Tea, with its centuries-old roots in Eastern medicine and cultural practices, has long been considered a way to good health, happiness, and wisdom. Now, modern western researchers are realizing tea’s role in managing mental and physical health – in addition to supporting lower stress and anxiety, studies have even found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, encourage weight loss, and lower cholesterol.

This program focuses on learning to be in tune with what you feel in your body and following that intuition in the real world. You’ll taste a series of herbal teas designed to give you energy and relax the mind; then, you’ll take a silent moment and get in touch with your body. During this hour, program presenter Julie Ward, a plant-based, certified ACE health coach and international health speaker, will lead you through a tasting of three different herbal teas and guide you to notice where the energy moves in your body. Attendees are encouraged to bring an open mind, one ready to explore and connect with your body.

If you’ve attended Julie’s previous Tea Meditation programs, she will be featuring different teas and lessons in this program, so all are welcome!

Program notes: Please bring a yoga mat if you’d like to relax and sit on the floor. Otherwise, chairs will be provided. Those on certain blood thinners and gastro medicines should consult with their physician prior to sampling certain herbal teas. If this includes you, you can still attend but please alert the program presenter prior to the start of the session that you will need to avoid certain teas due to these medications.

This program is presented by Julie Ward and hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation.

About the Program Presenter 

Julie Ward invites audiences to approach health differently. Her presentations merge the power of plant-based nutrition, the spirituality of food, and her own relatable stories. As a 100% plant-based, certified ACE health coach, Julie’s passion for plants enlivens her presentations. Her wealth of firsthand experience makes her presentations personal and inspiring. As an international health speaker who overcame her own digestive issues and depression using food as medicine, Julie gives hope to those facing chronic health challenges. Educating audiences and clients about how we can nurture our digestive systems stands at the forefront of her work.

Emphasizing the interconnectedness of our health, Julie challenges audiences to connect their mental, physical and spiritual experiences. Her presentations provide participants with a foundation of understanding and knowledge that empowers listeners to make better health choices, connect with their food, boost energy, and improve mental clarity.

Julie holds a certificate in Plant–Based Nutrition from eCornell, a Masters in Public Policy from USC and a B.S. in Mathematics from Spelman College. She is also a Plant-Based Chef, certified ACE Health Coach, and an herbalist. To learn more about Julie Ward, please visit https://freshfoodalchemy.com/