Sometimes a person says something she means but doesn’t really mean. You know what I mean?
Take, for instance, when I say, “I love to drink. Drinking is so fun! Drinks make me happy.” You might think I have a drinking problem. It’s definitely not a problem, though, because I can stop any time I want to.
Now, what I’m talking about, isn’t drinking. No, no. I’m talking about drinking. Understand now? I actually stay away from drinking because my system can’t handle it, I’ve seen too many dear friends struggle with it, and anyway, I have way more fun when I’m drinking instead.
I drink at home and I drink with my family and it’s great to invite friends over and say, “Do you want to come over for drinks?”
Well now. I think after reading that we can all use a drink. What can I get you?
- Coffee? (Iced or hot? Decaf or regular? With cream and a spoonful of my homemade chocolate sauce?)
- Tea? (Hot or cold? Sweet or unsweet? Mango or peach? Raspberry perhaps?)
- Water? (Ice or no ice? With lemon or lime?)
- Sparkling Juice? (Cranberry is our favorite. Recipe is coming soon.)
Now that we’re all clear (as mud) on where I’m coming from, allow me to explain further.
I always drink a nice amount of water during the day so I stay hydrated and healthy. I actually like water, even if it is just…water. But I also really like to enjoy another fun drink or two throughout the day.
Desserts? I’m over them. Junk food? I really don’t want it. But a variety of drinks? Yes, please. I think they are a ridiculously fun treat even though I don’t even add sugar or stevia to them.
I realize this puts me over the edge into the complete nerd category, but you guys, sipping an iced coffee in the afternoon is as much a treat to me as brownies used to be back in my “I can eat anything” days. Tossing a slice of lemon in my water makes me feel like I’m indulging in something special when in reality, I’m still in my pajamas and I’m about to embark on a science lesson with my kids.
Having a cup of hot tea mid-morning (let’s call it a “spot of tea,” shall we?) in a special mug really hits the spot while I’m answering emails. Enjoying a flavored sparkling water (lime is my fav) with my lunch makes me feel like I’m splurging at a restaurant. And setting out an assortment of hot drink choices for my family before we begin a game night is way, way more fun than one would think.
This leads me to share about a fun drink many of you already know about (because several of you have mentioned it through the years). A sample of Teeccino came in my last Azure Standard order.
I made a BIG DEAL of trying it. As in, I made it, put on my pj’s and slippers while it was brewing, added cream, and snuggled under a fuzzy blanket in the living room so I could sip it slowing and savor it. I only had one kid at home with me at the time, so naturally I made him try it with me. He was a good sport, skipped the slippers, and added sugar to his.
We both came back with a thumbs up. So now I have yet another great drink to add to my drinking repertoire. Can life get any more fun than this?! I think not.
What is Teeccino?
It’s an herbal tea, completely decaf, which tastes similar to coffee. But don’t expect it to taste exactly like coffee because it doesn’t. I think it has a unique taste – kind of a mixture of coffee, tea, and chocolate.
It is delicious, though, and I love that it’s decaf so I can enjoy it in the evenings!
All of my family has tried it and enjoys it too. Therefore, I ordered a case which is a variety pack, because of ALL THE FUN this will provide for us.
Now that you’ve heard my drinking confessions, it time for you to share what your favorite drinks are. Also, have you tried Teeccino and do you like it?
So funny, I got the sample too from my Azure order. We just walked in the door and it is cold out today. So I grabbed the sample to try. I thought of two friends who might like it and was going to share, but needed to share your dressing recipes first with one of the two of these friends who came to visit me this weekend. I had made your ranch and Italian (guess that has to be capitalized;). She and her family liked the dressings. I opened up to your page and there it was…two birds with one stone… I can share the recipes and the tea all in one blog. Imagine that! Thank you Laura!
