Ginger Tea (For Congestion)

As I sit here today, sniffling, sneezing and coughing, it seemed like the right time to bring you my recipe for my ever so popular decongesting, feel better tea. This is one of my own concoctions I came up with years ago, when my kids were small. I have always been allergic to so many medications, especially antibiotics, and I didn't like giving my kids any more medications than absolutely necessary. So I researched ingredients that would make a well rounded, healing hot tea..... one that would loosen up those sinuses as well as that annoying chest congestion, help break a fever, reduce achiness, and hopefully, speed healing. But most importantly of all, it had to taste good and feel comforting. The result of my research and study follows. Most of my kids loved it so much that they sometimes asked me to make it even when they weren't sick or had just the faintest of sniffles (an excuse to get me to make them some of this tasty tea.). Many people over the years have tried it and were surprised at the great results they got. Although the mint in this recipe is "optional", it does really add to the effectiveness of this tea. This blend is also great for upset tummies. I hope you will find it useful, too.

1 quart water (spring or filtered is preferred)
1 1/2 T. sliced, fresh ginger
1 6-inch sprig fresh mint (optional)  OR   1 mint tea bag (optional)
4 T. raw honey

Place water in cooking  pot. Slice ginger thinly (peeling optional) and add to the water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add mint, if desired. Cover and let steep for at least 30 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer. Add honey and your favorite sweetener, if desired, to taste. When adding the mint, this tea also helps to alleviate headaches and aids in digestion and upset stomachs. 2 to 3 average tea cups daily, spaced out through the day is recommended when feeling bad.

Added Note: This tea can also be made into an iced tea and sipped slowly while traveling to alleviate motion sickness.

Snow Ice Cream

1 (12-oz) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt
1 T. vanilla extract
1 gallon clean snow, approximately

In large mixing bowl, combine evaporated milk, confectioner's sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract; mix throughly. Add snow; mix until all is completely blended; serve immediately.
If it is too thin, add more snow. If it is too dry, add a little more milk, but be careful..... just a few drops of milk mushes it down fast!
Texture greatly suffers if you try to hold it over in the freezer, but it can be done and the kids get a big kick out of pulling 'snow' back out of the freezer once it has all melted outside.

Let your imagination go to vary the recipe. Reducing the vanilla to about 1 tsp. and adding a few squirts of chocolate syrup before stirring makes a great Chocolate Snow Ice Cream.

 Reduce the milk a little and add a thawed package (or can) of sweetened, sliced strawberries.

Replace the granulated sugar with your favorite Jello powder (orange comes out tasting like the Dreamsicle)

Don't hold back, let your imagination go. Enjoy that snow!