Care For A Spot Of Tea?

One of my favorite daily treats is a hot, relaxing cup of tea. Just the smell of a rich, Premium Black Tea instantly de-stresses me and helps me refocus. I even carry one or two of my favorite tea bags in my purse during the winter months so I will have my favorite type handy when the mood strikes.

I like to have a cup of tea in the morning rather than coffee. The caffeine in a 6 oz. cup is just enough to get me moving while another cup in the afternoon starts me off on the right foot after work and staves off the need for an afternoon snack and nap.

Other ways to incorporate tea into your day is to keep a small tray ready with tea cups and tea bags in case a friend drops by or to have friends over for an afternoon tea rather than for dinner. The snacks traditionally served with tea are much more cost-effective than an entire meal.

A Bit About Tea

Besides being touted as a stress-reliever, tea has also been studied over the years as a possible cancer-fighter (green tea) and coronary artery disease fighter (black tea). Ginger Tea is one of the best ways I know of to calm an upset stomach whether caused by motion sickness, virus, food or pregnancy.

Along with Green Tea, Organic Black Tea is becoming more popular around the world. The organic growing process is done without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and is being practiced by more and more farmers each year. The cost of organic can be more, but as more growers begin the change-over to organic farming, the costs are beginning to equalize as well.

To find out more about the many varieties of teas available, I suggest you visit Revolution Tea. They have a wonderful selection of flavors and have a wonderful selection of tea-related gifts for the tea-lover on your list.

Tea is just the thing to start off your day, re-energize after work or to catch up with friends. Make a cup of tea part of your day and you will surely begin to feel more centered and relaxed.

Quick Pudding Dessert

I love this dessert. It is so easy to throw together and it really impresses the kids. In fact, it is a wonderful dessert for kids to make as well. There is no cooking involved and the kids could make it while you cook dinner!

Pudding Dessert

1 large package Instant Pudding Mix (I used Chocolate)

1 package Graham Crackers

Whipped Cream or Non-Dairy Topping

Break graham crackers up in their package or in a zip-top bag using a rolling pin. Place crushed graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x11 baking dish. Mix pudding mix according to package directions. Pour pudding over graham crackers and spread evenly with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving. Spoon into serving dishes and top with your favorite whipped topping. Serves 6.

TIPS:

~I like to break graham crackers into large pieces rather than crushing them into crumbs.

~ If taking this dish to a carry-in or picnic, spread whipped topping over top of entire dish.

Bratwurst

I begin my bratwurst by cooking them in beer. Much like cooking with wine, use a beer that you would drink. Simmer the brats slowly- boiling will dry them out. Skim the foam off of the top as they cook.

When the brats are cooked, I like to cook some sliced onions in the beer to serve on top of the brats. My hubby doesn't like his onions cooked in beer, so I place some slices in foil with butter, salt and pepper. I put this on the grill when I light it and they are ready when the brats are done.

When your grill is heated, cook the brats over a medium flame. They won't take long (1-2 minutes per side at the most) since they are already cooked through. The grilling is just for additional flavor and color.

Serve topped with onions, mustard or creamy horseradish.

Italian Cooking

You don't have to be Italian in order to make a great Italian dish. The trick to good Italian cooking is first and foremost, great ingredients. Read on for a break-down of some basic ingredients commonly used in Italian cooking.



Sea Salt- Sea salt is popular in Italian cooking because it is derived from evaporated sea water. Being a peninsula, sea salt is very readily available to Italian cooks. Depending on the region it comes from, the color and flavor can vary slightly. The coarseness and size of sea salt granules means that one tablespoon of sea salt cantains less salt than a tablespoon of table salt. Sea salt often contains minerals not found in salts mined from underground sources. It also lacks the calcium silicate added to table salt to prevent it from clumping.



Olive Oil- Olive oil is the oil of choice for Italian cooking as it is higher in monounsaturated fat. It is also used in preserving.

Herbs and Spices- Herbs and spices commonly used in Italian cooking include, but are not limited to, Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Coriander, Fennel and Bay Leaves. Fresh and dried spices may be used interchangeably, but you will need 3 to 5 times more of the fresh ingredient than the dried since the drying process concentrates the flavor and reduces the size of the herb or spice.

Tomatoes- Tomatoes widely used in Italian cooking- sun dried, fresh, canned. For canning can sauces, choose nice, plump Roma tomatoes. For salads, choose beefsteak or cherry or grape tomatoes and for eating on a sandwich, you can't beat a beefsteak tomato.