The Benefits of Tea

I am ready shamelessly admit my new found love for ... tea!  The older I get, the more I like to branch out and try new things.  There are so many benefits to being a tea drinker.

One of the best benefits of drinking green tea is the incredible antioxidant effect.  It's great for flushing out all the toxins in your body and keeps you feeling healthy and happy.

For the naturalists out there, there are other benefits for drinking tea.  I wondered if tea was ever used to relieve pain.  Searching through blogs, I found this post about ginger and green tea on Everyday Simplicity.  Suffering from chronic pain leaves me turning to a cup of tea for relief and happiness.

I write this as I sip on a hot cup of Lemon Frost tea. Yum!

 Our good friend, Danielle, purchased a tea care package for my birthday.  She included 2 bags of loose tea, rock sugar, and a fancy teacup from Teavana.  The flavors of the loose tea were much more powerful and aromatic than bagged tea from a grocery store (although I do still love it).  When I am feeling down, a hot cup of green tea is the most perfect mood booster.

Tea provides numerous health benefits.  Whether you are looking to lose weight, lower cholesterol or clear up skin... this article will provide you with the knowledge to select the right tea for you.  Learn more about Types of Tea with Teavana.

Teavana's website provides helpful information, but also has great gift ideas for the upcoming holidays.  Get ready, early birds!  The season of greetings and eatings is almost upon us.  

Take care, readers.  Happy and healthy wishes to you all.

Copyright 2012 Hint of Thyme.  All rights reserved.

A Slow Cooker Meal for 2

Slow cooker meals, as many of us might know, are perfect for the on-the-go woman!  You can set it on low or high and go about your day is normal. 

The day that I decided to make a slow-cooker meal was the night of a pretty large snow storm up in northern Wisconsin.  My husband was busy snow-blowing and snow-plowing for work.  I wanted to make him a meal that smelled fantastic and would comfort him after a long day. 

Prep time = 10 minutes
Cook time = 8 hours on low/4 hours on high

Braised Ginger Cranberry Pork Roast
- 2 or 3 lb pork loin or roast
- Half of a medium sweet onion; sliced
- 1 1/2 cups of a Sesame Ginger marinade (the brand doesn't matter, pick your favorite)
- 1 TBSP of minced ginger
- 1 cup of whole cranberries (if you can't find whole cranberries try using canned whole cranberries)
- 2 TBSP of brown sugar
- Salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away!  The internal temperature of the pork should be 160.  Set it on low for 8 hours if you are heading off to work or set it on high for 4 hours if you have errands to complete.  Let the smell take over your kitchen.  It's almost heavenly! 

Prior to cooking.

Ready to eat!

At the end, pour the remaining marinade and cooked ingredients over the top of the pork.  Serve with steamed rice or pasta.  As always... enjoy!  

How to Cook Steak on Day 2

One day this week (per the request of my husband) I cooked a 4-lb Angus Steak for him.  Since I am not a huge fan of steak.. there was definitely a lot of meat leftover.  I don't know about you but, some times leftovers are really boring. 

Here is a fun way to dress up a dull steak or beef leftover!

Teriyaki Ginger Steak Stir-fry
- Half or full head of green cabbage
- 1 or 2 lbs of leftover steak meat (sliced or cubed)
- 1 medium size sweet onion, chopped
- 1/2 TBSP of minced ginger
- 1 or 2 TBSP of fresh squeezed orange juice (optional: try adding the zest too)
- 2 or 3 TBSP of Teriyaki sauce (start out with 2, you can always add more)
- 1/2 TBSP soy sauce
- 1/2 TBSP rice wine vinegar
- 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil (or if you have sesame oil, I would suggest using that instead.. it will really enhance the flavors)
- 1 TBSP sesame seeds
- Salt and Pepper to taste

I started by slicing and then cubing the cabbage, onion and steak.  I wanted all the pieces to be of similar size so that it cooks evenly.  In a separate bowl combine the ginger, orange juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and only 1/2 TBSP of the olive oil.  Whisk the sauce until completely combined.  (And then try not to spill half of it onto the floor like I did. Oops!)  If you have a wok or large saute pan, use that - you will need a lot of room.  Add 1/2 TBSP of olive oil to the wok at a medium-high heat.  Add the onions.  Constantly stir the vegetables to avoid burning - especially if you are using a wok.  Add the cabbage after the onions become slightly translucent and soft.  Stir the onions and cabbage for a minute and then add the steak.  Continuing stirring the ingredients and add the teriyaki ginger sauce combination after the cabbage is soft and steak is warm.  Add the sesame seeds right at the end.  Serve and enjoy.

Oh my goodness!  Have you ever put food into your mouth and have one of those moments that requires you to close your eyes and loudly express "Yum"?  Wow.  I guarantee that you will love this.

If you are not a fan of cabbage, that's okay.  Dump some teriyaki on it and I promise that you won't even know that you are eating cabbage.  Delicious!  I almost forgot that I was eating steak.

A great choice of a side dish would be steamed jasmine rice (on the side only).  You can also add other vegetables to this dish.  I would suggest trying snap peas or bok choy.

Altogether this meal cost about $10 to make.  And it's so much healthier and quicker than calling for chinese take-out.