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being healthy is finally delicious!

 

Healthy Chicago Cooking Classes

tea

Yogi Turmeric Tea

Inflammation fighting Yogi Turmeric Tea.

Yogi Tea is the original chai. It’s said that yogi tea purifies the blood, the lungs and the circulatory system.  Basically it keeps the immune system strong.

The five spice components are cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, black pepper, and fresh ginger. I am adding in turmeric root for additional inflammation-fighting booster.  Tea is then added; traditionally caffeinated black tea was used for stimulating the digestion and the immune system- however I take some liberties and switch it up with chamomile or other decaf tea. Dairy milk is also typically used to pad the stomach from all the intense spices, though any non-dairy preference works here.

Did I mention it’s delicious? Cuz it is! Ooooh, and your home is going to smell soooo warming, comforting, and wonderful (much better for you than scented candles).

Happy sipping!

Monique

 

Yogi Turmeric Tea

8 cups water (2 quarts)
1/2 tbl black peppercorns
1/2 tbls whole cloves
1/2 tbl cardamom
4-8 cinnamon sticks
Thumb-size of fresh ginger
Pinky-size of fresh turmeric root
1-2 bags tea

~honey & milk as desired

 

Bring water to a boil, add all ingredients except tea. Cover and simmer 2 hours.
strain

Remove from heat, add black tea and let cool. Strain.

At this point, you can add milk and honey (to taste) or you can add milk and honey to each individual cup as you drink it.

Either way, store in the fridge. Drink chilled or warm.

 

Happy Notes:

  • I like a to add a little extra ginger and black peppercorns for a touch more spice. This is a super easy recipe to adjust to your liking.
  • This makes a fairly big batch, feel free to cut it in half.

 

 

Bulletproof Coffee and UnCoffee

Bulletproof Coffee (or tea) – have you heard of it? It’s the creamiest, dreamiest cup of coffee ever!

It’s essentially a cup of coffee blended with grass-fed butter and MCT oil.

–>The grass-fed butter (or ghee) helps sustains energy for hour and balances hormones.

–>MCT oil is a purified form of coconut oil said to help suppress hunger, lose weight, think faster.

The idea is to kick fat-burning into overdrive using high fat and no carbs. It’s said to kill cravings and boost energy and cognitive function, giving you less brain fog and clearer thinking. One other benefit is that the fat helps to slow down the absorption of the caffeine so you don’t get the high/low swings. Many people on high fat diets, like the Ketogenic diet, will have a bulletproof latte in place of breakfast in the morning. I’ve done it and find it usually satiates me until lunch.

For Bulletproof UnCoffee: If you aren’t a coffee drinker, you simple sub in tea. One of my favorites to use is dandelion tea which also helps to cleanse the liver. It comes in tea bags or try my favorite Dandy Blend which is an instant powder.

Note:

  • you absolutely do have to blend this otherwise you’ll have a hot oil slick just sitting across the top of the cup.  Use a blender or one of these handy little mini frothers right in your cup.
  • But, this stuff is powerful, only start with 1 tsp and build up (too much too son can act like a diuretic!)

Happy Eats,

Monique

Bulletproof Coffee and UnCoffee

1 cup (8-12) oz coffee, tea or dandy blend

1 tsp – 2 tbls of MCT oil

1-2 tbl ghee or unsalted grass-fed butter

 

–>Blend together (about 20 seconds) until foamy.

Additional add-ins:

1 scoop collagen powder- great for hair, skin and nails

Cinnamon or cardamom: tasty addition

Ashwaganda: an adaptogen the helps the body cope with daily stress