Category Archives: Drink

Teasia Tea

I always love to review new products, but practical products are always my favorite to sample. K-cup machine’s have become staple in many households. Easy to use, easy to clean and always ready when you need it. K-cup machines are not just for coffee anymore they make a great cup of tea. I was recently sent a case of k-cups from the Teasia company. It included a wonderful mix of both decaf and caffeinated tea’s. No need to mess with the teabag or with looseleaf teas, just brew a k-cup just like you would coffee. The best part is k-cups can be reused so that they each make 2 great cups of tea.

Teasia Tea makes a line of natural teas from the highest quality ingredients with no artificial additives or chemicals. Teasia strives for purity, integrity, and authenticity in all teas with a goal to create a healthy alternative beverage to enjoy guilt-free in the most convenient form.

Check them all out here http://www.teasia.com/index.aspx

The flavors are all wonderful. Each is nice and smooth with a full flavor profile. I would have to say my favorite was the Chamomile Mint and Rose Black.
Do you want to win a mix of some of these great teas? All you need to do is leave a comment on this post or Facebook of why you would like to try Teasia and then follow them at one the social media links below:

www.facebook.com/teasiateas

www.instagram.com/teasiateas

www.twitter.com/teasiateas

www.pinterest.com/teasiateas

Tag them #teasiateas

Below are the prizes for 3 winners for the giveaway! Giveaway Dates 12/1- 12/20

1 box Jasmine Green Tea (36 count)

1 box Chamomile Mint Tea (36 count)

1 box Floral Variety ( Jasmine Green Tea, Rose Black Tea, Rooibos Lemongrass Tea, Chamomile Mint Tea) 36 Count

U.S. Winners Only, One Per Household, Winner will be Chosen at andom

 


Type of Tea Caffeine Level*
Black Tea 60-90 mg
Rose Tea 60-90 mg
Roasted Oolong Tea 55-80mg
Oolong Tea 50-75mg
Jasmine Green Tea 14-60 mg
Green Tea 35-70 mg
Rooibos Lemongrass Tea -None
Chamomile Mint Tea- None


General estimates of caffeine per 8 oz cup. Second brew will naturally have lower caffeine levels.

Ice Green Tea

Green tea has so many health benefits. It is one of my favorite pick me up when I do not want coffee. This ice version very different then a traditional Ice tea.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder (Find it online or an Asian grocery store)
12 oz warm water
1/2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup ice

I usually make this in a mason jar since its microwaveable, large enough for a big iced drink and with a lid you can shake to mix everything really well.

Start by placing honey in the jar and microwaving for 15 seconds. This will melt the honey so that it’s easier to mix. Next, add the green tea power and stir slightly. Finally, add 12oz warm water and stir or shake well. Finish with the ice and enjoy.

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Decadent Paleo Hot Cocoa

I was playing around with coconut milk I want to come up with a recipe that was like real European hot chocolate but Paleo. Again Paleo is not a low cal or low carb diet, it’s going back to eating real natural food like cavemen did. It’s very possible to cut out the junk including the refined sugars and flour to still have a sinful dessert.

Ingredients:
1/2 can coconut milk
1 1/2 tablespoon honey
2 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder

Start by shaking or mixing together coconut milk and cocoa powder. Pour the mixture into a pot and start to heat on low. At honey and bring to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes constantly risking or stirring together. Pour into a glass and enjoy hot.

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Maple Soda

While trying to cut all junk out of my diet I am learning more and more how regular soda and diet soda are terrible for you. I have a soda stream and I am always trying to come up with new soda recipes that are healthy and delicious. Using fruit is easy and fun but I wanted to come up with something that’s more like cola and acceptable on the Paleo diet. Maple syrup like honey is Paleo approved as an all natural sweetener. When using in moderation it works great in many recipes. The most important thing is to make sure it’s all natural maple syrup. Yes the the expensive kind from the store. The only ingredient should be all natural maple syrup and grade B is the best.

Ingredients:
16oz Soda Water or Seltzer
3/4 Tablespoon maple syrup

Simply pour soda water in a wide glass. Add maple syrup and stir gently with a spoon. The more syrup you add the thicker it will get so depends on the sweetness level you want. I like it just lightly sweet. Serve cold and enjoy!

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Flavored Sugar

I am always blown away by the unique special touches at cafe’s and restaurants all over the city. I have been working on a special menu for our new cafe and I wanted to do something different. The whole idea of our new place is that you can have everything your way. Build your own pizza, grill cheese or salad. So when it came to coffee I wanted to offer the same. Flavored sure seemed like the best idea. I started playing with ideas and I all came out great.

Recipes:

Lemon Sugar-

4 cups Sugar

2 lemons

Place sugar in a large zip lock bar. Add the zest of 2 lemons. Close the bar tight and shake for a few minutes. Allow the bar to sit open for an hour of two and then store in a tightly sealed bar or container.

