Tips & Trends
BETTER / Now
W
hile we all enjoy our coffee stops and pop-in-pods that brew our favorite latte, for those who just want to know what’s really going into their chai, the trend is to make your own blend. Yes, it’s going to taste better than the coffee shop cafe, and no, it’s not going to be hard. Here’s how to make a chai mix that is deeeelicious! If you prefer coffee over black tea you can probably swap that out pretty easy. Chai Tea Latte: 1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 T cinnamon, 1/2 t ginger, 1/2 t cardamom, 1/2 t nutmeg, 1/8 t allspice. Whisk in 21/2 cups of water then bring to a boil. 2. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. 3. Uncover and return to a boil. Remove from heat, and stir in 2 T real maple syrup and 2 black tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. 4. Remove the tea bags and strain liquid into a jar. Dump out the spice sediment that doesn’t pass through. To serve: For each latte, combine 1/2 cup of your chai mix, 3/4 cup of milk, and 1 t of real maple syrup. Heat in microwave until it’s the perfect temp. Enjoy the real deal!
Meal prep is getting serious
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Being Better in Siouxland magazine / Spring 2020
Find your escape
I
t was just a few short years ago that people were saying adiós to their bathtub surrounds and even jetted tubs for a spacious walk-in shower. Just a few years later and people are longing for that old friend. The tub seems to be making a wild comeback and the type that’s trending is the freestanding tub. While it’s been around for nearly 150 years, it started out as a practical solution for getting clean. Today, it’s making a comeback as decorative as it is utilitarian in modern designs or retro styles with claw feet. Perhaps we began to realize we could use a little downtime - an escape. Perhaps it’s a result of the self-care movement or simply that we realized it’s hard to control a toddler in the shower. One thing to note is that one study showed that people who liked to take long hot baths were sometimes just lonely. Maybe you don’t need a tub, but to go find a place to meet some new friends. You decide.
A
s people are committing to eating healthier, making meals that fit the bill doesn’t happen easily or out of a bag. Work week lunches and snacks take some thought, planning, and time to prep. Peak time for prepping seems to be on Sunday according to the people who track that stuff and it’s serious business. This is a genius strategy however. Studies show that people who have their snacks and meals ready to go when they’re hungry are far more likely to see success. FAR MORE. Another key to success is having appropriate sized containers that have tight seals and are microwave friendly. Eat well!
Photo credit: Clockwise from top left: Svetlana Cherruty, FamVeld, Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
Going natural
