From I.T. to Chai Tea

This Warm and Fuzzy Job Could Be Yours!

2011-06-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

Wouldn’t it be great if your weekend job was FUN! Imagine if your job was all about drinking chai, sharing chai and making people feel good! Imagine being able to share the wonderful feelings you get from drinking a nice hot comforting delicious cup of chai with 100’s of others, you love it, they love it and the chai love comes right back at you! If you live in Melbourne, then this is your chance to get involved. You don’t need experience, you just need to love people and love chai, and be available on weekends. Are you the next RealChaibee? Call Anthea on 0424894627 for a chat. Be quick, you don’t wont to miss out!

Think, drink, and sink into your thoughts with RealChai

2011-05-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

The wise Abraham lincoln once said “ A day without a cup of RealChai is a day wasted “

…Okay, so maybe he didn’t say that.

Product placement? I have no idea what you are talking about.

But one thing I can tell you, is that whilst I sit here, drinking my Steamy and soothing cup of RealChai tea, I do feel almost as humble as he.

On a similar occasion one morning, I began to think to myself: what exactly did make Abraham Lincoln so wise? Unsurprisingly, this is a question that I didn’t actually know the answer to. After typing key words in to google search, scamming through several biographies, and reading many of his inspirational quotes (all the while wishing I listened more in history) I decided; Abraham Lincoln was a thoughtful man. He quietly considered, and then loudly concluded.

I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but there are a lot of people rushing around us. They need to get to work, or pick up the kids, or study for an exam – I’m a self – confessed rusher too. It’s true that there is always something that needs to be done, but imagine if finding time to sit down with a cup of tea and lose yourself to your own mind was made a priority in every day life.

The beautiful thing about thinking is that it leads to more thinking. It’s an intricate and delicate chain reaction, with significant thoughts and those that are insignificant too - not one less important the next - blurred lines and bright ideas, remembered occasions and triggered feelings. Thinking can take you to so many places with out being there. It can bring peace and closure, or arouse fury and flame.

It’s not often enough that people treat themselves to the luxury of a cup of tea and a room of silence. The powerful combination of the two is most certainly something that is underestimated.

So I suppose what I am trying to say is that finding complete peace of mind may be hard, but making a tea and finding your way to the couch isn’t, and will, in turn, take you a step closer to being a new age Abraham Lincoln… only less hairy maybe.

RealChai member
Erica Mallett

How To Take The Plunge & Do What You Love

2011-02-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

Are you doing what you love? I don't know if its the Valentine's Day Effect but I've had several people ask me this month how I got started doing what I love.

Seems there are quite a few people out there who have a passion (other than what they are currently doing) and are looking for a change.

The truth is I'd been toying with the idea of how I could make Chai my job for quite sometime before I actually took the plunge.

The thing that held me back was fear "What if it doesn't work?" and security "How can I leave my secure job for the unkown?". What if? What if? What if??? Eventually I decided to balance the risk by starting part time on the weekends and just going for it.

Turns out that was the secret! Just going for it - simple as that. Taking action (even small action) made the fear disappear. The longer I hesitated the scarier things seemed. The more I acted the easier things got. Before I knew it the business had a life of its' own and now my only regret is "why didn't I start sooner!?"

But we all do things when we are ready and that's totally ok. My point in sharing my little story is to hopefully encourage anyone who might have been sitting on an idea or is almost at that point where they are ready to go - to jump in and just go for it. I can honestly say following my passion has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. That's not to say it hasn't been challenging but it's overcoming these challenges that makes it even more rewarding.

As well as amazing support from my family, friends, partner and fabulous staff, I've had incredible support from a number of industry experts. These people have helped me turn what I love into an actual business that works.

If you are looking for someone to help you - here are my top 5 recommendations of people who have made a huge difference in helping me set up and grow my business.

1) Michael Griffiths Secrets of a Super Small Business . Michael is an expert in social media and online marketing. He knows what is about to happen online before it even happens!. He'll help you stay on top of the latest technological developments and the best part is he genuinely cares about your business and helping you succeed. There are sooo many companies out there that make big claims about what they can do for your business - Michael is someone you can trust. On top of all things social, he's also helped me get organised and come up with a fabulous planning system to help achieve my goals.

