Kombucha Tea

I normally do not like green tea, but I try to drink it for its many purported health benefits (e.g., cancer-fighting properties, weight-loss aid, lowers cholesterol levels, combats mental fatigue, etc.).  My favorite green tea is Yogi's Green Tea Kombucha.  Today I was surprised to learn kombucha is a Manchurian "mushroom."  Who knew "mushrooms" could be yummy?

Kombucha is actually a combination of different elements, which include lichen, bacteria, and yeast.    The mushroom itself is not eaten.  Rather, a tea is made by fermenting the mushroom for about a week in a mixture of water, sugar and green or black tea, with apple cider vinegar or a bit of previously made tea added.  The mushroom can be kept in that mixture to reproduce "daughter mushrooms."   These daughter mushrooms can be used to produce more tea.  

Kombucha is believed to be a natural energy booster and detoxifier that may also help slow or reverse the aging process and may help fight serious diseases like AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis.  

I am happy with my Yogi Green Tea Kombucha, but for those of you who want to try brewing kombucha at home, you might want to check out the following: 

Kombucha Brooklyn sells Kombucha Home Brew Kits.   

Betsy Pryor, "Kombucha Phenomenon: The Miracle Health Tea: How to Safely Make and Use Kombucha"

Yogi Echinacea Immune Support

Yogi's Echinacea Immune Support tea is my new favorite tea!  It is so delicious that I do not need to add honey or lemon to it.  I brew a cup as soon as I feel a cold coming on, but it is so yummy I drink it all the time.  Safeway and Target carry this brand.  If you have a hard time finding them or want to save money, you can purchase them online.  

Yogi has other great teas.  Among my favorite for the cold season are Yogi Throat Comfort Tea, Yogi Ginger, and Yogi Lemon Ginger.  Yogi also offers a Cold Season Tea Sampler Pack.

Last time I checked, it cost $5.79 for a box of 16 tea bags at Safeway ($0.36/tea bag).  I have seen them on sale for $1 or $2 off the regular price.  You can get even greater savings by buying them in bulk  online at $15.82 for a pack of 6 boxes and enjoy more than 50% in savings ($0.16/tea bag).

Price Break Down (Per Tea Bag)
        Regular Price:  $0.36
                 On Sale:  $0.24 - 0.30
      In Bulk Online:  $0.16*

*Free Shipping on orders over $25

Tips to Maximize Savings on Online Garden Orders

1. Use Cash Back Sites.  Use online cash back sites.  I use EBATES.  Before making a purchase I see if the retailer is listed at their site.  If it is, I click on their link that re-directs me to the retailer.  By clicking on the link, I receive a certain percentage off my purchase.  These extra few seconds can make a big difference.  I joined EBATES in 2009, and since then I have received $974.23 cash back.    It is FREE to join EBATES.  To join today click here.  
2. Use Coupon Codes.  Performing a simple google search for coupon codes can result in great savings.  For example, I googled "Michigan Bulb coupon codes" and found a coupon code that ended up saving me nearly 50% off my purchase.  EBATES also lists available coupon codes under retailer links.         
3. Combine Cash Back Sites with Coupon Codes. 
4. Use Price Comparison Tools.  For pricey items, use Froogle (i.e., a google product search) to compare prices from various vendors.  Froogle allows you to sort your results by price (including shipping and tax) and also by vendors.
5. Split the Costs with a Friend.  Garden catalogs offer a great selection of unique, hard-to-find plants.  However, shipping prices or minimum quantity requirements can make these purchases less attractive for cost-conscious apartment gardeners.  To save on costs, combine orders with a fellow apartment gardener, family member or friend.  
6. Take Advantage of Guarantees.  Michigan Bulb, Co. offers its customers a life-time guarantee on their plants.  "Any item that does not grow and flourish to your complete satisfaction will be replaced free--with no time limit--for as long as you garden."  For novice gardeners who have not developed their green thumb yet, this life-time guarantee is a nice comfort.      

Continue to use these tips on all your online orders to maximize your overall savings!

If you have any more online saving tips, please feel free to post them in the comment section.