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The Secret to Making the Perfect Eco-Friendly Iced Coffee? It’s in the Bag!

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Steeped Coffee

When the summer heats up, coffee lovers crave something a little less steamy and a little more refreshing. Iced coffee fits the bill perfectly. For some, that means driving to the nearest chain, dropping a bundle, and leaving quality to chance.

But you can save time and money – and the planet – on a superior brew by making it at home, exactly the way you like it.

Steeped Coffee’s pre-portioned, eco-friendly coffee bags allow you to steep a farm-to-cup brew nearly anywhere, sans the machine, waste, or harmful chemicals found in powdered coffee. No need to give up high-end coffee.  With a Steeped Coffee Bag and a little bit of patience, your great-tasting, ethically-sourced glass of cold summer happiness is just a few minutes away.

Steeped, Inc. is all about premium coffee with a conscious. Its proprietary single-serve brewing system features Steeped Coffee Packs (think tea bags for coffee) to deliver locally-sourced and roasted micro-batch coffee one delicious cup at a time. Nitro-sealed to preserve freshness, Steeped Coffee Packs are made with renewable and compostable materials and presented in recyclable packaging.

The award-winning coffee experts at Steeped Coffee have some tips on preparing the perfect iced coffee. The secret to a classic iced coffee, says the Steeped team, is a well-crafted coffee concentrate. A good concentrate is also the basis for many other refreshing coffee drinks we associate with summer sipping. Read on for tantalizing recipes!

Steeped Thai Iced Coffee

How to make the perfect Steeped Iced Coffee Concentrate

For each serving, you’ll need

1 Steeped Coffee Pack

1 10 oz. mug

Filtered water

Directions

  1. Heat filtered water to 205 degrees, or just below boiling
  2. Place Steeped Bag at bottom of mug
  3. Pour hot water over Steeped Bag until the mug is half full
  4. Use string to dunk Steeped Bag 20 to 30 times over 1 minute
  5. Leaving the Steeped Bag in, let the coffee steep for 5 to 7 minutes or more to taste
  6. Remove Steeped Bag

Here’s their recipe that is my favorite!

Steeped Iced Latte

You’ll need

Steeped Iced Coffee Concentrate (see above)

Milk

Cocktail shaker

Ice

Optional: sweetener or flavored coffee syrup to taste

Directions

  1. Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Add 1 part Steeped Ice Coffee Concentrate and 1 part milk.
  3. Sweeten to taste, or replace sugar with flavored coffee syrup to make Vanilla Latte, Caramel Latte, etc.
  4. Shake until foamy
  5. Pour into a glass filled with ice

I love this one too!

Steeped Thai Iced Coffee

You’ll need

Extra-strong Steeped Iced Coffee Concentrate (allow bag to steep a few extra minutes)

Sweetened condensed milk OR evaporated milk OR half-and-half

Ice

Ground cardamom

Directions

  1. Prepare basic Steeped Iced Coffee as above.
  2. Pour into tall glass over ice.
  3. Top with your choice of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, or half-and-half, but DO NOT STIR. Sweeten to taste.
  4. Sprinkle with ground cardamom.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images and recipes were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

More Summer Time Favorites!

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Yummy!

Sukhi’sTandoori Indian Marinade: Add some exciting new flavor to your classic BBQ spread with Sukhi’s Tandoori Marinade. Sukhi’s blend of Indian spices, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and tangy taste will complement grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. Beyond these marinades that are perfect for grilling season, Sukhi’s offers an incredible selection of truly tasty frozen & refrigerated entrees and appetizers that are also great for summer dining. (Available at Sukhis.com) I love this as a marinade! It’s just perfect on shrimp and chicken!

delicious!

Stemilt Dark Sweet Cherries: Nothing says summer quite like a delicious bowl of cherries or a cherry-infused recipe! With the longest running cherry season, Stemilt offers an array of cherries, including this dark sweet variety. Kyle Mathison, a member of Stemilt’s founding family, has a particular passion for cherries and ensures that Stemilt’s cherries are picked at just the right time for the best flavor and freshness. Whether you are grabbing straight from the bag to enjoy or adding into a delicious baked dessert, dark sweet cherries taste great in salads, cooked dishes, and for juicing and freezing. (Available @ your local grocery store!) These cherries are the best! I love how sweet they are!

Cherish Family Time With Hand-Crafted Board Games this Summer!

This is so much fun!

 Across The Board is the solution for our screen-dependent world. Put away your phones, turn off the TV, and bring your family together with classic board games everyone will be excited to play.

Across The Board turns family game nights and quick after-dinner games with friends into something memorable and special. The family-owned and operated business from St. Louis encourages everyone to spend more time with the ones they love. I had the opportunity to try out the NEW Across The Board NASCAR Car Racing Game and it is really a must-buy for any racing fans! Great fun for the family! I had fun playing this one with older kids! I recommend it for ages 7+.

The brand’s high-quality, handcrafted, unique wooden boards are made with premium materials. Each set is crafted with precise attention to detail and the utmost care you can feel. No flimsy cardboard or slapped-together pieces. 

