David Rio Power Chai Review & Recipe

December 20, 2013 Kathleen Henry

On occasion, my best friend in the world stops by the clinic and brings me a chai tea. It is the most delicious beverage ever. Especially when it's unexpected and delivered to you at work. I love her so much. I asked her what kind of chai it was (as I am very particular about my chai) and she told me it's David Rio's Elephant Vanilla Chai made with soy milk. I knew I had to get my hands on some of this chai tea powder. I went onto the David Rio site to learn about this most delicious chai, because that's just the kind of person I am. Must. Research. Everything. Based out of San Francisco, all David Rio chai is GMO-free and kosher, and their Tiger Spice Chai is organic. As part of their mission, they work with animal welfare organisations such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and several others. I thought, of course, that is was absolutely fabulous. I read somewhere that every dollar you spend, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in...or something like that. It's hard to find companies that have integrity and do genuinely take an interest in animal welfare and rights.

All their chai mixes are called "dairy-free". They use a non-dairy creamer as a milk substitute in the powder mixes. However, the non-dairy creamer does contain sodium caseinate, which is a milk derivative. But, it is technically considered a non-dairy product. Yet, I personally, couldn't feel good about drinking something with sodium caseinate. And Todd, of course, cannot have any milk whatsoever because it's a big trigger for his rheumatoid arthritis.

Saddened, I knew I couldn't justify purchasing any of the chia mixes, even with all the great work they do for animal welfare charities! While perusing their website I saw that they have one variety of chai that is completely dairy-free, their Power Chai! I was so excited, I cannot even tell you. Behold, the David Rio Power Chai.

The Power Chai is absolutely lovely. It's a delicious blend of black tea and Japanese Matcha, a ceremonial green tea powder. Rich and frothy, this chai is bold, lively and sure to put a smile on your face. You know how sometimes when something is so good, it makes you do a little dance? No? That's just me, huh. Well, it makes me do a little dance. Todd knows what I'm talking about.

There is only one place in Alaska that carries David Rio tins for purchase, but they do not carry the Power Chai. I plan to ask our local grocery store to carry it! Please check out their site here to see all their wonderful products and the good they extend toward animal welfare! Amazon.com also carries David Rio, but again, the Power Chai is only available with an outrageous shipping cost. Perhaps because it's new? Maybe in the coming year, it too will be available!

Move over Oregon Chai. This is my new favorite chai. My take on the basic David Rio Power Chai tea latte is made with creamy, silky coconut milk with a little splash of sweet vanilla and a pinch of cayenne for a little spicy bite.

Invigorating Power Chai Latte

Makes 1 large mug

1 1/2 cups cartoned coconut milk (I use Silk Vanilla)
3 Tbsp. David Rio Power Chai mix
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of cayenne pepper

Heat the coconut milk milk in the microwave or over low heat on the stove.

Whisk in the chai mix, vanilla and cayenne pepper.

Serve hot and frothy!

Todd and I sipped this chai while wrapping presents. Check out this sweet wrap job. The paper is actually part of the packaging from the box that David Rio sent me. I'm not making that up. Yes, I use packing paper for all my gifts. Don't judge. It's awesome, economical and environmentally friendly. I asked Todd for a hippy high five when I told him this. He did not disappoint. Crazy hippies for the win!

Do you like Todd's snowflake? I told him it was a bit Southwestern, I don't think it was on purpose...but we had a good chuckle about it. OMG, we are lame. Also, as of right now, that greenery you see is our Christmas tree. Waaahhhh!

Yes, I am listening to a playlist called, Jazzy Christmas.... Harry Connick, Jr. – Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

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DISCLAIMER PRODUCE ON PARADE IS A PERSONAL BLOG WRITTEN AND EDITED BY MYSELF AND TODD ONLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. OUR REVIEWS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON OUR OWN OPINIONS OF THE PRODUCT REVIEWED. WE ARE NOT PAID TO WRITE POSTS. THESE PRODUCTS WERE SUPPLIED TO US AS GIFTS BY THE COMPANY TO TEST AND REVIEW. OTHERWISE, IF WE MENTION A COMPANY BY NAME AND THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST, WE ARE MERELY WRITING ABOUT SOMETHING WE LIKE, PURCHASE AND/OR USE. THE FACT THAT WE DO RECEIVE A PRODUCT AS A GIFT TO TEST AND REVIEW, WILL NEVER POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE CONTENT MADE IN OUR POST.

Phone Photo Fun

December 18, 2013 Kathleen Henry

Why hello!

First, I'd like to put it on the record that 15F is sooooo much nicer than -15F. I think I may have froze my upper eyelids while walking the dogs a couple days ago. Second, I thought today would be a nice day to share some pretty sweet photos with you. This was prompted by the Christmas tree decorating at my Grandpa's, yesterday. You can read more about my Grandpa, here. You want to, trust me.

