Better Latte Than Never

Sunrise. As a time zone jumper I sleep when I can and wake up when I don’t want to. But at any hour homecoming is nice and I relish my quiet time at a kitchen table with a snoring cat as a centerpiece, some cinnamon toast, and a turmeric latte.

 

Try the latte! A little honey and a spoonful of turmeric, stirred in a shot of hot water, under a cup of hot homemade almond milk, or whichever nut-milk you prefer.

 

I spoil myself with delicious homemade beverages, an addiction that started back in 2008. “Vitamineral Green” smoothies became and still are a daily staple in my diet, but with them came a curiosity for other tasty sippers. To make it easy I travel with a second suitcase exclusively to satisfy my cravings. In this “kitchen case” you will find a water filter, a hand blender, sometimes a milk-frother and a tea kettle, and an assortment or superfood powders, tinctures, teas, and spices. Sometimes I do have to pay an extra-baggage fee when traveling, but that $25-$50 is made up by not having to purchase water, or succumb to franchises’ unhealthy coffee concoctions. I also try to carry a container of hemp-milk and a few San Diego made “Perfect Bars” which stay perfectly chilled when traveling under an airplane. Rarely do my ingredients explode but it does happen. Upon arrival in Bangkok last week, I opened my kitchen case to find everything dusted a deep algae green, but it gave me a reason to unpack and reorganize, which my OCD enjoyed.

 

My usual morning beverage is a dark roast Maté tea, sweetened with a dark stevia, with a splash of hempmilk, topped with Cinnamon. I started drinking Maté back in 2007 to cut down on coffee, which I still enjoy, but only on special occasions – like egg nog.

 

On performance evenings my mug holds a super-potent “Calli” mint tea from the Sunrider Brand, with a shot of Chinese Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa for the throat if needed. I highly recommend this blend for singers.

 

By day it’s all water for me, but I do add flower essences, essential oils, stevia, echinacea, and chlorophyll to keep it interesting. I’ll even add salt if I’m heading to hot yoga. When asked what I’m drinking, it’s fun to just say Organic Unicorn Tears. But sometimes it turns brown, in which case Mona refers to it as poo-juice.

 

Speaking of juice. The fresh juice industry is booming. Say no more other than Yes Please.

 

I share this in hopes of broadening your horizons on liquid intake, saving you money and keeping you healthy. For example, you’d think with all the planes, trains, and bus rides I take around the world that I would catch a bug from time to time. But I haven’t had even the sniffles in over a year. And I credit this consistency to keeping hydrated – keeping the blood happy – and avoiding sugar drinks and dairy drinks which break down poorly in the body, causing inflammation which causes allergic reactions and phlegmy cold symptoms. Yes, common colds CAN be avoided.

 

For more health, travel and lifestyle tips, ask me what you want to know.  Good Morning!