This Plant Based Golden Chai Recipe Will Calm Inflammation And Sooth Your Soul
Chai is a beautiful Indian beverage that uses a complex mixture of aromatic spices to create a soothing hot beverage. This plant based golden chai recipe gets its wonderful, warm, golden colour from turmeric root powder. Turmeric also has a wealth of powerful anti-inflammatory properties, especially when it’s combined with black pepper.
So much so that it’s proven valuable for reducing arthritis symptoms as well as a myriad of other things. This vegan version uses plant based milk and is sweetened with your choice either agave nectar or maple syrup. It’s a perfect sleepytime beverage to enjoy near a campfire at the end of the day.
Plant Based Golden Chai
Golden chai is a soothing Indian spice beverage that gets its beautiful golden colour from turmeric. Turmeric has been proven to have power anti-inflammatory properties when mixed with piperine (in this case from fresh cracked black pepper). This version of golden chai is plant based and vegan, and uses agave nectar as a sweetener. However, maple syrup would work equally well while still avoiding the inflammatory properties of sugar.
1/4-1/3teaspoonFresh cracked Black Pepper Important, but add according to taste
4 cupswater
4 Black tea bags
1/2cup agave nectar
1tbspturmeric powder
1/2tspvanilla
4 cups unsweetened soy or other plant based milk
Equipment
1 Pot
1 ladle
1 sieve
Method
Put the cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, cloves, cracked pepper, and water into a medium size pot. . Cover with the pot with a lid and bring to a boil. After it's boiling nicely, reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about five minutes.
Remove from heat and add the black tea bags before replacing the lid. Allow the tea steep for 4-5 minutes. into a bowl through a fine mesh strainer or colander.
Pour into into a heat proof bowl (or another pot) through a fine mesh strainer or sieve.
Now it's time to stir in the the vanilla, agave nectar, and turmeric to the tea. Taste it and adjust the sweetness , if you need to.
Add 4 cups of your favorite plant-based milk. You can warm this in the microwave, or over the stove or campfire first, or ladle the golden chai into cups and heat in the microwave
This Golden Chai tea mix can be refrigerated and saved in the refrigerator for a few days.
Notes
This recipe is completely adjustable according to taste, so feel free to play with the listed ingredient measurements. This is a nice, soothing chai that has strong healing properties.
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Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Serves
6
Ingredients
Steps
1
Collect all necessary ingredients for your meal, such as vegetables, spices, proteins, and any special sauces or condiments. Ensure you have everything you need before starting.
2
Wash and chop vegetables, measure out spices, and marinate any proteins if needed. This step ensures everything is ready for cooking, making the process smoother and more efficient.
3
Bring a pot of water to a boil for items like pasta or potatoes. Cook ingredients according to your recipe, whether it’s boiling, sautéing, grilling, or baking. Pay attention to cooking times to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
4
Once all components are cooked, mix them together as directed by your recipe. This might involve adding sauces, mixing in spices, or layering ingredients in a specific order.
5
Plate the meal attractively, garnish as desired, and serve it hot. Enjoy your delicious homemade meal, and share it with family or friends if desired.
I am in Los Algodones, Mexico. Otherwise known as “Molar City”because there are more than 250 dentists here with back to back offices throughout town.
Any storefronts that aren’t dental offices are optometrists, pharmacies or botox clinics.
Los Algodones Is a Mecca for Dental tourists from all over North America
One very high sign proclaimed “Stem Cell”.
Watch Out For The Sidewalks!
With all the money flowing into this town, you’d think the streets would be paved in gold fillings. However, walking down the insanely wacky sidewalks here could cripple you. I’m talking about sudden drop offs that are immediately followed by steep ascents. That said, there are good sections of sidewalks.
