My Favorite Pregnancy Tea

It's no secret whatsoever that I'm a tea lover.  I love to come across anything new particularly when there are health benefits, and this new flavor has been rocking my pregnant world!  

During one of our very first Bradley childbirth classes a few months ago, our class instructor served all the pregnant moma's red raspberry leaf tea informing us that it helps to tone and prepare the uterus for labor (among dozens of other benefits, some not even pregnancy related).  Of course I went home and started furiously researching the claim to see if there was any truth to it.  Much to my delight, there are some downright amazing testimonials and research out there!  (Shorter labor, less pain, prevents pre-term labor, lessons bleeding after birth, more energy, helps prevent "baby blues," the list goes on and on... A simple Google search will pull up any and everything you could ever want to know.)

But like anything else we put in our bodies, product quality makes a huge difference in terms of effectiveness.  I did a bit of checking around but was pretty sure Mountain Rose Herbs would still trump all else in terms of both cost and quality, and they did, no competition.

A gigantic 1 lb. bag (raw, organic, fair-trade, essentially the best quality you can get) cost me a whopping $8.  Nice!  I was stoked.  Thank you once again Mountain Rose, for making all my dreams come true...  I've been drinking it by the pot every day since it arrived.

If ever you've had babies this is likely old news to you, but if it isn't, you're welcome ;-)

Sandwich Love

This sandwich is completely and utterly delightful.  It actually started as a pizza.  Let me explain...

Last night we had friends over and cooked up a few homemade pizzas on Josh's beloved granite slab.  I wanted to try something a little different, so I opted for the Pioneer Woman's Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula.  Sweet fig spread in lieu of sauce, peppery baby arugula, salty prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan... Oh.  My.  Can you say delish?  It's easy breezy to whip up and cooks in mere minutes.    

It left such an impression on me that I kept remembering it fondly today and wondering if I could manage the 42,000 lb granite slab on my own to make another.  Wisdom finally won out when I conceded that I probably shouldn't risk it, you know, being pregnant and all.  So I whipped up this yummy sandwich instead!  And I assure you, it was equally delicious.  

Warm, buttery millet bread (though you could use whatever you prefer), organic roasted chicken breast, sweet white fig preserves, piles of arugula, just melted goat cheese...  Oh yes, friends.  It was heaven.

Give her a try!  There's no way not to love her... ;-)  Oh, oh!  And don't forget to try the pizza, too.  Man, that Pioneer Woman is genius.

For the Love of Tea

I have a crazy affection for tea.  Add to it a dash of cooler weather, the holiday season looming, lots of reason to sit and introspect, and my affection intensifies to full blown enchantment.  

Sadly this past summer in Texas was so unbelievably hot that I strictly avoided turning the oven on for cooking, muchless drinking any kind of hot beverage.  The absence certainly made my heart grow fonder.  As soon as the first big cool front rolled thru providing brisk mornings and chilly evenings, Josh and I made a mad dash to Whole Foods to stock up.  A couple of our favorites weren't available, so we ended up trying a few new and let me tell you, I am in l-o-v-e!  In case you aren't familiar, I simply must introduce you.  That's just all there is to it.

First up, this decadent goodness:

Red Velvet Chocolate.  Are you kidding me??!  It's a caffeine-free rooibos blend with chocolate, vanilla, and beet root.  A splash of cream, a little sweetener (I prefer stevia), and man... it's like drinking a warm cupcake!  I'm not kidding.  It's delish.

Moving on!  (If that's possible):

How about a little Double Dark Chocolate Mate?  Yes, please!  I must say it's pretty rich, not like a mug of hot chocolate rich, but not light like most teas.  I love it sweetened with a bit or cream or especially coconut milk.  So yummy.  Great substitute for dessert.

When I'm in the mood for something lighter I opt for this guy:

Sweet Thai Delight.  Hands down a new fave.  Rooibos, cinnamon bark, anise seed and carob pod, with coconut and butterscotch flavors.  Oh my...  It's truly delightful!  I'm certain it was made for me.  A little coconut milk, a little stevia, and I am in loooove. Oh, and it's also caffeine-free! (that's important for pregnant momas to be aware of)

Then there's this:

Rooisbos Orange Vanilla Creme.  Remember creamsicle popsicles when you were a kid?  Yep, that's exactly what this will remind you of, though more like melted in a mug ;-)  It's also caffeine-free, organic, and at $4.99 for 40 bags it's an excellent value, too.  (about 12 cents a cup! Starbucks what?)

And finally, we can't forget chai:

Fire Light Chai.  I'm always up for chai.  I love the spicy flavors.  I'm finding lately that I particularly love rooibos chai blends.  Again this one is caffeine-free and organic, and I always add extra ground ginger and loads of cinnamon, plus stevia and cream or coconut milk.  It's so sweet and spicy and warm and wonderful!  Makes me happy.

