Carve Out Some “Me” Time with a Brewed-at-Home Chai Latte

Disclosure: TAZO is a client of Influence Central. All opinions are my own.

I write a lot about balance, and it’s largely due to the fact that for many years it eluded me. Stress was once an acceptable by-product of success, and it felt glamorous to me to be harried and over-scheduled. I felt accomplished, and very “adult”, but not happy.

It was only when I realized that you don’t find balance, you make balance, that I truly “got it”. So I began to carve “Me” time out of my schedule. Minutes and hours dedicated to doing things that make me happy. Like working out, hiking through woods, playing games, travelling, walking my dogs, meeting friends for dinner, and relaxing.

I most often relax with a good book and a hot beverage. Something about losing myself in someone else’s narrative, travelling to strange destinations, meeting interesting characters, and imagining the sights, smells, and sounds of another place and time allows me to truly “escape”. The beverage in-hand is an important part of the experience – in the same way my novel du jour fills my mind and soul with much to consider, the drink serves as the literal version of my mini-escape, filling my body with warmth and flavor.

Working with our friends at TAZO on an influencer campaign afforded me the opportunity to sample their TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods while carving out some sacred “Me” time. Steeped in 5,000 years of Indian heritage, chai has long been revered and enjoyed by those who believe that achieving inner balance is the true measure of wealth.

After following the instructions to brew a creamy TAZO® Chai Latte using my Keurig® brewer, I carried the warm, fragrant mug to my reading chair, got comfortable, and took my first sip. I was immediately transported, as the aromatic blend of black teas and spices filled my senses with thoughts of exotic lands.

Made from milk, black tea leaves and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and pepper, chai latte tastes both comforting and unexpected. A wonderful escape from my everyday beverage, TAZO® Chai Lattes, which come in classic and vanilla caramel varieties, taste like they could have been brewed by a barista, not in my kitchen.

I know that whether I’m looking for quiet time alone with a book, have friends over for the afternoon, or just have a craving for a rich, aromatic drink, I’m happy to have TAZO® Chai Lattes on-hand. I think India was onto something all those thousands of years ago with their wisdom about balance and chai, and I’m happy to benefit today, with TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods for my Keurig® for any time I feel I need a little “Me” time.

© 2016 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved. Keurig and K-Cup are trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., used with permission.

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.