Los Algodones Has Hundreds Of Street Vendors
These sections are divided into impromptu street vendor stalls. The boundaries of each stall are marked on 3 sides by colourful mexican blankets, But these boundaries don’t keep vendors in their stalls, as you navigate through the maze of striped and patterned blankets. They sit waiting to pounce, trading their trinkets for US dollars with dental tourists. As I make my way a vendor yells emphatically “I give you best deal, please take look”! When I answer “No gracias” it seems to encourage him, and he follows me until another vendor takes over trying to win my pesos.
Dental Work in Mexico Can Save You A lot Of Money
Faced with horrendous dental bills at home, I decided to try a much touted Los Algodones dentist to get the urgent work I needed done. The trip, including dental work, accommodations and transportation would be less than half of my dental bill at home, so it seemed well worth the trip.
We camped at Preacher’s Point North near Nordegg, Alberta, Canada Photo: Lynne Fedorick
One of the best parts about traveling in an RV is being able to visit friends and family. Having you as a guest is easy because you bring your own guesthouse. I have to say, the new Fleetwood Southwind has allowed me to do just that very comfortably so far. This week I was able to enjoy self contained luxury when I visited relatives in Edmonton, Alberta. All I had to do was pop out the passenger side bedroom. And then Boom! The RV was comfortable and well-equipped to do some serious streetside camping. (haha). But this article isn’t just about visiting people in your RV. I want to share some of the reasons I love traveling and camping in Alberta.
Today started with a beautiful July morning. I write this as I wait for my coffee to percolate in the espresso maker on the gas stove. I’ll head back down to Drayton Valley today and I always like to drive with a beverage close at hand. That’s a habit I got into years ago as I traveled around for work.
Alberta Is An Underrated RV Destination
I think Alberta is a massively underrated province as an RV destination. It’s a pretty province and this time of year it’s bursting with canary yellow fields of canola and hay crops grown mainly as winter feed for cattle and horses. The fields stretch out for miles. They’re nearly always bordered by pretty windbreaks of spruce, or quaking aspen.
Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Parks Could Be Overrated
Alberta’s Rocky Mountain parks, Jasper National Park and Banff National Park are famous around the world for their scenic beauty in a natural setting. So much so that the areas attract millions of visitors every summer., Which is fine if you like crowds. However, like many Canadians I don’t like visiting crowded parks. Instead, when I’m not visiting relatives or friends, I seek out quiet places to camp, write, and recreate with my dogs.
Beautiful Free RV Camping In Alberta
This year I discovered Preacher’s Point North, tucked between Abraham Lake and Highway 11 just North of Banff. It’s about 80 km West of the little town of Nordegg, Alberta. This place is quiet, hugely scenic and what’s more, there’s free camping here. However, don’t expect any services if you go. You’ll need to bring water, firewood and a picnic table. Of course, if you want it to stay as nice as you found it, you’ll also need to pack out everything you bring here. The campsites are huge, mostly private, and each has a stacked rock fire pit.
Note: This post is from my old blog at rpodadventure.com, which I am shifting over to RV Adventure Guide.
Product Review: The Velotric Fold 1 Plus Folding E-Bike For RV Life
Are you looking for an easy to ride e-bike that’s a perfect fit for RV life? If so, you’ll definitely want to read this review. Because California based e-bike company Velotric just added the game changing Fold 1 Plus folding e-bike to its affordably priced lineup of fully decked out bikes. Not only that, but the Fold 1 Plus’s space saving, ergonomic design allows it to take up less space than other folding e-bikes. And It does this without sacrificing ride quality.
This bike could be the best thing on two wheels for anyone looking for a relatively lightweight e-bike, that’s a whole lot of fun to ride. So much so that the company bills it as “Built for getting wild”. But fun and space efficiency aren’t all this well built e-bike has to offer. That’s because it comes with a package of features that make it one of the best e-bikes on the market today, hands down.
