The Little Things

Lately we've both been so busy, I feel like we haven't had any time to breathe. This weekend changed that. Finally. We got to sleep in past nine. There is just so much about the world that seems better when you've gotten a good night's sleep.

This week has already started out kindof crazy-weird. I've spent the first two days working at home because there are no classes this week. I'm really trying to make the best out of it, even though it feels like this semester will never finish.

So, I'm trying to enjoy the little things. Like homemade ginger lemon tea - it's delicious! It starts out sweet and then goes down spicy and warm. {See below for my 'recipe'}

My other favorite indulgence this week: oatmeal with dried cherries. I LOVE dried fruit, but my favorite is definitely cherries. They are tart and sweet, and just the right size to pop in your mouth.

Ginger Lemon Tea

I apologize that the measurements are not exact non-existent. I tea is a strong personal preference, but I wanted to give you my tricks for making this tea. I might try to measure a next time I do this, but most of it is based on your own flavor preferences. Just play around until you find the right balance. What's great about this recipe {besides that it is cheap!} is that you can just keep adding ingredients {or more water} until it is strong enough or weak enough for you.

You'll need:
ginger root
lemon juice {or fresh lemons if you're feeling ambitious}
honey, agave sweetener, splenda {I use a combination of honey and splenda}

Instructions:
1. Peel and shred ginger root. Use 1-2 inches of ginger root for one cup of tea, and scale up accordingly.
2. Boil shredded ginger root in water for at least 20 min. {You can do more if you like stronger tea, less for weaker tea.}
3. Strain ginger root out of tea.
4. Add lemon juice and sweetener to taste.

I find it easiest to make a large, strong batch of just ginger tea, without any measuring - just water and ginger. Then I store it in the fridge until I want some. To serve - add enough water so that it is not so overpowering to your tastes (sometimes this means 1:4 dilution), add lemon juice until you can taste the lemon, and add some honey. Heat in the microwave, add Splenda until it is sweet enough.

You should be able to taste the lemon and ginger, and the honey gives it a little more 'earthy' flavor.