AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic

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4.67 out of 5 stars
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"I don't normally drink milk, but this is so good! And it is the perfect winter/nighttime drink!"
- Crystal Garland, Tucson, AZ full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review

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How to Make Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic

SERVINGS: 1
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

STYLE: AYURVEDIC
PREPARATION: BOILED
FOR OCCASION: MOVIE-NIGHT, BED-TIME, BUSY-DAY

INGREDIENTS

1 c
1 tsp
1 leaves
3/4 tsp
3/4 tsp
3/4 tsp
1 pinch
1 pinch

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Bring milk to medium heat and, lower heat to a gentle simmer and add all spices. Cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently. If the milk becomes foamy, lower heat quickly or remove completely. Milk easily boils over the side of the pan when it gets too hot. It should look shiny on the surface with tiny bubbles.

2. Remove from heat and add honey to taste.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Like a cozy fire, this Spiced Milk & Honey restores a warm, nurturing glow that seems to emanate from your chest. Grab a hot cup, don a pair of mittens and nestle into a warm blanket for the evening. This heartwarming holiday drink restores warmth to your fingertips and supports your whole body. Cinnamon's aroma will fill your kitchen, and your hearth with holiday cheer. This formula also supports your lungs and opens up airways so you can breathe freely.

Calming & Supportive

Winter's bitter chill and a blast of cold air can leave you feeling a bit scattered. When your bones are rattling, find relief from the stress of the season by drinking a warm glass of spiced milk. Milk is nature's symbol of motherly affection. Nourishing, strengthening, and rich, milk coddles an infant when he's upset, and can allay your concerns as well. Milk's creaminess is a balm for frayed nerves. Like a hug, warm milk will lull you into a night of winter hibernation after a busy day.

A mug of warm spiced milk & honey not only soothes your nerves, it strengthens your whole constitution. In Ayurvedic terms, that means milk nourishes your ojas. This drink is especially useful in autumn for depleted Vata individuals with exhaustion, a cold feeling in the chest and persistent cough.

Warms You Up

The secret to this warmth lies in the spices. The pungent kick of the spices stimulates your heart to beat faster. As your heart rate quickens and your blood vessels dilate, you feel toasty down to your bones. Winter's coldness causes constriction. These stimulating spices spread the wealth of your blood's warmth.

Nurture Your Lungs

Stuffy noses are your body's way of forcing you to breathe through the mouth. Unfortunately, the name does injustice to the physiology. As we explain in this article on The Brilliance of Stuffy Noses, a stuffed nose is actually not stuffed at all - it is swollen. Nasal passages may swell due to several factors: 1) Cold temperatures, 2) Infection, and 3) Irritation (from dryness due to heated air).

The secret to restoring healthy breathing is found in this spiced tea. Milk and honey are demulcents that coat dry, irritated respiratory passages. These coating properties also help you expectorate mucus lodged in the lungs. Spices in this tea liquefy mucous, so it flows freely, flushing out pathogens along the way. Finally, the warmth encourages sinuses to dilate, so you can breath easy.

For added respiratory support, add 1 teaspoon of ghee to your hot milk. This recipe may be enhanced by a pinch of pippali (long pepper), an Ayurvedic favorite with milk.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

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,
Bland

BLAND

Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.

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Tissue (dhatu):
Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

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Family: Bovidae
HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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,
Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

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,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

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,
Soothing

SOOTHING

Calms and alleviates irritation, discomfort or pain in a particular region.

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,
Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

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Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

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,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

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,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

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,
Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

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,
Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

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,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

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,
Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

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Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

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,
Warms Ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

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,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

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Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

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Promotes Virility

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Encourages virility and potency.

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

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,
Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

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Bone Tonic

BONE-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the bones and joints.

SEE ALL 'BONE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

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Constituents:
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

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, Vitamin D, Melatonin, Phosphorous,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

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,
Calcium

CALCIUM

Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.

SEE ALL 'CALCIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Fats

Foods with a Similar Nature to Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Promotes-virility, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Warms-ears, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator

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Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Warms-ears, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Promotes-virility, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Decongestant

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Warms-ears, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Promotes-virility, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Aphrodisiac, Demulcent, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Diuretic, Soothes-throat

LEARN MORE

Garlic (raw)

Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Decongestant, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator

LEARN MORE

Daikon Radish

Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Galactagogue, Warms-ears, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Milk

Milk has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Tonic, Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Demulcent, Quenches-thirst, Soothing

LEARN MORE

Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Aphrodisiac, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-ears, Antispasmodic

LEARN MORE

Buffalo Milk

Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Quenches-thirst, Tonic, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Demulcent, Promotes-virility, Soothes-throat

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Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Galactagogue, Promotes-virility, Tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Bone-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Warms-ears, Diuretic, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Inhale Steam

Inhale Steam has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Lung-tonic, Soothes-throat, Bronchodilator, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Warms-chest, Demulcent

LEARN MORE

Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Tonic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Aphrodisiac, Soothing

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Tonic, Bronchodilator, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility

LEARN MORE

Hot Shower

Hot Shower has these Actions in Common

Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Hot Bath

Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Warms-ears, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

LEARN MORE

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Antispasmodic, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Bone-tonic, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Warms-ears, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant

LEARN MORE


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About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Spiced Milk & Honey Lung Tonic'

Do you like 'spiced milk & honey lung tonic'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'spiced milk & honey lung tonic'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewhalf start review(4.67 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 699 likes
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im lactose intolorant. so milk doesnt agree with me. milk will cause congestion in my body and gives me bloating and gas. anything else work?
- timothy tilsner, Ventura, CA , 10-07-15 (Reply)
Sure, try almond milk.
Dear Saf, We brew then strain. It is too difficult to gring up star anise. Thanks for asking!
You might try using fresh ginger instead of dried - fresh ginger is not pitta aggravating. Keep the cardamom, milk and honey but leave out the other spices. Add 3/4 tsp of fennel seeds and a pinch of turmeric instead.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ , 12-14-15 (Reply)
I don't normally drink milk, but this is so good! And it is the perfect winter/nighttime drink!
- Crystal Garland, Tucson, AZ
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, 01-12-19 (Reply)

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