My day began with a taste test of Big Train's latest Fit Frappe flavor: Spiced Chai Latte. Chai is an ancient traditional drink of India, flavored with black tea, vanilla, honey and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, clove. Drinking chai is supposed to warm and sooth the soul and create a sense of well being.
Just opening the packet you are transported. It's an exotic spice market, it's Christmas, it smells wonderful and it tastes AMAZING. If you love Chai you will flip for this. If you've never had Chai but love egg nog, spice cake, flavors like that, try this. If you hate Chai... move along nothing to see here.
I tried it first cold over ice. A cup of water and a 1/2 a packet of mix (per package directions), shook up in my blender bottle shaker 30-60 seconds. Poured over ice. Delicious. Perfect when you are traveling or out and about. Toss a packet in your purse or carry-on, bring your blender bottle and buy a bottle of water at your destination.
Being the experimental cook I am, I did a second test. Second round was 1/2 a packet of mix with a mixture of water and soy milk (about 1/4 cup of each.) It's a little creamier and bonus even more protein. If you have access to milk and can spare the few added calories, this is the way to drink it cold.
Then I tried it hot. A cup of hot water (I used my regular cup setting on my Keurig) and 1/2 a packet of mix, stirred till completely dissolved. OK I feel like I need some harp music or something. Hot = Zen in a cup. It was perfection. If you want a protein drink for icy cold mornings or warm yummy drink before bed this is it.
You can also make it like a Frappe (hence the name) with water or milk and ice in a blender but it was 60 degrees that day for a high and anything below 70 and I'm wearing layers so we'll have to wait for the next warm day for that taste test.
Here's the link for the nutritional info and ordering 411.
The afternoon I spent in class, learning a variety of meditation techniques. Meditation is purported to help us to calm our mind, relax our body, de-stress and gain a sense of peace and balance in our daily life. Sold. I spotted a local meditation class and decided this was something I needed to try. I really enjoyed the class. Some of the techniques I loved, some I think I will need to try a few times, some weren't for me. I'm going to seek out more classes and practice. Will let you know periodically how it's going.
I love the fact that since having weight loss surgery I am free of all medications in my system. Before surgery I was on 8 different prescriptions. Overall my health has improved greatly but my mind never quiets, between being an insomniac and having a self-diagnosed case of adult ADHD I really need something to help me chill. I knew if I went to a doctor and complained about my unquiet mind and lack of sleep he'd break out a prescription pad before I stopped speaking. I'm not anti-drugs, for some they are absolutely needed. I just have found that once I'm taking something, I stop knowing what are the original symptoms and what are side effects of the medication and sometimes, the side effects from the treatment seem worse than the original issue. So if things like a day at the beach, meditation, breathing techniques, massage, and exercise can help keep me stay free of pharmaceuticals I am all for that.
Oh and Dr. Eggface, Google MD. prescribes a Big Train Spiced Chai Latte so...
It's Giveaway Time!
The Prize: A variety pack of all of Big Train's Fit Frappe Flavors (1 packet each of Mocha, Espresso, Vanilla Latte, Vanilla, Chocolate) and 3 packets of the BRAND NEW flavor Spiced Chai Latte and a groovy Big Train Clear Acrylic Tumbler Cup to drink them in.
How to Enter: Like The World According to Eggface and Big Train on Facebook. Come back here and LEAVE A COMMENT (include a name and an email addy) on this blog posting. Scroll down to # of comments to leave yours.
Contest periods ends: Sunday, November 18th, midnight (Pacific time)
Monday, November 19th I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the address posted. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen. Remember winners MUST be a Facebook friend of The World According to Eggface and Big Train. One ENTRY per person. Blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the United States (48 contiguous, Alaska & Hawaii.)
***Want extra chances to win?*** Do anything listed below and leave me a comment letting me know what you did! For up to four more entries per person!!
* Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway: Hey everyone enter the @Eggface @BigTrain Try New Chai Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/a74ferx
* Post about the giveaway to your pals on Facebook or some other social networking or support forum you frequent.
If you are a blogger:
* Blog about this giveaway and include the link to the contest (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
* Place my super snazzy badge on your site.
Good Luck! Namaste.
