Tea and Cakes for a blah day . . .

Have you ever had a day when you really didn't feel like cooking at all, or even doing much of anything??? It doesn't happen to me very often, but today was one of those days.  I am having a horrible no good rotten day.  Nothing that I can put my finger on . . . I just feel a bit blah.  Not sick . . . just a bit tired, run down . . .  and frustrated by nothing in particular . . . yet frustrated with everything, at the same time.  Grumpy.  Out of sorts.

For lunch I riffled through the fridge and put together a pizza.  There was a few bits of cheese that needed using up, some leftover cooked sausages that needed to be used, and some spring onions and black olives left from the other day when I made that Mexican dip.  They all ended up on top of the pizza . . .



and it was good . . . but it didn't chase the blues away.


And then I remembered this tea that was sent to me the other day by In Nature Teas, Purveyors of Green and White teas.  Their Green and White teas come from the Fu Jian-Anhull region in China and claim such health benefits as

• cleansing and detoxing
• Anti-oxidents
• Anti-bacterial functions
• Energy boosting and anti fatigue functions
• Anti-halitosis for good, clean breath
• Slimming and the breakdown of fats
• Anti-cancer properties - high with polyphenols

From their leaflet -
Drinking fresh pure tea gives you an abundance of natural benefits.  It's good for cleansing and detoxing, and it also provides a refreshing and tasty drink when you need a bit of time-out in your busy day.

If anyone needed a time-out . . . I needed a time out.



The variety they had sent me was the Pure White Tea, Autumn Breeze.  It came in a sturdy cardboard and foil lined tea caddy, and was enclosed in a foil bag inside the tea caddy.



From their page:

This is a very delicate and mild blend of Fujian White teas. These leaves are aged and therefore they have a mature and deep taste which is a real treat for anyone who seeks the ultimate tea experience. This is a rare and limited blend, hardly seen outside China and once reserved for Chinese emperors alone. The health benefits from the White Teas are well documented, ranging from detoxifying properties to cancer-prevention. This natural privilege is now available to you direct from In Nature.



And so I brewed a cup or two . . . and served it in my Katie Alice teacup.  And it was good.



Admittedly the crispie treats didn't hurt either.  I made them this morning, and they went down a real treat at my afternoon refreshment break.




I still don't feel like cooking . . . but I do feel a bit more cheerful and not as grumpy as I did.  The question remains . . . was it the tea, or the sugar . . . or the chocolate . . . or that pretty tea cup.

Maybe it was all of them . . .

 

*Crispie Polka Dot Treats*
Makes 12 bars
Printable Recipe

A real favourite with the kiddos, big and small, young and old!

60g unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
284g white mini marshmallows (10 ounces)
60g peanut butter (1/2 cup)
110g crisp rice cereal (5 cups)
1 (147g) bag of colored candy coated chocolate buttons (M&M's,  Smarties, etc.)

 

Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.  Set aside.

Heat the butter in a large nonstick saucepan over low heat until melted.  Add the peanut butter, stirring to melt.  Add the marshmallows and continue to cook, stirring, until smooth..  Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rice cereal to combine.  Then stir in the chocolate candies.  Press the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it in evenly.  Cool completely until set before cutting into 3 inch square bars.

Note:  It is often easier to place the marshmallows, butter and peanut butter into a large microwaveable bowl and heat the mixture in the microwave on high, removing it and stirring it every minute or so, until the mixture is smooth and completely amalgamated.  


In Nature
teas for life  

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Thank you.