2) Todd Wright ThreeSides Online | Marketing | Training For anyone operating or thinking about operating a small business in the Canberra Region, you have to call Todd. I'm pretty sure he's a genius. He'll understand what you are trying to do in an instant and then just as quickly he'll have great practical ideas (that work) to help you achieve your goals. Another genuine, caring professional at very affordable rates. Perfect for someone starting out.

3) Andrew Lawson Best Practice Consulting Andrew has had a huge influence on our team. He has provided excellent, enjoyable training that everyone on the team loved and has taken on board an implemented. Andrew has taken an already excellent team and helped us develop shared values, solve problems and create a really positive culture. If you are looking for a trainer Andrew's your guy!

4) Perry Mardon Mardon International Ok, Perry is without a doubt the most influential support I've had along the way. Perry is a business/marketing coach with a twist. Perry provides volumes of training about marketing strategies, recruiting, advertising etc but what made his program so influential is, that he specialises in personal development as part of business development. He helps you uncover what might be holding you back. You'll uncover limiting beliefs you didn't even know were getting in the way of reaching your dreams so you can take responsibility for them. Essentially I learnt that business is a reflection of where you are at personally. If something's not working you need to look internally and see what you can do differently. Perry teaches you to work on your business rather than in it. This means giving yourself time to do big picture strategic things that will grow your business - rather than getting stuck in the day to day running - which will burn you out! If you look at his website, it says he specialises in helping "wellness industry" people but what he teaches applies to ANY business so don't be put off if your idea is something completely unrelated.

5) Candice Edye Daisy & Dandelion My Goodness! If you live in Canberra and you are a Mum wanting to start a biz and you don't get along to one of Candice's events - well... you're crazy :-) Candice is a lovely, lovely lady who goes out of her way to help Mum's (in particular) get their businesses up and running. She runs workshops and does one on one coaching. If you are wanting to do what I did and start your idea small at a market she even runs a fabulous workshop with other existing and budding stallholders so you can learn all the best tips. It's a really supportive, peer learning environment. I did the course last year and got soooo much out of it. Plus, there are always a number of fabulous guest speaker sharing their secrets to get your inspired. We are really blessed to have Candice in Canberra. What are you waiting for - call her today and see how she can hep you get started Ph: (02) 6292-5669.

If there is something you'd LOVE to do and I can help at all, in any way to support you, in getting your idea off the ground please give drop me an email at thechaigirl@live.com. I'd love to have a chat and pass on any info that's helped me along the way so far. I can't emphasise enough how worthwhile it is giving what you love a chance.

Bye for now :-))

Anthea (aka the chai girl)

Feeling a little worse for wear after the silly season?

2011-01-11T19:45:00.000-08:00

The new year is supposed to see us feeling refreshed and revitalised. However, for most of us Christmas and New Years often leads to a little more excess than we planned. 3 course lunches with your partner's family, followed by drinks with friends, followed by dinner with the folks, followed by breakfast with long lost Auntie Edna (you get the picture) can start to take it's toll.

If you're feeling less than 100% it might be time to give your liver a little support. There's no getting round it, the less alcohol you drink, the better you eat and the more you exercise the better you're going to feel. There is one other thing you can try though... RealChai Caffiene Free Blend with Organic Roasted Dandelion Root.

Yup that's right, there is a RealChai blend made especially with your liver in mind. Dandelion Root has long been used in traditional medicine to support digestion and liver function.

Here's how it's said to work...

Bile is essential for digestion. It is a fluid secreted by the liver and gall bladder to emulsify fats for digestion. Researchers have found that dandelion can increased the flow of bile by 3 to 4 times! Researchers have also found that dandelion stimulated bile to the same extent as an injection of bile into the liver.

I don't know about you but a nice cup of RealChai sounds a whole lot more pleasant that an injection of bile to the liver, yikes!

If you are wanting to detox a little after the holidays, it's always good to reduce your tea and coffee intake. RealChai Caffeine Free blend is the perfect alternative There's no tea in it whatsoever. I've replaced the tea with Dandelion Root so it's caffeine free and liver cleansing at the same time. Perfect!

Try Some Today - Browse Shop

More info about Dandelion

Facebook Love - Free Delivery

2010-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hello Fabulous Facebook Fans

To say thanks for all your support in 2010 I've decided to run an exclusive offer for today only.

