Iced Apple Peppermint Tea

• 1 package of Peaceful Peppermint  (use less for a stronger apple taste)
• 3 cups boiling water
• 3 cups 100% apple juice
• Ice

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil; then add the tea.  Cover the boiling mixture and let it continue to boil for 15 minutes.  
2. Drain the tea leaves from the tea.  Allow the tea to cool.
3. Add the apple juice and chill.  Add honey for a sweeter taste.
4. Ice the beverage and serve!

Recipe modified from The Daring Gourmet  

Sweet Peach Tea

• ⅓ cup Amber Peach tea
• 1lemon, sliced
• 1piece ginger (about 2 inches), peeled and smashed
• 1quart boiling water
• 8cups ice cubes
• 2peaches, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1/2cup sugar
• 8sprigs mint
• 1peach, pitted and sliced

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Place the first three items (loose tea, lemon, and ginger) in a heatproof container.  Add in the boiling water.
3. Steep the tea for seven to eight minutes.  Put four cups of ice into a pitcher; add the tea.
4. Blend diced peaches and sugar in a blender until smooth; mix into tea.
5. Serve in glasses over remaining ice (about 1/2 cup per glass) and garnish with mint and peach slices.

Recipe modified from Self 

Frozen Chai Milkshakes

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup loose Revive Chai in cheesecloth
• 4 slices peeled fresh ginger
• 12 whole black peppercorns
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Whipped cream
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• Ground cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm milk over medium heat in a saucepan just until it begins to steam and bubble around the edge.
2. Remove saucepan from heat.  Add the Revive Chai, ginger, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and sugar. Stir briefly to dissolve the sugar.
3. Cover and set aside to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or (preferably) overnight.
4. Pour the steeped chai through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
5. Add the ice cream to a blender, then pour in the cold chai and process until smooth.
6. Pour into the chilled glasses, top each with a big dollop of whipped cream, and dust with a little ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Recipe modified from Chowhound 

​Enjoy!

In the 2017 fiscal year, almost 54,000 refugees resettled in the United States of America.  All states take in some refugees, but a few states in particular take in the majority of the refugees seeking a new home.  

At the beginning of this year, Michigan was ranked seventh among the states who accept most refugees.  Previously Michigan’s resettlement numbers have been ranked as high as fourth out of all the states!

Grand Rapids particularly hosts many refugees, approximately 600 per year.  Those who resettle here come from varying countries and backgrounds.

The majority of refugees relocating to Michigan in 2017 came from Iraq.  In fact since 2007, refugees resettling in Michigan have mainly been Iraqi.  The only exception was in 2016. In that year, the number of Syrian refugees was greater than the number of Iraqi refugees.  

The PEW Research Center’s map shows the distribution across the states for 2017.  An interactive version shows the distributions since 2002.  
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The refugees who resettled in 2016 through Samaritas, a Christian ministry in Troy, came from over twenty countries.  They came from Afghanistan, Buthan, Burundi, Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Uganda.

Out of those countries, 940 came from Syria and Iraq.  Samaritas helped almost 500 refugees start a life in Grand Rapids.  Almost half of them came from the Congo.

Over half of the refugees Samaritas assisted in 2016 were between the ages of 19 and 65.  Approximately thirty-eight percent of them were children between the ages of 5 and 18.

The best news:  three-fourths of the refugees were self-sufficient just half a year after reaching America!

Michigan, Grand Rapids, and Refutea are all so excited and proud to be a part of the new chapters in refugees’ stories!  To find out more about refugees in Michigan and across America, check out the articles below! If you’d like to assist local refugees and drink delicious tea, check out the tea available for sale on our website!  


Sources:
https://www.refuteashop.com/refugees.html
http://www.pewglobal.org/interactives/where-have-refugees-settled-in-the-u-s/
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2017/02/see_how_many_refugees_michigan.html
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/10-states-that-took-the-most-refugees-in-2017
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/12/06/just-10-states-resettled-more-than-half-of-recent-refugees-to-u-s/

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I am so thankful that Clinton took the time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions. Red Fox Market is one of the coolest stores that I know of and the owners are so approachable. I hope you walk away inspired to keep pushing forward after you read a bit more about Clinton's entrepreneurship journey. Thanks for always being supportive and for making our hometown brighter, Red Fox! -Autumn 

What’s your name and what are some of your favorite things to do? 

My name is Clinton Zimmerman, some of my favorite things to do include travel, cycling, performance art, and working out. 

What is your business and how long have you been in operation? 

My Business is Red Fox Market in Big Rapids Michigan. We will be in business, 2 years in June. 
 
When did you know you wanted to run your own business?

I know I always wanted to run my own business. I remember as a kid trying to sell my artwork along the roadside, lol. I started to really make my mind up around 16 years old when I started working in my first health food store... from then on, I just working in a lot of grocery retail, some natural foods, some not... but I always had the end goal of owning my own store one day. Just wasn’t always sure when that opportunity was going to present itself, but I knew it would one day.
  
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with fellow entrepreneurs? 

One piece of advice is to never get stagnant, if it feels boring or repetitive, “same’ole same’ole” it probably is! Think of ways to always change it up and advance your business, even if your tired and financially stretched... the growth will pay of mentally, economically, and customers love to see it!
 
How do you like your tea?

We love RefuTea and everything Autumn is making happen! The tea is delicious, the blends are unique, the product packaging is sleek,  but more importantly the company and their vision and goals are extraordinary. This is always a company that I’m pleased to vote for with my dollars. 
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Hey everyone! I am really grateful to know Emily and I hope you enjoy getting to know her and her business better through the questions, photos and videos below. She has been very encouraging to me in my business and the growth she has seen in her first year is truly inspirational. Her business received the 2017 Outstanding New Business award from the Neighborhood Business Alliance in Grand Rapids. I hope you take the time to swing by her store after reading this. You won't be disappointed! -Autumn 

What is your business and how long have you been in operation? 

 Adored Boutique opened on 12/1/16. 

When did you know you wanted to run your own business? 

 In April of 2015. It was a desire placed in my heart by God. I would have never done it on my own. 

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with fellow entrepreneurs? 

Utilize all the resources you can to get honest and objective perspectives on your business plan and operations.  GR has a ton of free and inexpensive ways to do this. You may not take all the advise, but listening to what they have to say may offer immediate and future guidance for you. 

What are some of your favorite things to do? 

My favorite thing to do is enjoy my morning coffee in the quiet. I actually get excited about it before I go to bed.  Other than that, time with my family is the best.  I love to be with them. 

How do you like your tea?

 Warm with just a little honey. 

Go check out her YouTube videos for more on her awesome store! 
​https://youtu.be/yEKY6ezDoqQ
https://youtu.be/xqn8VgvE02M

All photos pulled from Michigan Pantry website (www.michiganpantry.com) and Instagram @michiganpantry