Get "Green" this year with Green Tea and an iced tea maker!

So, this is my first post of my first blog ever. Over the past year or two, I would send or give my close friends small gifts that I found made a big difference in my every day life! I was encouraged to start a blog to share these "little things" with them and others. (Hence the name of the blog) They actually loved what I gave them and what I shared with them!  I jokingly told this closest group of girl friends, who I shared my favorite lip gloss, bath gels, kitchen gadgets, accessories, etc that Oprah gives out $300 dollar watches on her "Favorite Things" show, but mine were all under $30! I have found that no matter the cost, my friends have loved getting this eclectic collection of products that I have found that add some glitz, ease, comfort or joy to my every day experience. 


So, I'm just going to jump in and start writing about the things I love having and love giving to others! 


I'll start with a gift I received from my mother in law at Christmas.  I got a Mr. Coffee Tea Maker  from her and it is AWESOME!!! 

So, we know that drinking diet sodas are HORRIBLE for you, but its just much easier to grab those during the day, right? Well, in November I read a tweet (yes, you have to be on twitter to read a tweet) from a very inspirational trainer in California (@Jeannette Jenkins) who was making Iced Cranberry Green tea and it got me thinking...I LOVE tea and would go daily to Chick Fil A for fresh iced tea...and had pretty much switched from drinking diet drinks anyhow (aspertame converts to formaldehyde at 96 degrees Farenheit..think about THAT...or google aspertame toxicity....anyhow...) SO I thought I should drink more green tea! 


I realize that many people will say "Why do I need an iced tea maker?". You don't NEED one, but I can tell you the tea that I make with this ice tea maker tastes so much better than when I would brew my bags stovetop and transfer to a pitcher. And, it is so easy to make. You just add water to the tea maker, fill the pitcher up with ice, put tea bags of your choice in the filter and brew. In less than five minutes you have delicious fresh tea. Get a BIG thermal cup with a straw and fill and refill throughout the day.


I now make a pitcher of green tea about every 4- five days in my tea maker and it is so FRESH and good for you! I buy the Republic of Tea Blueberry Green tea or Honey Ginseng Green tea  using 7 bags for the 3 quart pitcher. I don't miss diet drinks at all..these teas are so good! 

The best part? This tea maker is just around $20!!!  

 The Mr. Coffee Tea Maker is available on Amazon and eligible for Prime Shipping or  it is available in many grocery stores or discount stores like Target or Walmart. (Don't forget to purchase the Mr Coffee water filters that fit in the brew basket). I just LOVE Amazon Prime bc I don't drive all over creation looking for stuff and it's on my doorstep in two days  ! It's ALMOST instant gratification!

So, for anyone looking for a fresh, healthy alternative to diet sodas an ice tea maker is a great way to start the new year off right!