A Hot Cup Of Healthy

The temps are dropping . The knees are knocking. That means one thing - time for a hot  drink to warm the body and spirit. The problem is what's the best drink?Is it a hot toddy or a hot herbal tea?  The answer  -the last. Keep it healthy, while keeping it hot.

Many people reach for a hot brandy when they feel chilly. That may work in a cartoon or sitcom when a convenient Saint Bernard comes bounding through the snow with a keg of brandy around his or her neck. In actuality , it actually causes our body temps to drop. Blood vessels dilate allowing it to come closer to skin.  This dilation makes the blood flow faster so to speak, allowing us to feel that warm rush. . However this is a temporary feeling, You could mix brandy or whiskey even with steaming hot. coffee or tea.Hot cocoa is another cold weather must drink. The best kind is from scratch. Start with  powdered dark cocoa like the Dutch company Droste' or an organic cocoa powder such as Rapunzels' Sweeten it with dark organic honey instead of granulated sugar. Many will protest this, saying those marshmallow packed  packets are easier to make. That may be true but you;re also getting you a mouth full of preservatives and corn syrup. Stick with the all natural kind, especially if you're having it after dinner. Too much of any sugary drink will keep you up at night,

What about coffee and teas? Again go for healthy. Nowadays people love their coffees extra sweet ,loaded with syrups and blobs of whipped cream. That's great if you're into liquid cake. A better choice is just hot and black.or if you must skimmed milk with a sweetener such as honey(!) or agave nectar. The last can be found in the health food aisle in your local grocery store.Teas are another great way to get rid of that frosty feeling. There are some tasty herbal ones out there. Try Twinings's Nightly Calm ,a soothing spearmint and lemongrass blend. This is the perfect tea to  sip on a cold night, when you're bundled up in flannel jammies and robe. Their lemon ginger tea is a good one also , bright and citrussy to  thaw out to when the temps hit the single digits.. Add a dollop of honey to bring out the lemony flavor. Twinings also has pomegranate and raspberry ,an all natural blend , guaranteed to both warm and wake you up.  If you want a cozy night time drink, again go for the natural instead of the alcohol. A hot buttered rum may sound nice but a better choice is warmed milk with a teaspoon of honey added. This is the best way to relax and keep warm on a cold winter's night,

The temps are dropping. The knees are knocking. Conquer the chill with a hot  and healthy cup of something natural. It's good for your body on all levels.

Coleridge And A Proper Tea

Tomorrow is Samuel Taylor Coleridge's birthday (as well as being Trafalgar Day)/ The early romantic poet, , best known for Kubla Khan and The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. Like any writer, he probably appreciated sustenance (and opium) during his writing sessions/. He was born in Devon,a shire known for it's luscious cream teas. Anyone can recreate them, to experience a true English writer's afternoon - or evening snack.

What makes a good English tea? Good English tea.Typhoo is the best, coming from the United Kingdom,itself .It's a deep rich  tea that has a lovely aftertaste.Twinings is very good too You can try the traditional flavors such as Assam or Earl Grey. Lady Grey is also good ,however because it has orange over tone' its'best plain or with sugar. The others go well with a splash of milk in them. You must never several cream at an English tea. It's just not allowed. If you do want a twist or modernize the tradition, then use fruit teas for a different spin. They're refreshing both hot or cold (which only works during a summer high tea)

As for food, if you're having a tea for one you can create a small plate of sandwiches for yourself .These go well if you;re creating epic poems as Coleridge did or just blogging. You can create cucumber or watercress sandwiches with cukes and cress. Layer these on lightly buttered spices of small bread. Another filling is a meat one that can be made with a mix of devilled ham or chicken and mayo. For a tea party make these sandwiches along with jam filled ones and perhaps petit fours or colorful macaroons.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, like his fellow romantic poets, William Wordsworth and William Blake appreciated a good tea. Any modern writer or Anglophile  would appreciate a hot cup of tea accompanied by delicious sandwiches and sweets. It's  a great respite to have from writing