Glowing Beauty Tonic

Ever consider drinking your skin care products? Well, now you can! This drink gives you so many antioxidant rich, collagen boosting, hydrating goodness that would make Joan Rivers ditch the needle. To be honest, you are better off without most of the skin care products out there, especially due to all the toxic ingredients that are found in the beauty promises most skin care companies claim. For me, I consider it a win-win. I not only avoid absorbing all that junk into my body but I also get to enjoy a delicious beverage. Plus, my piggy bank doesn’t get so angry at me.

Pineapple- Chalk one up for the pineapple! This tropical beauty is great to help any belly bloat or water retention due to the enzyme bromeliad. [1] Also, pineapple is a great source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and promotes collagen (think nature’s form of botox). Known in Chinese medicine for its ability to remove summer heat, pineapple can be beneficial year round due to its ability to increase digestion and destroy worms.  Yeah, I know gross thought but you would be surprised how many critters are crawling around in there. Sorry.

Ok, let’s change the topic.

Cilantro- Another digestion and belly bloat hero, cilantro is not only a great addition to amazing dishes such as guacamole and salsa but it adds a refreshing bite to smoothies and juices too.

Cucumber- A water packed beauty that does magic on your eyelids and your figure!  Cucumbers high water content and low calorie profile may leave you thinking its lacking in nutrients. Think again my pretties! Power packed with nutrients like anti-oxidant rich vitamin A and manganese, sleep-enhancing tryptophan and collagen forming silica, these green babies are amazing for your skin. [2] Plus its high water and fiber content will help with toxic removal and hydration, leaving you light and glowing.

Green Grapes- I’m telling you, this drink is full of cleansing goodness. Grapes are another water packed fruit known to help reduce water retention and purify the blood. Used in Chinese medicine for cleansing glands, rheumatism, arthritis, and to treat urinary tract infections, you can’t go wrong with a handful of grapes. [1] Have I mentioned they taste amazing frozen?

[1] Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2002.

[2] Mateljan, George. The World’s Healthiest Foods. Seattle, WA: GMF Publishing, 2007.

Ingredients

1/2 c cucumber (It’s optional to peel beforehand)

1/2 c filtered water

1 c fresh pineapple

1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 c green grapes

Directions

·       Place all ingredients into blender, juicer, or Vitamix.

·       Begin blending on low and slowly increase speed to high

·       Blend on high for 2-3 minutes (Scoop off the pulp if you aren’t a pulp person)

·       Poor into glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber

·       Sip on some prettiness!