Rich Lactose-Free Milk - with many Vegan options

Here are several delicious milk alternatives suitable for just about every diet out there!

My mom has made several kinds of milk alternatives over the years. Some are dairy free and vegan. Some are nut-free. Some are made with homemade seed milks. Some are protein enriched. All of them are sugar-free.

Here is our families favorite, creamy, dairy-like beverage that is lactose-free with lots of vegan options. This basic recipe of hers offers you a lot of versatility. Play with different variations and blends of milks to find what you love best. For example, one great combination is almond and coconut milk. You can either make a sweet or neutral tasting milk, depending on what you plan on using it for.


Mom's Rich Lactose-Free Milk Recipe:

1 quart lactose free milk *
2 to 3 T. whey protein powder (unflavored and unsweetened), or more to taste
1/8 to 1/4 t. BioSalt, to taste
2 to 4 T. coconut milk powder (for a creamier taste), optional
1/4 t. stevia glycerite, to taste
A few drops of real vanilla extract
A few drops almond extract, optional


Method:

Warm the lactose-free milk or combination of lactose-free milks to 80 to 100 degrees.
Put half of the warmed milk (2 cups) into a blender.
Add the whey protein powder and coconut milk powder, and blend together.
Add the rest of the milk and blend.
Add the flavoring. (Vanilla and/or almond extract is especially good with coconut milk.)
Add the salt to taste, until the mixture does not taste "flat or watery".
Add stevia glycerite, to taste.
Chill.


* You may choose from a variety of unflavored and unsweetened lactose free milks:
Almond milk (in milk section of grocery stores)
Coconut milk (in milk section of grocery stores)
Organic Soy milk (in milk section of grocery stores)
Rice milk (in milk section of grocery stores)
Cashew milk (homemade)
Hemp seed milk (homemade)
Sesame seed milk (homemade)
Sunflower seed milk (homemade)
etc...


See our Copy-Cat Almond Breeze Recipe for an example of how to make your own nut milk.

Notes: 

You can make this milk rich and sweet enough to be similar to Half & Half.

You may add a little bit of non-GMO lecithin powder to this lactose-free milk, especially when making the vegan versions, particularly with coconut milk - It helps emulsify the fat, and adds wonderful nutrition for the nerves. Lecithin also makes the milk taste even creamier and richer.

Almond extract is the best thing we have found for complimenting the flavor of coconut, in fact going so far as to partially neutralize the coconut taste for people who do not like the taste of coconut milk.

This milk is wonderful used in many ways:

Added to hot cocoa mix
Poured over hot cereal like oatmeal
Used as a base for smoothies
Used as an ice cream base
Chilled for drinking a tall cold glass along with a side of cookies


Enjoy,

Leila & Nancy.

The BEST Tasting D.I.Y. Low-Carb Milk (3 Variations)

I thought you may enjoy a tasty yet inexpensive "Milk" to enjoy with your new low-carb breakfasts.

I have been posting some nice low-carb breakfast options, but they all go well with milk! We need a low-carbohydrate milk too, right?

You could always use unsweetened almond, coconut, or soy milk, but I thought I'd give you a really affordable option for all you dairy lovers out there (me). You most likely have milk for the rest of the family, so it will be easy to make this recipe for yourself.

I have included other low-carb milk variations, but the first one tastes the best. Try them all and see what you think. I know I love to have lots of options, so I try hard to provide you with a variety of options too.



The Best Tasting Low-Carb Milk Recipe:

1 c. organic whole milk (12 grams total carbs)
3 to 4 c. purified cold water
2 to 4 T. heavy cream (from about .80 to 1.60 total carbs)
1/8 t. sea salt or BioSalt, to taste
1/4 t. stevia glycerite, to taste
1/2 t. real vanilla extract, to taste (optional)


Method:

Measure everything into a glass mason jar.
Tighten the lid and shake together well.
Chill in the refrigerator.



To make 1 serving (3.2 grams carbs):

1/4 c.organic whole milk (3 grams carbs)
3/4 to 1 c. purified cold water
1/2 to 1 T. heavy cream (from about .20 to .40 total carbs)
1 pinch sea salt or BioSalt
1 to 2 drops stevia glycerite, to taste
1/8 t. real vanilla extract, to taste (optional)

Notes & Variations:

This Low-Carb Milk has a combined total of about 12.8 grams of carbohydrates for the full amount made (with only 2 T heavy cream added).