The Fold 1 Plus Is UL and ISO Safety Certified
When Velotric reached out to ask me to review the Fold 1 Plus for them, I was excited to try it out. I’ve been a fan of e-bikes for a while now, and the opportunity to try a new one out had me tickled. Especially for a quality brand like Velotric. That said, the company has become well known for its commitment to producing high-quality, budget-friendly ebikes. They also are committed to ensuring their Velotric bikes are among the safest on the market. In the case of the Fold 1 Plus, this means going through rigorous testing to meet both UL (UL 2271 & UL 2849) and ISO certification requirements.
UL and ISO certification is an assurance that your bike won’t unexpectedly fail when you’re riding. It ensures the bike won’t give you a nasty shock, or suddenly catch fire. This certification on both the bike and the battery should be essential for all e-bikes, but so far, they’re not. As a matter of fact, it’s a level of safety that few e-bike manufacturers offer. Velotric has gone the extra mile by designing and building bikes that meet or exceed UL’s and ISO demanding standards.
Safety Features Of The Fold 1 Plus At A Glance
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification (UL 2271 & UL 2849)
ISO 4210 Standard Certification (International Standards Organization)
UL Bike is waterproof (certified IPX Level 6)
Battery is waterproof (certified IPX Level 7)
Turn signals with beepers that remind you to turn them off.
A brake light to alert drivers or other cyclists behind you that you’re slowing down or stopping
A 3 way tail light.
A headlight that’s bright enough for night riding
Reflectors on front, back and on folding pedals
180 mm Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for powerful stopping power
Apple FindMy ™ integration allows you to see exactly where your bike is at any given time using any Apple device
The Fold 1 Plus Is Comfortable And Safe For Extended RIdes
With a stepover clearance of about 15 inches (390 mm), the Fold 1 Plus is easier to get on and off than most other e-bikes. This could be especially beneficial for seniors or anyone else with mobility issues.
Once you’re on this bike, it gets even better. The Fold 1 Plus is designed to fit anyone from 4’9” to 6’5 comfortably. It does this by offering both an adjustable seatpost and a stem that can be easily set to just where you need it. The seat itself is that perfect mix of plush and firm that lets you ride for hours without so much as a hint of saddle-soreness.
I took the Fold 1 Plus out for a 3 hour test ride without any discomfort at all. However, a perfect frame fit and a comfy seat weren’t the only things keeping the ride as smooth and pretty much effortless. That said, the Fold 1 Plus has been endowed with a 60 mm hydraulic shock fork that lets the bike flow over both road surface irregularities and small obstacles (like rooty sections)on trails like they aren’t even there.
I live in an area that’s ubiquitous with mountainous terrain. The Fold 1 Plus had enough power to go up the hills at 15 miles per hour, but I didn’t really push it. After 3 hours of riding on various terrain in its 3 riding modes, the battery dipped to just shy of ⅔, making it more efficient than other e-bikes I have ridden.
Comfort Features At A Glance
Low step through (15”) height
Adjustable seat post
Comfortable seat
Adjustable stem height
60 m hydraulic shock fork
3 inch tires
Paddle grips
Easy to reach controls and setting
Easy to see colour display screen with adjustable light levels
Pros and Cons of the Velotric Fold 1 Plus For Camping Or RV Life
The Velotric Fold 1 Plus is a meticulously well-made e-bike. Velotric seems to have thought of everything to optimize rider experience. That said, each one of my test rides left me smiling and wanting more. Even in slippery conditions, handling was nimble and comparable to a high end mountain bike. I didn’t expect that from an e-bike at all. I have to say, it was hard to find anything I didn’t like about this bike.
Pros
Ergonomic, elegant geometry
4 fun colours
Adjustable stem and seat post means it fits almost everyone
Low (15 inch) step-through makes getting on and off intuitive
Easy to manage settings while you ride
Torque sensor gives power when you need it
Wide tires make it stable on both roads and muddy trails
Powerful motor easily glides up hills
15 ride settings make it easy to adjust to any riding conditions
Comfortable
Takes up very little space in the RV, or other vehicle
No bike rack needed
Waterproof
LED Turn signals and brake light eliminate need for cumbersome hand signals
Bright functional headlight is useful for night riding
Easy to fold for storage
Storage in a 40 gallon tote keeps things tidy.