Now's the time to order RealChai for your Christmas Presents and get it deliverd for FREE. Thats' right FREE DELIVERY!!! Today only. (*Orders $25 or more). If you order today you'll also be beating the Christmas mail rush.

Here's how to claim:

1. Visit www.realchai.com.au - select your goodies, any flavour, any size as long as you spend $25 or more.
2. Add to cart, click: continue to check out.
3. Enter your shipping details - click: continue to next.
4. Enter the code: 'facebook' in the discount box. (You will see a $5.50 discount to cover your postage for up to 500g of RealChai. You'll also receive this discount if you order more than 500g)
5. Choose your payment details and click: complete purchase
6. All done - sit back and wait for your RealChai to spruce up your mailbox :-))))

Happy Sipping!

Anthea (a.k.a the chaigirl)

Agave – My flavour of the Month.

2010-11-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Want an alternative to honey or sugar in your chai? Try Agave Syrup. It’s a natural plant sweetener that tastes delicious and has a low Glycemic Index (which means its absorbed slowly into the bloodstream.

Agave syrup is like really liquid honey. The flavour is slightly sweeter than honey so you can use a little less but it tastes very similar in your chai. Seeing as I drink so much chai I like the fact that it’s low GI and promotes healthy probiotics in my stomach.

Agave actually comes from the cactus plant. Not all Agave syrup is created equally. The one I use is Loving Earth. If you google Agave there are some reports that it is actually bad for you as it is chemically processed and high in Fructose. This is not the case with Loving Earth’s Organic Agave Syrup. It uses no chemicals and contains no Fructose or any starch. Try it for yourself and see if you can feel/taste the difference. For more detailed info about the health benefits of Agave visit: Loving Earth's Website

Check Out The Spices In Real Chai

2010-10-25T21:13:00.001-07:00

Yogic Rest & Relaxation Tips

2010-10-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

Are you getting enough Rest & Relaxation?

When was the last time you really rested? I’m talking no phones, no laptops, no work, no chores, no kids, no nothing?? Just total uninterrupted rest?

I was lucky enough to do this recently for 7 whole days at a beautiful yoga retreat at Mangrove Mountain. I felt like a completely different person by the time I floated out of there. It got me thinking how much rest and relaxation do we need and how can I incorporate more into every day (not just save it up for a once a year treat)

I watched and experienced how the fabulous yogis lived and came up with 5 top tips for increasing energy and decreasing stress daily.

As you can imagine the lifestyle at Mangrove is one of simplicity and beauty. Back in the “real world” it’s not always so easy. But I noticed there were a number of simple changes I could implement back home that really do make a difference. For all you non yogis out there – you’ll be pleased to know not one of them involves even so much as touching your toes J.

6 top tips for rest & relaxation (including chai!!!)

1. Regular Routine

I used to think being able to do what you want when you want was the ultimate freedom. Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I’m not one for rules and regulations but routine, I’m discovering is different. Routine actually creates freedom. When you know what needs to be done and you create regular space to make it happen you actually reduce stress. It’s easier to get in the right headspace when you know what’s in store. You can plan better and allocate your energy accordingly. Routine gives a sense of being on top of things – which is a great antidote to stress. Plus, when you are finished your scheduled activity and your have moved into downtime – you can really relax as you have clearly designated boundaries between work and play.

2. One thing at a time – you’ve heard this before but it really is true.

At Mangrove, when you’re eating, you’re eating. Not driving or walking or answering emails or making school lunches. You are simply sitting and eating so you can taste each and everyone of the wonderful flavours on your plate. And because you are focused on your food, you chew it properly, you savour it and lo and behold you notice when you become full before you’ve over eaten. At the end of a meal at Mangrove you are guaranteed to feel satisfied…not scanning the cupboards for a little something more. This is just one example of how doing one thing at a time heightens your experience and makes it more rewarding. It’s the same with work. You are far more likely to get a better result if you focus on one thing at a time. Give the first thing on your list your full attention and you’ll complete it quicker and more effectively than if you try and juggle 2 or more things at once. Then once your done move onto the next thing and give that your full attention. Try it for a day and notice how different it feels.