If you want more of a skim milk taste, mix it with the 4 c. water.

If you want more of a whole milk taste, mix it with only 3 c. water.

If you want a richer milk, increase the cream up to 8 T.

If you want to make chocolate milk, add a paste made of cocoa powder and sweeten to taste

If you want to use powdered milk instead of fresh whole milk: 

Omit whole milk and add 1/4 c. plus 1 T. plus 1 t. instant dry milk powder (dried whole milk is preferred to dried skim milk). Increase the heavy cream to anywhere from 4 to 8 T., according to your tastes. This version does not taste as good as when using fresh whole milk. (The carb count is the same for the powdered milk and the fresh milk.)


If you want a higher protein content Low-Carb Milk (1 serving): 

Mix together these dry ingredients:
1 T. buttermilk powder (a low carb variety)
1 T. whey protein isolate *
1/4 t. Table-Top Sugar Replacement Blend
1 pinch sea salt or BioSalt
Slowly add:
1 c. purified water
2 T. heavy cream
Mix well until everything is dissolved, then add: 
A splash of real vanilla extract, if desired
Chill well. Shake well before using.
(0.5 g carbs and 11 g protein per serving.)

* Source: Now brand or get from the Protein Factory (online).


Now you can enjoy some low-carb milk with your High Fiber Hot Cereal, low-carb pancakes or low-carb buttermilk pancakes!


Enjoy,

Leila.

Refreshing Iced Rooibose Tea Recipe (Caffeine-Free Sugar-Free)

Stay hydrated! This healthy iced tea is a great way to do that.

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, I wanted to share with you a delicious recipe for a very refreshing, healthful iced tea.

If you have not heard of rooibose tea before, it is a very tasty herbal tea that is very high in healthful antioxidants and is naturally caffeine-free. I love using it as a base for my Herbal Chai and Thai Tea beverages. I also love it alone, hot or cold. Look for rooibose at your local health food store, or online.

I have included different sweetening options for this iced tea. I usually cut the amount of granular sweetener called for by at least half and enhance the sweetness with Stevia Glycerite, to taste. It makes the cost of the sweetener alternatives less expensive to use, and it tastes just as good. Stevia only tastes weird or bitter if you use too much. Most people use too much. In a large mug of hot herbal tea, I only use about 4 drops of stevia, just so you get an idea of how much to use. Sour things may need more sweetener, obviously.


Caffeine-Free Rooibos Iced Tea recipe:

5 cups purified water
3 Rooibose tea bags (remove any paper tags)
4 to 5 T. Raw organic sugar, or 5 T. xylitol, or 6 T. erythritol or Lakanto zero-cal sweetener
2 lemons
1 lime


Method:

Bring 4 cups water to a boil, remove from heat and add tea bags. cover and steep several hours, or preferably overnight. The stronger the tea, the better. Store in the fridge until needed.

Dissolve the sweetener in 1 additional cup of hot water and stir until dissolved.

Juice the lemons and lime.

Remove and squeeze dry the rooibose tea bags. Add the 1 cup sweetened water and citrus juice to the rooibose tea. Mix and serve over crushed ice.


Notes: 

If you choose, reduce the above sweetener by half and add a few drops of stevia glycerite, to taste.

You may also try steeping the rooibose teabags with cinnamon chips too.


To make 2 liters:

Place 4 Rooibose tea bags inside a 2 liter jug. Pour boiling water to fill the jug and let steep 5 to 10 minutes. Add about 5 to 6 T raw organic sugar or other sweetener of choice, to taste. stir to dissolve. Remove the teabags when the tea is strong enough for your liking, or leave teabags in and chill for a few hours in the fridge. Do not dilute with ice at this time.

You may like adding chopped fruit to your glass of ice (chopped apple, a lemon slice, orange, pineapple...).


Enjoy!

Leila

DEEP COCOA HOT CHOCOLATE MIX - SUGAR FREE

SUGAR FREE HOT COCOA

This healthy and delicious hot cocoa is one of Nancy Glazier's (my mom) formulas that she made especially for a wonderful company called Deep Cocoa. +http://www.deepcocoa.com/ 

This rich and creamy cocoa appeals to a niche market, those of us who want a rich and satisfying hot chocolate that is actually good for us!