I feel inclined to bless everyone with a note of caution as I see the word ‘chicory’. I issue the same warning to friends who mention consumption of sugar free gummy bears because the result can look the same! If you’ve never experienced the full impact of chicory, consider yourself warned. Don’t be one of those ‘that won’t happen to me’ people because it WILL happen to you. I reflect back on my first Café Du Monde experience in New Orleans. Little did I know the impact such a small amount of chicory could have. I won’t say much more than that except to say limit consumption especially if you are in public or around someone you want to have respect you later. On a less funny note, I simply enjoy this post because it speaks to your desire to be welcoming of friends, and serve them well by spoiling them. It inspires me to model similar behavior with my friends and guests. :-)
I tried organic roasted dandelion root (caffeine free herbal tea) by Traditional Medicinals just recently when trying to find something to help me not drink too much of the coffee I love. To me it tastes like coffee so is working for me. As a bonus, dandelion root is said to help cleanse the liver, assisting your body’s natural detoxification process – so I’ve read. A caution on the box does say if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use. So do always check precautions on these teas before consuming. I have not tried Teeccino but now my interest is piqued so will pick some up next time. Thanks for the review Laura!
I had to give up coffee a few years ago and tried Teecino. It’s pretty good. I still needed to add my honey and milk to it. I had no ill-effects from the chicory. Fortunately, I am back on good ole’ coffee again :)
I’ve had this on and off for a while. It’s really good! Been thinking about cutting down on coffee now that I’ve cut out wine completely.
I also ADORE my hot (and cold for warmer weather days), drinks! Born in Canada, I guess I was destined to grow up loving tea. My first warm drink memories are of my little sister and I drinking our Postum (one of those “cereal” beverages; this one is now difficult to find), on my Grandmother’s back porch while she and our mom drank their coffee. I grew to love tea as a teen and/or young adult, and have also always enjoyed every mug I’ve chosen as a souvenir or been given as a gift. A special mug is definitely part of the experience! (Hence, my overflowing mug cupboard…..)
I began my coffee journey for two reasons: One, my friends at the bank I worked at while pregnant with our first child convinced me to try decaffeinated iced coffee, and I quickly grew to love it, and two, I usually found it difficult to find good tea while out at restaurants, or especially travelling by highway. We now enjoy making our own cold-brewed iced coffee in summer, too.
A few years ago, I began to have some trouble with acid reflux, and for a short time had to give up my coffee and most of the acidic teas I loved. I absolutely did try and mostly enjoy Teeccino for several months during my “healing” time (I had inflammation in my esophagus). I will admit, however, that I never “loved” it, and highly prefer the tee-bags over brewing with the ground Teecchino. If you use it in your coffee maker, it seemed impossible to get the taste/smell out to again use it for coffee. We used those refillable k-cups in our Kuerig later, and that was better, but I still recommend using “dedicated” k-cups for this beverage, for the same reason.
That being said, the tee-bags are very convenient, allow for trying more flavors (because there are so many and they are quite different), and will keep your coffee maker flavor and scent free.
Here’s to “drinking”!
We are totally on the same page! Nobody can seem to understand that it’s so easy for me to turn down sweets but I can sip on a coffee or tea (in all the ways you said above) and feel like I’m totally indulging!!! I can’t wait to try this!!!
I love Teechino! It was a life-safer when I had to give up coffee and black teas completely a couple years ago due to stomach issues. Got me through the cravings for a morning hot beverage. I don’t use it as much now, but I still enjoy a cup every so often.
My favorite hot drink is date seed coffee. http://www.dateseedcoffee.com
I enjoyed the taste of Teechino, but it upset my belly. When I read about date seed coffee… how delicious it was and that it had health benefits, I decided to try it. It is so good!
I found Techino to be pretty hideous…sorry! I tried multiple, husband did as well,, and none of them tasted remotely like coffee. If I’m feeling that I need a break from coffee, I will go with a hot, herbal tea. But sorry, the chicory taste and smell is overpowering In techino . While one might like it, resemble coffee, it does not!
I saw this post and ordered some Vanilla Nut teeccino last week. When I opened the packet to put a bag in my cup this morning I smelled an awesome latte! I didn’t even have to put any milk or sweetener in it. It is great stuff! I have refreshed my cup with the bag still in it all morning. I feel like I am having a treat. Thank you for sharing!
Is it caffeine free?
Yep, caffeine free!