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?

Water!!! (and an awesome giveaway!)

So, I am doing a ton of updates today! Today must be Kate is awesome getting lots of bloggy stuffs done day...either that or I'm procrastinating packing for vacation! I'd go with the assumption of the latter if I were you.

Moving on....water, water, water!

You've heard me mention it before it is very, very important to keep our bodies running well! I drink way more than I need to in a day but it makes me feel good and I don't really like too many other drinks...especially anything sugar laden. Ick, just makes me feel weighed down. But, I am bringing up water right now because the temperatures are heating up all over the northern hemisphere, especially in the states where some places are having record highs well into the 100's! So, it is more important now more than ever especially as we vacation, stay-cation, whatever your family is doing water needs to be a part of it! Here are a few recipes to get you through. Any of those recipes on that page can also be made with sparkling water for those of you who love to drink soda's but are trying to make a switch!
Here are a few other ideas:

• Add a splash of your favorite 100% fruit juice to carbonated water
• Add grapes with a hole pierced in each one to water let sit for a few hours, especially in the sun to "steep"
• Add blueberries with a hole pierced in each one, or muddle them at the bottom with a fork for a drink full of anti-oxidants
• Add chopped strawberries and blueberries to water and let steep for a couple hours to over night for a refreshing July 4th Drink!
• Combine all of the above for something super delicious!

But, wait, you don't want to actually drink it and have the fruit get in your way?! Well, this won't solve your problem now but if you head on over to Food For Your Cell and enter the giveaway I am co-hosting there! One of the prizes is a water pitcher with a steeping vent so you don't have to have the veggies just floating around in your water if you don't want! 

Here are the deets straight from Food For Your Cell:

I am so excited to bring you this Hydration Challenge and Giveaway, and to have my lovely co-host, Kate, from Adjusting and Readjusting!

The challenge is really quite simple: Drink the right amount of water every day for an entire week. Don’t worry, no one is going to make you check in each day; we’re working on the honor system here! We just want to make sure everyone is healthy as can be, and good health starts with good hydration!

So just how much water DO you need each day? Click these two links to find out!

Hydration Calculator
How Much Water to Drink For Your Body Weight

The first link told me I needed 91 ounces a day. My eyeballs would float out of my head! I know I don’t need to say it, but please use common sense here. Remember: If your urine is clear, you’re actually drinking too much! I find that halving my body weight gives me a much more realistic number – 47.50 ounces. That is totally doable!

Everything you drink counts for your water intake, even that morning coffee. While it’s indeed a diuretic, you retain more fluid than you expel. Food also can count, and in fact most people get 20% of their water from the food they eat. For the purpose of the challenge though, only liquids count.

“But you said there’s a giveaway!”

Ok ok, I know that’s why you’re REALLY here  Here’s what you can win:

Pack of 4 RawNori Stainless Steel nontoxic drink straws with straw cleaner
Prodyne Fruit Infusion 98-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher
Thermos Intak Hydration Bottle, 24 oz.

Awesome, right?! Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions and you’re in!

So....head on over to Food For Your Cell and enter the giveaway! It's an awesome one!

Happy Drinking (water of course!) ;)