There's Still Time! Enter to Win a Free Bag of Tipu's Chai Tea

Seriously, how can anyone resist a delicious cup of sweet, spicy chai??? I know I certainly can't! :)

If you're a chai-aholic like me, then you'll want to enter my giveaway for a FREE 4 oz bag of Tipu's Instant Black Chai.

Click here for details! :-)

Review & Giveaway: Tipu's Chai

Okay, let's just cut to the chase. Everyone here knows how much I love, and am extremely picky about, chai tea. {If you have any doubts, please refer to the title of this blog.}

While I enjoy a few commercially prepared chai latte mixes, they're all laden with milk derivatives, tons of sugar, and a few barely pronounceable ingredients--the former being a sworn enemy of my digestive system {Thank you, lactose intolerance}. I'm not too keen on the chemicals either, but the sugar I consider a necessary ingredient. {Just not to the same degree as the manufacturer.}

So because of my--and my tummy's--pickiness, it's difficult for me to find a good quality chai latte mix that I can get along with.

That is, until I tried Tipu's Instant Black Chai. {Insert "Hallelujah" chorus here}

Tipu's Instant Black Chai is an authentic Indian chai tea that delivers a truly delicious, spicy, peppery kick! This prized family recipe has been handed down through three generations and has traveled across three continents before making it into my cute little Princess mug. :o) 

As I drank my first cup of my newfound "liquid heaven", I was highly impressed by its intoxicating aroma and the fact that Tipu's is the only instant chai made without chemical additives. {Something I obviously cannot say about my current favorites. *Ahem*} In addition, Tipu's Instant Black Chai is designed to be mixed with whatever milk or milk substitute you choose {like vanilla almond milk}, and sweetened according to personal taste. This allows you to make your perfect cup of chai, every time! How cool is that?!

Additional facts:

• Tipu's Chai is 95% soluable, meaning there's just a little bit of its flavorful awesomeness left at the bottom of your cup, which I was surprised to learn, is the "mark" of real chai.
• Made without chemicals, preservatives, milk products or sweeteners. {Woohoo!}
• Organic tea and non-irradiated spices {Awesome!}
• Gluten-free
• Vegan

As you can probably tell, I really -- and I mean really -- like this chai! In fact, I like it soooo much, that I'm willing to share. {In a manner of speaking that is! *Hee hee*}

The kind folks at Tipu's Chai are generously awarding ONE of my fabulous blog readers their very own 4 oz. bag of their Instant Black Chai! Woohooo!!! {Insert showers of confetti and balloons here}

To enter, you must do each of the following:

• Follow Tipu's Chai on Twitter
• "Like" Tipu's Chai on Facebook
• Leave a comment with your contact email so I can notify you in case you're the winner.

Bonus Entries:

• Tweet or Facebook about this contest once a week for the next two weeks (through December 31st)
• Post about this contest on your blog with a link pointing back to this post.
• Each of these is worth 3 additional entries! ;-)

Nitty Gritty Details {aka Official Rules}:

One winner will be selected by a random number generator based on all entries received. Contest runs from December 18th - December 31st. Prize will be distributed by Tipu's Chai. The winner must confirm within 72 hrs of prize notification. If in the event confirmation is not received, a second winner will be selected at random.

Fellow Chai fans, get ready to be amazed! Enter now for your chance to win! Good luck, everyone. :)

*Disclosure: I received a free sample of Tipu's Chai in exchange for this review and giveaway opportunity. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review, nor was I monetarily compensated in any way, shape or form. Last but not least, the thoughts and views expressed in this review are my own.*

Girl's Day Out (Oh yeah. And I "worked" too!)

Today I had the esteemed privilage of accompanying fellow Vala Divas, Rebecca and Rachel, to Seattle Dance Project's "Project 3" at ACT Theatre. (Formal review to follow.)

Oh my goodness, I had so much fun! The theatre was so beautiful--I had no idea it held so many different stages. And our seats were perfect--third row center. :) I had no trouble viewing the dancers, whatsoever. (Which is really saying something because, as everyone knows, my eyesight is horrible.) I settled back in my plushy seat and prepared to take plenty of notes. You know, I really have to pinch myself sometimes over how blessed I am to have the job that I do. It really is amazing. (And my co-workers are pretty darn spectacular, too!)

Following the show we all felt a bit hungry, so we headed to PCC for a scrumptious lunch/early dinner. Rachel, the little sweetie, had her heart set on finding me a new chai to drink. As I've previously whined about profusely mentioned, I'm on a chai fast until I find a tasty form that doesn't contain milk. (Milk and I do not get along. At all.)

I picked up a box of Vanilla Oregon Chai to mix with my soy or almond milk. She and Rebecca bought me a little box of Rice Dream's Chocolate Chai flavored rice milk, which according to Rachel is for those times when I "need to slam something quick!" :)  Did I mention how much I adore this girl?

