And here we are…another Christmas come and gone…I certainly hope you and yours had the most wonderful holiday and may the celebrating continue through the new year!

If you’re like me you’ll still be giving gifts throughout the weekend to friends and family you didn’t have time to see in the weeks prior.  So there’s still time to whip up a few more homemade gifts like this warm & spicy recipe for chai concentrate.  Wrap up a jar full with a mug and instructions – your friends will surely thank you for it!

What you’ll need:

5 cups hot water
1 stick cinnamon
1 t ground ginger
1 1/2 t ground cardamom
2 whole star anise
1 t cloves
1/4 t cracked black pepper
1 1/2 t nutmeg
zest from 1 orange
10 bags black tea
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 T honey
1 T good vanilla extract

Pour the hot water over the spices, zest and tea bags in a large pitcher.  Cover and let steep for 30 minutes.  Strain the mixture and stir in the honey, sugar and vanilla.  Store in the fridge. When ready to enjoy – mix up a glass with equal parts concentrate and your favorite milk – serve it hot or iced – both delicious!Now…this holiday season, as wondrous as it’s been, has been taxing on the ‘ol waistline…come New Years Day Hillary and I will be fixin’ to get back on the health train.  Won’t you join us as we embark on a three day clean eating cleanse Jan. 2-4th? We’ll post our menu tomorrow so check back, stock up on healthy groceries, and get on board!