This is Steeped Stories: Start Here and Introduce Yourself in The Comments
This is Steeped Stories: Start Here and Introduce Yourself in The Comments
Welcome to the Steeped Stories community! I’m so glad you’re here. The heart of this newsletter is about helping you, dear reader. Tell me, what brings you here? What are your interests?
I’m so glad you found this newsletter — welcome. So what’s this all about?
Steeped Stories blends the rich traditions of nature with modern science to help you craft a life of peace, wellness, and purpose. As someone who's spent years in the trenches of healthcare and the world of tea, I'm here to share the knowledge I've gathered along the way, with a focus on truly nourishing your mind, body, and spirit.
"I love your blog! I love the energy - always positive - that you include in everything you offer."
—Julie Maloney, Women Reading Aloud
I've been where many find themselves—caring for patients whose lives were drastically altered by poor lifestyle choices and an often misguided food system. But instead of being discouraged, I was driven to create something better. Fifteen years ago, I started a bottled tea business, determined to offer a natural, healthy alternative to the sugary drinks that dominate the market. Using all-natural, real-brewed tea, my products won awards and the hearts of many consumers who craved something genuine.
In the process, I discovered how much the food industry prioritizes shortcuts over authenticity. When I refused to use artificial flavors or powders that mimicked the real thing, I knew I was standing up for something important. For a decade, my teas thrived, bringing a little more wellness into the world, one bottle at a time.
MaryAnna's Tea, in my opinion, is the best bottled iced tea I've ever had. There is no chemical aftertaste, and you get the bonus health benefits of drinking real tea.
Deb Smith, author, The Jersey Shore Cookbook
Then, the pandemic changed everything, shutting down many small businesses en masse, including mine. It was a harsh lesson in resilience, but it also fueled my passion to keep going in a different direction.
As I embrace full retirement, my mission has shifted to writing Steeped Stories. Here, I share ways to live a healthier, richer life—rooted in the four pillars of health: physical, emotional, spiritual, and social. I'm not here to lecture but to guide, drawing from my experience as a nurse, tea expert, and someone who deeply cares about living well.
Observing nature can teach us something. Every leaf has a lesson, and every vast horizon grants us freedom. This is by design. Once we acknowledge that all of nature comes from beyond us and is designed for us, everything changes, and something miraculous happens.
This newsletter is my way of continuing the work I love, connecting with you on a journey toward wellness grounded in real-life wisdom, the simple beauty of nature, and spirituality. I hope you find inspiration here, along with practical tips, recipes, and heartfelt reflections encouraging you to live well and joyfully.
What you can expect
Each week, you’ll receive a gentle nudge toward a healthier, more balanced life. Whether it's a nourishing recipe, insights on a particular tea or herb, or the latest research on how nature enhances well-being, each piece is crafted to bring you closer to the vibrant life you deserve.
"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
I believe in living a slow, artful life and embracing the authenticity of real, nourishing foods. It takes courage and wisdom to stand firm in who you are and resist the pull of a world that often favors convenience over quality.
Everything I write stems from what I’ve learned along the way. I share my insights and philosophy to help you discover a life well-lived.
What about you? I’d love to learn more about you.
Please introduce yourself in the comments below—tell us a bit about who you are and what brought you here. Are you a fellow newsletter writer, a reader, or maybe both? Looking forward to connecting with you all!
Let's steep in the goodness together. ♡
Mary Ann
P.S. Please read my About page and this Newsletter and let’s get to get to know each other a little better.