I adore this Enlightened Golden Chai. It’s caffeine free, vegan and best of all – delicious! It also has incredible health benefits.
Besides being a tasty spice often used to enhance holiday treats, main ingredient ginger can soothe upset stomachs and diminish nausea, and studies show it may help pain and inflammation, too.
Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Many high quality studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain. Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric actually targets multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway, at the molecular level.
Organic, raw cacao is not only the delicious part of hot cocoa, it has immense health benefits! Raw Organic Cacao is also one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium, the most deficient mineral in the Western world. Magnesium is important for a healthy heart, and helps turn glucose into energy enabling your brain to work with laser-sharp clarity and focus.
In just 5 minutes, you’ll have a tasty beverage reminiscent of a chai tea, with all the seasonal warmth you crave – vegan, caffeine free and totally healthy for you! Welcome to totally enlightened tea 🙂
I use tablespoons of spices instead of teaspoons because it allows me to refill my cup multiple times a day without adding more spices (I just re-heat the milk or use hot water). Plus it turns out super frothy and creamy the first go-around!
You’ve likely seen Unicorn Food pop up on your instagram feed (it’s hard to miss!), but have you heard of Unicorn Food’s sexy new sister – The Mermaid Mocktail?
Whether you’re strapping on your boots in this unseasonal Nor’Easter, or you’re basking by the beach, there’s something about have a beautiful mocktail during the day that makes you feel like you’re on a faraway island. Sometimes a beautiful drink, some summer vibes and a good book are all that you need to relax. Great to share with your kids, too – or add a little champagne for yourself!
Made withbutterfly blue pea tea, the health benefits of this sophisticated and simple drink are so far-reaching! Great to enjoy hot or cold – all year round!
BENEFITS OF MERMAID TEA:
Butterfly pea tea is full of antioxidants and anti-infllamtory properties has been proven through clinical research.
Been proven to have anti glycation properties. Glycation is damage caused to protein because of sugar molecules and it is one of the main causes of skin aging.
Recent scientific studies have shown it to be effective in stopping the progress of cataracts and improving night vision.
The tea is very good for people suffering from chronic fatigue as it improves vitality.
Feeling blue? This amazing flower also reduces stress and depression!
Packed full of Proanthocyanidin and Anthocyanin which stops the harmful effects of free radicals. This helps to improve overall cell health by perventing premature aging, cutting the risk of cancer and other diseases.
This beautiful petal power recipe is going to be your new favorite! The powerful ingredients have been proven to combat pain.
One simple, affordable ingredient is currently gaining ranks as the top choice for pain relief and pain management. It can be added to salads, breakfast or baked goods as an oil, the seeds make an amazing addition to your oatmeal or smoothie and even award-winning journalists and the nation’s top doctors are recommending it for anxiety, stress, inflammation, spasms and pain.
It’s hemp. Specifically, hemp oil,hemp seeds and CBD oil, which is now legal to sell and consume in close to 30 states. CBD is considered to be non-psychoactive and is legal to purchase and consume in California. Personally, I consume hemp and CBD for combating acne, anxiety, to stimulate my appetite, to help with PMS (I recommend it for ANY feminine health issue) and for chronic pain management. With what it is doing for me, no wonder so many people enjoy CBD Oil from suppliers similar to pharmorganics.co. It’s one of my favorite ways to relieve pain naturally and luckily, you can add it to almost anything – with (get this!) no side effects! If CBD Oil isn’t strong enough for you, you may want to try ‘shatter‘ to extra pain relief. You should be able to find this at your local despensary or on sites like the Green Society.
The cannabis plant happens to be one of the most (if not the most) pharmacologically active plants on the planet, containing over 400 active chemicals. You want to make sure that when you get a cbd full spectrum oil or other product that you’re getting as many of those that would naturally occur in the buds as possible. After all, that’s why you’re paying for the full spectrum product, as that will make the effects stronger. Many of these are also present and highlighted in particular strains such as the Red Lebanese Hash, which you can Click here to find more out about. The unique active components of cannabis are called cannabinoids, which are found alongside active chemicals called terpenoids and flavonoids, which work together to provide a wide variety of therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects benefits. Studies show hemp oil helps with pain management, cancer, insomnia, anxious feelings, worry, stress and more. Hemp oil has actually been proven increase your energy, so there is no lazy “high”.
I’ve suffered from arthritis for 12 years, so I combine hemp oil with my favorite supplement for pain and inflammation: collagen peptides! Collagen is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the go-to beauty secrets of the ages, but it’s also amazing for your muscles, joints and can help with stiffness and swelling. Collage peptides may also help increase muscle strength because they play the most important role in our connective tissues. Those who took collagen for 24 weeks found a significant decrease in joint pain while at rest, moving, changing directions, running walking and performing tasks. Another study showed that collagen can stimulate the growth of new cartilage tissue, which means it’s replacing old or worn cartilage. Amazing, huh?!
Here’s how to make your own mini petal cakes! I was so surprised at how quick and simple these are to make – and they’re a huge splash at any holiday party! Cook time is only (approx.) 25 mins.
Of course I have to throw my healthy little twist on everything, even staples like hot cocoa. But seriously – you’re going to thank me for this one!
I love nothing more than cuddling up by the fireplace with a good book and a hot cocoa when the weather gets colder. Even in San Diego, right now the fact that I need socks and sometimes even a COAT(!!!) is a big deal and calls for a lot of warm grounding potions and healing concoctions so that I don’t get sick! Hot cocoa was a staple in my childhood and something I am really enjoying experimenting with (and perfecting!) as a full fledged adult.
You guys know by now that I don’t do anything the “normal” way. Stay weird is my motto and I literally walk the walk. So, here’s my healthy secret of the week (maybe of the whole season!): I make my hot cocoa collagen-infused. YUP.
