Tea Time

This weekend when I went to the mail, there was a package from The Republic of Tea waiting for me.  It was an assortment of tea I had an ordered.

 Because of my Interstitial Cystitis, coffee is not my friend so having so many new choices is pretty exciting.  A cup of tea helps make the world slow down a bit.   Here are a few of the 50 flavors that came in the Citizens’ Favorite Tea Assortment :  Toasted Coconut, Honey Ginseng, Organic Mint Leaves, Orange Blossoms, Good Hope Vanilla, Chocolate Strawberry and Cranberry Blood Orange.  I also bought a container of Organic Peppermint Bark and Ginger Peach Chocolate Truffle.

 

The first one I tried was Ginger Peach Chocolate Truffle.  It was yummy. Mornings heading out the door for work are going to be a little nicer with being able to choose from over 50 different flavors of tea.

Here are two ways I like to brew my tea.

Teavana Perfectea Maker

Mr Tea

I have a new travel mug on the way – staying sustainable and skipping the disposable cups with the lids.

 

When I want to fancy up my hot tea, I use the following.

Organic Apple Juice

English Toffee Liquid Stevia

Coconut Milk

Disclaimer – Links are included for your convenience.  Please know that if you purchase through the affiliate links, I am provided a few pennies to help cover the expense of  my blog.

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Chocolate Mint Tea Latte

What does one make when they choose to not drink coffee?  They make a chocolate mint tea latte.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and began my continuing education to what type of foods work best to nourish my body while managing this chronic condition.  One of my first lessons dealt with how coffee (my morning and through-the-day habit) was hurting my body.  I would take it out of my diet,  feel better and then think I can have a cup once-in-awhile.  Off I would go to “treat” myself to Starbucks or brew a cup at home and BAM! – I would be in pain again.  Talk about my own version of Groundhog Day – how often did I need to continue to hurt myself before I was willing to say no more?  Finally not suffering needlessly because of a poor food choice became the goal over a cup of coffee.  Now my hot and cold beverage choice is organic mint tea.  Drinking organic tea is a recent change for me and I’ve included a link toward the end of this post to explain why.  Many of my previous tea recipes in the blog do not reference organic teas as an ingredient.  Although the recipes are delicious – I would substitute an organic tea in the future.  Here is a recipe I came up with that helps me spice up my mint tea.  I’ve listed links of my tea-related products after the recipe.

Chocolate Mint Tea Latte
A chocolate mint hot tea beverage.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Numi Organic Moroccan Tea Bag
  2. Hot Filtered Water
  3. 1/2 cup milk (I use coconut milk) or your choice of milk
  4. 1 Tbsp of cocoa
  5. 1/2 tsp organic vanilla
  6. 5 drops of Toffee Stevia
  7. Coconut Sugar - to taste
Instructions
  1. Brew a cup of tea
  2. Heat milk, cocoa, vanilla, stevia and/or sugar until well blended.
  3. Mix hot tea and milk together.
  4. Enjoy.
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
Product Links that are helpful for this recipe.   (I won’t recommend anything I am not using.)   ***Deliciously Inspired utilizes affiliate links to help with the cost of the site.

Breville Electric Tea Kettle – Why I love – we have had our kettle for close to 10 years and use it daily for tea, coffee, and anytime hot water is needed.  Worth every penny.

Tea Maker or Mr Tea – Why I love – containing a tea for several minutes in an enclosed area makes a richer cup of tea.  They work well with tea bags but are an essential kitchen tool when using loose leaf tea.

Numi Organic Mint Tea – Why I love – I stick to organic teas because I want as clean of a product as I can to nourish my body.  Mint tea is one of the gentlest teas to digest.  I’ve tried other brands but this tea’s mintiness (is that a word?) is smooth and doesn’t have a bite to it.  Another benefit – this comes in bags and I always carry a few in my purse.  What to know more about what is in most tea you buy?  Here you go.

Toffee Liquid Stevia – Why I love – stevia is a natural sweetener made from a herb.  A little goes a long way so add a drop at a time.  Too much can taste bitter.

Organic Coconut Sugar – Why I love – coconut sugar processes slower in the body than white sugar. What to know more?  Here you go.

Hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know if you have any questions.

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Hydro Flask

hydro flask I posted a picture on Facebook highlighting my hydroflask (my favorite water bottle) and received requests to share the products.  I have the 32 oz which comes in a variety of colors and different sizes but I like this size because I don’t need to keep refilling as often.  I live in Arizona and the summers are brutal.  I throw some ice cubes in, water or organic mint tea with a splash of organic juice and even if I leave the bottle in the car for hours on a hot summer day; it is still ice cold.  The flask comes with a lid but I purchased the straw attachment which makes drinking easier.

There was only one problem – the flask didn’t fit in my car’s cup holder which meant I placed it in a small box on my driver’s side seat so it didn’t bounce around.  But in early July, I discovered that a hydro flask cup insert for the car had been created.  I ordered it and looked forward to it arriving.  When it first arrived I was disappointed because I didn’t think it was going to fit and accidentally dropped it, only to discover that there are layers on the bottom of the insert that can be removed.  Once I took off a layer, it fit wonderfully.  It also comes with a velcro piece that can be inserted in the inside part of the holder to create a more secure fit.

Love this product.

I’ve linked up the products up above in case you are interested.

Note – Deliciously Inspired utilizes affiliate links to help with the cost of the site.

 

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