The Tale of the 7-shot Latte (and a recipe for a Green Tea Latte)

This is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down.

...

Okay, maybe not my life, but definitely my day.

It was the morning of my 23rd birthday, and I remembered that I had a Starbucks birthday freebie to redeem. For those of you who have never redeemed a birthday freebie at Starbucks before, you can get any drink you want, in any size with any additional add ones, like syrups and soy milk- for free! Of course, this can get pretty crazy, with people ordering some crazy drinks like this one.

While my birthday freebie wasn't that extravagant, I may have forgotten that lattes already come with a pre-determined number of espresso shots. I ordered a venti soy Pumpkin Spice latte....with 4 extra espresso
shots.

A nice photo....before the caffeine rush

You may be thinking to yourself 'What the HECK?! Who needs that much espresso in one morning coffee?'

I had a good reason, I promise!! Not only was I suffering from lack of sleep (I had gotten maybe two hours the night before, and four hours the night before that), I was also up early to teach (at the time I was teaching one of the highest energy groups there is-a kindergarten class) AND I wasn't going to be home until late that evening. Clearly that latte was needed.

I stretched out that latte from the first bell of the day to the last bell, and it was one of the most energetic days of my life! The kids definitely thought 'Miss M' was a bit crazier than normal.

However a week after the crazy latte, and many coffees after, I started to need more and more just to get me through the day. In an effort to both spend less money and make use of my giant tea collection, I started alternating days I had coffee with homemade tea lattes.

I started making my own green tea lattes, which aren't as hard as I thought. My first few attempts were downright disastrous, and it took a few tries, but I finally made one I liked and I didn't have to go out and buy any fancy equipment!

My version is definitely a lot less sweeter than any kind you would buy in stores, and doesn't look as fancy without whipped cream or frothy milk (ahem, Starbucks, I'm lookin' at you!), but I find that it brings out the taste of the green tea powder a lot better, and is a LOT better for your waistline!

Green Tea Latte (makes one large mugful)

Ingredients 

1/4 cup hot water
1tsp matcha (green tea powder- I really love using David's Tea Matcha but I find the varieties found in Asian supermarkets to do just fine for everyday)
1/2 tsp cinnamon, plus more for garnish
3/4 cup 2% milk, heated (you can substitute for skim milk, or a non-dairy milk like soy or coconut. I find almond milk doesn't work as well or green tea lattes)
sweetener, to taste
whipped cream, optional

• In your mug, whisk together the hot water, the matcha and the cinnamon until it is fully blended into the water and there are no clumps to be seen. (I have a mini whisk that does the job well but there are actual bamboo whisks made for this purpose)
• While continuously whisking, slowly pour in your milk
• Whisk in your sweetener
• Top with whipped cream and additional cinnamon for garnish

Enjoy!

The Mystery Brand reveal-Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser

In my last post, I mentioned that I had gotten a #mysterybrand sample box of shampoo, conditioner and hair serum from Influenster.

Fast forward to this week, and I found out that the brand I had received was one I wasn't actually expecting- it was Garnier!

I had received a missed mail package notice, and I figured that even though they could fit one hair care product into the mailbox, they were being safe. It wasn't just one product.

Hello entire Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser hair care line, I wasn't expecting you!

I definitely wasn't expecting that.


I was a bit surprised by the mystery brand, because most products that I buy are usually from The Body Shop, or meant for seriously thick hair, but I loved how this line of products made my hair look feel and smell! I never considered my hair damaged, but Garnier Damage Eraser definitely undid some damage, and provided some much needed TLC for my dry winter hair.

It's a line of products I will definitely buy again.

Influenster VoxBox-Mystery hair products

Yesterday I received a box in the mail. Usually when I get boxes in the mail, it's one of two things: a) I got an order of books or b) another box of freebies has arrived!!

This particular box came from a company called Influenster. I qualified for their L'Oreal Mystery VoxBox.

(Cute packaging!)

What is cool about this is that I won't know the brand of the products inside until next week.

The VoxBox contained three containers, one each of shampoo, conditioner, and split-end repairing serum. All three products were designed to battle distressed, damaged hair, which I have. They smell *amazing*!! They all smell sweetly floral, but not overwhelmingly so.

I couldn't wait until the weekend to try one of these babies out, so I washed my hair. Besides smelling amazing, the shampoo and conditioner work together seamlessly. After I towel-dried, I put the serum in my hair. I'm still waiting for it to dry, but my thick, unruly hair....well it's still thick, but not as unruly as before.

VoxBox, we have a winning combination!