The start of a new year is often a time for starting fresh, when we look ahead to the future and focus on new projects and personal growth.

It seems only fitting that the New Year arrives during the heart of winter, at least where we’re from, so that by the time spring rolls around and the earth is coming to life we too feel refreshed, energized, and ready to bloom into our new and improved selves.

Our personal growth so far this year has involved learning how to brew the perfect pot of tea and making strides towards learning a new language.  We’ve also reconnected with our youthful energy and given gymnastics a try, and now we want to take things a step further and nurture ourselves from the inside out by following the advice of gardening expert Emily Murphy to find joy in the simple things and grow something fresh and delicious.

Emily’s philosophy for gardening — and for life — is simple: when you cultivate joy and growing in all parts of your life, wonderful things will happen. In other words: grow what you love.

A Guest Blog by Elfi Schlegel

New year, new goals, new dreams… New Year’s resolutions almost always involve getting fit. What’s stopping you?

It’s likely fear. Or a little voice in your brain saying it’s too much of a bother.

Well, I’m here to suggest an alternative to jogging or going to the gym or yet another fitness class. Here’s a shocker: I’m going to pitch gymnastics.

In the late 16^th century, the Japanese Tea Master Sen No Rikyu said, “Tea is nothing more than this: heat the water, prepare the tea, and drink it properly. That is all you need to know.”

Though we love the idea that pouring the perfect cup of tea could be so simple, having recently published the new 3^rd edition of Camellia Sinensis Teahouse’s expert guide to tea, Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties we know there’s a lot more to it.

Tea can react to various factors, from the ratio of tea to water to the length of infusion to the material of your teapot. Fortunately, there is a method you can learn that will help you brew a near-perfect cup of tea every time you boil the kettle.

Now that’s a skill that’s sure to come in handy!