Instant Spiced Tea

Spiced Tea is one of my favorite comfort foods when I don't feel well or when it's cold outside.  It soothes my sore throat and just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!  It's sweet, citrusy, and spicy.  Do you remember when we were kids and made the oranges with cloves stuck all over in them.  Well, that's what this tea reminds me of.  It smells a lot like that.  My mom made this for me every winter when I was younger and I loved it.  Sipping on it now brings back such wonderful childhood memories of feeling safe, warm and oh so loved.  I hope this brings you the comfort and joy it has brought to me.  This would be wonderful mixed in large quantities and kept warm in a crockpot or on the stove for your guests during your holiday parties.  It also makes really nice gifts for friends, teachers, co-workers, etc.  Just put in small decorated Mason style jars with a label or gift tag with the mixing directions. It's simple, affordable and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of Unsweetened Decaf Instant Tea
2 Packets of Orange Drink Mix (similar to Tang but sugar free.  The size packets that make 2 quarts of drink.)
4 packets of Lemon Drink Mix (The size packets that you mix with a bottle of water.)
1/2 cup to 1 cup granulated Splenda, depending on how sweet you want it.
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 - 6oz packages of Red Hot Candies

Mix all ingredients well and store in airtight jars.  Mix 2 teaspoons of tea mixture in a mug of very hot water. 

Healthy Green Smoothie

I'm sure you can tell from the recipes appearing on this blog that I don't eat the healthiest food in the world! LOL  But I do like to start my day with a healthy breakfast, as strange as that may seem.  After all, my diet for the most part is not going to win any healthy eating awards!  It just makes me feel better to at least start my day with something nutritious.  This is one of my favorite things because it is yummy, filling and as always, super easy.

Ingredients:
1 6 oz. container of light flavored Yogurt (I'm fond of the Yogplait Light such as Cherry, Strawberry Kiwi, Key Lime Pie, etc)  Whatever flavor you like will do just fine.
1 cup low fat or non fat milk
1 scoop Vanilla flavored Whey Protein Powder
1/2 cup fresh Spinach leaves
1/2 cup frozen fruit (I use Walmart frozen mixed fruit, it has pineapple, mango, and peaches in it)

Throw everything in the blender and puree it.  I know the spinach leaves seems like an add ingredient, but I promise, you won't taste them at all.  They are completely masked in flavor by the fruit and yogurt.  This smoothie is around 300 calories with non fat milk.  That may seem high, but as a high protein meal replacement, it's really not bad.  And it packs a lot of vitamins and nutrients as well.  Most of the carbs come from the fruit and milk so they are complex and take longer to burn off and will give you a sustained natural energy boost.  It's one of the few good things I put in my body.  At least I start the day off well!!!  Thanks so much for reading!