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    Tag: tea

    Life Lately and My Favorite Bakery

    City Guide, Life, Recipes by louise

    They say life is like a cup of tea, it’s all in how you make it

    Hey guys! Hope y’all are having a good start to the month so far! Over the last few weeks, we’ve battled the flu and strep with one sick kid and managed to curb it from spreading to the rest of the family! It’s been busy at work and I cannot believe the month of January is almost over!!!!  I have to confess that apart from disinfecting my entire house, I have enjoyed some down time with the family. So, I thought I would share what I’ve been up to lately and the hidden bakery I found that will be a great spot to enjoy a Valentine’s day dessert!

    • Apart from nursing Zyanya back to health, I started a little early Spring cleaning in January and began to pack up gently used clothes and toys. I’ve got to confess that it always feel wonderful to make a donation and it is super crazy how kids quickly seem to grow out of their clothes and how rapidly stuff can accumulate! Did you know there are organizations like Metrocrest Services that will pickup your donations?
    • We revisited some home improvement tasks that we put off due to the holidays.  One of them is my formal dining room table that Alex is going to tackle in the next several weeks. I also put a wallpaper up in my study and we are halfway done with that mini project. I can’t wait to show y’all once its complete!
    • The kids pulled me into a fun project that I’m debating working with them on.  It’s something I have to stew over and will most definitely require finding time in my already busy schedule but I love the idea so much. No one put it any better regarding making time and juggling tasks than Albert Einstein’s; “life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” More to come on this one 😉 ……
    • I am “reflecting” (see picture of teacup below…see how i did that 🙂 with use of imagery and words) of starting my YouTube channel back up! It’s been over a year since I my last video (no joke) and I’m thinking of sharing a few of my affordable fashion hauls, recipes, and cool diy (do-it-yourself) activities with the kids in 3-5 minute videos. A little more personal perspective. What do you think?

    Eat dessert first

    Oh! I started a keto-like diet …well, not exactly! In the past week, I have been gradually cutting off carbs but I am still allowing myself the good carbs like having a sweet potato which I cannot live without! Really, I am just making a more conscious effort on what I put into my body. I also made my very first keto chocolate chip cookie using almond flour. Alex loved it but I think there’s room to tweak the recipe further. I am also thinking of trying my hands at making macarons but not sure if I should do two versions; one keto and another using regular ingredients. Decisions decisions…

    Speaking of keto and desserts, I discovered this cute little bakery (*the London Baker) that has true European style, freshly baked croissants and desserts. They’ve been featured on Cake Central, Food Network, and a few more. I recently discovered that they make keto desserts too; cookies, brownies and muffins! My kids love their oooey gooey brownies, deep dish chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes. I’ve already had a few tea dates with Zyanya there and the ambience is always so welcoming.  The owner and staff are amazing and we’re already planning on ordering custom cakes for upcoming birthdays. If you’re in Dallas, you should check out this bakery.  They also deliver outside the DFW metroplex.

    Well, that’s all for now and thanks for stopping by. ~ xoxo Louise

    *Review of the London Baker are my own. 

    Life truly is like a cup of tea; fluid and aromatic. It depends on how you look at it, your ability to change, and how you make it. In a nutshell, it is so much more fulfilling when every experience is truly savored. Yes?

    Photography by MalloryKeePhotography

    Cast Iron Infuser Teapot with Italian Chamomile Tea

    Drinks, Recipes by louise

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    Tea! That beautiful flavor that can enhance water and bring with it an inviting aroma. It brings me so much happiness whether prepared hot or cold.  Summers are filled with iced tea but I still love my tea nice and hot.

    There is something about drinking a cup of hot tea that is so gratifying. It could be in part due to the art of preparation, the dress-up with tea cups and saucers, or rather simply the use of a cast iron teapot that adds to the mesmerizing and enticing seduction.

    This weekend wasn’t any exception.  I went through the routine of heating up water in my colorful aqua kettle, adding a  spoonful or two of Italian chamomile tea to my crane cast iron infuser teapot, and then waiting a couple minutes for my tea to brew.  I usually don’t like any sweeteners in my tea but if you have the occasional sweet tooth crave, you can always sweeten your tea with honey.

    Nothing beats the taste of calming and soothing tea to start your day or end your day.

    Please leave a comment and let me know if you made the tea and how you liked it.  If you want to save it for later, you can pin it on your Pinterest page.

    RECIPE

    INGREDIENTS:

    • Water, Italian Chamomille Tea, Honey (optional)

    INSTRUCTIONS: 

    • Heat water in a kettle until hot.
    • In a teapot, add a couple spoonful of Italian chamomile tea.
    • Pour hot water from kettle into teapot and cover lid.
    • Let brew for a couple minutes.
    • Pour into a teacup and enjoy!

    Cinnamon Persimmon Tea

    Drinks, Recipes by louise

    So what are your plans this halloween? I fancied being Maleficent this year, but a visit to the chaotic aisles at the department stores left me besieged and a bit out of luck.

    I used to think of the Disney classic, Sleeping Beauty as being scary and dark, but in recent years, I have come to view it as a fascinating piece of art and rather perspicacious in so many ways. My favorite is the movie Maleficent that portrays the story from the perspective of the antagonist, depicting her conflicted relationship with the princess Aurora, and the king of a corrupt kingdom.

    Maleficent’s spell in the form of an enchanting cinnamon tea with persimmon and pine nuts is the perfect warm treat for reigning in another year of Halloween fun. This recipe is simple to make, absolutely delicious, and a naturally refreshing alternative when you need something a little fancier than water, but still want to keep it nutritious. Persimmons are a delicious and exotic fruit with a wealth of health benefits packed inside them.

    You can dress your tea in ghoulish cups or keep it simple and use a regular cup. It’s possible the lighter cups could be more in line with Aurora…..yes? Thanks for keeping up with this tale of imagination.

    If you like this recipe, please leave a comment below or tag a photo #louise.millen on instagram. Stay safe this Halloween and make tea your brew of choice!

    Recipe

    Prep Time        Cook Time        Total Time 

     5 mins                                10 mins                             15 mins

    Ingredients

    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 medium persimmon
    • 2-3 tablespoon pine nuts
    • optional: sweeten with sugar or honey

    (Serves:  3-4 cups)

    Instructions

    • Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cinnamon sticks, cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once hot, turn off and let it sit for 5 minutes.
    • Wash the persimmon and cut it in 4-6 large slices.
    • To serve, pour tea into cup and top with pine nuts and a slice of persimmon. The persimmon is usually the last thing I have after finishing my tea.  It is warm, slightly crisp, and tasty.

    @LOUISEMILLEN