Coconut Milk Turmeric Tea (Anti-Inflammatory and Pain-Killing Tea)

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This sweet, coconut milk-tea is filling and delicious, but it's packing a much bigger (and healthier) punch. 

Turmeric is the queen of spice, and it is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties. I have been having some problems with my jaw lately, and after some research, I read that one of my best bets to add natural medicine (trust me, I'm already trying other things) was turmeric.

I read a few recipes for turmeric in hot water, turmeric in milk, etc. The hot water was a little bland and I didn't want to consume that much milk because I generally don't drink dairy. So, I spotted a can of coconut milk in my fridge that was waiting to be used in some chicken curry, and suddenly this recipe was born.

This tea is a warm and comforting drink in the morning or evening. If you have any issues with inflammation, arthritis, or pain, it may help alleviate some of those symptoms due to the turmeric. Additionally, because it contains ginger, it may help with stomach and digestion problems. Throw in that cinnamon and you're helping your body regulate your blood sugar.

Seems like a killer combo to me. Or... make that the opposite of killer (because it's so darn good for you).


Coconut Turmeric Tea
Ingredients:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 can of water
• 1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder or ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 dash of black pepper (optional - does not significantly alter the flavor and is said to increase your body's absorption of the turmeric)
• 1 small piece of ginger or 1/4 tsp ginger powder
• 1/2 tbsp stevia or 1 tbsp honey

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a vitamix or blender and mix until smooth (optional - if you skip this step, simply whisk ingredients together and follow the remaining directions, then strain like tea at the end to filter out any pieces)
    
2. Pour into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on very low heat for 20 minutes. You will need to watch this at the beginning, because it can foam up and overflow if you do not reduce the heat fast enough!
   

Notes: 

1. If you use a blender, be sure to clean it immediately after use. Turmeric has a bright yellow/orange color which can coat your blender. If you do forget to clean it and end up with a bright highlighter blender, I am told by Diane that you can run dish soap and vinegar through it a few times to remove it.

Easy Skinny Margarita

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Ever since my first trip to a local taco joint (Donkey Taqueria), I've been thinking about getting my marg on. I had a delicious, hot pink "prickly pear" margarita, and it has plagued me ever since.

In a good way.

Recently, when we had an at-home taco night, I decided it was time. Prickly pears were nowhere to be found, but I did manage to throw together something simple, healthy, and perfect for taco night.

In case you needed any more convincing, here's why you should make this margarita instead of buying store-bought mix:

• WAY LESS SUGAR. Store-bought margarita mix has 30-50 grams of sugar per glass. If you are using stevia or a sugar substitute and following this recipe, you will ring in at about 1.1grams. That means a much lower risk of waking up with a headache or getting the munchies after your second glass.
• WAY LESS CALORIES. It's hard to beat a 74 calorie cocktail. In this recipe, the calories come from the tequila itself (64 calories per shot), and the lime (10 calories per half-lime). That's it. (Note: I'm not trying to get you to count calories here, but when you make the comparison, a 300 calorie frozen margarita becomes more difficult to justify - especially if you're drinking more than one!)
• IT IS SO EASY. No blender needed. Nothing fancy required. Once you have everything out, you can throw it together in 60 seconds. Seriously, though. Try it.

Easy Skinny Margarita

Servings: 1 Per Recipe
Calories Per Serving: 74 calories

Ingredients:

• Ice
• 1 shot Tequila (I used the equivalent of 1 shot per drink, because I was prepping these in short rocks glasses - and I consume drinks rather quickly, so I try not to overload each of them with booze. If you like your margs very strong, feel free to bump that up to 1.5. And, if you are making these in a highball glass, go with somewhere in between 1 and 2 shots.)
• Juice from 1/2 Lime + 1 Lime wedge (I used the juice from 1/2 lime, plus an extra wedge to garnish, for each drink. Feel free to adjust as needed for your preferences)
• 1 tsp Stevia Syrup or 1 pack Sugar/Sugar Substitute (You can use any sugar or sugar substitute here. I used liquid stevia drops, which require about 1 tsp. If you use sugar or a granulated stevia/substitute, use one pack)
• Sparkling Water (I have used regular sparkling water, as well as cherry-lime La Croix, so feel free to experiment with anything bubbly and unflavored or mildly flavored here)

Directions:

1. Fill glass with ice. 
2. Pour tequila over the ice
3. Squeeze lime juice into the cup.
4. Add sugar substitute.
5. Top with sparkling water, stir, and serve with garnish.

Clara's Mint Juleps

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Warning: These are so good, you might drink half your drink before taking a picture. 

My cousin is the cocktail queen. 

When we got together a few weeks ago on Derby Day, I charged her with making Mint Juleps. It doesn't matter if this girl has made a drink before or not, she will figure it out and make it amazing.

Repeat after me: All hail the queen.

And, as I mentioned in my post about that weekend, she came through with flying colors. Since then, a few readers have asked me for the recipe.

I recently found a large amount of fresh mint growing in my new backyard (thanks, previous owners!), so there is really no excuse to not throw together a mint julep on a hot afternoon. Thanks, Clara!

