This week our beloved Sky Serge (editor + creative exec assistant) shares her favorite potion to make in the morning for energy, beauty, stress relief and a sense of ritual. Whether our White Dragon Matcha is prepared traditionally with a whisk or in a blender with adaptogenic upgrades, Skylar educates us on how matcha is a staple in her nourishment protocol for activating radiance, resilience and longevity (especially when called in for extra long work days!)
A morning Matcha is one of my favorite ways to wake up. The method of the traditional preparation brings me such joy and is also the last step in my morning skincare routine. The mornings are truly a sacred time to me, to be alone and finish the last chapters of a book, write some notes for the day or just to stay under the covers until the last possible second... The next thing I do is gather my tonic herbs to craft a morning Matcha.
EDIBLE BEAUTY
Matcha is packed with antioxidants, it works to trap and deactivate free radicals in the skin (helps with aging) and also contains many anti-inflammatory properties. For redness in skin and general sensitivities, White Dragon Matcha is a great addition to a morning routine.
A Note About Sun Potion's White Dragon Matcha
This White Dragon Matcha comes from young, shade-grown green tea leaves that are farmed using natural methods that are widely practiced in Japan and Korea that have now been expanding into the U.S. where the techniques have shown radical improvements to the growth of the material compared to their traditional farming methods...If you are curious about this effort happening across the world, a good place to start is the Netflix documentary, "Sustainable."
Sun Potion White Dragon Matcha
In addition to my favorite ceremonial Matcha, Ashitaba and Tocos are two superfoods that accompany Matcha in all the right ways. Ashitaba contains B vitamins and promotes healthy immune function and blood support, so if you are vegan, it’s really a wonderful adaptogen to include into your morning routine. If you don't feel like whisking your potion or don't have the tools on hand, adding the herbs and water with some homemade plant milk in a high speed blender is the way to go and will also achieve that foam-worthy creamy texture, with help from our tocos.
More beauty herbs...
Reishi and Pearl are my other two favorites for this recipe. Not only do they support a myriad of skin benefits but also work to support our nervous system and stress levels. Reishi is know as the "Queen Healer" mushroom, it is reputed to support physical and emotional stress but also is a wonderful adaptogen for immune health. Pearl is known as a beauty herb but also in addition to that works to support healthy bones and muscles and also may support cognitive health. It's great in a simple tonic and also in face masks.
Sun Potion Jasmine Tocos
THE RECIPE
Ingredients |
|
1 tsp. Sun Potion White Dragon Matcha 1/2 tsp. Sun Potion Ashitaba 1/2 tsp. Reishi and/or Cordyceps 1/2 tsp. Pearl 1 tbsp. Sun Potion Tocos 8 oz. plant based milk or h20 option to sweeten: a small dollop of coconut nectar, raw honey or maple (my current favorite sweetener is raw honey) |
Method |
|
Depending on the weather and mood, it can be prepared warm or cool The Traditional Method (My favorite way to savor every step of the process) In a matcha bowl, one that is wide and shallow, add warm water (about 175 degrees), let sit for about one minute so the bowl gets warm Dip your whisk in the warm water and set aside Empty the warmed bowl and dry with a paper towel or tea towel Add 1 tbsp. to the bowl and then water about two inches high or 1/3 cup Whisk in a "W" or zigzag formation (this method will help achieve more froth) Add another 1/4 cup of water and add 1/4 tsp. of Ashitaba and the other adaptogens being used Repeat whisking motion Enjoy in the bowl OR The Modern Preparation Add all ingredients to a blender for 30 seconds (warm or cold)* *Additionally, one great way to prepare a cold brew matcha is to make ice cubes of the prepared matcha and let freeze, creating the perfect cold, yet not watered-down elixir, these can be added to a prepared matcha for a hot day If prepared this way, add to your favorite ceramic and enjoy |
Also, for a traditional preparation, check out this beautiful video that continues to inspire me...