We all sat back and enjoyed our little meal (tuna salad sandwich for Rachel and I...Rebecca had...something else. Hmm.) while "talking shop". What's more is that I felt surprisingly perky, considering the very little sleep I got last night. (Dean watching TV in bed 'til after 1am, daughter's sleepover/giggling 'til after 2am, dog barfing at 6:30 am, nephew's phone call at 7:30am...Yawn)

All said and done, it was a great day and I'm very glad to have spent it with two of the best, most glamorous divas out there! Thanks, ladies!! xoxo

PS: Oh yes. It was really nice running into Olivier Wevers again, too! ;)

Discoveries--The Good and the Disturbing

My little corner of the world is still very dark and quiet. The children are still snoozing away (Oh, the joys of being homeschooled!), Dean's off at work, my workout is finished, and now it's time to get some computer work done before the troops emerge.

Today's workout only consisted of a 30 minute ab routine. (Big whoop, right?) Yesterday I did a 55 min. tape plus an additional 20 mins on my bike. That doesn't sound too bad--in theory. However, I was going for a full 30 mins on the bike but wimped out. :) Oh well. So today I decided to focus on my jelly-belly and maybe do a cardio routine later on. We'll see. A friend of mine and I are keeping each other accountable in this area. Granted, our consistency isn't as it should be, but we're trying--we're making the most out of every day--and that's all that matters.

Guess what? Ethan's discovered a new hobby. Thanks to a homeschool class at Games Workshop, he's fallen in love with the whole Lord of the Rings model/game-making/role-playing thing.

When I first told Dean about it he was shocked and said, "What? He can't do that!" "Why not?" "Because we used to make fun of those nerds back when I was in school!" (Oh brother!)

My son is certainly not a nerd. At least not in his Mommy's opinion. I love how he's found a new passion (outside of video games) and am more than willing to encourage his endeavors. Thanks to my friend Rachel, Ethan is taking their "Academy Class" once a month w/ his buddy, Nathan. This was their birthday gift to Ethan. Wasn't that sweet?! Ethan totally loves it! He's made 4 characters so far and can hardly wait for the next class.

Oh and for the record--once Dean saw everything that came in Ethan's starter kit and all the detail that goes into painting these little things--he now thinks the activity is pretty cool. :) One more thing; Rachel and I've noticed how this can quickly become a rather expensive hobby. (Ahem) But we've both decided that we'd help our sons get started but after that---they're on their own!

Moving on!

I've discovered two new things about myself.

1. My chai habit's getting cheaper. Sort of. I can no longer drink The Good Stuff without it irritating my stomach. I switched from The Good Stuff to the Close Second Stuff, but even that's bothering me now too. So I've moved onto the Not So Bad Once You Get Used to It. (*Sigh*) So unfair...

   2.   I find myself "forgetting" things quite often. Much more than before. Perhaps I'm just taking after my mother and sister. (No offense you two.) But I've always been a disciplined, structured, list-making person. Still am, really. But even if I write a task down, I'll still forget. Even if I just read it! Or worse, I'll forget to write it down in the first place.

Last week, I forgot to do something crucial for Dean and while it isn't earth-shattering (or ending), the ramifications are going to be a pain to deal with. I also forgot when Ethan's Academy class was to take place and had to email Rachel (repeatedly).

I also forgot to take the trash cans out to the curb for pick up, do all the laundry (figure that one out!), and forgot to do school among other things. ("Gee, you kids sure have a lot of time on your hands today...hmm...")

This is so hard for me because *I'm not supposed to forget*. I'm the one who "never" forgets even small details like birthdays. But I forgot to phone my brother in law on his birthday. I knew it was his birthday earlier in the day, but then I decided to call in the evening, then later forgot. By the time I remembered, it was too late to call with the 3 hr time difference.

Then I forgot my son's birthday was coming up until the moment he walked up to me and said, "Mom guess what? My birthday's a week away!" (Blink) In my defense, his birthday plans did coincide with my Uncle Bret's passing, so I'm using that as an excuse. In fact when Ethan reminded me, I was in the middle of making the DVD presentation for Uncle's service.

I then forgot to invite people until 3 days before the party. Then realized I forgot to invite everyone I was supposed to. (Not good.)

Then to make matters worse, I kept forgetting Sierra's birthday. Or rather, kept forgetting to make plans for it until the last minute.

I forget what I've written down, what I've done, and what I still need to do. It's downright scary sometimes, especially when I consider that my Grandmother--who was like my mother and sister--now has Alzheimer's. (Gulp) My mother says she has "Half-Heimer's". Hmm. Maybe I've got Quarter Heimer's?

Is this just an age thing or a family thing? Guess we'll have to wait 'n see! (But by then, I'll forget what I'm waiting for...)