Heh heh, I couldn't resist creating some ridiculous little imagery.

Okay, first up, this is how Bob watches football. At two different houses, it doesn't matter where he is, this is his football position. Dead beetle style.

Second, here are some lovely photos from our ski last week. You can see more on my Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook page. See the top right side of the blog to connect and keep up on all the Alaskan awesomeness.

And now, here are some photos from Grandpa's basement basement. What's a basement basement? Well, there's the basement...and then there's the basement basement. The latter being a straight up sketchy ass place below the regular basement with narrow, terrifying stairs, crushed and broken glass, oddities that were outcast from the kitchen, and enough food to seriously supply a small army. The kind of place you make sure your guests don't know about.

It would be a supreme location for an episode of Fear Factor...or Saw. As a child it was scary as hell. Now, it's a wonderful place (minus the spiderwebs) filled with old-timey treasures from bygone eras! Need a bottle of antibiotics from the 1940s? We got that! Looking for a canned WHOLE chicken from the 1950s? We got that, too! There's also rusted out japanese teapots and a deep freeze full of old caribou meat!

Also, there are these four beauties from my Grandpa's old office. I asked for them for Christmas. I love them. Note the old crazy old snowshoe at the top of the photo. Just one. Where is the other snowshoe? What happened to it? We'll never know...

This is my super sweet, adorable Grandma.When I grow up, I want to be just like her!

This is why I have to take an antihistamine everyday. Or, I could just stop rescuing dogs. Haha, no, I'll take the Zyrtec. I've been trying to master the "petting dogs is okay", but "petting dogs then touching face/eye is not okay".

Ew, sorry for that gross picture. This one is much better. Look at these two explorers!

Well, I hope you enjoyed these little treasures from my phone. Keep in touch for more excitement down the road!

Cheers! Wishing you a crazy and eccentric Holiday season.

Listening to Lily Allen – Somewhere Only We Know

Homemade Vegan Butter

December 18, 2013 Kathleen Henry

So, I've seen a lot of homemade vegan butter recipes floating, melting, around the web. I figured it was time to hop on that butter churn, or in this case...food processor. Todd and I usually buy Earth Balance, which we love. However, we don't love the palm oil. The collection of palm oil is destroying the habitats of orangutans, rhinos, tigers and elephants. Even "sustainably sourced" palm oil is pretty questionable. It's in vegan butters as well as that "natural" creamy peanut butter that you don't have to stir. Do I love stirring my natural peanut butter? It's not one of my all-time favorite pastimes, but it does help clear my conscious. Plus, I get a pretty sweet little arm workout for a minute. If you want to learn more about palm oil, it's consequences, and what you can do to avoid it and help (you do), check out this article.

I don't want to be a part of that. There are some things we can control, like purchasing palm oil laden things, and some things we can't. If it means I have to stir my damn peanut butter and briefly inspect the ingredients of what food items I purchase (which I already do anyways), then so be it. It's a small inconvenience. Plus, what's better than creamy homemade butter slathered on fluffy homemade bread...um...nothing, that's what.

Produce On Parade - Homemade Vegan Butter

This vegan butter has the Todd Seal of Approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

If the orangutans weren't busy running for their lives, they could do it.

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Homemade Vegan Butter

By Katie Henry - Produce On Parade

This vegan butter has my husband’s seal of approval, and let me tell you...the man knows his butter. It's also super easy. A vegan butter that involves less forest/animal habitat destruction? Yes, please! Creamy, easy and it's super quick to whip up.

--Note-- I recommend only using soy milk, as it is noted that some other non-dairy milks may have difficulty curdling. Refined coconut oil imparts absolutely no coconut flavor. Unrefined coconut oil, however, will impart a coconut flavor. Liquid lecithin and xanthan gum can be found in the organic or bulk section of most local grocery stores.

Ingredients

¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. unsweetened, plain soy milk
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
heaping ¼ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup + 2 Tbsp. refined coconut oil, melted and room temperature
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. liquid sunflower or soy lecithin
¼ tsp. xanthan gum

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy milk, apple cider vinegar and salt. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes, until it's thickened and curdled.

Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil in the microwave at 30 second intervals. It's acceptable to still be partially un-melted, with bits of solid coconut oil. You don't want it to be hot or warm at all. If it is, allow to cool. Measure it melted, not solid.

In a food processor, combine the coconut oil and the canola oil. Add in the remaining ingredients, including the soy milk mixture and processor for about 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides occasionally. It will quickly become whipped up, just like creamy butter!

Transfer into a storage container for the fridge (for buttering bread, etc. ), or silicone ice cube trays for the freezer (for baking, etc.)

20 minutes

00:00

00:20

1 cup