High gloss paint finish is scratch resistant
Relatively lightweight
Adjustable speed limiters and removable throttle make it legal wherever you travel
Locking battery can be removed for charging, or left in place.
Lost Bike Mode with Apple FindMy™ Integration
Bright, easy to navigate colour display
No key is needed to start the bike
Cons
Lack of a keyed start could make this bike more attractive to bike thieves.
63 lbs is heavy to lift for some people.
Great Features At A Budget Friendly Price
That said, the Fold 1 Plus’s low MSRP of $1499 puts it on the lower end of the e-bike price scale. But you get a whole lot of bike for your buck here. You might expect that the budget-friendly price would be reflected in component quality and/or overall ride experience.
However, the truth is quite the opposite. The Fold 1 Plus has an array of components and features that make riding it super fun. While it’s great for quick trips to the camp store, it’s more than ready for extended sightseeing rides too.
Final Thoughts On The Fold 1 Plus
Elegant geometry, incredible features, versatility, and a comfort package that’s second to none help the Velotric Fold 1 Plus to redefine the standard when it comes to folding e-bikes.
Velotric has really thought of everything here and created a folding e-bike that’s a real treat to ride. On top of that, they found a way to make it take up significantly less space when folded than other all terrain e-bikes. It all adds up to a bike that’s so much fun to ride, you’ll be looking for excuses to go riding.
As a solo woman traveller, I think I’ve traveled more than 30,000 km in my RV. Along the way, I learned how to back a travel trailer through trial and error, and I learned to drive a behemoth of an RV by watching YouTube videos. I’ll admit when I started out, I felt more than a little intimidated. But I threw myself wholeheartedly into it. It was either sink, swim, or quit. And to me, quitting isn’t an option until you’ve tried and failed so many times you can’t count. Especially when the reward is a life of beautiful views and freedom. That being said, many women I talk to at stops along the way have mentioned they’d be too scared to RV alone. However, it’s honestly not that scary to be a solo woman traveller in an RV.
Staying Mobile
I’m not going to lie- there have been times when I’ve moved my RV to a new location because I wasn’t comfortable where I was. But I can’t say I felt unsafe. After all, one of the advantages of a motorhome is that it’s pretty hard to tell who’s in it. My rig is self contained, so on any given overnight stop, for all anyone knows, there could be an ogre in it. As far as my safety as a solo woman RVer goes, I feel as safe or safer than I did living in a stationary home.
Sobering Statistics For Solo WOmen
Here’s the thing: Statistically, I’d be more likely to be a victim of a violent altercation from an intimate partner than from a stranger at a campground or rest area. According to Statistics Canada, only about 39% of violent crimes to women are perpetrated by strangers. So women who RV on their own might be a little safer than solo women campers. Regardless of all that, here’s a few ways women can stay safe on the road in their RVs.
Keep your RV well maintained
RV maintenance is essential to safety on the road. Perhaps especially when it comes to wheels, tires and brakes. Unlike other tires, RV tires can wear out without even showing any wear. Then when you’re driving down the road, they can suddenly explode. No one wants a surprise when it comes tires. Keep them inflated to manufacturer recommend recommended tire pressure, and replace around every 4-8 years, depending on the tire.
Let someone know where you’re headed.
Designate one or two people as your contact, and keep them informed about your planned route and destination, and check in with them regularly.
Camp in safe areas
If the place you planned to camp has signs of being a local bush party spot, homeless encampment, or if it just creeps you out, keep driving. Guaranteed there will be a safer spot down the road.
Never rely on GPS or navigation apps alone
Navigation apps can offer a false sense of of security when it comes to getting to your destination safely. However, every so often, they lead travellers astray, sending them on bizarre detours down back roads and beyond. Seriously: RVers have died following GPS instructed routes to their doom. Read my own terrifying experience on RPod Adventure Blog. Always use a road atlas or map to plan your route, and GPS apps as a backup.