Clara's Mint Juleps

Ingredients:

• 5 medium sized mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon sugar in the raw of sugar substitute, or 3 drops of liquid stevia
• Squeeze of lime
• Ice
• Splash seltzer water

Directions:

1. In an empty glass of choice (I put mine in the freezer for a few hours to make it frosty), muddle 5 medium sized mint leaves with 1 teaspoon of sugar in the raw, sugar substitute, or 3 drops of liquid stevia, and a squeeze of lime. 
2. Add ice.
3. Pour 1-2 shots of bourbon over ice.
4. Pour into a shaker and shake, then pour all ingredients back into glass and top with seltzer water.

Juiced Apple & Whiskey Cocktail

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"Honey, I have to make a cocktail! It's for the blog! That means it's for WORK!"

I am clearly a juicing fan, but lately I have gotten a little more creative. When I'm in search of a tasty cocktail at home, I try not to add sugars or even simple syrup, because I am attempting to avoid sugar additives.

So, last time I was jonesin' for a drink, I went all natural. I popped two green apples in my Breville Juicer and ended up with an amazing and naturally sweet base for my cocktail! I just added whiskey, ice, and a bourbon marinated cherry, and it was a simple and delicious drink.

Not to mention that, as you're imbibing in an alcoholic beverage, you are also replacing some of the vitamins you naturally lose through that... er... process. What's not to love?

Juiced Apple & Whiskey Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 apples [I used green, but any will do]
• 1.5 oz whiskey
• Ice
• Optional bourbon marinated cherry for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a short glass with ice.
2. Using a juicer, juice two apples. [If you don't have a juicer, you can still make juice! Just blend the apples up in a vitamix or high powered blender and then use a strainer with cheesecloth (or an extremely fine strainer) to remove the pulp.]
3. Combine apple juice with 1.5 oz whiskey.
4. Garnish as you wish! [I used a bourbon marinated cherry, but you could also use something like apple slices or a dash of cinnamon.]

Note: If you're looking for a juicer, here's the model I have from Breville. This one is also available by the same company, and it is significantly cheaper (almost half price) and I have heard good things!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What have you done creatively with cocktails lately?

Any other tips for fun drinks using a juicer?

New York Pt 1 - Brooklyn

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Traveling To New York

New York Pt 1 - Brooklyn

New York Pt 2 - Manhattan

New York Pt 3 - Manhattan Birthday

New York Pt 4 - The Final Day

On Friday morning, we woke up to weather that was far superior to the Chicago cold as of late. Already winning me over, New York!

We are spending the first two nights at my fiance's sister's place. She had recommended Fort Defiance, a place down the street that does everything from craft cocktails to brunch.

My fiance was famished (as usual), so he ordered Huevos Rancheros (top right). Thumbs up from him.

I was going to go for a veggie scramble but figured I should be more adventurous. So, I ended up going for a cheesy biscuit with ham, jalapeno jam, and an over easy egg (bottom left). It was just the right size and delicious.

After brunch, we walked around and ended up stopping into a cute liquor store to buy our host a gift. We grabbed some tasty scotch, dropped it off at the apartment, and headed over to Carrol Gardens.

We stopped to split an amazing salad at Jolie Cantina in Carrol Gardens. After our insanely yummy breakfast, we agreed that we just weren't hungry enough for a full meal, so we split it. It was covered in jicama, chorizo, and other fresh ingredients, with a perfectly poached egg propped on top. 

They had one of my fiance's favorite beers on draft, so we tried it. 1664 Kronenberg. He was pleased.

After lunch, we walked around Brooklyn Heights, stopping in Brooklyn Park and the Brooklyn Promenade. The view of Manhattan was stellar, and it was neat to see from afar the city we'd be in for the following few days.

Eventually, we met up with my fiance's sister and walked around Dumbo. Mostly, I'm just in love with the name here, because Dumbo used to be my favorite movie... but also, it's an awesome spot between the bridges.

We stopped into a chocolate store, and we grabbed two cookies to split. I think one was just regular chocolate chip, and one was a mudslide kind of cookie, with dark batter. I was a huge proponent of the second one.

Post-chocolate consumpton, we headed back toward Red Hook. At this point, my feet were feeling like pure awfulness. We'd been walking all day, and my Sperrys just weren't cutting it. So, we hopped on the bus and got back to home base.

After a change of clothes, we headed out toward the pier to catch the end of the sunset. You could see Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty in the background, so it was quite picturesque.

We put our names in at a restaurant called The Good Fork, then waited at the apartment for a few more minutes. I did't take any pictures at the restaurant, itself, but let's just say that it was a meal that you ought to try. The chef was wonderful. I had juicy steak over a bed of kimchee rice with a sunny side up egg on the top. 

I do, however, have this dark picture of my fiance and myself.

After dinner, we had a few drinks at Red Hook Bait and Tackle (no, it's not a bait and tackle shop). Sleep came very easy that night... I'll leave you with that.

More tomorrow... thanks to everyone who emailed suggestions for our trip! Can't wait to share what we ended up doing.

QUESTIONS:

• Have you been to Brooklyn? What's your favorite site?

