It's nothing short of awesome when you come across a cute little cafe in the middle of nowhere that serves up some pretty tasty vegan goodies.  That was the case on my drive to the northwest hills of Connecticut to meet some friends for lunch on this sunny spring afternoon.


I had heard good things about Passiflora, a tea room and cafe tucked in a little store front on Main Street in New Hartford.  It's easy to miss if you're zooming along on Rt. 44, but do take the time to slow down, stop in, and enjoy some slow food.  Everything here is made fresh with local and organic ingredients, and the quality comes through with every bite and sip.


I started with a Chocolate Maca Chai Tea with almond milk that promised to reduce stress and boost the immune system.  I needed both after a long week that tested my patience.  Plus, it tasted pretty rich and soothing with a peppery hint that was also energizing.


I ignored my gluten-free health needs for the main entree, a Tempeh Reuben on Bantam Bread sourdough rye with a side of Cream of Asparagus soup.  It's been over a decade since I've splurged on this bread, but I remember it well:  that yeasty aroma, a crisp crunch of crust, and hearty weave of gluten strands that hold it all together and make it heavenly chewy.  It was the perfect framework for the nicely grilled tempeh and heap of sauerkraut that were tucked inside.  My only qualm was the cafe's lack of hot sauce or spicy brown mustard, but I settled for some Dijon.  The soup was a pureed mix of asparagus, onion, carrot, celery and a pleasing mix of herbs.  The color wasn't terribly appetizing, but the taste more than made up for it.


It was difficult to decide on a dessert since there was an array of vegan treats to choose from, even a raw cookie.  At the recommendation of my dining companions, I chose one of the last two Gluten-free Black Bean Brownies, mostly because I couldn't imagine such a thing being tasty, much less edible.


I was surprised to discover that it was much much more than that. The crumb was moist and dense, almost fudgey in spots, and the flavor was that of a rich, dark chocolate.  I think there was probably some coffee mixed in there because I left with quite a buzz after this meal.


I would highly recommend a drive out to this little gem of a restaurant after a hike in nearby People's State Forest, or in the fall for a break from leaf peeping.  I will dream about those brownies and look forward to attempting to recreate them on my next baking expedition.

It is said that green tea increases fat oxidation and metabolism inside the body. That is why it is used by many who want to lose weight without even compromising the health.

In addition to green tea’s ability to clear nasty toxin from the body, it can aid weight loss, which will release stored toxin into the bloodstream, so that they can then be eliminated from the body.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that green tea polyphenols can speed up the metabolic rate of the body.

Green tea contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compound work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis.

Research has shown that by drinking green tea regularly, either will be an increase in one’s metabolic rate and it will help to burn safely and naturally.

Green tea have been used by the Chinese and Japanese for centuries. It was described as a miracle drink that is able to cure or even prevent different kinds of illnesses.

It has been known to prevent diabetes, cancer as well as a cure for bad breath.

I'm so excited to share this dandelion root chai tea recipe with you today! It makes a great coffee substitute for those of you who are trying to reduce caffeine intake. I don't know about you, but I just love warm spicy drinks like chai tea, especially in the wintertime. I prefer to make my own because coffee shop chai is usually far too sweet for me. I've been working on perfecting a chai tea recipe for some time now. Yesterday I was inspired to add dandelion root to my recipe after reading this article on the amazing cancer-fighting effects from consuming dandelion root extract.

Dandelion root tea is earthy and slightly bitter. It's excellent for assisting the liver with detoxification as well as being stimulating to the digestive system. Chai spices are warming and also stimulate digestion. You are welcome to play around with this recipe and add other spices such as fennel seeds, nutmeg, star anise, or black tea leaves. Additionally, if you are sensitive to the bitter flavor or are unaccustomed to the flavor of dandelion root, you may consider starting with 1 or 2 teaspoons instead of a tablespoon.
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