Spicy Chai

Chai is such a fun fall beverage that makes my heart beat fast! I found this recipe on Pintrest but then tweaked it to my liking. I really prefer iced drinks unless it's like 30 degrees or below (which doesn't happen very often in Oklahoma), but this recipe can be warmed in the microwave for per cup service. For a big party, it's nice to put it on the stove warm with milk and let people ladle out their warmed chai.

7 cups boiling water
10 black tea bags
3 tablespoons mulling spices
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1 vanilla bean pod spilt with seeds removed and added or 2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper (optional)
1/2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey

Bring water to a boil in a pot. Once it's boiling, turn off heat and add tea bags, spices and if using vanilla bean pod. Let steep 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and add brown sugar, honey and vanilla extract if using. Pour into a craft or pitcher and let cool. Store in fridge and mix with equal parts milk hot or cold. This recipe typically lasts me a week or so depending how much I indulge during the day :)

Power Smoothies

Hello all! Here is another healthy recipe, but it's so tasty you won't even know that it's good for you! (I hope!) I make these smoothies for breakfast often and they keep me very full and satisfied throughout the morning. They have ground flax seed in them, which I got in the bulk section of Whole Foods. Flax is super good for you and packed full of fiber. You have to grind flax seed up, though, for your body to absorb the nutrients properly. I just grind them up in my little coffee grinder for a minute and they are ready to go. Also, I use the protein packed, non-fat greek yogurt to give this breakfast a little substance.

You will need a blender! Here is mine that my wonderful hubby got me for my birthday this past year. Some would say, "A blender? For a birthday gift? Isn't that offensive?" NO! I love it and he knew my passion for making smoothies and other various beverages (especially of the adult form) in these magical machines :)

1.5-2 cups frozen fruit
1 cup 100% juice
handful of fresh spinach
6oz tub of non fat flavored greek yogurt
1 tablespoon ground flax seed

Toss all of the goodies in the blender and let it whirl! The frozen fruit acts as the ice, so if you use fresh fruit, you'll need to use a handful of ice. If you don't know how to make ice, stop reading this blog please. :) I will say that this smoothie is pretty tart, which I love, but if you like your's sweeter use apple juice instead of orange and change up which fruits you use. Bananas have a lot of sugar in them, so they would be great in this. I know it may seem weird to add fresh spinach in a smoothie, but it is an excellent way to add veggies and not compromise the taste. Promise!

You'll have to excuse my pictures, by the way. I am a work in progress here and refuse my husband's help since I want to be an independent woman. If you know my husband, you know he's kind of a perfectionist and I am not at all. All of these photos were taken either at 5:30am or 9:30pm. I promise I will get better at the picture aspect of this whole blogging thing.

Enjoy your smoothies, party people!