Begin Here: This Will Change Everything!

Why I’m Moving This Blog to Steeped Stories and Expanding My Content—And Why You’ll Want to Subscribe.

People can’t understand the world as a gift unless someone shows them how it’s a gift.

—Robin Wall Kimmerer

Spring ushers in a transformation where everything seems new and fresh all at once. But in reality, the deep work has been going on quietly all winter long. Nature is a gift, and Spring reveals this in abundance. I’ve always thought the new year should begin in Spring, not January. It feels more natural.

With the Spring refresh, I, too, am beginning anew with some changes to my newsletter. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve moved all my subscribers here, including those who subscribed to my previous newsletter. If you subscribed to my Life Is Better With Tea newsletter, you are now officially here and subscribed to Steeped Stories.

Let me explain.

The publishing world is constantly changing and rearranging to find what works best for readers and writers. So, I am changing how I deliver all my work to you while improving the process.

The fees for running a blog and separate newsletter service no longer make economic sense. My blog and newsletter were always provided to my readers free of charge, but of course, nothing is free.

The publishing costs were supported by advertisers, sponsors, and affiliates, which is the typical publishing model. (Not to mention, some sellers have used my freely published educational work in their advertising without permission, right down to my headline - not cool.)

Over the past 15 years, I’ve produced, researched, and written about tea. I’m fascinated by this little leaf of nature that gives us so much joy and sustenance. I still wish to share all of this with you and more.

Beyond the Camellia sinensis tea plant, an entire world of herbs has provided medicinal benefits for thousands of years. We steep them into beautiful teas and concoctions. I will continue researching and writing about this on my new platform. Plants are not alternative medicine; they are the original medicine.

For centuries, cultures worldwide have understood what modern science proves - plants are healing. Their ancient wisdom has laid the groundwork for many modern medical advancements. Indigenous peoples introduced essential medical plants like echinacea, and their holistic approaches have shaped principles of well-being.

Plants know how to make food and medicine from light and water, and then they give it away.

Robin Wall Kimmerer Braiding Sweetgrass

Studies show that most readers prefer an ad-free experience, and writers prefer to be paid for their work, of course. (Did we really need studies for that?) For the solo publisher, a subscription newsletter is the perfect solution. Some of my newsletters will remain free, but the recipes and in-depth researched articles with sources cited are now premium.

I will no longer add new content to the Life Is Better With Tea blog and its accompanying newsletter, Steeped. The blog will remain visible, and all the current articles will be updated as needed.

All new topics and recipes will be posted in Steeped Stories. I considered posting on the two separate sites, but maintaining both would divide my focus and confuse the reader.

Now I can provide you with ad-free reading. Isn’t that refreshing?

I will continue researching and writing about nature's healing gifts in all their forms, including tea and herbs. If you know me, you know that, as a nurse, I will educate you about lifestyles that can improve wellness—because these are things we can control.

Human beings have an innate connection with the natural world. Research studies have linked nature to symptom relief for many health issues like heart disease, depression, cancer, anxiety, and attention disorders.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

—Albert Einstein

Please join me. 

Elevate Your Experience: Upgrade to Premium

I hope you have enjoyed the exclusive content and insights I’ve shared through my blog and newsletter over the years. Your dedication to staying informed and inspired means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for your continued support.

As I strive to provide even more value and exclusive benefits to my loyal subscribers, I'm excited to introduce you to Steeped Stories Premium – the next level in your journey to unlocking exclusive access to maximize your wellness experience.

By upgrading to paid, you'll gain access to a wealth of additional features and benefits, including:

• Exclusive Content: Dive deeper into the topics that will help improve your life and well-being with premium articles, interviews, and analysis available only to paid subscribers.
• Ad-Free Experience: Say goodbye to interruptions, pop-ups, and distractions—enjoy my content seamlessly without ads.
• Early Access: Be the first to access my latest content, insights, and offerings.
• Full Access: You can access every newsletter, recipe, and publication archive. You will also have full access to learning, in-depth research into the scientific literature, and more.
• Priority Support: Do you have questions or need assistance? Premium subscribers receive support directly from me, which will answer your questions and ensure you have the best experience possible. Paid subscribers can send me direct messages through Substack.
• Community Engagement: Connect with like-minded individuals and engage in meaningful discussions through exclusive forums and events available only to premium subscribers.

Plus, you'll directly support my work by becoming a paid subscriber to Steeped Stories. This will allow me to continue producing high-quality content and expanding my offerings to better serve you. Many of you have already become paid subscribers, and I appreciate that.

I support your work because I love tea and I love learning what others have researched and discovered. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

—Note from new paid subscriber

Ready to elevate your experience to the next level? Upgrade to Steeped Stories Premium today and unlock exclusive benefits and insights. Steeped Stories is a reader-supported publication. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work.

Thank you for being a valued member of this community, and I look forward to welcoming you to the Steeped Stories Premium family!

Drink tea and live well - love. ♡

Mary Ann