Spring Tonic Recipes

Spring Tonic Recipes

Last month we talked about two of my favourite Spring Tonics, Dandelion and Nettle. This month we'll delve a little deeper into Spring Tonic options and some delicious recipes!

Other great spring tonic herbs are rosemary and sage which are both good for calming and toning the nervous system and parsley which is a tonic for the liver and kidneys.

Onions, garlic and chives are considered spring energizers. The members of the onion family get rid of toxins, increase circulation, digestion and strengthen the immune system with the strong bitter flavours.

Beginning your day with the juice of half a lemon in water is also an ideal spring tonic as lemon is one of the best bitters for the digestion helping to throw off winter sluggishness.

Even if you don’t manage to include specific tonic foods in your diet, just increasing your consumption of fresh salads will help you feel lighter and more energised. This is especially effective if you combine them with a salad dressing made from equal quantities of an oil rich in omegas (like the Bestow Beauty Plus Oil) and apple cider vinegar.  Omega 3 & 6 help us burn saturated fats and ensure our cell walls are more fluid and permeable.  In addition the apple cider vinegar assists with stablising our blood sugar levels helping to prevent the glycation of our collagen and elastin fibres.

Don’t forget physical and breathing exercises.  Vigorous walking and hiking will help you to exhale accumulated wastages, make you sweat a little to rid toxins and help you re-connect with your environment and the new season.

Bestow Asian Super Slaw

With sprouts and seeds

Cabbage, finely shredded
Spring onions, finely chopped
Mung bean sprouts
Toasted pumpkin seeds
Toasted sesame seeds
Chopped fresh coriander

Combine all ingredients, mix through dressing and serve

 

Dressing

25mls apple cider vinegar
70mls Bestow Beauty Oil
A few drops of sesame oil
Juice 1 lemon
Tsp wholegrain mustard
Salt and pepper

Mix together all ingredients and season.  Please note that organic produce is preferable but not essential.

  

Wilted Spring Greens

With ginger dressing

Dandelion greens
Nettle greens
Bok choy
Baby spinach
Watercress
Silver beat
Savoy cabbage, shredded

Wilt all or a mixture of the above greens in a lidded saucepan with a very small amount of water, cooking for approximately 2 minutes.

Dressing
50mls Bestow Beauty Plus Oil
10mls sesame oil
5gms crushed ginger
10mls soy sauce
Juice of half a lime
10gms sesame seeds
Salt
Pepper

Combine together all dressing ingredients, season and mix desired amount through the warm wilted greens. Please note to watch the amount of salt used as soy sauce is slightly salty.  Refrigerate any unused dressing in an airtight bottle for future use.  Please note that organic produce is preferable but not essential.

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