Fortunately for my family, we got to enjoy this hot cocoa is it evolved in it's creation process. A perk of being my mom's daughter.

It truly is guilt-free. It's great with breakfast (or for breakfast at times). It chases away the chill of cold evenings, and of course is yummy any time of day when chocolate is called for (when is chocolate not called for?). I love to pour some of this hot cocoa in a thermos for outings and camping trips. I let my children drink it without worries and they love it.

We drink this beverage all year long. It is not seasonal at our house. In warm weather I prepare this cocoa mix as milk chocolate! To help the mix dissolve easily, I pour into a glass a little warm water, add the cocoa mix and stir until dissolved, then I top off the glass with cold water or cold almond milk or organic milk, to taste. YUM.

Another thing I love about this beverage is that it is good for those of us who want to slim down and remain slim. It has a satiating quality that really helps to curb cravings - and you don't feel treat deprived. I found it really works.

Shortly after the launch of Deep Cocoa, I volunteered to help out at the Deep Cocoa booth at some expos. It was really fun to see people's response to this beverage. As they would sample it, their eyes would brighten and a smile would spread across their face. And when they heard it was sugar free, they would exclaim "NO Way!" I enjoyed telling the public about all the health benefits of this comforting drink.

What felt the best to me was knowing that what I was sharing with people, was actually good for them. The world needs more healthy comfort foods. That is why I am sharing this with you now.

I hope you will go to www.deepcocoa.com and support their business endeavor. This company is doing a good thing in providing for us a terrific healthy chocolate drink that is:

Sugar-free
High-fiber
Low-carb
Lactose-free
Chemical-free
Low-fat
Low-calorie
Protein-enhanced
Artificial sweetener-free

In other words, this drink is awesome! Good job mom!

AS TOLD BY OUR FRIENDS AT DEEP COCOA.COM....

SUGAR FREE HOT COCOA

For many the words “sugar free” and “chocolate” don’t belong in the same sentence. But times are changing and with the advent of new and innovative natural 0-calorie sweeteners, it’s now possible to create a truly great tasting sugar free hot chocolate without resorting to artificial sweeteners. Possible, but not easy and that’s where Deep Cocoa Hot Chocolate comes in.

Deep Cocoa was three years in the making. That’s how long it takes to create something really special. Understanding how to combine multiple natural sweeteners in a way to duplicate the taste of sugar is no easy task. We’re out to prove that Deep Cocoa Hot Chocolate tastes as good or better than sugar sweetened hot chocolate mixes and is superior to “no sugar added” varieties that utilize artificial, chemically produced sweeteners. We use only the best natural cocoa powder, plant-based natural sweeteners and other top quality ingredients. Deep Cocoa not only tastes great without sugar, it’s also a good source of protein and fiber.

Where else could you find a satisfying cup of hot chocolate with only 35 calories, less than one gram of fat and only four net carbs? We’re confident you’ll agree that Deep Cocoa Hot Chocolate is the best sugar free (or no sugar added hot chocolate) that you’ve ever tasted. We back up every purchase with a 100% money-back guarantee.

OUR STORY

On a cold, gray day in February 2011, I was working in my office at Amber Lyn Chocolates in St. George, Utah. We were a small chocolate company specializing in sugar free Belgian chocolate. My phone rang and one of the ladies in our retail store asked if I would walk over to meet with a customer who wanted to talk to the boss.

I walked across the alley separating the store from the factory and through the bustling shipping area to the storefront. There I met Nancy for the first time. She was a very nice lady, probably in her early 60's, thin and brimming with energy. She told me how much she and her husband appreciated our chocolate since they didn’t eat sugar and both were gluten intolerant. We received compliments like that all the time from our online customers and it was especially nice to hear one in person. Then she asked me a very strange question.

"What do you want to do next?"

"Next?" I repeated.

"Yes, what are you working on? What are you doing in the way of new products?"

That’s the first time a customer had ever asked me that. Over the almost four years that I had been running the company, lots of people came to us with the next “big thing” in chocolate that they wanted us to make. I thought that I was in for another not-so-great suggestion.

