You Can Make The Sweetgreen Spicy Cashew Dressing At Home In Just The Touch Of A Button

@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball#fluseason#coldseason#starbucksdupe#budgettok#SephoraConcealers#DrPepperTuitionContest#halloween#fall2022♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar

TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.

Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

• Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea Bags
• Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea Bags
• Honey
• Lemonade

How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?

1. Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
2. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
3. Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
4. Enjoy your Medicine Ball!

How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.

Step 1: Heat Lemonade

I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.

Step 2: Add Water and Honey

While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!

Step 3: Steep Tea Bags

Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.

Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?

To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.

Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.

The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!

All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!

So, when I booked my trip to India, I was a little hesitant about the food, considering pretty much all of my friends’ reviews of their experiences could be summed up in three sound bites: “Amazingly beautiful country,” “absolutely bonkers traffic,” and “spice levels off the charts!”

I knew I wanted to eat as much delicious Indian food as I could (give me all the naan), but after two days of ordering dishes that seemed like they might kill my tummy (I’m looking at you, spicy biryani), I needed help. After talking to some locals, I was able to pull together a solid list of tasty options that let me experience all the delicious flavors and spices of the cuisine without running to the restroom every 20 minutes.

When it comes to breakfast, most travelers opt to eat at the normally included hotel buffets. It’s a great chance to experience a little bit of each type of dish and decide for yourself what you can handle in terms of spice, but note that in more Westernized establishments they tend to go a little easy on the spice, knowing their clientele. There are three safe options that were fairly standard at every Indian breakfast buffet:

1. Idli

Idli is a type of savory steamed rice cake, not entirely unlike a Chinese bao in texture. It’s made out of fermented black lentils and rice, and normally served with coconut chutney with the option to sprinkle a little (or a lot) of curry spice on top.

2. Dosa

Dosa is similar to a pancake or crepe in appearance, but it’s made with rice and black gram (a type of bean grown on the Indian subcontinent). It’s spread thin on a hot skillet and cooked until crispy. Traditionally, it’s served with sambar, a warm, sometimes-spicy soup, and chutney. Sometimes it's stuffed with a mixture of potatoes and paneer.

3. Vada

Vada looks like an unglazed donut, but it’s actually a savory snack that’s made with ingredients ranging from legumes to potatoes. They’re generally fairly mild and also substantially dense, so they make a great non-spicy breakfast to power you through the day. They show up in another delicious dish called dahi vada, which is basically vadas soaked in a thick yogurt sauce — also an excellent option when you’re looking for something calming for your stomach!

Now that you’ve made it past breakfast and you’re out and about exploring, you’ll inevitably end up staring at a menu wondering what on earth you should order for your next meal. Breads and plain rice are always the safest, but you’ll want something to sop up with that freshly baked and buttery garlic naan.

4. Butter chicken or butter paneer

These are generally pretty safe choices when it comes to non-spicy Indian food. Paneer is normally a mildly spicy curry dish, as it includes lots of cream and yogurt in the preparation. Plus, if you order a side dish of yogurt, you can really control the spice level with the sauce and it makes a great dish for dipping all the breads.

5. Tikka chicken

Tikka is something you might be familiar with if you frequent Indian restaurants. It normally refers to a piece of chicken or meat that’s been marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled. The spice can sometimes be a little hot, but if you order a side of raita (a condiment made with yogurt and raw or cooked vegetables) to cool the palate, it’s absolutely perfect.

6. Aloo gobi

Aloo gobi is a wonderful alternative to meat, as it’s made with potato and cauliflower spiced with all the delicious Indian spices. Vegetarian dishes are absolutely incredible in India, and even if you’re an avid carnivore, make sure you save room to try some of the vegetarian offerings!

7. Saag paneer

Saag paneer consists of leafy greens (spinach, mustard greens, or collard greens). It’s normally medium to mild in flavor and served with roti, a kind of flatbread. Especially since you’re traveling in a country where fresh salads aren’t the safest to eat, you’ll want to get your greens fix in for sure, and this is a terrific way to do it.

By and large some of the most appealing dishes in any country come from the streets, and India is no exception. However, whenever eating street foods always be aware of where they’re being made, as cleanliness is an issue. That said, if you come across some of these street food classics, give them a try.

8. Pani puri or dahi puri

Pani puri or dahi puri are very common street snacks and consist of round, hollow fried crisps called puri that are filled with a mixture of water, chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, or chickpeas. They’re very mild and delicious; the only thing you have to be really careful about is making sure they’re made with bottled mineral water.

9. Samosas

Samosas are wonderful pockets of deep-fried goodness that are generally stuffed with a variety of potatoes, peas, and onions. Now, I’m going to put a big warning on these, as they really do run the gamut from spicy to mild, so be sure to ask for non-spicy ones — or if you have a taste-tester buddy, let them take the first bite!

10. Gulab jamus

Gulab jamus are perhaps one of the most amazing things you’ll ever eat. These sweet and sticky fried dough balls soaked in a sugared syrup are not only the perfect way to end a meal, but they really do kill the spice from any dish! And if you do accidentally order something that’s out of your tolerance range, be sure to wash it down with a sweet mango lassi!

1. Swap Sour Cream for Greek Yogurt

Get that creamy tang without the extra fat. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, lower in calories, and often contains probiotics, which are great for your gut health. Greek yogurt is delicious in dips, dressings, or even dolloped on tacos or (my favorite) grilled salmon.

2. Use Olive Oil Instead of Butter

For sautéing or drizzling, EVOO adds heart-healthy fats and antioxidants. It’s a flavorful upgrade that also supports better cholesterol levels than butter. Just make sure to cook it at a lower heat, under 430 degrees is recommended.

3. Choose Whole Grains Over Refined

Trade white rice or pasta for brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta. Whole grains are higher in fiber — and the secret to a healthy Mediterraneandiet — keeping you fuller longer and supporting digestive health. Cauliflower rice and spaghetti squash are also healthy alternatives to white rice and pasta and you get the added bonus of an extra veggie in your meal.

4. Swap Mayo for Avocado

Avocados, an excellent source of healthy unsaturated fats, make a great swap for traditional mayo in baking and preparing your favorite sandwich. Avocado oil mayo is also a healthy alternative and you'll taste nearly no difference.

5. Add Veggies to Everything

I shred cauliflower or carrots into my daughter's pancakes to give an extra nutrient boost. Sneak in shredded zucchini, spinach, or cauliflower rice into sauces, casseroles, or even baked goods. Swap hearty mushrooms, beets or eggplant for burgers too. It’s a simple way to eat more fiber and vitamins without changing the dish, or taste, too much.