Hot Tea to Chase Away Winter's Chill

A great remedy to chase away the winter blues is a cup of hot tea. Hot tea is beneficial to both your mental and physical health. Conditions such as arthritis, the flu, gum disease, and low bone density may all be impacted by drinking certain types of tea. Green tea can help in the battle of the bulge, by boosting your metabolism. You can even help your winter colds, just by drinking some peppermint tea. Celebrate hot tea all month long because January is National Hot Tea Month!

Fruit Spice Tea

Ingredients:

46 oz. Pineapple juice
1 cup Orange juice
1 cup Pomegranate juice
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. cloves
2 tea bags, family size

Directions:

Pour juices in a large pot and cook on medium heat. Add tea bags, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Bring mixture to a light simmer for 30 minutes.

Reduce heat to low and remove the tea bags and spices. Serve warm and garnish with fruit slices if desired.

*You can cut a small square of cheesecloth and place the spices in it and tie it closed. This makes removing the spices easier.

Lemon Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

1/2 - 1 inch chunk Fresh ginger root
2 cups Water
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
1 tbsp. Honey

Directions:

Peel and thinly slice ginger root. Put into water and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes.

Strain the liquid, add lemon juice and pour into cups. Sweeten with honey to taste.

Apple Cranberry Slow Cooker Tea

Ingredients:

3 cups Apple juice
2 cups Cranberry juice
3/4 cup Cranberries, fresh
1 Apple, sliced (You can use honey crisp)
1 cup Water
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/4 cup Brown sugar, packed
5 tea bags, tags removed

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a 5-quart slow cooker. Set on high and cook for 30 minutes. Remove and squeeze the tea bags.

Set slow cooker on low for 4 hours.