Have a contingency plan
It’s always a good idea to have a plan for how you’ll deal with an unexpected event like a mechanical breakdown. Having membership with an organization like Coach-net or an Automobile Association can give you peace of mind when you travel.
Don’t open your door to strangers
You wouldn’t open your door to someone you don’t know in your stationary home. It doesn’t make sense to do it in your RV either.
Have a gender-neutral Wifi name
If you have a Wifi or cell phone name like “Shirley Imagurl” you’re giving everyone in the neighbourhood information they don’t need to know. Instead, name your wifi network or cell phone something like “FBI Surveillance” to avoid strangers who would target a female.
Don’t make your RV look “girly”.
Don’t leave valuables out in plain sight.
Make it look like more than one person is camping in your RV
Have more than one camping chair
If someone gives you the creeps, hop in the driver’s seat and leave.
Be aware of local wildlife and know how to stay safe
Have a smoke alarm, CO detector and multiple fire extinguishers in your RV, just in case
Keep a good first aid kit handy
Be self contained
Staying Safe On The Road
Unfortunately, we live in a world where many women live in unsubstantiated fear that keeps them from hitting the road on their own. The truth is, many women would be safer out exploring the world on their own in an RV than they are in a stationary home. It’s always wise to common sense when travelling. However, it’s a waste of a perfectly good life to deny oneself knowledge, opportunities and freedom while waiting for a partner to travel with.
It’s been more than 7 years since I downsized my life to fit into the small footprint of an RV. And since that time, the allure of travelling full time has become an obsession for me. But I’m not the only one. RV life has become more popular than ever, especially after the Covid epidemic popularized remote work. Not only that, but one of the biggest demographic groups diving into the lifestyle are solo women over the age of 50.
It’s a practical and environmentally sustainable lifestyle. And it’s one that that offers the ability to travel wherever you decide to go, whenever you want. That’s a freedom that’s all too rare when you’re tied to a traditional home. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to make the leap into this amazing lifestyle, here are 9 compelling reasons to go full-time in an RV.
1. Living Full Time In An RV Reduces Your Environmental Impact
One of my major reasons for moving into my RV was this: Living full time in an RV can have a much lower impact on the environment than living in a traditional home. To start with, unlike most homes, my RV didn’t require wild lands to be cleared or logged. Maintenance of my RV requires a lot fewer natural resources as well. For example, when it’s time to change out the roof, I’ll be changing out about 320 square feet of rubber roofing, instead of 1600′ on a typical house.
Even cleaning my RV contributes less chemicals to the environment than cleaning a typical traditional home. You know exactly how much water you have and how much you use when you live in an RV. It means you just don’t waste freshwater like you do in a house. Plus, with its smaller footprint, an RV doesn’t require as much electricity or fuel for heating and cooling. Not only that, but a solar power system incredibly easy to hook up in an RV.
2. RV Life Can Be Very Affordable
Many full time RVers seek out free camping, often at beautiful recreation sites or unserviced campgrounds. Of course this means your rig needs to be completely self contained, with a generator, solar power system and holding tank capacities to get you through at least a week. It also means being comfortable and self sufficient in remote places.
Many other full time RV travellers choose to pay for an RV site or parking spot where they can plug in and have access to services. RV sites usually cost between $700 and $1200 per month, depending on the time of year and region. Many of us do this for part of the year, and spent the rest of the year traveling and boondocking along the way.
3. RV maintenance is easier than maintaining a house
You don’t get out of doing home maintenance when you live full time in an RV. However, the jobs tend to be simpler, and anyone with a minimal level of handiness can easily do them. Even though there are always going to be times when you need to call a certified RV technician to fix things, the good news is RV techs are usually easy to find.
