turmeric latte recipe

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

This recipe was born out of my deep love for chai lattes. While I enjoyed them greatly, I cringed a bit each time I saw one made for me. Out of a box, a pre-made concoction poured; each packed with sugars and preservatives that no one should be consuming. So I decided to try my hand at a natural version. At about the same time, I’d been looking to incorporate more turmeric into my diet. Turmeric has a scrolling list of benefits, but my primary reason was to help with inflammation in the joints. And so, this amazing, amazing drink was born. You can make it warm and drink it right away, or store it in the fridge for an iced version. When I do iced, I like to throw a tablespoon of chia seeds in there while it cools. So many health benefits in one simple drink!

Ingredients

1 Tbs Turmeric Powder

1 Cinnamon Stick

5 Cloves

2 Cups Milk (Your Choice - Almond, Soy, Dairy, Hemp, etc)

1 Tbs Coconut Oil

Directions

1. Simmer turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and milk on the stovetop for 15 minutes. Add more milk if it reduces down too far.

2. During the final minute, add in the coconut oil and stir. 

3. Remove the cinnamon stick, and transfer mixture to a blender. I use my Nutribullet, but any blender will do. Buzz mixture for a quick minute to build foam.

open space

The other day, I read an article that talked about negative space. It described a hand. The negative space in-between each finger defining the edges, and allowing our brains to make sense of physical matter. "Without nothing, there cannot be something," it explained. The negative space allows us to make sense of what is.

It got me to thinking about other ways in which this is true. I decided that it also holds beyond the physical. Without sadness, we could not understand happiness, and moments of quiet help us make sense of the chatter. That, is why it's so important to relax, to meditate, to do yoga, and to get out and hike in nature -- even if it's the middle of a snow-ridden winter. We need moments to free the mind, so that we can then reign her in. We need mother nature and her wide open spaces, so that the world and all her clutter can make sense.

That is why I return.

weekly scenes: a winter hike

Our first snowfall happened over Thanksgiving this year. We went home, hoping it would come. Crossing our fingers and holding out for its magical presence to start sprinkling down. Sure enough, rise and shine Wednesday morning, and there it was -- flurrying in the skies and making its presence known. All day it snowed, and bit by bit the landscape was blanketed. Come Thursday, we strapped our hiking boots on and went out to enjoy it. Off to Highland Forest with three dogs, Adam, and my brother. We hiked the expansive trails for about three hours. Working up a sweat with the uphill climbs, and losing our breath from the utter beauty that surrounded us. There is something about a snowy landscape that makes your heart drop. It's a quiet presence. The snow brings peace and sheer awe in one fell swoop. 

Upon arriving home, we warmed up in front of the fire and set some cider to brew with cinnamon and clove. It was truly one of those days. You know, the ones where you feel like everything is just perfect.

spending the day in love

Last weekend Adam and I were able to spend a rare entire day together. It was such heaven. We ate and walked all over the city, just happy to next to each other. We didn't even have to spend a lot of money, the day was sheer joy. The weather was strangely nice and we really enjoyed being outside. It made it possible to walk everywhere. 

Things started at Philly's new best kept secret, Porto, for brunch. After being full of food and coffee, we ventured north. I had always wanted to check out the main branch of Philadelphia's Free Library. It's this huge regal building on the Parkway, and well, I have a thing for libraries. So walking by we made an impromptu pit stop. Pulling books off the shelf, smiling, and embracing - I was so happy to be right there, right then. 

From there we walked up the Parkway. Adam casually mentioned never having seen Waterworks, so of course I made us walk down there. How can a man live in Philly so long, and never have seen one of its most beautiful staples? I've been there many times, but this visit huge ice chunks still clung to the water and it was a powerful site. 

We could have wandered around the river for hours, but the clock was ticking away, and that Sunday was "pay as you wish" at the art museum. We quickly left the river path to check out the surrealist exhibit before closing. It sure worked up our appetite, so we again walked across the city - this time in search of Bufad's delicious pizza. It was truly our day because when we went to pay, we found out that it was buy one pizza, get one free. It was also Bufad's one year anniversary, and we were treated to surprise champagne and dessert after our delicious meal. Could we have asked for more? I don't think so. 

God I love that kid. God I love this city.

Good day.

moments at home

Adam and I were able to take a quick trip back to Syracuse last weekend. As can be expected of central New York in January, temperatures were close to zero and snow covered every stretch of nature to be seen. Despite the bitter cold we were able to hit the snow shoe trails with my dad and the three dogs. At outset, my fingers were numbed to the bone, but once we got going the blood started rushing, circling in my abdomen and sending warmth to the extremities. It’s hard to explain the beauty that surrounded us. There is no other way to describe it besides saying that it felt like witnessing magic. Gusts of wind would knock snowfall from the trees, and it looked like a million tiny stars raining down. The quietness, the stillness…it was breathtaking.

The indoors felt just as magical. A warm haven of love. The older I get the more and more I appreciate my parent’s home. It’s full of good taste – not too fancy, but elegant and rustic. From light fixtures, to wedding gifts hanging on the wall, I love the little details all around. Above everything, I enjoy how lived in of a home it is. In every nook you can feel the years, the lives of three children, dogs, and two parents who love each other. Both my mom and my dad have their hobbies. My father paints, draws, and builds models while my mom is an avid gardener and reader. As a result the place is full of books, plants, paint brushes – you name it. The environment that all of it creates is so comforting to me. I peruse through and sometimes pick out a book to borrow. I guess you could say I feel at home. I can't help but think, "what precious little moments..."

philadelphia's first snow

We had our first snow, everyone! Of course, I got a little taste when I went home for Thanksgiving, but it was still fun to have some more. Philadelphia got hit pretty well with eight inches. I had been planning to spend the day with friends, making a road trip to a town outside the city. Roads were crappy though, and plans had to change. We ended up heading to Greensgrow Farms to check out their Christmas trees and Holiday Bazaar. They did a great job getting one-of-a-kind local vendors into the space (if you live in the area, they have another one going on tomorrow & I highly recommend it!). I must say, I was very inspired. The rest of the day we hopped around Fishtown, warming up with soup, hot toddies, and good friends. I love how the snow brings people together for fun memories like that day. It may have canceled plans, but we built a whole new day instead.

weekly scenes

The indoors are getting cozy. Do you feel it?

Winter has moved her way in, making morning toast and heartfelt gifts all the more warming to the soul.

Not that I don't enjoy nature in winter. Oh, very contrary. 

She's quiet. She's exposed. She's beautiful.

But she's cold. And she circles her cool breeze around pockets of warmth, creating small cocoons for living creatures to find refuge.

Bright lights ignite rooms while snow crystals fall outside the window.

Four walls are a tightly wrapped blanket of love, light, and happiness.

Here, we find our comfort and what it means to be cozy.

december mood board

At the hit of winter I button myself up inside four walls. Without summer's easy energy I get forced inside. At night, home becomes a warm hive of creativity and coziness to pass the dark hours. Mornings bring a whiteness to everything that cuts to bone with chill. A strange mix of cold and warmth. You appreciate the blankets and over-sized sweaters a little bit more. The excuse to stay inside with your paint brushes isn't so bad either. I plan to have a healthy dose of both this December. 

At the end of it all we will be walking into a new year. How do I want to finish this one off and how do I want to step into the next? Last year I committed to find balance, and I have to say, it remained in my thoughts and I did make many advancements. Without forgetting about the previous, what will I tack on this year? I have one fun, and one serious resolution in mind. I'll hammer them out through December, and keep you all in the loop come January.

For now, live it up, it's December 2012 baby!

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