Vanilla Sugar-

4 cups Sugar

1 Vanilla Bean

Place sugar in a large zip lock bar. Slice vanilla bean in half and run the back of a knife along the inside to remove seeds. Add the seeds to the sugar along with the remaining peal. Close the bag tight and shake for a few minutes. Allow the bar to sit open for an hour of two and then store in a tightly sealed bar or container.

Ginger Sugar-

4 cups Sugar

4 TBS grated Ginger (about 3/4 of a small root)

Place sugar in a large zip lock bar. Gently squeeze out juice from ginger and discard juice. Add the remaining grated ginger to sugar. Close the bag tight and shake for a few minutes. Allow the bar to sit open for an hour of two and then store in a tightly sealed bar or container.

 

Sugar can be used in drinks, recipes and baked goods.

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Pizza Soup

I am always cooking for fun and kid friendly meals that are healthy. Packed with veggies but fun to eat.

What can be better the soup that taste just like pizza.

 

Ingredients:

15 oz Tomato Pure

12 oz Jar Pizza Sauce

1 tsp Salt

15 oz Water

1 Cup Milk

1/4 Cream Cheese

2 tsp Sugar

1/2 Tbs Oregano

1/2 Tbs Parsley

1 tsp Garlic

 

Place everything in a slow cooker on high four 4 hours. Whisk well every hour to help blend together. Serve with grated mozzarella on top.

 

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Southern Greens Made Easy

With thanksgiving around the corner I am always look for new recipes. Greens are classic, easy and very inexpensive.  You can even make them vegetarian if needed.

Ingredients:

1 Large Bunch Collard Greens

2 Cups Broth ( I prefer homemade chicken  but you can use any gluten free store bought or even veggie broth)

1 tsp Salt

2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Chipote Powder

1 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Vinegar (apple cider or rice)

2 Tbs Butter

Start by preparing the greens. For each leaf you need to pull the green part off each side of the thick hard center stem.  Discard the stems and save the leaves in a bowl. Wash or soak the leaves in cold water. Now take about 6 leaves and lay them on top of each other. Then roll them into a tight roll and slice round about 1/2 inch wide. This will give long ribbon like strips. Do this to all the leaves and set aside.

Now, in a large pot bring broth, water, salt, garlic powder, vinegar and chipolte powder to a boil. Toss in all the cuts greens. Lower temp so the liquid hits a high simmer and cover the pot. Cook for thirty minutes and then stir. Add butter and continue to cook and additional 30-45 min stirring occasionally.

Serve hot with a little broth on top. Enjoy!!!

 

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Apple Cider Freeze

Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the weather, the foods, apple picking, the colors of the trees. Every year Jay and I make it a point to have one full day doing fall fun things. This year we went to a scarecrow festival, wineries and apple picking!! With the ten pounds of apples and the gallon of cider we returned with be prepared for a lot of apple related recipes. Since the weather is still warm I came up with this one. A super easy treat the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Apple Cider

All you need to do is toss cold apple cider into your ice cream maker and run for about 10-15 minutes.

If your don’t have an ice cream maker then freeze the cider in ice cube trays. Place frozen cups in a blender and blend until they form a snow.

Optional – For adult, pour over 1 oz of rum to slush for a festive cocktail. IMG_2887

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Cold Brew Coffee

Living in Philly I have become a bit of a coffee fanatic. I know what I like and I need a good cup at least once a day. With summer in full swing its hard to go food a hot cup of anything in the morning. I like iced coffee but can’t get it how I like it at home and hate how diluted it becomes. I have heard of cold brew before but since its always super expensive I never got into it. I did some research and learned home to make it at home. Cold brew coffee is much more potent then regular coffee but since it is never heated the quality is very smooth and not bitter.

Ingredients:

4 1/2 Cup Water
1 Cup Coffee
Coffee Filter
1 Large Container – I prefer an old milk jug to avoid staining anything I use for anything else.
1 Funnel
1 Glass Jar or storage container
Milk, Sugar or any other coffee add in’s

Start by mixing water and coffee together in container. Leave in fridge or on counter for 24 hours. After the first twelve give a quick stir or shake. Once time is up place filter in funnel. Put the funnel above storage container. Slowly pour coffee threw filter. Store in fridge for a few days. Serve on ice with milk and it sugar. Keep in mind coffee is very potent, you should dilute it by half when serving with ice, water or milk. Feel free to adjust recipe as you see fit , this is the way I like it but use your imagination.

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Edamame Guacamole

I was asked to make a healthy guacamole recipe for on online clip and I had never even heard of. Edamame is packed with good vitamins and protein. The texture is more chunky then regular avocado guacamole but if would prefer it more smooth add a small amount of yogurt or oil. Super simple and totally worth a try!

Ingredients:

2 Cup Edamame
Juice of 1 Lime
1 tap Salt
1 Chopped Tomato
1/4 Cup Chopped Cilantro

Throw everything in a food processor and blend very well. Adding oil or yogurt will create a smoother consistence.

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