WARMING BEAUTY TONIC

/
 

Seems LA is *finally* getting the memo it's winter.. so I had to swap out my usual smoothie for something a bit more warm and nourishing.

As it is, cold foods/drinks are not the best for your digestive health, but when it's cold outside, it's particularly important to incorporate warming elements to the diet for healthy digestion (which is the basis of optimal wellness... and glowing skin ;)

I put together what I've coined a "warming beauty tonic" with lovely ingredients to support healthy digestion, glowing beautiful skin and an overall warm feeling. 

INGREDIENT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Green tea: wonderful antioxidant, provides calming energy in the form of L-theanine

  • Dandelion: considered a cooling herb but great for digestion and liver health; improves the efficiency of waste removal from the body which is key for healthy skin

  • Ghee: good source of fat to provide sustained energy. Also key for healthy skin

  • Collagen: the building block for healthy, firm skin/hair/nails; for healthy digestive lining, for healthy joints. Basically, my favorite ingredient to put in everything!

  • Lucuma: natural source of low-glycemic sweetener (i.e. doesn't spike your blood sugar and drop it down quickly), full of minerals and antioxidants. Nutty, maple type flavor.

RECIPE:

  • Steep green tea, dandelion (either loose leaf or tea bags: I used organic green tea dandelion tea bags from Traditional Medicinals. I like a stronger flavor so used 2 tea bags.)

  • 1 Tablespoon ghee (for this particular tonic, I used a ghee infused with raw honey and a range of amazing herbs from Flora Ex Machina.)

  • 1 scoop of collagen powder (I love using Neocell for collagen; they have a wide range of products including marine sources of collagen for vegans. I like to use their Derma Matrix Collagen Skin complex because aside from collagen it contains vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen to form, and hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin. For purchasing, I usually go to my nearest health foods store or get it delivered from Thrive Market)

  • 1/2 teaspoon Lucuma (I use the one from Moon Juice)

  • Once tea has steeped thoroughly, remove the tea bag(s)/strain the tea and blend with the ingredients above. Because of the fat from the ghee, you'll notice it's frothy like a latte :)

Enjoy!