16 Holiday Recipes You'll Die For & A Thanksgiving Menu

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It's not just about the turkey, folks. It's about giving thanks and loving each other... and the appetizers, side dishes, and desserts, of course. Here's a Thanksgiving Menu filled with delicious, creative dishes. Pick your favorites and find the recipe links at the bottom.

I know, you're drooling right now. And you're also thinking, "How on earth could I even eat all of those things in one sitting?" The answer is two-fold: Tiny bites, big pants.

Here are the recipes:

Appetizers:
Baked Honey and Basil Brie Pastry with Reduced Kahlua
Pretzel Rolls with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce
Baked Apples with Savory Pork Stuffing
Spicy Curry Pumpkin Fries

Sides:
Skinny Vegetarian Stuffing
Roasted Cranberry Sauce (Here are 7 more Cranberry Sauce recipes)
Kahlua Brown Sugar and Walnut Whipped Sweet Potato 
Thai-Style Brussels Sprouts

Main:
Roasted Turkey

Dessert:
Dark Chocolate Cheesecake With Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache, Toasted Hazelnuts, and Sea Salt
Cherry Pomegranate Mini Pies
Homemade Peppermint Patties

Cocktails:
Whiskey Sweet N Sour Cocktail
Vodka Cake Cocktail
Whiskey Apple Cider
Rumon Ale Cocktail

Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail

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This cocktail is... so good, you'll never taste the alcohol. The combination of cake flavored vodka and sweet, fruit-flavored grenadine syrup will not disappoint. You'll feel like a cute little girl in a ruffled dress with ribbons in her hair... because, after all, drinking cocktails is just a grown up tea party, right?

Let's talk about alcohol. Why? Because it's Friday.

Okay, that was wrong of me. You don't have to drink on Fridays. In fact, I usually don't. But when I do, there are two versions of me. The first is very adventurous and bold. I'll try a drink that's very strong or a drink that tastes so strongly of whiskey that I'm proud of myself for simply finishing it.

The second is a little more picky. Because sometimes, you just don't want to deal with that look that crosses your face when it's a little too alcohol flavored. Sometimes, you just want your drink to taste damn good. Like heaven. Or Strawberry Shortcake.

And boom. We've come full circle.

Strawberry Shortcake Cocktail

Servings: 1 per recipe
Prep Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:

• Ice
• 1.5 oz Cake Flavored Vodka (Pinnacle)
• ~ 1 tbsp Grenadine
• ~ 1/2 cup Seltzer Water or Club Soda (Can substitute Champagne for a bit more bite)

Directions:

1. Fill cup with ice.
2. Add vodka and grenadine.
3. Pour seltzer water, club soda, or champagne over.
4. Add the cutest straw you can find :)

"Rumon Ale" Ginger and Rum Cocktail

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In my taste tester's words, this cocktail is "de rishus." A combination of sharp gingerale, dark aromatic rum, citrus and coconut.

Happy Friday! Are you excited for your obligatory Friday drink recipe? To be honest, after totally binging out at the Fat Tire Memorial tour (14 beers in 14 hours), I thought I was ready for a break from beer. I just don't want to see it for a while. Or smell it. Or hear the word beer, really.

So, instead of beer, which generally is higher calorie anyway (plus, unless I start brewing, I sure can't give you any beer recipes), here's a cocktail! Yay :)

Just because fall is upon us doesn't mean we have to give up on the beach. Rum and gingerale combine to getcha excited for some real beach loving! ...even though it's already cold.

"Rumon Ale" Ginger and Rum Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1.5 Shops Dark Aromatic Rum
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• Diet Gingerale or Gingerale
• Optional: 1/2 tsp Coconut Extract
• Lime Wedges

Directions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add 1.5 shots rum.
3. Add approximately 1 tbsp Lemon Juice.
4. Fill to the top with Diet Gingerale or Gingerale.
5. Add Coconut Extract, if desired.
6. Garnish with a lime. Squeeze lime juice and mix before drinking.

Whiskey Sweet n Sour Cocktail

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A Whiskey Sour with a little Cherry Sweetness to boot... 

At a New Years Eve wedding, I discovered one of my new favorite drinks: A Whiskey Sour. I love the combination of tart, citrus flavors with strong and bold whiskey. It's like the perfect relationship. They bring out the best in each other. [D'awwww!]

On Monday, bf created an impromptu date night that consisted of delicious spicy fish tacos (get the recipe here) and these oh-so-yummy Whiskey Sweet 'N' Sours. As he explained it, we had no limes, so he was forced to work with lemons... and he decided to add a bit of sweetness to make the transition complete. After all, if you're changing one thing, you may as well change another. Gotta love that philosophy.

Whiskey Sweet N Sour Cocktail

Ingredients:

• ice
• 2oz whiskey
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1.5 oz ginger ale (or diet ginger ale)
• 1 dash grenadine (about 1 tsp)

Directions:

1. Fill the cup with ice.
2. Pour whiskey.
3. Pour lemon juice.
4. Add 1 dash (or about 1 teaspoon) of grenadine.
5. Fill the glass the rest of the way with ginger ale.