Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

So what do you do if you are stuck in the middle of a heat wave? Harness the energy of the sun and use it to your advantage. Yesterday I was craving iced Yerba Matte tea so I got out the tea bags, filled the kettle and fired up the burner on the stove. As I looked out the kitchen window I saw the sidewalk melting because it was a hundred degrees in the shade. It occurred to me, use the magnificent, blazing sun to heat the tea.

I went out to the garden and selected a handful of herbs including mint, lemon verbena, lemongrass and spearmint. I washed the herbs, threw them in the tea pitcher and added two Yerba Matte bags and three Yogi Ginger tea bags. I really like Yogi brand teas because they are rich in flavor, organic and the tags on the tea bags have whimsical and thoughtful sayings on them which adds to the experience.

I then added water, a sliced orange and a lemon for color and flavor. I set the pitcher in the scorching sun and went on with the rest of my day. It was superb after four hours, but if you have the time and patience, it was something I would have begged for after 7 hours of sun-brewing. The ginger and citrus danced with the lemongrass and verbena. The mint was an essence and the Yerba Matte felt earthy and soothing. This iced tea will be perfect made from any kind of tea. Add nectarines or basil or fresh ginger and vanilla. Be reckless with your herb garden, fruit drawer and pantry. Having an icy, fresh brewed tumbler of herbacious and citrusy sun tea felt quite extravagant after a steamy afternoon.

If you have fave tea combinations or recipes, please share. I look forward to hearing them.

Have a delicious day.

Sun image courtesy of Superstock.com

Tags: compassionate eating, cooking with herbs, Fresh herb and ginger sun tea, fresh herb iced tea, Garden iced tea, ginger sun tea, going veg, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe, Yerba Matte Ginger iced tea, Yerba Matte iced tea