Wake-Up: Sipping Beauty

On Friday I was in chilling in Delta Junction with my friend BB. She was getting her hair done in preparation for her upcoming wedding. I was just keeping her company at the Posh Salon (1755 Richardson Hwy, Delta Junction, AK 99737 907.895.3200) when I saw this great marketing concept from the Sipping Beauty tea company.

They have 6 different flavors of tea with funny names like beauty sleep and whiff. BB's friend tried the weightless tea and thought it was delicious. The website is a little cryptic as to what other retailers carry Sipping Beauty.

I should have picked some up to try while I had it in my sights. If I could figure out where it was made or where they were shipping from I might order from the website. They have sampler and large sizes which would make for great party favors or a lovely hostess gift.

Natural Soda: Pepsi Natural

I don't often drink soda but when I do it is coke. If a restaurant only serves pepsi then I go with water. How is it then that I find myself with a 4-pack of the new Pepsi Natural?

It has real cane sugar and am more dedicated to limiting the amount of high fructose corn syrup that goes into my body than sticking to my brand coke. If coke sold their South American version that has cane sugar in the US, then I would be buying their product. I found Pepsi Natural to have a smooth taste that was more mild than the original pepsi or coke. I'm sold and the bottles are cute too. In Fairbanks you can find Pepsi Natural at the local Fred Meyers (see locations below).

Looking for some insightful documentaries on the corn industry? check out: King Corn and The Future of Food. I am still waiting for Food, Inc. to be available on Netflix.


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photo credit: Pepsi Natural by Tom Carmony

Under the Weather: Natural Medicine Cabinet

I have been sick this past week and am slowly recovering. I should be back to regular posting mid-week. No, I don't have swine flu. I did have strep throat that turned into a nasty cold with coughing and congestion. I have had to restock my natural medicine cabinet. Here is what I cannot live without when I am sick.

My Natural Medicine Cabinet:

Vitamin C - I take twice my daily dose when I'm sick.

Olbas Cough Syrup - I grew up on this stuff and it is the only cough syrup in my house.

Throat Coat Tea - Also something I grew up with and it really helps.

Singers Saving Grace Soothing Throat Spray - If you have a soar throat this is a quick fix that does not taste too bad.

Lemon juice + hot water - this was my standard but TAB kicked it up a notch with the addition of honey. I've been living off this stuff. Check out this amazing kettle/teapot combo called ONE!

Amy's No Chicken Noodle Soup - by far the best chicken noodle soup at WF, believe me, I did a thorough taste test this past week.

Ricola Cough Lozenges - in any flavor. these are good!

photo credit: Tea for two by design_ski

Mexican Hot Carob

Welcome to CAYENNE & CAROB!

The inspiration for this blog comes from an unusual childhood experience with food. In our house the norm was goat’s milk, whole grains, and no sugar. Though it was not always so, I now appreciate my love of carrot juice and carob. I learned that substitution could create wonderful new ideas. The ability to envision multiple uses for an item is my mantra. This may take form through ideas about recycling, repurposing, and reusing.

I would like to share with you a recipe that I grew up with, hot carob. It will always remind me of my mother’s warm kitchen during the dark, cold winters in Alaska. I have given my mother’s recipe a kick, inspired by the title of this blog, CAYENNE & CAROB.

Mexican Hot Carob

2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 C Water
2 tbsp powdered carob (a mixture of raw and roasted is good)

Bring above items to a boil. Add 2 C milk (made with soymilk or goat’s milk in my house) and continue to heat. Be careful not to scald. When hot enough, remove from heat and at 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cayenne, and a touch of grated orange peel.

Serve hot with a dollop of marshmallow crème, a good book and a blanket.

photo credit: Matka_wariatka