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Phuong Le

In her pursuit of creating global health awareness, Phuong moved back to Michigan from Hawaii to start Ono Inc and its first line of lifestyle teas with her brother, Viet Le. In under a year, the Le's passion for tea has caught the attention of exclusive resorts, hotels, restaurants, and specialty markets.

Phuong has spent the better part of her life learning about tea. A trained chef and certified tea master, Phuong shows us all the healthy benefits of living a tea lifestyle. She creates special tea blends for niche markets and hotels and teaches innovative ways to infuse tea in her culinary and spa recipes.

She is also an active member of several networking sites, MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook, a writer for Chic Galleria, an online fashion magazine, and a culinary writer for Tea Room magazine. Her articles have been published by Reuters and The Chicago Sun Times. Phuong's passion for healthy living and modern twist on tea has influenced those around her to "rethink their drink" and select a healthier lifestyle. Through her online personality, The Tea Chick, and its innovative blog, www.TheTeaChick.com, she keeps consumers educated and interested in the world of tea.

Happy Chinese New Year with Slimming Fortune Cookies!

February 15, 2010

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! To celebrate, I created a delicious tea infused fortune cookie recipe! The best part, besides all the powerful antioxidants, is the slimming affect of the tea! Oolong has been shown to help shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism and blocking the fattening effect of carbohydrates. Fortune cookies aren’t just for “fortunes” either! Write a love note or a day brightener as a “fortune.” Watch the other person’s expression when they see their personalized message. It’s fun and it tastes so much better than the store bought cookies. Plus it’s quick and easy.

Ingredients:

2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon … Read More »

Tropical Fruit Salad with Moroccan Mint Green Tea Dressing

February 11, 2010

Benefits of Mint

* Mint is also said and in many cases proven to:

* Relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome by relaxing the muscles in and around the intestine.
* Act as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body against the formation of cancerous cells.
* Inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungus.
* Ease and unblock the breathing and respiratory passages and airways.
* Relieves the symptoms of colds and flu.
* Mint can help with nasal allergies.
* It can relieve congestion, head colds and headaches.
* Act as a mild sedative and has calming properties.
* Relieve minor aches and … Read More »

Ginger-Lemon Cookies with Soothing Sleepy Time Tonic

February 3, 2010

I just learned so many interesting health benefits about honey and cinnamon! Did you know….

* The daily intake of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Researchers have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts and its use strengthens the white blood corpuscles.
* Ancient cultures used Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder for longevity. 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water are boiled to make this tea. The prescribed amount is to drink 1/4 cup, 3 times a … Read More »

Slimming Goddess with Fresh Mint and Peaches

January 29, 2010

Here is the recipe:

6 cups of water
3 tablespoons of ONO Slimming Goddess
1 tablespoon of honey
fresh mint
2-3 ripe peaches, sliced thin
splash of cranberry juice

serves 4-6
1. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil.

2. Add Slimming Goddess and honey in the filter of your ONO 5 Cup Teapot.

3. Add the water to the leaves and steep for 5 minutes.

4. Remove the filter and let the pot of tea cool. Then chill in the fridge for 2-3 hrs. You can also pour it directly over ice after cooling without having to chill it in the fridge.

5. Splash with cranberry juice.

6. Drop in slices … Read More »

SIMPLY SLIM PINEAPPLE COCKTAIL

January 26, 2010

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup of pineapple juice
* 1/2 cup of white rum
* 1 cup of coconut milk
* 3 tsp of fresh lime juice
* 1 cup of ice cubes

* 1/4 cup of brewed and chilled ONO Simply Slim tea sweetened with simple syrup
* Brew the tea strong (1 tsp of tea per 1/4 cup of boiling water)
* Simple syrup
1 cup water : 1 cup sugar (or 1 tsp of truvia) heated and cooled
(only add what is needed to flavor the tea and reserve the rest in the refrigerator)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all the ingredients except the sweetened tea and blend well.
2. Pour into a … Read More »

POMEGRANATE APPLE MARTEANI

January 25, 2010

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 2

* 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
* 1/2 cup ONO Energizer Yogi pomegranate black tea chilled
* 3 ounces vodka
* 1/2 oz of Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps
* Cup of ice
* Splash of sparkling wine or champagne (optional)
* Squeeze of lime (optional)

Shake ingredients in a shaker and put in chilled martini glasses. Garnish rim with a slice of lime.