3. Start the day in a positive way

Yoga class at Mangrove starts at 5:30am. Yup you heard me right 5:30am! At first this seems counter intuitive. Why get up so early when the idea is to rest? What I noticed though was that moving my body gently in the morning actually gave me more energy for the rest of the day. By doing something positive before getting caught up in what “needs” to be done you set yourself up in a relaxed frame of mind that seems to make everything else flow more easily. You don’t have to get up at 5:30 either. Just getting up half an hour earlier or even 15 minutes earlier and doing some stretches or a meditation will make a difference.

4. Get outside & move

At Mangrove you eat all your meals outside. There is plenty of time for lying around on the grass and reading or staring at the clouds. And a favourite pastime of all the visitors is walking amongst the beautiful surrounds. This is very enlivening. It feels like you live more outside than inside, like we do normally. Just being in nature is uplifting. You’ve got the sunlight, the fresh air, all the plants and flowers, natures beauty is subtly reflecting to us the inner beauty inside us – and it’s hard not to feel good when we connect with this. I noticed too, the more I moved the less sluggish I felt. The irony is that when we are tired we are less likely to want to go outside and go for a walk, yet it’s the quickest way to change our state and increase our energy.

5. Enjoy your "chai time" - whatever that may be

Of course being a yoga retreat (otherwise known as an ashram) Chai is an important part of the lifestyle. And of course they know how to do it properly. At Mangrove they hand grind the spices too and simmer in big pots, just the way chai should be. Everyone hangs out to enjoy their treat, savouring the aromas and tastes, while laughing and talking in the sunshine. There’s no rush. It’s all about enjoying your senses. No wonder I love this Mangrove. No wonder I love chai. My daily Real Chai ritual gives me a little bit of time out to reconnect with myself. We don't always have hours to while away reading under a tree *sigh* but by taking a few minutes out here and there to simply stop, take a few deep breaths and do something a little nurturing we can really re-energise. Of course, it doesn't have to be chai either, it could be laughing with your children, admiring some beautiful flowers, singing away to your favourite song. It's these little things that are often the most precious and really make you feel great. if you want to try RealChai today - click here for our special offer.

6. Yoga Nidra - guided relaxation

What if I told you there is something you can do that gives you the equivalent of 4 hours sleep in just 30 minutes. Well apparently there is! If you can manage to set aside 20-30 minutes a day for some deep guided relaxation you can recharge your batteries and help calm your nervous system at the same time, in less time than if you were actually asleep - amazing huh! This has got to be one of my favourite tips. I have to admit for some strange reason I do find it difficult to actually lie down and do this, but whenever I do I feel fantastic.

Even if you implement just one of these things I'm sure you'll feel some benefit. So why not pick one and start today.

Happy Relaxing!

Anthea (aka the chai girl)

Business IS Personal

2010-06-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

Who ever said "it's not personal, it's business" couldn't of been further off the mark. Business IS one of the most personal things you can do. Everything you do in business is personal, from relating to your customers, your staff & your suppliers to establishing your values, your goals & your brand.

Every choice you make communicates something to someone about who you are and what you believe in. Ultimately every success and every failure comes down to these choices. Your business is a reflection of you and where you are at. Yes of course there are outside influences affecting your business, this is indisputable but you are responsible for how you deal with these "influences".

I've learned very quickly that if my business isn't gong well then I need to look at my role in this. This is super empowering. No point sitting round blaming my staff, the economy, the alignment of the planets, or anything really. If there's a problem it's my job to fix it or find the opportunity in it. This keeps me moving forward.

Likewise when things are going well I'm learning the importance of appreciating my achievements. Noticing your wins keeps you motivated and reminds you in tough times that you have overcome difficulties before and will be able to do it again.

Business is full of ups and downs. It's the most challenging and rewarding thing I've done to date (I'm yet to have kids - I imagine that trumps everything!) So I thought I'd start this little blog as a way to share some of my trials and tribulations. It's also a little bit of cheap therapy to keep me sane along the way. Lately whenever something 'devastating' (yes i can be prone to melo-dramtics) has happened, I've consoled myself by saying "Oh well, that's one for the blog, at least I've got something to write about now!"

So this is me, Anthea Cahill (a.k.a The Chai Girl). I started my business RealChai Pty Ltd in 2008 and quit my "secure, well paying IT career" to get up at 5am and make Chai outside in the freezing cold at local markets... since then I've never been happier! RealChai is my baby so you can expect lots of photos and ooohing and ahhhing over different milestones as my baby grows and I grow with it. Told you it's personal. Stay tuned!!