Winter Mint Tea

When we moved to Amsterdam I was really into trying anything new...especially new foods. I had no idea that one of my favorite things would wind up being a tea!

One day when I was out with a friend she asked if I had ever tried the fresh mint tea here in The Netherlands...to which I promptly scoffed and replied, uh, no, coffee for me all the way. Then her tea came. And it smelled amazing.

Next time I was out I tried some and it really is delicious! It is low in calories, yet flavorful! I love being able to have something with taste with out all the guilt. I can no longer drink anything carbonated, it makes my stomach feel awful. ...and honestly I would rather eat my daily calories than drink them! haha But, I do sometimes get board of just plain water. You guys have seen my flavored water mixes I've created in the past!

For the basic mint tea there really isn't a secret to it...you buy fresh mint leaves, pour some boiling water over them and voila...Mint Tea! In the grocery store here I pay about €0,99 for a small pack of fresh mint leaves which is more than enough for me, if I want the larger pack, if they are in stock I will pay anywhere from €1,00 to €1, 50. A small pack I can get 2-3 glasses out of the large pack, well, it is large that can be a lot of tea! ha! However, at a cafe you will easily pay a solid €3,00 for this...sometimes less, but every once in a while a little more. So, making it at home is obviously the better option!

Below I am going to introduce you a variation on the basic mint tea!

Winter Mint Tea

Serves 1

• Fresh mint leaves
• Quarter of a lemon
• 1 Tea bag with the flavors cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange (I used Pickwick Winter Glow)

1. Place the washed mint leaves in your cup. 
2. Lightly squeeze lemon over the mint leaves. 
3. Pour boiling water over the leaves and lemon then put the tea bag into the water. 
4. Let steep for 3-4 minutes. 
5. Remove the tea bag and lemon slice. 
6. You can remove the mint too but I love to leave it in there, gives it more of  minty smell as I sip and clears my nose ;)
7. Enjoy!

In the event you need to be further convinced to give this a try here are a few reasons.

Health Benefits of Mint:

• Helps digestion/relieve inflammation
• Helps with Nausea and Headaches
• Can help clear congestion
• It is a natural stimulant and can help recharge the brain
• Freshens breath

Health Benefits of Lemon:

• Helps with digestion
• Can help cleanse the body
• Boots the immune system since it is high in Vitamin C
• Freshens Breath
• Natural stimulant, can help recharge the brain
• Promotes healing

Lemon and mint share a lot of the same natural healing properties. These two are a power house when combined. If you try it, make sure to let me know! 

What is your favorite warm beverage during the winter months?

Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

A few weeks back for the #countdown2Xmas photo prompt, cheer, I posted this fabulous cup of what I call *holiday cheer*, which really is just a Hot Buttered Rum of sorts.
See, yum!!! I will warn you I sort of "bulletproofed" this recipe. I hadn't had a ton of fat the day I created it so I threw a bunch in there. It makes for a delicious treat!

A photo posted by Kate (@diaryofanurbanhousewife) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:35am PST

Here is how I did it.

Hot Buttered Rum
Serves 1
Shot of Bacardi Oakheart
Double shot of Honey Mead
Up to 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil*
Up to 1 Tablespoon of butter
Pinch of cinnamon
 *Note: Tread lightly with the coconut oil. If you aren't used to eating it, it has *cleansing* properties to it so start out low, you could go as low as a tsp and still get the coconutty flavour.

Combine all in a sauce pan and heat on medium-low heat until butter and coconut oil are melted and the rum and mead are warm, I usually heat until I see steam.

Don't heat too long as you don't want to burn off all the alcohol, after all this is a cup of holiday cheer for us adults ;)