PINEAPPLE CUPCAKES w/ ONO COCONUT EUPHORIA RUM ICING

January 12, 2010

YUMMY! Coconut Euphoria Cupcakes!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup of crushed pineapple
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp of ginger
grated zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon of ground ONO Coconut Euphoria tea (I like to use a spice grinder)
DIRECTIONS:

* Preheat the overn to 350 F
* Line or grease and flour 24 cupcake molds

1. Cream together the sugar and butter or margarine.
2. Add the eggs one at a time and beat.
3. Add the vanilla essence.
4. Add the flour, the ground ONO Coconut Euphoria tea, baking powder and mix together.
5. Add the pineapple and … Read More »

Energizer Pomegranate Tea Scones

January 4, 2010

INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cups pomegranate seeds, separated
1 tsp of brewed ONO Energizer Yogi pomegranate black tea
1/2 cup of pineapple juice
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar or 1/3 tsp of stevia
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine
½ cup of egg substitute (or 2 eggs)
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
Half and half and sugar
Large rimless baking sheet, greased
DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 400◦F

1. In a small saucepan, heat 1/3 cup of the pomegranate seeds, 1 tsp of the ONO Energizer Yogi, and 1/2 cup of pineappple juice .
2. Once simmering, gently crush the seeds and tea with a spoon … Read More »

ONO Spiced Apple Rum

December 24, 2009

Spice up the winter months with this delicious ONO Spice Trader tea infused Rum Apple Cider!

INGREDIENTS:

* 3 tablespoons of ONO Spice Trader
* 8 allspice berries
* 2 cinnamon sticks
* 2 strips lemon zest (each 1/2 by 3 in.)
* 1 qt. unsweetened apple cider
* 1 cup dark rum
* Cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place ONO Spice Trader, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and lemon zest in a large tea filter and tie packet with kitchen twine to close it. In a medium saucepan (not aluminum), combine spice packet and cider. Cover and bring to a simmer over high heat. Remove from heat and … Read More »

Every Tea Lover’s Favorite Pumpkin Pie

December 23, 2009

INGREDIENTS

* 1 egg
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon ONO Matcha green tea
* 3/4 cup white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
* 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ONO Spice Trader black tea
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
* 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a spice/coffee grinder, place 1/2 teapoon of ONO Spice trader black tea and grind to a powder form. You may need to smooth out a few larger pieces with a mortar and pestle.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees … Read More »

Aphrodisiac Chai Eggnog

December 21, 2009

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 tbsp. ONO Aphrodisiac Chai tea
* 1 cup Water
* 1 tsp. Sugar (3/8 tsp of Truvia)
* 1/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
* 1/8 tsp. Freshly Ground Nutmeg
* ½ cup Eggnog

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make a concentrate of Chai by steeping 1 rounded tbsp. of ONO Aphrodisiac Chai in 1 cup of boiling water, then add in sugar and stir until dissolved.

2. Next, add ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg and stir. Lastly add in 1/2 cup steamed eggnog.

3. Sprinkle with nutmeg and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Serves Serves 1 12 oz. cup or 2 6 oz. cups.

Slimming Lemon Zucchini Bread

December 18, 2009

This is the most delicious and softest zucchini bread you will ever bake. With the addition of ONO Slim it Sencha, it is the perfect breakfast treat that is packed with antioxidants and slimming power. A recent study has shown that daily catechin intake (588mg of catechin for 12 weeks) can reduce weight, especially body fat. Catechin is produced in the tea plant to protect it against UVB radiation, and Sencha is the most exposed to the sunlight. As a result, Sencha leaves have the most catechin and slimming power. I love to enjoy this bread with a cup of … Read More »

Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies

December 17, 2009

I love using royal icing for my holiday cookies because it dries to a wonderfully smooth and hard matte finish. I included two different recipes, the traditional confectioner’s frosting and my royal icing recipe. Both recipes are super easy to make!

SUGAR COOKIE INGREDIENTS
* 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 tsp of ONO Matcha tea
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 cup softened butter
* 1 1/2 cups white sugar or 1 1/2 tsp of truvia
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 tablespoons buttermilk, milk, or soymilk

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small bowl, stir together Matcha, flour, baking soda, and … Read More »

Ask TC: Burn Extra Calories Without The Extra Work!

December 16, 2009

Amy: I don’t feel like I’m losing weight after my workout.

TC: What do you hydrate with after your workout?

Amy: Usually a sports drink.

TC: Well, that is the problem. A 16 oz sports drink has roughly 100 calories. It takes an average person at least 30 minutes on the treadmill to burn that off.

Amy: Wow. What do you recommend instead?

TC: ONO Antioxidant Junkie has no calories and studies show that a cup of tea can burn 17% more fat during a 30 minute workout. You should drink Antioxidant Junkie during your workout. After your workout, I recommend ONO Fountain of Youth. … Read More »

ONO Jasmine-Vanilla Body Scrub

December 14, 2009

This gently exfoliating Jasmine-Vanilla scrub revitalizes your entire body. Rich in natural green tea antioxidants plus delicious brown sugar and vanilla, it removes dullness and purifies the body while reinvigorating the flow of healthy energy to restore the four perfect principles of the Tea Ceremony – “Wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), jaku (tranquility)”.

INGREDIENTS:

ONO Queen Jasmine Pearls

2 cups of brown sugar
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/2 cup of brewed ONO Queen Jasmine tea leaves
1. Brew 6 tsp of tea in your ONO 5 cup teapot
2. Reserve the tea to drink and use the brewed tea leaves for the scrub
Approx 8 … Read More »