And speaking of cinnamon, I usually buy it from the bulk bins because it's so much cheaper, but because they were out I ended up grabbing this little guy:

Oh man!  I'm definitely a cinnamon snob and this is unquestionably the best I've ever had.  Vietnamese Cinnamon, I have a crush on you.  Thinking of you warms my heart.  Makes my salivate.  I love your rich color, your warmth, your decadent aroma, the depth of flavor you add to my steaming cup of morning/midday/evening tea...  I vow to never go back to anyone else.  I will never forsake you. *sigh*

Yes people, I love it that much.  Cinnamon and coconut are my two great loves.  Total bonus that they both stoke metabolic rate.  (I also add organic coconut oil to my tea on occasion.)  

SO!  There ya have it.  I realize they all essentially sound like dessert, and honestly for me they are.  Since I've been pregnant tea has become my go-to as far as sweet is concerned.  Actual desserts and sweets in general have lost their appeal.  Tangy and sour however, well that's a different story.  Or spicy, oh spicy... I could eat salsa or fiery curry or hot dill pickles all day!  (Josh even requested 'his and hers' salsa recently ;-)  He can't handle my demanding heat level, poor guy.)  But the thought of a brownie or worse yet ice cream, ugh, no way.  However after all the spice and tang, a warm cup of dessert-ish tea is quite nice!  I'm loving it.  And it's the perfect compliment for falling leaves and scarves and blankets... atmosphere is half the allure, you know ;-)

So have you tried any of these?  Do you love them??  Any other suggestions you think I'd like?

The Most Perfect Pot Roast

Before heading out early for our treasure hunting adventure Saturday, my husband crawled out of bed with the dawn and went to work chopping and browning vegetables.  Once nice and brown, he threw them in a pot with a nice roast, beef stock and fresh herbs, and simply let her go!

Several hours later I lifted the lid to this insane loveliness:

(I was in a hurry when I snapped this horrible photo, but still you get the general idea!)

It's stupid easy, rich and delicious, and we usually double the recipe so we can eat on it for a few days.  The secret is letting it cook and cook and cook until the meat quite literally falls apart.

Day 1, I whipped potatoes with loads of cream, butter, and cream cheese, then ladled the meat and veggies over top with a bit of the yummy juices.  Oh man, it's to die for.

Day 2, we mixed up a little homemade barbeque sauce on the stove and drizzled it over the shredded roast piled high on warm, buttery millet bread.  Mmmm...  I had to remind myself to breathe between bites.

There's still a whole second roast in our fridge.  Josh says we have to pace ourselves so we don't eat it all within 24 hours ;-)  I totally disagree.  I am pregnant after all.

Here's the full recipe if you're interested.  Of course we substituted organic ingredients and grass-fed beef, but other than that we follow her recipe to a T.  It's too perfect to alter much ;-)

Enjoy!

Mountain Rose Herbs

I was thrilled last week when my Mountain Rose Herb order arrived.  Opening the box is always delightful, with the smell of fresh herbs and spices and teas bursting into the air, the colors rich and vivid.  I pretended for a brief moment I was at a Turkish bazaar taking in the sights and smells ;-)  

(I also ordered black peppercorns and a yummy selection of teas including my fave, Firefly Chai.  Mmm...  Please Fall, come quickly!  You're the perfect compliment to my beloved tea.)

If you aren't familiar with the company they're based out of Eugene, OR and offer the best selection, quality and prices I've come across.  Concerning all things herbs and spices, they have just about everything imaginable.  The vast majority or their products are fair trade and certified organic, and they also offer teas, essential oils, body products, etc.  Seriously, their selection is insane.  

I particularly love their spice blends.  You can order a few ounces at a time by the bottle, but once you know what you like bulk always gives you more for your money.  Just can't beat it.  A 1 pound bag of organic curry powder for example, cost me $11.50.  It's delish, will last me forever, and no way I could have even come close to beating that price in store, not for a full pound.  

So do check them out!  www.mountainroseherbs.com  I'm certain you'll love them.  

Tonight for dinner?  I'm thinking coconut curry chicken with brown rice and tons of veggies... Mmm, yes please!

I have a few other money saving sources I'll be sharing with you soon, too.  Any favorite websites or tips you'd like to share in the meantime??  You know I love a bargain!

A True Southern Supper

Since my last post was about favorite dishes, I couldn't resist sharing this terribly simple meal with you.

Okra.  Summer squash.  Baseball bat sized zucchini from my Dad's garden.  

Loads of coconut oil.  Corn meal.  Salt and pepper.

A little organic ranch for dipping.  A couple friends to share it with.

Whatcha got??  

Golden-y dinner perfection.  (or 'supper' as my Dad would vehemently argue)

Dig in!

(Yes, this is an entire cookie sheet piled with fried deliciousness.  No, we didn't use utensils.  And yes, we were very pleased with ourselves.) ;-)

What's your favorite simple summer supper??