4. You’ll enjoy minimalist simplicity
You don’t need much to live in a small space. You might think that whittling down the unending and superfluous stuff that most of us fill a traditional home with to the bare necessities would leave you wanting. For me it was incredibly freeing. Not only that, but with each thing I sold, gave away or took to the dump, I felt just a little more free to do what I wanted. An RV comes with all the furniture and most of the appliances you need, and the more stuff you put in it, the more weight you have and the more complicated life becomes. That makes it easy to keep minimalism in mind.
5. Increased flexibility and spontaneity
Are your new neighbours obnoxious? Do you have a psycho ex who won’t give up stalking you? Do you just feel a sudden urge to hike in alpine wildflower meadows or enjoy cool ocean breezes in a heatwave? Being a fulltime RV nomad makes it super easy to roll up the patio rug and get out of Dodge (or wherever you happen to be).
6. Work from anywhere
Thanks to advances in remote work and high-speed internet options, more people are turning their RVs into mobile offices. If you’re a creative freelancer, digital nomad, or remote worker, the RV lifestyle can provide the perfect environment for productivity, all while exploring the country. Working from an RV gives you the flexibility to travel without interrupting your career.
7. Explore new places
Full-time RV living offers a chance to live a life of unique experiences that you just can’t get when you’re stationary. From exploring remote destinations to experiencing local cultures and festivals, RV life opens up a world of exciting opportunities. Each day is a brand new adventure waiting to unfold.
8. You might find yourself enjoying a healthier lifestyle
Full-time RV living often encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. It beckons you to explore new places. You find more time for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring, keeping you physically active and mentally engaged. DIscovering farmer’s markets, and new regional cuisines often means eating a healthier diet too. Sure you might find yourself diving into a plateful of gravy and cheese curd laden poutine in Quebec, but you’ll walk it off exploring the sights of Quebec City anyway!
9. The opportunity to spend more time with loved ones
These days, family and friends are often further apart than ever. RV travel offers the opportunity to visit family and friends without worrying about who’s looking after the house or the pets while you’re away.
10. Wake up to a new beautiful view every day
I love waking up surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. One of the best parts about a full time RV lifestyle is that it offers the opportunity to wake up to a beautiful view every day.
Conclusion: Why Go Full-Time in an RV?
Making the decision to go full-time in an RV is a big step, but it’s not for everyone. Before you make the leap, it’s a good idea to explore exactly how you define the word “home”. For example, if you love spending weekends mowing the grass, cleaning gutters, or cleaning the house, living full time in an RV is probably not for you.
However, for those who enjoy minimalism, the freedom to travel, lower housing costs, and opportunity for adventure, RV living can be an appealing lifestyle choice. Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, embrace a minimalist mindset, or enjoy a deeper connection with nature and your loved ones, full-time RV living offers an exciting and rewarding journey.
Get inspired for your own journey: Click here to subscribe to my blog/
Happy International Women’s Day! Whether you’re a woman who’s considering RV or Van Life, or you’ve already taken the leap. Change is often a frightening prospect, especially when it comes with so many unknowns and “what ifs”. And this is especially true when you’re exchanging a familiar lifestyle for a nomadic RV lifestyle that offers freedom, independence and autonomy.
After all, most women are conditioned from childhood to believe that they need the companionship and guidance of a protective partner who will take care of the all the little details in life. There have always been wild women who tested this cultural notion. And the wildest women have always chosen to explore the unknowns, and to turn the phrase, “what if” into an implication of positive outcomes.
Solo RV women went ahead and downsized our living space because we wanted to upsize our lives. We bought vans and RVs and we set forth on a mission to go exploring. Solo women RVers, enjoy camping, travel, and the resulting fulfillment.
Wild women have a yearning curiosity about ourselves and about the world. We hunger to feast our senses and to revel in worldly knowledge. We dance through life with a spirit of adventure, exploring our abilities and finding strengths we didn’t know we had. #internationalwomensday
Lynne Fedorick is a freelance writer, storyteller, RV influencer and artist. Lynne specializes in writing camping and RV related content and gear reviews for RV magazines. However, she's also a published author of several dog training related books too!
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