Recipe Review: CCF Tea from Hey Monica B!

 There is nothing like a simple, warm cup of tea to start your morning. I love a cup of herbal tea to start the day and usually a few hours before breakfast to help get things going. This tea comes from a great Ayurvedic website called Hey Monica B! I started listening to her podcasts a few months ago and got a basic education in how Ayurvedic medicine works. It is a gentle, natural approach to supporting your body and I found it fascinating.

 

This tea is made from Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel seed. It is mildly cleansing, a liver detoxify-er and helps balance hormones, a great way to start the morning. Here is the article with the directions.

 You can add honey to sweeten it if you wish, I found that it isn't really needed for my tastes.

 

I like to have it first thing and then do some light yoga before breakfast. It gently wakes up my digestive fires and gets my system ready for the day. If you want to know more about Ayurveda take this quiz and start listening to Monica's podcasts. I suggest starting with #1 and listening to them in order if you aren't familiar with Ayurveda, she gives a great background and modern application.

Enjoy your day!

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

I have missed having a warm cup of cocoa early in the morning to warm up and jump start the day. It was 2 degrees when I first left the house this morning to take kids to the bus stop...never have I needed a jump start like I did today!

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

1 c. water

1/4 c. full fat coconut milk

1 T. good quality cocoa powder

2-4 T. honey

vanilla or mint extract, optional

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat through. Alternately you can combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, shake well then pour into a mug then heat in the microwave.

Cranberry Sparkler

I don't know why, but I have been craving a fizzy drink lately. I have never been a soda person but sometimes it just hits the spot. This works with any kind of juice, I chose cranberry this time. If you have young kids on the SCD this would make a fun party drink for them.

Ingredients:
1 bottle sparkling mineral water, check for no addititives
1 can frozen juice concentrate, make sure it is 100% juice
ice cubes

Method:
1. Mix up the juice using 2/3 of the recommended water.
2. Fill a glass 1/2 way with juice mixture then add ice cubes.
3. Fill up the glass with sparkling water.

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

This is a very refreshing drink, perfect for breakfast or anytime.

1 small can Dole pineapple juice (6 oz)
1/2 c. coconut milk
1/2 c. ice or 4 ice cubes

Combine everything in a blend and blend till creamy. This isn't meant to be thick, just frothy. Add more ice cubes if you like it thicker. My daughter likes to add 1/2 a banana, I think strawberries would be good. Get creative!