Both kids are napping…the dishwasher is busily humming away…bed linens are twirling in the dryer…bathrooms still need to be cleaned and the floors could use a good scrub…but I deserve a little moment to rest, right?

The perfect treat for this snowy February afternoon would be a cozy cup of chai tea, but my body does not like caffeine.  Because I never consume it, on the rare occasion that I do my nerves get jittery and my mouth gets dry and I just do not feel like myself.  And, if I happen to drink a caffeinated beverage anytime after 10 AM I’ll be up until two in the morning.  So, when I feel like a warm mug of something on a quiet afternoon, I seek out a decaffeinated option.

This afternoon I came up with a lovely twist on Indian chai tea.  We have a stash of decaffeinated green tea, and since I always keep a good supply of fresh ginger on the countertop it was easy to come up with my new favorite mid-afternoon treat.

Green Ginger Chai

1 cup water
3 whole cloves
1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 green tea bags
1/2 cup milk
1-2 teaspoons brown sugar

Put water, cloves, ginger and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.  Just before the water reaches boiling, drop in tea bags.  Steep for a minute or two.  Add milk and whisk until milk is frothy and very hot.  Remove from heat and pour into a teapot.  Stir in brown sugar.  Serve to a happy self.