“Tea-ing Up!”

devinalexanderThe Secret of Food

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an insatiable sweet tooth!  So how do I deal with that yet maintain my 70 pound weight loss?  Well, one of my tricks was to befriend herbal tea.  Wait, don’t go!  I’m not about to tell you to have a cup of chamomile instead of a brownie!  No way!!  Instead, I’ve searched high and low for sweet, exotic flavors that stop that nagging voice in my head particularly when I’m not even hungry.  Trust me, there are definitely a lot of great finds out there that deserve two pinkies up!  So put down that soda and try one of these options.

Of course, I can’t talk tea without mentioning Tazo Passion Tea.  It’s the purple packet at Starbucks (and in my purse). I carry it with me everywhere I go (literally!) Whenever I travel, I bring some to brew in my hotel room before I head to bed (caffeine free, of course).

Republic of Tea also has a Chocolate Mint tea that quells the craving at night too!

Numi Dry Desert Lime Herbal Tea is one of my new faves, as well.  It is so incredibly soothing and packs all the flavor of lime without too much bite.  I especially love it with fresh squeezed lime juice added in.

As for loose teas, Adagio Teas pack crazy amounts of flavor in their Piña Colada and Blood Orange and, both of which have a natural sweetness (so you can skip adding your own).

I knew I was going to like Timothy’s Lemon Blueberry Passion Tea from the second I smelled it.  It’s so aromatic but tastes amazing and has a lot of personali-tea!

Though green tea isn’t the most indulgent when it comes to taste, I do love it to speed my metabolism.  The chef in me, hopeless romantic when it comes to flavor creation, steeps a bag or two of the green with a bag or two of a fruity tea.  Then I get the fat-burning boost and the sweetness all in one!

Tea is so versatile too.  It’s such a relaxing way to start your day and for winding down before bed.  There’s something so calming and relaxing about sipping a hot cup of tea as the days get shorter and cooler.  But I love iced tea almost any day of the year too.  All you have to do is brew your favorite tea, let it cool a bit, then pour it over ice for the perfect thirst-quenching, guilt-free drink.  And tea isn’t just for adults.  Any of the tea flavors I mentioned above would be great for kids (just make sure to let it cool enough for your kids to drink).  .

And tea is an ideal gift to bring a host/hostess or for friends and family (tea goes really well with dessert if you ask me!).  Whether you’re a tea aficionado or you haven’t really tried a lot of varieties, there’s something out there for everyone. So put your best pinkie forward and tea-m up with me for tea time…and do away with those empty calories found in so many other beverages!