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Bento Box and Carrying Pouch contest

Here's a brilliant and fashionable idea to make a sustainable lunch even more delicious! Sachiko Aldous of Tea Rose Home is giving away a bento box and beautiful carrying pouch to one reader of her blog.

Making your own lunch is economical and healthier since you control the ingredients. A bento box has compartments to keep ingredients separated, and fresher, and reduces waste since there's nothing to throw away.

You'll look tres chic carrying your sustainable lunch in a carry pouch by Sachiko! Check it out. Here's the link.




For other eco-friendly bento boxes, check out Bento Lunch Boxes They are free of bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and lead.

Homemade Chai Tea

The first time I ever tried chai tea was in the home of a friend who served it after dinner as dessert. She made it in a teapot with lots of honey, ginger, spices, warm milk and freshly grated nutmeg. We drank it sitting by her fireplace. I remember feeling so cozy that I didn’t want to leave.

After that evening, I scoured the web to find a recipe to recreate that chai tea. What I realized is that chai is a mix of spices, steeped in black tea with honey and milk. All the recipes sounded delicious but complicated to make.

I finally hit on a combination of spices combined with loose Assom OP tea that I can make ahead of time and then brew easily in individual cups or a teapot. I purchase spices and loose tea in bulk at The Head Nut, which helps to keep the cost down.

Chai

4 c. Assom OP loose tea

1 tbsp. green cardamom pods

1 tbsp. cloves

1 tbsp. black pepper corns

1 tbsp. anise seed

1 tbsp. star anise (broken into pieces)

1 tbsp. candied ginger, minced

1 tsp. cinnamon stick, pounded into very small bits

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground ginger

Mix all ingredients together and store in a dark container.

To serve:

Fill a tea ball ½ full of the mixture and place in a mug.

To the mug, add one tsp. honey and fill with simmering water.

Let steep for 5 minutes then remove tea ball.

Add milk and serve.

A cup always transports me back to that cozy fireplace. I hope you get that same relaxed feeling from this rich and spicy tea. Enjoy!