Spiced Apple Chai

We’ve had quite a few chili days lately here in Texas. In fact, a couple weeks ago we had an ice storm causing schools to be closed for two days. I realize many of you may laugh at this as you live in temperatures where it snows all the time and temperatures frequently hover around the single digits. You may not understand us, and that’s okay, so here are 10 more reasons I found of why Texans hate the cold. We just weren’t built for it. While I did enjoy sliding down the icy hills, by the second day I was pretty much over it and ready to be warm again.

Despite the cold, I do LOVE the holiday season and the fun festive runs that come along with it. There’s everything from Reindeer Runs, Hot Chocolate Runs, Egg Nog Runs, Jingle Bell Runs, Elf Runs, and this Santa Run that we did! There is something about running in a sea of thousands of other people dressed in a santa suit that just makes you feel all holly jolly! Have you done one? Of course you have! So you know what I’m talking about!
What I love most though about these crazy runs is that it gets people out there with family and friends, who normally wouldn’t run!

 

 <–Yes Buddy, I agree!

 

<– The pups loved the Santa Run!–>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a little holiday treat I enjoy to warm my insides
on chilly days like these.

Spiced Apple Chai 
(serves 2)

 

The Quick and Easy Way:

Combine equal parts apple cider + chai concentrate such as: http://www.thirdstreetchai.com/what/our-ingredients/
Warm over stove and vuala!

 

The Long but Rewarding Path:

The Apple:

4 Freshly Juiced Apples + 1 orange (this is the best option however you can always use store boat apple cider)

If I juice in advance, I’ll store it in the fridge over night with a cinnamon stick and an inch of ginger root for more flavor.

The Chai:

Experiment and have fun making your own blend of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger!

Or follow this:

1 Cinnamon Stick (sometimes I use 2 🙂
6 whole green cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
4-6 whole black peppercorns
1-2 inches of fresh ginger sliced
2 single-serve black tea bags or 1 tablespoon loose black tea
1.5 cups water
1.5 cups apple juice/cider
2 Tbs. coconut sugar (or whichever sweetener you prefer)

Optional: Make Whipped Coconut Cream :1 can full fat coconut milk, leave in refrigerator over night, pour in a mason jar with 1Tbs maple syrup and shake like crazy for 3 min.

Directions:
In a saucepan warm equal parts apple juice/cider and water.

*If you want just a plain chai latte do half almond milk (or whatever milk you     choose) and half water, but for this apple chai the apple juice replaces the milk.

Throw all the spices into the pot and simmer until all the delicious flavors are infused together (about 5-10 min).

Remove from heat, add tea, cover and set aside to let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve, discarding solids, and then return liquid to the pot. Sweeten with coconut sugar, honey, agave, brown sugar or whatever you choose and heat over low heat for 1 minute. Pour into cups and serve topped with coconut cream. Pop in your favorite Christmas movie and enjoy sipping it through a cinnamon stick as your “straw”!!

Chai is packed with so many goodies here’s why we should all drink chai!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5825/Why-Everyone-Should-Drink-Chai-Tea.html

What’s your favorite blend of chai?

Along with guzzling this tasty drink I found the greatest treat ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Vegan Kale Granola Chocolate Bar!! I know what you’re thinking and yes, this is real! So I wanted to share this exciting find with you and will be giving one away on instagram. Follow along there, or twitter, or Facebook to find out more!