Jessica Jean Weston - Healing Tonics, Juices, and Smoothies: 100+ Elixirs to Nurture Body and Soul

Copyright 2017 by Jessica Jean Weston

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jane Sheppard

Photography by Wyatt Andrews

Author photo by Jacob Roberts

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1629-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1630-8

Printed in China

DISCLAIMER: This book is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Consult your physician for diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Always consult a physician before starting a new diet or wellness program.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

tonic: a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being

Happy health, wellness warrior! I am extremely excited to share these simple recipes for vibrant health with you in Healing Tonics, Juices, and Smoothies . Jumping into the deep end of the vast world of health food can be daunting and almost paralyzing, depending on your point of entry, and I would like to take this moment to give you a big high-five for picking up and reading this book! That is a huge step toward taking charge of your life. While I won't claim that owning this book and making these recipes will be a cure-all, they are sure to help increase your vitality and broaden your imagination (and flavor palate) of what healthy beverages can be.

Drinks are wonderful tools for wellness, as the majority of them are extremely simple to make (i.e., throw the ingredients into a blender or juicer and enjoy!), allowing them to become daily staples. This is also an area in the American diet where many unwanted calories are slugged down almost unknowingly. While most of the drinks in this book definitely contain calories, and you dont want to overdo it, adding them to your diet will: help to eliminate potential unhealthy beverage choices; boost your health in a myriad of ways; and be so delicious you wont know why you hadnt tried them sooner!

In this book, well explore the surface of the immense world of healthy beverages. Before jumping into the recipes, be sure to review some of the basic terminology that youll encounter throughout the book, such as adaptogens and probiotics. From there well begin with Herbal Teas that can be deliciously enjoyed as they are or used as a base (substitute for hot or cold water) in other drinks for extra medicinal potency. Next on our journey well touch base with a few Basic Staples , such as Mylks, that youll always want to have on hand. Moving on well jump into Cooling Libations, followed by Hot Elixirs , featuring classics such as Golden Mylk (), along with many other exciting concoctions.

Now that youve already taken the leap, well navigate the world of Power-Packed Shots, sure to boost your body to new heights of immunity. Since were on the subject of healthy beverages, there is simply no way around the inclusion of two of my favorite chapters: Invigorating Juices and Superfood Smoothies . Here youll find many classics, fun twists, and seasonal specialties: ), the ultimate happiness smoothie for cozy autumn days with crisp, crunchy, fallen leaves blanketing the ground.

In our final beverage section well get slightly more complex with probiotic-rich Fanciful Ferments. Dont let the detailed directions in this section scare you off; fermented drinks are simple, and Ill walk you through the process step by step. They are definitely worth the wait (some are ready in as little as one to two days, while others in this chapter can take up to fourteen). These brews are delicious, beautiful on your kitchen counter, and a great way to get your daily dose of probiotics.

As a bonus to the multitude of beverages, Ive added in three Nourishing Cleanses , Raw, Candida / Alkaline, and Ayurvedic Inspired, that include raw and cooked food recipes, such as Raw Mac n Cheeze (). The cleanses in this section will guide you on three very different experiences for hitting that occasional, much-needed reset button.

To close out our journey, I have included information on Equipment , Sourcing , Ingredients , Educational Resources , and a Custom Superfood Add-On Guide to further support you on your adventure.

I have my small handful of go-to drinks that I enjoy frequently, while others are more seasonal offerings or were created to satisfy particular cravings.

Whether you are a beginner or a well-versed superfoodie, I hope this book serves as a massive launchpad of learning and expansion for you to take inspiration from many of the recipes and PLAY! Get creative, try new flavor combinations, and have fun!

Cheers!

HELPFUL TERMS

ADAPTOGENS are well known in herbal medicine as natural substances, usually herbs, that help our bodies in adapting to stress and creating a balanced state.

AYURVEDA is the oldest known medical system, dating back at least 5,000 years, with origins in Indias Vedic culture. Its based on the belief that a balanced body, mind, and spirit is the core to health and wellness. There are three main doshas in Ayurveda: kapha, pitta, and vata. Each individual has a different doshic makeup, which determines both physical and emotional characteristics along with treatment methods. While most people predominantly identify with one or two doshas, there is wide range of possibilities.

ELIXIR , defined as a magical or medicinal potion, believed to extend life.

FAT is a very deceptive and usually unwelcome word in the health world, as it has been long considered physically fattening to consume fatty foods. However, it is simply an essential nutrient needed as an energy source for the body. There are different kinds of fat, some good and some bad. The sources of fat featured in this book (avocadoes, nuts, coconut oil, etc.) provide the body with healthy fatty acids, raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). These fats have also been shown to aid in weight loss. Dont fear fat!

FERMENTATION is a process that converts sugars to acids and alcohols. Starter cultures are sometimes used, however theyre not always necessary, depending on what youre making. For instance, kvass, tepache, and sauerkraut are examples of ferments that rely on the wild fermentation process by utilizing the natural beneficial bacteria in the ingredients, whereas kombucha and kefir require starter cultures.

GLUTEN is a mixture of proteins present in glutenous grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, and spelt.