January for me means getting back to all my healthy habits that have fallen by the wayside during December. I’ll admit, I get a little carried away during the festive season (a little? I hear my husband say) and the whole process of trying to create a magical season means I let some of my health and beauty rituals get replaced by less nutritious habits.
I can’t speak for everyone but when I wake up my mouth feels dry and I feel generally dehydrated all over. To make matters worse I used to make myself a strong cup of builder’s tea which is definitely not hydrating at all and puts no nutrients into my body.
A few months ago I went on a three week detox which was tough going. The end result was fabulous and I would recommend it but when I came off the detox the first thing I did that morning was make myself the usual builders tea. It instantly made me feel nauseas and I went straight back to drinking the morning tonic that had been part of the detox. Several times since I have tried the odd cup of tea in the morning (mostly when it arrives on the bedside table) and each time its had the same effect leaving me feeling sick and lethargic.
So this is just my personal experience but of course there are loads of documented health benefits that this simple morning routine offers including clearer and brighter skin, improved digestion, a natural way to flush out toxins and a mood and metabolism booster.
For more information on the health benefits have a look at this webpage which has some interesting facts:
http://tasty-yummies.com/10-benefits-to-drinking-warm-lemon-water-every-morning/
Try this for just 3 weeks and you will be converted for life. There are many variations on this, a pinch of cayenne pepper has great benefits and I will often pop a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in but the basic recipe is as follows:
You will need:
- 3 slices of ginger
- Half a lemon
How to:
- Fill a cup half way with boiling hot water and add the slices of ginger.
- Allow to steep for 5 minutes.
- Fill remainder of cup with cold water and squeeze in the lemon juice.
That’s it! Easy right?
Now no one is a saint and we all have mornings where you suddenly realise the school uniform is still wet in the washing machine or the dog has just been sick on the carpet. For times like this I always have a stash of Neal’s Yard tea on hand. There are a few varieties each with their own health benefits but my personal favourite is Organic Inner Strength Tea which Boosts your natural defences with echinacea, elderflower and ginger. I will usually have a cup of this after my Morning Tonic to really boost my hydration.
These teas are all naturally caffeine-free and contain 100% active ingredients but most importantly, I find them really delicious and refreshing. I even have a couple of bags in my handbag for when I am away from home and in need of refreshing organic brew!
To purchase a box of Neal’s Yard Organic Herbal Tea go to
https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/antoniapindar/area/shop-online/category/teas/
Bottoms up to good health!
Organic Health & Beauty 