Every delicious, frothy sip is infused with one of the best skin rejuvenators out there: collagen peptides.
The benefits of collagen are bountiful – from helping bone growth and soothing joint pain to acting as a natural botox, there is a reason everyone should be taking this vital supplement daily for optimum health and all of its wonderful wellness benefits. Once you incorporate collagen into your life for just a little while, it’s easy to notice the great advantages it provides for overall appearance (your skin literally glows!) and for those of us with chronic pain or illness (you’ll start to notice you suffer much less frequently!)
Supplementing with collagen peptides can protect the degradation of the connecting tissues. If you take 30 – 70 grams of collagen peptides per day, it’s been shown to provide a reduction of risk for injuries on muscle, tendons, and ligaments, even in professional athletes!
You are seriously never going to go a day without this stuff!
I love Vital Proteins so much because they are sustainably sourced, which is always important to me. They’re odorless and tasteless and these supplement powders deliver real results in just days! Several studies show that a daily intake of just 10 grams of collagen peptides for 4 to 24 weeks may increase bone mass density. I find that my hair, nails and skin cells all grow so much faster and thicker when I am taking a lot of collagen in my meals and drinks – and this way is sooooo much easier than popping vitamins all day!
Not sold on Collagen yet? In a recent study, women who took just 2.5 g of collagen once a day saw a 20% reduction in wrinkle depth around their eyes… in just 8 weeks!! Even more significant, levels of the body’s own procollagen (the precursor to collagen) were significantly elevated, with production up by an unprecedented 65%!! SOOO impressive. It seems that the pills in this study could make a woman’s skin behave like a younger version of itself!
So, why not incorporate these healthy peptides into everything you can? I start my day every morning with a collagen chamomile tea (where I just mix the powder in with the tea), and at night I wind down with this collagen infused hot cocoa. I use an amazing, affordable and light espresso machine (my first! A gift from Todd last year, which I just adore!) to easily add the body-building, skin regenerating boost to this winter classic. Alternatively, this recipe can be done on the stovetop with a wooden spoon if you don’t have an espresso machine at home, however it won’t stay traditionally “frothy” as pictured. Still heavenly!!
I cook every single meal at home – almost every single day. We are huge homebodies and rarely go out to eat. Honestly, theres two reasons for this: one, it’s how I always pictured adulting. Especially in seasons like this, I love setting my mind to a recipe, putting on the fire and some holiday music, taking in a few scenes of the pups cuddling by the fireplace and just being domestic. There’s something really special and magical about it. Two, it helps that I adore cooking and baking, because we are gluten free, dairy free, we don’t drink caffeine and are (mostly) sugar and alcohol free around here, which may sound like we don’t eat (or drink or DO) anything. Not so, though!
What? This doesn’t look exciting?!? ^^
Each day I’m inspired to come up with delicious, wholesome meals and melt in your mouth desserts so we don’t feel like we’re missing out. And sometimes, I invent something that’s super healthy but still comes so very close to the “junk food” version of itself that I absolutely HAVE to share it!
Today is one of those days!
The other morning Todd came home with this gluten free brownie mix from Trader Joes. After a few days of pondering it, I decided I was going to make us the BEST brownie treats ever. I know he (and I and everyone in the universe) loves the edge of the brownies the most. I knew that if I mixed the batter in just the right way with the right balance of “soft” ingredients, that I could create a delectable little chocolate peanut butter mini cake – without dairy, without gluten, and with our sugar intake cut in half. The best part is, many of this ingredients in these delicious little cakes are healing and healthy for you.
For sweetening, I recently switched to Sugar 2.0 +probiotics, since probiotics have cured the guts of our whole family and this particular brand cuts sugar in half and replaces it with fiber. Your body uses fiber to control blood sugar levels, so this is seriously so genius! Love this substitute!
These darling little chocolate peanut butter cakes barely need any sweetening at all and they come out otherworldly – ala brownie flavored Reese’s peanut butter cups – but BETTER. The brownie mix crisps perfectly and hugs the filling. The combination of ingredients is so soft and superb. Absolutely delightful – and they were gone overnight!! A perfect treat for yourself or the whole family – and the mini size makes it easy and fun to do!
This week has been non-stop healthy cooking. For Thanksgiving, I made this vegan sweet and savory harvest squash + pecan pomegranate salad for our little family and it was a huge hit, so I wanted to share it on the blog today. I shared on my instagram stories that I candied the pecans for this salad, which really adds a delectable honied sweetness I can’t live without in my greens.
We aren’t huge fans of regular sugar around here, so I’ve been using Sugar 2.0, which has a 50% fiber and 50% real cane sugar. That way we are only using half our normal amount of cane! It’s delicious and a great substitute for sweetening. I then added skin-boosting pecans and delightful, delicious pomegranates to balance the taste! Enjoy a simple but impressive side dish that’s perfect for the holidays!
To the butternut squash add the coconut oil, Sugar 2.0, cayenne, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and toss to combine.
Bake the squash for 15-20 minutes or until it is tender, sweet, and golden brown. Toss occasionally to ensure even baking.
Add the pecans to a separate baking sheet and bake on a separate rack in the oven for 8 minutes. Then remove from oven and add coconut oil, nutmeg, Sugar 2.0, cayenne, salt, and cinnamon. Use a spoon to carefully toss until well coated. Then return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes more, or until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
To serve, either place the squash and pecans on the kale or mixed greens on a serving dish and top with pomegranates.
Enjoy immediately. Best eaten when fresh.
*This post was created in partnership with Sugar 2.0.
Hi, I'm Tara! A bestselling self-help author, singer and speaker. The Organic Life is a place where I share my healthy life hacks - so we can all become our best selves!
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