"Well, actually, I’ve been thinking about developing a sugar free hot chocolate that doesn’t use artificial sweeteners and tastes as good or better than Swiss Miss or Hershey’s.”

Without a moment’s hesitation she said, "I can do that."

Nancy went on to tell me that she was a food designer. She said she’d have something for me to try in a week or two– and she did.

We’re not going to beat Thomas Edison’s tries at inventing the light bulb (1000 failures) but we have been persistent about creating as perfect a sugar free hot chocolate recipe as is humanly possible.

Edison is reported to have said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Here at Deep Cocoa we’ve spent nearly two years and we’ve found nearly a hundred different iterations that weren’t quite right. So we kept on working, searching and formulating.

Deep Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix is the finest, highest quality sugar free hot cocoa mix available today. It costs a little bit more than the “major” brands you’ll find in the supermarket aisle, but that’s because we refuse to compromise. You won’t find any artificial sweeteners, preservatives or anything else that’s not good for you. You will find the highest quality cocoa powder, all natural, non-caloric sweeteners and other natural flavors and ingredients. We think you’ll like it as much as we do.

http://www.deepcocoa.com/deep-cocoa-original-hot-chocolate-mix-sugar-free/

"It's really good.  We promise.  So get shopping so you can get sipping as soon as possible."

http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Cocoa-Chocolate--Sugar-Free/dp/B00KFKT2YA/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1427315540&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+cocoa+hot+chocolate




Enjoy,

Leila & Nancy

A healthy raw chocolate milk recipe - you can even make this sugar-free!

Quick & Raw Chocolate milk 


This delicious & healthy milk can easily be made dairy free, nut-free, sugar-free, low-carb, vegan, paleo, whatever you want. Nice, right?

This is one of my mother's healthy raw food recipes. It is very versatile, and quick to make. Prepare it ahead of time and store it in a quart jar in the fridge, just shake a bit before serving.

You can make this in larger batches once you know how much cocoa and sweetener you like to add.

This is easy to make sugar free, just use erythritol and/or xylitol, then enhance the sweetness with a coupe drops of stevia glycerite. A recipe to make your own stevia glycerite may be found on this blog. It will save you a lot of money to make your own, or use Now brand stevia glycerite.

Our chocolate milk is a much better post-workout option than sugar-laden, commercial chocolate milk! Maybe you heard that the Dairy council made a recommendation last year about chocolate milk as being the ultimate post workout beverage. It was then put on the worst nutritional advice for the year list. Well, fortunately, you get to decide for yourself. I say, have the best of both worlds, and drink this chocolate milk instead...

"Chocolate Milk As A Sports Drink Has To Be The Worst Health (But Admittedly Delicious) Suggestion Of The Year" http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/

http://www.dairyreporter.com/

Kitchen Cheetahs Quick & Raw Chocolate Milk Recipe:

2 c. raw milk or a 50/50 blend of coconut milk & almond milk (or Brazil nut or cashew milk)
2 to 4 T. raw cacao powder (2 T. of this can be raw carob powder), to taste
2 T. (1-oz) baby Thai coconut puree or 1/8th to 1/4th t. guar gum, if more thickness is desired
Golden Lakanto, raw agave or sweetener of choice, to taste
1/2 t. real vanilla extract (or a small piece of vanilla bean)
Raw rice protein powder, to taste (like Sun Warrior brand)


Method:

Blend together in a blender (like a Vitamix). If using a piece of vanilla bean, make sure it is pureed well. Taste for flavor and sweetness and adjust as desired. Serve cold.


Tips:


We like to add protein powder to enhance the nutrition of this beverage.

Recipes for nut milks may be found on this blog. Any combination of nut milks may be used.

You can make up a large batch of nut milk and and freeze part of the batch for later use.

For convenience, you can prepare a large batch of baby coconut puree and freeze it in 1-ounce portions in ice cube trays. Store frozen cubes in freezer-safe containers or freezer storage bags.





Enjoy,

Leila & Nancy.

Copy-Cat Bragg's Ginger Spice Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe (Sugar-Free)

My Copy-Cat version of Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar All Natural Drink 

- Ginger Spice flavor

This drink is for those of you who are health conscious. Because this drink is not like a diet Coke...I'm just sayin'.

