I had one of my best girlfriends, Carma, over for lunch yesterday, and she brought along a super special treat. I had seen a photo she put on instagram telling about Pumpkin Spice Chai that she loved so much that she used the hashtag #nocoffeenoproblem. I know she is a coffee lover, so my ears, eyes and taste buds perked up! I asked her to bring the ingredients along to our lunch so I could try it out..because, you know…best girlfriends can do that. We can extend a lunch invitation but then ask them to bring a beverage so you can try it out. {smile}
Our time together was precious and almost 2 hours of chatting felt like just minutes. We have much in common. Our husbands work together, we are both mothers of middle school girls, we share our faith & have lived a lot of life together the last 6 years.
She was a rock for me when I was sick. The perfect balance of listening to me and letting me cry on the hard days but also cheering me on and not letting me get stuck in the yuckness of it all. She was the one who came to the first Oncology appointment with Todd and I. She was our stable notetaker, and boy, did I ever need stable that day! I was a mess, needing a bowl in the waiting room because I was so nauseous with fear and nerves. I couldn’t think straight so she thought for me. I still have her notes from that day. Seeing her handwriting, knowing her hand wrote hard words out of love for me, touches my heart and made me keep those notes. She also came to my first chemo and was my ride home. I will never forget her love in the battle.
Back to our lunch. We are both foodies and both have certain restrictions to what we will eat due to health issues. It is fun to have her for over knowing she will appreciate my weird food. I took the easy way out and got some amazing vegan soup from a local spot nearby. I made kale chips, roasted some carrots with a little oil, salt, pepper & garlic, & had some tomatoes from my garden to eat as sides.
Carma showed up with a cooler which made me smile. Not only did it have the Pumpkin Spice Chai ingredients in it, but she also brought black bean hummus with chips & 2 individual bowls of fruit. That made me happy. She knows what I will love and appreciate.
We saved the Pumpkin Spice Chai for an after- lunch drink. I’m so glad we did because I have to tell you…IT WAS SO GOOD THAT IT WAS LIKE DRINKING DESSERT!
We have had a few cool weather days here in Nebraska, and I’ve found myself wanting a comforting, fall-like drink. A pumpkin spice flavored drink that was easy to make and somewhat healthy. Well, people…I found it…or at least Carma found it for me.
Here it is:
Start with one cup of milk of your choice. We used almond milk.
Add 2 bags of Trader Joes Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea. If you do not have a Trader Joes near you, keep reading for good substitute ideas.
Let steep for 5-7 minutes, warming the milk gently on the stove.
When it gets to be this milky, caramel-ly color, get your head down in there and take a whiff. Deliciousness! I told Carma I want a fall candle that smells like this! Remove the tea bags.
If you don’t have a Trader Joes near you, shed a few tears, then wipe them away and order some from Amazon using this affiliate link. {I appreciate your support of this blog.}
After you remove the teabags, make sure the temperature is what you desire for warm, comfortable sipping.
Add 3/4 cup Oregan Chai concentrate. This amount is flexible. If you want less sweet, use less Chai concentrate.
Pour into your favorite mug & enjoy!
3 Ingredient Best Pumpkin Spice Chai
1 cup milk (I used almond)
2 pumpkin spice teabags
3/4 cup chai concentrate, or to taste
Put milk into a saucepan. Add teabags. Steep 5-7 minutes & warm to desired temperature. Add chai concentrate. Stir. Pour into 2 mugs and enjoy!
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