Add Across The Board to all your get-togethers! Their classic board games and officially licensed games make them a hit at every type of party. Perfect for family reunions, game nights, BBQs, tailgating, and more. Find all the game options online.

Self Disclosure: I received samples of the above items to facilitate this post. Images and info were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Book of the Week: JASMINE AND JAKE ROCK THE BOAT by Sonya Lalli

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Summer Read for adults!

JASMINE AND JAKE ROCK THE BOAT stars Jasmine Randhawa, a strong, independent woman who likes everyone to think she has it all together. Ending up single and tagging along on her parents’ vacation was definitely not a part of her plan. Suddenly, she’s stuck with all the family friends she’s spent her life trying to impress for ten days on an Alaskan cruise. And what’s worse, this is a seniors’ cruise, and the only other person her age on the boat is her childhood acquaintance, cocky and successful Jake Dhillon.

The two clash right away, having pointed discussions (a.k.a. arguments) about the expectations and double standards of their culture that deem Jake a perfect Indian son and Jasmine a troublemaker. Though they try to avoid each other, there’s limited space on the ship, and having distance from their lives at home allow them to share secrets they’ve both been keeping from their families. Soon their disdain gives way to something deeper, but neither of them knows where their relationship will lead when they’re back on land.

JASMINE AND JAKE ROCK THE BOAT is a perfect escapist romance, set in a beautiful Alaskan setting and filled with tropes readers love like forced-proximity and enemies-to-lovers. Sonya Lalli is skilled at bringing together heritage, identity, and love in her fiction. Drawing from her own experiences as a woman of Indian descent, she expertly captures the journey of defining oneself amidst family expectations and finding the courage to fall in love.

I just finished reading this book and absolutely loved it! A great book to read this summer! I loved the main characters and the story line.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this post. Cover image and information also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Ranger, Aug. 4th Pet of the Week

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Awwww! So beautiful!

You probably know lots of people who are extremely smart and motivated by food, but will they sit, lie down, and shake on command? Maybe, but they won’t look as impressive as Ranger does! Ranger is his own dog—he’s independent and isn’t a cuddle bunny, but once he knows you, he’ll watch you intently and wait for direction. He’s everyone’s image of a loyal, job-oriented dog. Ranger, sadly, needs out right away—by Aug. 11, or he may not make it out of the shelter in the best way. He’s only 2 years old and deserves a life. You can speed the process to adopt or foster Ranger and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A695739 to meet Ranger. We’re at capacity, everyone needs homes, and Ranger needs to get out in the best way possible!

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Inpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders: Fostering a Healthy Relationship with Food

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Eating disorders are complex and can be hard to treat. They can be potentially life-threatening, and millions of individuals worldwide are impacted today by one of these disorders. Individuals often need inpatient treatment for eating disorders. They benefit from intensive care and support to overcome these challenging conditions and foster a healthy relationship with food.

Why Inpatient Treatment?

Individuals typically benefit from time in an inpatient treatment center because they need a structured environment where they have constant supervision. The center looks at the individual as a whole rather than focusing solely on their eating habits. It helps the patient change the way they view food. In addition, it helps patients develop coping mechanisms they can use when they feel stressed.

Stabilizing the Patient

When a person enters a center for help with an eating disorder, they must first be stabilized. Malnutrition is always a concern with these patients, and they may suffer from an electrolyte imbalance or other medical issues. The staff closely monitors each patient’s vital signs and will intervene when necessary. The focus is on restoring the patient’s health while making certain they don’t have additional complications.

Psychological Aspects of Eating Disorders

People often look at eating disorders as physical ailments. There is a major psychological component, however, and inpatient treatment centers recognize this. They work to identify and address the underlying causes of the disorder and any triggers. The center may use cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy with patients, and patients may take part in individual and group therapy.

Eating Patterns

A key part of treatment for an eating disorder is nutritional rehabilitation. Patients work with registered dietitians to create meal plans that meet their specific needs, ones that are both balanced and nutritious. The staff works with each patient to help them relearn how to tell when they are hungry or full rather than relying on dietary rules the patient has constructed.

Group Activities

One benefit of seeking treatment for an eating disorder in an inpatient facility is the community. Patients are going through similar challenges and can share their experiences and learn from one another. This empowers each individual while showing them they are not alone. They have nothing to be ashamed of as they try to overcome this disorder.

Alternative Treatments

Centers offering treatment for eating disorders often provide a range of therapy options. Patients might take part in art therapy or ride horses as part of their treatment plan. Other therapies may include yoga or recreational activities. All are designed to help the patient better understand their emotions and how to cope with stress in their lives in ways that don’t involve food.

A Comprehensive Approach

Dietitians aren’t the only professionals a patient will work with while staying at the facility. They will also see doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and more. In addition, family and friends will be a key part of the treatment. Family therapy is often used to open the lines of communication while ensuring everyone involved with the patient better understands the eating disorder. The patient will need their support when they return home, so this family involvement must be a part of the comprehensive treatment plan.

Individuals suffering from an eating disorder frequently need inpatient care to change the way they view food. With the help of intensive therapy and a supportive environment, the individual can overcome the disorder and see food in a positive light once again. Their body image improves with this treatment, so it is an option every family should consider today.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News