Category: Yummy

Refreshing: Lemon Verbena Tisane.

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Lemon Verbena is, hands down, one of my personal top 5 herbs.  More on the benefits of Lemon Verbena later.

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For now, let’s talk about one delicious way to prepare this herb as a lovely and refreshing beverage.

First, what’s a tisane?

A tisane (pronounced tea-zahn) is the name of any infusion of herbs or spices.  Technically, ‘teas’ like chamomile, lemon balm, mint, etc. aren’t teas at all.  Tea leaves (for green tea, black tea, white tea, etc.) all come from the same plant:  Camellia sinensis.  Only teas that contain leaves which come from that plant are technically teas at all.

So, what does that mean for us?  Well, nothing really!  It’s just interesting to know!  And, before I had the amazing opportunity to spend time in Darjeeling, a town noted for its tea industry (more on that later, too), I had no idea that this was the case.  Maybe you didn’t either?

Okay, Great.  Let’s Get Started!

Agreed.

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Ingredients:

Extremely Simple:

  • A Large Handful of Fresh Lemon Verbena Leaves
  • Hot Water (just under boiling)

Optional:

  • St-Germain Liqueur‎ to add even more deliciousness to this night cap.

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Let’s Make It!

I’m sure you guessed, but it’s just like making a tea.  Put the leaves in a teapot and pour the hot water over.

Let this steep for ~5 minutes while covered.  If it’s not covered, you’re letting the beneficial essential oils of the plant escape, and we don’t want that!

I don’t use any sweetener, because it’s so light and refreshing as-is.

On occasion, I do like to add just a splash of St-Germain Liqueur‎ to add another layer of flavor that enhances the profile perfectly.  (And St-Germain Liqueur‎ is my favorite, always).

That’s it!  Now enjoy and end your evening well.  You deserve it!

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steeping with my grandmother’s beautiful jars behind. always make me think of her ❤

Do you make tisanes?  Any tips, tricks, or favorite herbs?  Let us know in the comments below!

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ps. I also started making some Lemon Verbena oil that I will use to make delicious meals in the future. How-to on this coming soon!

Xox,

Leah

Delicious: Cacao Banana Shake (+ More on Cacao)

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I definitely have a sweet tooth.  I always have a bit of a chocolate craving, especially in the afternoons & evenings and have been playing with ways to satisfy my cravings without consuming too much chocolate.

I came up with this delicious Cacao Banana Shake that is always exactly what I want when I’m craving a little something sweet.

But First, A Little On Cacao

When you read headlines and articles about the amazing benefits of chocolate, they aren’t talking about milk chocolate you find in the store, but they are talking about raw cacao.  Lucky for us, it’s just as (if not more) delicious, but sometimes does take a little getting used to!

So what is raw cacao exactly?  It is the powder that is made after un-roasted cacao beans are cold-pressed.  Fat is removed (the butter) and living enzymes are kept intact.
Cocoa is also a powder and looks very similar, but, boy, is it different!  We get cocoa from roasting raw cacao at high temperatures, which changes the molecular structure, ultimately making it less nutritionally beneficial for us to consume.  In other words, it is the over-processed version of cacao.

There are many benefits to consuming cacao.  Here are a few of them:

  • Nervous system protection due to very potent antioxidants
  • Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure
  • Guards against toxins
  • Mood booster!
  • Rich in minerals (especially iron & magnesium)

So, what do you say?  Let’s get to it!

Pro-tip:  You might find that some brands (cough, Hershey’s, cough), has a product labeled as 100% Cacao on the front, but if you look at the ingredients, you’ll see that it lists Cocoa, which is not the same thing as Cacao, as noted above.  Be careful with tricky marketing designed to pull you in!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (Over)Ripe Banana, Peeled
  • 2 Tablespoons Raw Cacao Powder (or to taste)
  • 1.5 Cups of Almond Milk (or milk of choice.  Try to avoid dairy, as research has shown that dairy can inhibit the absorption of raw cacao’s nutrition.)

Pro-tip 2:  I buy my Raw Cacao Powder (and Raw Cacao Nibs – see below) in bulk so I can get exactly the amount I need.  And label them in pretty jars with fancy labels, of course.

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Optional:

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Let’s Make it!

Simple:

  • Put all ingredients in blender (I put milk in first, then the cacao so it doesn’t stick or clump on the bottom)
  • Blend for 20 seconds or until desired consistency
  • Pour into a fancy glass and let out a big sigh – it’s delicious!

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*Thrive Market is a neat online food marketplace whose mission is to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone.  You can get a free membership for ~30 days and then it costs ~$50 for the year.  In exchange for your membership fees, they provide a membership to a family in need.  You’ll find great deals on organic, raw, and delicious food and there are many unique finds!  Note that these words are mine and not sponsored by Thrive, however the link is an affiliate linked to my account.

Xox,

Leah

Refreshing: Watermelon Strawberry Breeze

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I didn’t realize National Watermelon Day was this past week, but this watermelon-based smoothie is a recipe you can enjoy any day of the summer!  Completely light, crisp, and refreshing, this Watermelon Strawberry Breeze is perfect to cool off and relax on these hot, fun summer days.

(Side note:  Who creates these whacky national days?  Is there a national day for everything now?)

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Anyway, here is the (extremely simple) recipe:

Ingredients

Only 3 ingredients are needed:

  • 3 Cups Cubed Watermelon  (Chilled is best)
  • 1 Cup Strawberries  (Chilled)
  • 1 Whole, Peeled Lemon

You may also choose to add (but definitely don’t need to – still delicious, either way!):

  • Mint Leaves (as garnish or blended into the smoothie)
  • Crushed Ice (for a cooler taste. I personally like it without and prefer the full fruit flavor instead)

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Let’s Make it!

Simple:

  • Prepare the fruit
  • Put everything in your blender
  • Blend for 20 seconds or until desired consistency reached
  • Pour into a tall glass
  • Garnish with mint if desired
  • Put your feet up and enjoy!

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Exploring SF: A Morning at Heartbaker

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I went on a stroll this morning to one of my favorite cafes near my apartment.  I didn’t know it was there for the longest time, and it’s definitely a little hidden gem in the city.

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Heartbaker, aside from having a perfect and adorable name, has a great selection of teas (from T-We Tea, who I recently discovered, and loved, at Renegade SF!), coffees, and sweet treats in the mornings.

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delicious pastry from Heartbaker (photo source: Heartbaker)

Today I had the T-We Tea ‘Chai This’ with elderflowers in the blend (delish!) and a chocolate ricotta turnover which was the perfect combo of chocolate, crispy bread, and cheese.  Who wouldn’t love that?

On the weekends they have brunch and they have daily lunch and dinner options.

The ambiance is wonderful and the staff is super friendly.  It’s low-key and comfortable.  Perfect to meet up with friends or have a slow, quiet morning to yourself (with some people watching, my personal favorite!).

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I love their hilarious photos on the walls with food masks.  So creative and the whole place feels very genuine.

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 Check it out yourself! Heartbaker can be found at 1408 Clement St. in the Inner Richmond, SF.

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