A dear friend of mine came over to my house drinking this bottled beverage. Of course I was curious. She likes it and says it is a definite pick-me-up. I  tasted it, and when I heard how much a bottle of it cost, I looked at the ingredient list and then I told her I thought I could duplicate it. It costs pennies to make yourself. She left me the bottle with a bit of the drink left in it. I figured out how to make the drink at home the next day and sent her the recipe.

This drink is not for everyone, but it is strangely good. You may have already heard about the health benefits of drinking a little apple cider vinegar daily. We know that ginger is amazingly good for us too. The 2 together are an improvement for the vinegar, I must say. I like not having any sugar added and the stevia does a nice job of sweetening this beverage without calories.

When I set out to duplicate a recipe, I always look at the product's ingredient list. I write down the ingredients like you see below. I leave space for me to write in the recipe amounts. I do a sensory test of the product and take notes. I source my ingredients and then get to formulating. Just in case you were curious. Personally, I think it's fun to formulate.

This is the ingredient list on the Bragg Ginger Spice bottle:

Pure distilled water
Bragg organic apple cider vinegar
organic ginger
organic stevia extract

Here is my formula...

Ginger Spice Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe:

Yield: 1 quart
Difficulty level: Easy Peasy

Ginger Water Concentrate:

2-inch piece of raw ginger root
2 c. distilled or purified water

Ginger Drink:

Ginger concentrate, to taste
1/4 c. raw apple cider vinegar (like Bragg's) (plus 1 T. more for a tarter version)
1/4 t. stevia glycerite (recipe on this blog, or use Now brand)
Water to make up a total of 1 quart


Method:

Grate or finely mince the ginger into a medium-sized pot.
Add 2 cups water and place on the stove.
Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.
Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
Take off heat and allow to steep. Let cool to room temperature.
Strain, pressing the pulp dry.
I like to add a bit more water to the spent ginger pulp and puree a bit in the blender and strain again.
Pour the desired amount of ginger concentrate into a 1-quart glass jar. (I pour in all of it!)
Add the vinegar and stevia glycerite. swirl to mix well.
Top off with water.
Taste and add more ginger or vinegar as desired.
Chill or serve over ice.


Variations:

Add 2 T. chia seeds
Add a pinch of tumeric powder
Add some real maple syrup, to taste (not sugar-free)


Some benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar: 

Contains antioxidants
Improves blood sugar levels
Antibacterial, so helpful for a sore throat

http://www.doctoroz.com/ says,
"Drinking apple cider vinegar before a high-carbohydrate meal improves insulin sensitivity—slowing the rate of blood sugar levels rising—in people who are insulin resistant (a prediabetes condition) or have type 2 diabetes, according to a 2004 study. The researchers note that vinegar may possess physiological effects similar to the anti-diabetes medications acarbose and metformin."
http://www.doctoroz.com/article/people-are-drinking-vinegar-should-you 

Enjoy,

Leila

Photos of the process (making a double batch):

I freeze my ginger and then grate the amount I want for my recipes.

Grate the ginger while it's still frozen. Here I have about 4 inches worth for a double batch.

Put the pot on the stove with 2 cups of water. Simmer covered, and then let steep.

The ginger has brewed and cooled somewhat and is ready for straining.

I use a fine mesh bag draped over a mason jar strainer to easily strain and then squeeze the ginger dry.

Pour ginger brew into fine mesh bag to strain.

Tightly squeeze the ginger dry.

Put the ginger root in a blender with 2 c. more water (for a double batch) and blend.

Yield: 4 cups ginger concentrate.

Now I am making my Ginger Spice Apple Cider Vinegar Drink. For my double batch I used the full 4 cups ginger concentrate.

Best served cold, over ice! Are you fighting off a cold? Add a pinch of cayenne and drink hot or cold. I like to add a little bit more ACV to make it more therapeutic. A touch more stevia added is fine too.

Author, Leila Wood.

A Favorite Slimming & Detoxifying Green Drink (A Concentrate)

My Family's Favorite Green Drink

A Green Drink Concentrate

This drink is so fresh, green, and clean. You know you are doing good for your body when you drink this!

