It's Tea Time Somewhere

If you follow me on Snapchat (candeeland) you know I drink A LOT of tea. Like, more than any one person should consume on a regular basis, a lot. 

Tea for me is not only an alternative to coffee. I supplement my coffee habit with it because I happen to really love my tea moments. I’m no snob to tea either. I love ALL kinds. Even the weird stuff like beet tea and rose bud tea. 

Tea is SO complex and it can be overwhelming finding your groove when you first start enjoying hot tea.  So here are a few of my tips from years of trial and error! 

First you should know that tea caffeine varies by brewing method. If you can’t have too much caffeine, you should stick to herbal tisanes, oolongs, or shou pu-erh styles. Or literally let your tea bag steep for 20 seconds. 

What I’ve found when brewing teas. .  If your brew is very hot your tea will be darker and more robust, but if your brew is cold, you will have a sweeter and milder tasting tea. 

For me, sencha and matcha brew perfectly at 160° range. But honestly, just play around with it and you will find your perfect temperature. 

Research on tea is necessary. Just like any other crop grown, organic may not always mean organic. If the neighboring farm isn’t growing organic crops, you can bet that your tea has some lingering pesticides. Sadly, we can’t be completely sure what we’re eating and drinking unless we are literally growing it ourselves. This is another area that I stick to the 80/20 rule. If you can, try to be as organic as possible (especially when it comes to teas) 80% of the time. There are some really delicious teas out there that have not gotten on the organic bandwagon, and if you’re only having them once in a while, all is good.

In Singapore, Tea Time is a REAL things and it's amazing. 

My faves. . .

I like black tea in the early morning or on flights. I have it with cream and honey or whatever sweetener is available. I rarely drink black tea, so I allow myself the sugar. It's such a nice treat!

I love a good green or white tea in the afternoons. It really adds some flare to the afternoon caffeine break. 

My favorite teas are . . .

matcha

green tea

oolong

tiny tea

whiskey black tea

rose tea

My favorite tea accessories . . .

loose leaf organizer 

steeper

drip kettle

tea infuser

coffee mug

Things I add to my teas. . .

coconut oil

honey

It's Spring - Break Out THE WHITE! (& it's on sale!)

I was OBSESSED with this dress. I literally wanted to wear it everywhere and if it hadn't been for the massive amount of boob tape I had to sport, I would have. Believe me when I tell you, it's worth the boob tape because this baby is ON SALE!

xoxo

It's Basically Mac-N-Cheese That Makes You Skinny

I am not living in a dream world. Ok, maybe most of the time -- but thankfully, this is REAL. That title was not click-bait . . . I meant it. 

I made this delicious cauliflower dish and it tastes like macaroni and cheese. I'm obsessed and eat it for like, breakfast, lunch and dinner now.

"Skinny" for me means healthy. I changed the meaning and added some real depth. I'm not a low calorie eater really. I eat light when I eat "heavier" more savory meals because I like to feel light. I eat meals packed with nutrition to make every bite count. I don't eat for the sake of eating. I eat because I enjoy it and I need to have major energy to live the life I live. I need focus and stability and I make sure my food gives me that. You can bet if I eat a cheeseburger (I mean the real deal, greasy, cheesy, and a BUN) I will need a nap asap. My body responds to that and so does yours. If you're not a healthy eater, per se, this feeling doesn't really get triggered in that way. And that's ok, because you're more conditioned. BUT think of the energy you could tap into if you pack your foods with nutrients!!

My goal for every recipe I share here is to do just that. Make it as nutritious as possible so that what you're eating is working for you. NOT against you. And I obviously try to make it as healthy as possible. 

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On our continent we eat between 15.5 and 19.8 pounds of pasta per person, per year (according to the National Pasta Association). That's a lot. And there is nothing wrong with that. Pasta is HOME. Pasta is delicious. There is a time and place for pasta and you should enjoy every last little bite. I LOVE PASTA. And I am not ashamed of that. I eat my fair share of pasta so I'm not here (and never will be here) to tell you NO PASTA. Because that is SILLY. 

But, pasta enjoys my body just as much as I enjoy it. I like to be pretty lean so in order to do that. . . me and pasta, well, we can't see each other every night. I like to stick to a whole grain version once a week for dinner (through the weeknights) for me and my husband. And, on the weekends, I probably have a real pasta dish at some point. That means, the rest of the time, I need a substitute for my favorite food (group?). 

Insert cauliflower and its life changing texture. Keep reading for this delicious veggie edition/spin of the traditional mac-n-cheese we all love. 

You will need. . .

• 2 medium heads cauliflower, chopped into 1" pieces (about 10 cups) or TJ’s has already “riced” cauliflower (get a grater here)
• 1/2 c. sour cream 
• 2 c. mozzarella (full-fat)
• 1/2 c. pecorino or parmesan
• ½ tsp. turmeric
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 c. half & half
• himalayan salt to taste
• 3 tsp’s of grass-fed ghee or butter
• Optional: A handful of cheddar cheese, handful of sautéed spinach or breadcrumbs

What to do. . . 

1. Steam the cauliflower at least 15 minutes until soft
2. Drain cauliflower and “squeeze” excess water out by using a cloth or paper towel (just push the cauliflower in)
3. Mix the cauliflower, cheeses, sour cream, and spices in a large bowl.
4. Move mixture to large pot and cook on medium heat for 2–25 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Taste throughout and add spices and cheese or half & half if needed. 

Notes: I prefer organic brands (of dairy especially) because they leave out to weird hormones and antibiotics. 

I also LOVE to add other veggies to this dish. 

ALWAYS use full-fat dairy because if it's not full-fat, they've replaced the fat with SUGAR. 

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I'd love to hear about your experience with this dish! Please try it out and leave a comment below and/or tag @kaleorwhale & #kaleorwhale on Instagram!

xoxo