Ironically enough Sundays are the day I allow myself some extra wiggle room on dieting and exercise. To make up for it I also use Sunday’s to plan out a few snacks and meals for the week so I can resist the temptation to eat out or other unhealthy quick fixes. Having readily available “replacements” for my worst eating offenders helps me stay on track AND keeps me from feeling deprived. Breakfasts have been notoriously difficult for me because I’m always tempted to drink a half (or whole) pot of coffee in lieu of actual food.
Here are two delicious recipes to try out when you have a couple extra minutes on a lazy Sunday afternoon like today and store for later when you’re running short on time. Most of these ingredients can be found at Sunflower Markets (down the street from our Flamingo Track) or at you’re local health food store.
Shock’s Mom’s Homemade Chai Tea Recipe
There are almost as many Chai Tea recipes as there are Chai Tea drinkers in India. I am partial to this recipe for two reasons. Most obviously because it is the one I grew up drinking. But also it has a much more robust flavor that can rival a cup of coffee verses most of the American or British Chai’s that could easily be mistaken for a cup of hot chocolate or the latest Starbuck caramel macchi-monster covered in whip cream.
Ingredients: Black Loose Tea, Whole Cloves, Cardamon Pods, Anise Seed, Water, Cinnamon Sticks, Sugar, Half and Half
(From top to bottom) Black Loose Tea, Whole Cloves, Cardamon Pods, Anise Seed,
Like most recipes in my family this one lacks actual measuring. So no need to breakout the teaspoons and measuring cups. Most of the ingredients are measuring in proportions.
Up to 3 cup of water:
2-3 pinches of tea
3-4 cloves
1-2 cardamon pods
1 dime size amt of anise seed
1/2 cinnamon stick
Sugar to taste (approx 1-2 t more than you would add to a regular cup of tea)
Add all of the ingredients while the water is cold and then bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the color darkens (picture) and the tea seems to thicken slightly.
Take the pot off the heat add the Half and Half to the mixture and return to the stove. Once again bring the mixture to a boil and then remove it from the heat. Pour the tea through a sieve and serve hot.
Shock’s Completely Addictive, Secretly Healthy Granola Recipe
Ingredients: 1/4c Sesame Seed, 2T Black Sesame Seed, 1/2c Flaxseeds, 1/4c Black Quinoa, 1/2c Quinoa, 1/4c Dried Cranberries, 1/4c Grapeseed Oil, 3T Almond Oil, Approx 1c Honey, 3c Rolled Oats
(From left to right) Sesame Seed, Black Sesame Seed, Flaxseeds, Black Quinoa, Quinoa, Dried Cranberries, Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil
This recipe can be messy and requires some trial and error but I promise you it is worth it.
In a very large mixing bowl add all of the seeds and oils and mix. Next add the rolled oats and slowly add honey while mixing. Keep stirring and adding honey until the mixture starts to clump up.
To keep it crunchy store granola with a paper towel in a covered bowl
Spread out on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350F. After 10 minutes carefully flip/stir the mixture with a spatula add honey if needed. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in a cool dry place.
Serve and enjoy!
I like to eat the granola with strained or Greek style yogurt and usually substitute Half and Half for Almond Milk because dairy and I are no longer friends. As in milk not my fellow VIP skater Dairy Heir. 
Chai Tea w/ plain yogurt and granola on a sunny day