This has been a basic in our homes for decades. It is an instant pick-me-up. My daughter regularly makes this green drink for herself, how cool is that? She loves it for the energy it gives her and she also loves how it clears her skin. We never get sick of it, in fact our bodies crave it.

The green drink formula provided below, makes a green drink concentrate. It takes up less space in the refrigerator that way. This is very easy to make. The Vitamin C is added to preserve freshness and extend the shelf life. It is meant to be diluted with water before drinking.

Parsley really tastes good in this drink and it is an amazing blood purifier, plus it freshens your breath and whole digestive system. The chlorophyll all the greens contain is very healing and purifying to the body. The slimming fiber being included in this green drink help you feel full longer and benefit your digestive processes as well. Then there are all the bio-available living vitamins and minerals...

This is the fastest way to down a large salad that I know of! Plus it's sugar and fat free.

Drinking this green drink on a regular basis (the more often the better) was a big factor in my losing 20 pounds with ease. It is convenient to have in your refrigerator, ready when you are. I pour some in a protein drink shaker jar, dilute with water to taste, and go. I like to trade off between this green drink and a protein drink a couple times a day. I will also snack on healthy foods if  I get hungry during the day. I then eat dinner with the family. I will go into more detail about my slimming protocol later...

If you are new to green drinks, or you usually drink fruit smoothies or fruit juices with, say, 5 spinach leaves added - start more slowly to give your taste buds and body time to get used to it. I suggest taking an 8-ounce glass and filling it up 1/4th of the way full with green drink. Then top off with cold purified water. You can dilute it even more if you want to. You will find that as time passes, your body will crave it more and more, and you will need to dilute it less and less.



BASIC GREEN DRINK Formula:

1 Large bunch organic parsley
8 Stalks organic celery (with tops)
1/2 Pound organic baby spinach leaves
1/4 t. Ascorbic acid powder (Vitamin C powder)
Purified water to make a total of 1 gallon


Equipment:

High powered blender (Vitamix or BlendTec)
1-gallon juice storage container with an air-tight lid


Method:

Wash the organic produce and drain.
Rough chop the parsley and celery.
Pour about 2 to 3 cups purified water in your large blender container.
Place the parsley, celery, and some of the spinach in the blender with the water.
Secure lid tightly and puree on high until completely liquefied.
Pour into your 1-gallon container.
Pour in 2 to 3 cups more water into your blender container.
Add the rest of the spinach and completely liquefy.
Pour into the 1-gallon container.
Add a little more purified water to the blender, secure lid and turn on high speed to rinse.
Pour the rinse water into the 1-gallon container.
Add the vitamin C powder.
Top off the 1-gallon container with water, secure lid and shake to blend. Store in the refrigerator.
This will last a few days in the refrigerator, but do drink up quickly for freshness.


To drink: Shake before use. Dilute this with additional purified water to taste before consuming.


Note: You can use 1/4th kale and 3/4th spinach if you choose to. Too much kale has a strong taste, so don't over do the kale. You can always add more parley if you happen to add too much kale.


See pictures of the green drink making process below:

Preparing the greens

Rough chop the greens

Process the first batch of greens with purified water

Completely liquefy the greens

Pour the first batch into a gallon container

Starting the second batch of greens with more purified water - puree well

The second batch of greens is finished

Pour into the gallon container

Add purified water to the blender and turn on high or pulse, to rinse the container

Pour the resulting rinse water into the gallon container

Adding the Vitamin C powder

Topping off with more purified water

Shake and it's ready to drink.

Here's to your health!

Enjoy, Leila

Mom's Nutrient Tea - Herbal tea formula #12 in a series

Time For Tea

This is herbal tea formula number twelve in a series of  delicious and healthful tea recipes I have posted on this blog. Enjoy!

Mom's Nutrient Tea

Years ago my mom made this nourishing blend to use for daily consumption. It is neutral and pleasant tasting. We like to make a big batch of this as a concentrate, straining it before storing in a glass jar in the fridge. To serve we dilute to taste with water.

Horsetail is rich in natural silica, which is good for your hair, nails, teeth and bone. Oatstraw is nutrient-rich and is very good for soothing and de-stressing the body. Alfalfa is very vitamin and mineral rich, and so is the nettle. Spearmint freshens and brightens the whole mix.



