Tea Bomb: Nutritional Goodness for when you're feeling Bad

I have a cold. A big, epic cold that came out of nowhere and made me feel like crap. When I have a cold, there is a go-to pick me up drink that I like to make. You probably will not be surprised to know that the recipe is from my magical roommate, Paul. This drink is called a Tea Bomb. It is basically an amazing collection of awesomely-strong ingredients paired together and steeped in hot water. Here's a quick Tea Bomb tutorial. Next time you're feeling sick, try this baby out. It tastes like health- is that too weird to say?

Tea Bomb 101

 Ingredients needed: 

• 1 tsp Ginger
• 1/2 clove Garlic
• 1.5 tbsp Chamomile blossoms
• 1/4 inch of a Cayenne pepper
• 1/2 Lemon
• a coffee filter

Step 1: Measure out the chamomile blossoms and put into the filter

Step 2: Mince the garlic, peel & mince the ginger, and crush the cayenne pepper. 

Step 3: Add all ingredients to the filter, and place over a mug like so. 

 Step 4: Bring 1 cup water to a boil. While boiling, squeeze the lemon juice into the spread-out filter. 

Step 5: Bunch the top of the filter together and hold. Pour the hot water over the "teabag" and let it steep for 5-7 minutes. Optional: Use a steak knife to hold the teabag in place :)

Step 6: Drink your incredibly nutritious tea and pat yourself on the back for trying something new

I've come to love the taste of this tea, and have made it when I'm not sick. It's like a boost of nutrients, or at least my brain thinks it is. Fake boost or not, your belief in its' healing powers is probably helpful!

Stay healthy, friends!

Homefries with Kale, Onions, and Garlic

I harvested my first kale leaves (curly dwarf kale) from the garden this morning, as well as a green onion, and though, "What to make for breakfast with these?" I spotted russet potatoes I have left over and thought "Homefries!" 

I'm always trying to sneak kale into different recipes- I don't love it as much as others do, but kale is really healthy for you, it's pretty, and it's cold-hardy which is important here up North! So here's the recipe I cooked up- it was quite good. 

Homefries with Kale, Onions, & Garlic

Ingredients:
2 medium russett potatoes, peeled
3-5 kale leaves
1 scallion/green onion
1 clove of garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Pour the olive oil into a small frying pan and set on the stove, on medium heat
• Meanwhile, dice up the potatoes into small, hashbrown-ish pieces (1/2 inch is good)
• Add the hashbrowns into the sizzling pan, and let them brown a bit
• Dice up the green onions and mince the garlic- add to pan after about 5 minutes 
• Cut the kale leaves from their stems, and chop into small pieces
• Taste potatoes or poke with a fork, to see how much longer they need
• Add kale to the pan when potatoes are almost finished.
• Add salt and pepper to the dish as needed

Serve and Enjoy!

Make your own Microwave Popcorn!

Did you know you can make your own microwave popcorn bag at home, instead of buying those pre-packaged Orville Redenbacher ones that are $5 for 3 popcorn bags? Making your own homemade microwave popcorn can save you some money, especially if you're a big popcorn junkie, and it also allows you to control how much butter, salt, etc is on your snack! It's really simple- let me show you how!

Supplies needed:brown paper bag

popcorn kernels
















Directions:

Open the bag
















Pour in popcorn kernels- between 1/4-1/3 of a cup of kernels














Now you're going to fold the bag, so the popcorn doesn't come popping out while in the micro. This particular folding technique is courtesy of my favorite chinese restaurant in Toledo!

Fold Left side towards the right, in a triangle shape











Take the top Right side of the bag and fold it straight down,
like so













Take the remaining flap that exists, and tuck it into the little pocket you've created. Then stick it into the microwave, laying flat like a microwave popcorn bag.














2 minutes and 17 seconds later- Voila! Awesome, healthy, cheap homemade popcorn. Top with whatever you'd like- butter, salt, herbs... it's up to you!

Enjoy! :)