Warm Holiday Beverages to Try this Season


The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread some cheer in the office than by indulging in delightful warm beverages? Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur, tea enthusiast, or hot chocolate devotee, there’s a festive drink waiting to be discovered. Join us on a journey through some cozy concoctions that will make your office space feel like a winter wonderland.

Peppermint Mocha Latte

Kick off the holiday season with a classic, the Peppermint Mocha Latte. This homemade version allows you to control the intensity of the peppermint and the richness of the chocolate, creating a personalized experience that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Ingredients:
1 cup of your choice of milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup of coffee or espresso
1/2 candy cane or 1 drop of peppermint extract
Toppings:
Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes

Instructions:

  1. In a microwave safe mug, add milk, cocoa, and sugar. Heat until it just starts to boil.
  2. Stir in coffee and candy cane.
  3. When candy cane has melted serve with your toppings of choice and enjoy!

Cinnamon Spice Chai Tea

For those who prefer a spiced twist to their warm drinks, the Cinnamon Spice Chai Tea is a perfect choice. The blend of black tea, exotic spices, and a dash of cinnamon creates a comforting and aromatic experience.

Ingredients:
1 cup of milk of your choice
1 black tea bag
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch of ground cloves
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

  1. Heat milk over medium-high heat, until it just starts to bubble. Add tea bag and wait for it to steep 3-5 minutes.
  2. Add in cinnamon, ginger, cloves and honey to and re-heat for 2 minutes.
  3. Pour into a mug, add a touch of cinnamon on top and serve!

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Combine the best of both worlds with a Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. This delightful fusion of gingerbread spices and velvety hot chocolate is a sweet treat for the taste buds. Discover this festive recipe and bring a bit of holiday magic to your office.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 cup milk of your choice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Instructions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a microwave save mug and heat to a warm temperature.
  2. Serve with whipped cream!

Eggnog Latte

Embrace the traditional flavours of the season with an Eggnog Latte. The creamy and indulgent blend of espresso and eggnog is a holiday favourite. Try making it at home and savor the festive goodness.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of milk of your choice
1/2 cup eggnog
1/2 cup coffee or 1 servings of espresso
Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Heat the milk and eggnog.
  2. Pour half of milk mixture in a mug and the remaining half with coffee. Stir.
  3. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle some chocolate sprinkles on top

As the winter chill sets in, these warm holiday beverages are sure to bring joy to your office space. Experiment with different recipes, share the love with your colleagues, and make this holiday season a memorable one. Cheers to good company and even better drinks!

Re-Aligning Focus at Work After the Holidays


In December, our focus shifts toward family, festivities and vacation time. We spend lots of time relaxing and — hopefully — recharging, before returning to work in the new year.

But when we settle back into work life, things can feel a little drab. If you’ve got the post-holiday blues, or are finding it hard to get back into the swing of things, here are a few easy ways to reignite your gusto.

Realigning Focus at Work After Holidays

  1. Create one work resolution. Nothing motivates like a new goal. Maybe you want to take a walk every day at lunch, or try a different position, or add three new clients to your roster. Give the goal some thought and, whatever you decide, track yourself to achieve it.
  1. Reconnect with your colleagues. Remember, you’re not the only one who took time off over the holidays. Chances are, your colleagues are struggling to get back in the groove, too. This is a perfect time to recharge your social life at work. Commiserate, collaborate and remind yourself that you’re part of a community.
  1. Get creative. Bring some zest to your existing work, and it will come alive. If you write press releases for a living, why not check out a webinar on creative writing? If your work isn’t inherently creative, think about adding a daily journal entry to your to-do list. Studies show that journaling sparks creative thought, helps you achieve goals and reduces stress.

Treat yourself. When we lack motivation, it’s important not to get down on ourselves. Instead, offer yourself rewards if you’re finding it hard to complete tasks. Every time you check an item off your to-do list, give yourself a treat. That could be a cup of tea,  a walk, a stretch or a chance to catch up with a colleague. When returning to work after a break, sometimes we need to take baby steps.