MOM'S NUTRIENT TEA Formula:

1 part horsetail
1 part Oatstraw (green tops)
1 part organic Alfalfa Leaf
1 part Nettle Leaf
1/2 part (up to 1 part) Spearmint Leaf


Method:

Mix the dried herbs together.
Store air-tight in a cool dark place.


To Brew Herbal Tea:

Bring purified water to a boil in a stove-top kettle.
Place 1 to 2 teaspoons desired loose leaf herbal tea blend into a cup.
Pour about 1 cup boiling water over the herbs and cover the cup.
Allow to steep 5 minutes.
Strain and sweeten if desired.
Enjoy!


Sun Tea Preparation:

Fill a 1/2-gallon jar with purified water.
Fill a reusable tea bag with desired herbal tea formula (or pour herbs in jar and just strain out later).
Set the jar outside in the sunshine for 6 hours or so.
Chill the tea.


Tips:

You may use a bamboo tea strainer or Tea-ball to make straining your teas a snap.

At our house, we use a French coffee press to make bigger batches of tea - it works great!

Enjoy this herbal blend hot or iced.

Enjoy a cup on cold winter mornings and evenings to chase away the winter chill. They also help chase away colds and are so comforting. Try adding a squeeze of lemon and raw honey when serving. Or make it sugar-free by sweetening with Stevia Glycerite (recipe on this blog). About 4 drops Stevia Glycerite is all you need to sweeten your mug of herbal tea! We find that a cup of hot herbal tea helps us relax before bedtime.

During the heat of summer, try brewing as a sun tea, and then serve chilled with some Stevia Glycerite to lightly sweeten, maybe a splash of lemon or lime and lots of ice. Iced herbal tea makes a great thirst quencher and is so much better for your family than sugar-filled sodas, and such.


To your health,

Leila

Allergy Season Herbal Tea - Herbal tea formula #11 in a series (Caffeine-Free)

Allergy Season Tea

Be prepared for spring. If anyone in your family gets hay-fever, this is the herbal tea blend to make for them. It is a very pleasant tasting tea, so enjoy it as you gain it's anti-allergy and anti-hive benefits. If you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in this tea, simply leave them out.

I created this tea for my daughter. When she was a toddler, she broke out in hives all over her body. We could not figure out what the cause was, and the hives did not go away after a few days. As a concerned mother, and experienced in the way of herbs, I did my research. I created this blend of gentle herbs, making it taste good so she would drink it. Drink it she did and her hives then quickly went away, not to return. I was very grateful. Herbs are amazing in how powerful yet gentle they can be. I prefer to do everything I can to help my family heal first, if we do not succeed, then to the Doctors we go. But usually we succeed.


ALLERGY SEASON TEA Formula:

26 grams Brigham Tea
16 grams Feverfew
10 grams Wood Betony
10 grams Lemon Balm
10 grams Spearmint Leaf
8 grams Nettle Leaf
8 grams Billberry Leaves or berries
4 to 5 grams Stevia Leaf, optional for sweetening
2 grams peppermint Leaf

Optional Ingredients:

Lemon Verbena, if you want a stronger lemon taste.

You can add more anti-inflammatory herbs like:
Licorice Root (it also sweetens the tea)
Sweet Clover
Hops (bitter if steeped too long, but calming)
Valerian Root (a bit weird smelling but very effective)


Method:

Place the dried herbs in a glass jar with an air-tight lid.
Shake well to mix.
Store air-tight in a cool dark place.



To Brew Herbal Tea:

Bring purified water to a boil in a stove-top kettle.
Place 1 to 2 teaspoons desired loose leaf herbal tea blend into a cup.
Pour about 1 cup boiling water over the herbs and cover the cup.
Allow to steep 5 minutes.
Strain and sweeten if desired.
Enjoy!


Tips:

You may use a bamboo tea strainer or Tea-ball to make straining your teas a snap.

At our house, we use a French coffee press to make bigger batches of tea - it works great!


Notes:

The calming herbs in this blend will counteract the slightly stimulating effect of the Brigham tea.
Brigham Tea is known as the #1 herb for allergies like hay-fever. It is also used as a weight-loss tea.
See: http://ephedrineweb.com/brigham-tea/ for more info.

Brigham Tea

To your health,

Leila