Summer colds

SUCK! I've been under the weather for the past few days. Summer colds are worse than winter colds, IMO. Not only is it hot outside, but the usual hot soups and teas you would want to make you feel better only make you feel hotter and more miserable. Yech! But I've been drinking my spicy chai tea like a good little sick girl, and I'm on the mend. Here is what the Yoga Yoga website has to say about chai tea:

Yogi Tea is a health-promoting beverage and a tonic for the whole body. It strengthens the nervous system, energizes the body, clears the mind, and is both a remedy and preventive measure for colds, allergies, and other illnesses.

And here's my recipe, feel free to experiment with it. I like mine really spicy and strong, but you might be wimpier. Enjoy!

~Chai tea~

Add the following to 12 cups of purified boiling water:

• 20 whole green Cardamom pods (you can put them in whole or crush the pods slightly to open them a little)
• 20 whole Black peppercorns
• 20 whole Cloves
• 3 sticks of Cinnamon
• 3 1-inch by 1-inch chunks of fresh Ginger (no need to peel them)
• two regular size bags of black tea (or use decaf).

Any of the ingredients and the specified amounts are completely optional! You’ll know once you try this recipe out, if you want to alter it at all. But this one is pretty good! Simmer on low for 25 to 30 minutes (too high will make it dissipate!). Drain into a bigger pot or into a pitcher, pouring the liquid through a strainer. Pour some into your mug, then add some honey or Agave nectar (or sweetener of your choice, but try to avoid refined sugars) and soy milk. Bend your head over your cup, inhale deeply, then sip slowly.

~namaste~