, the Eagle Cup retails for $10.99 and includes a free medium beverage with purchase. Each cup also features a unique promotional code inside, unlocking $3 medium Refresher or Dunkin' Zero beverage for 30 days.