INFLAMMATION-REDUCING TURMERIC SMOOTHIE

It's well-known that reducing inflammation internally and topically is one of turmeric's many many salient and healing qualities. In addition to it's quality of imparting a beautiful golden hue to foods, turmeric is used in nearly all Indian savoury foods, because Indian cuisine is rooted in Ayurveda, in which turmeric is revered for it's medicinal and immunizing properties. The beneficial compound in turmeric - curcumin - is fat soluble (not water soluble), so in order to get the best of turmeric, it should be combined with a bit of fat. In my turmeric smoothies I generally add up to 1 tbsp. of hemp hearts, flax seeds, flax oil, coconut oil, or ghee (in savoury smoothies).

However, if you don't want to add fat, you'll still get plenty of Vitamin C, a water soluble compound, from fresh turmeric. So do add it to smoothies as often as you please.

In India internal and topical use of turmeric is ages old, and now it's increasingly being used in the West. When I was at university, I was working on a research project for developing artificial human tissue from the intestinal submucosa of pigs since pig mucosa is closest to human. Anyway in the course of that project I met a woman from Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) who was delighted to tell me (since I'm Indian) that BMS is developing a turmeric-based skin care cream for reducing/removing facial hair. I was quite delighted as well, though perhaps a hair less than her. Face masks with turmeric and yogurt are commonly used in India for reducing facial hair and brightening and cooling the skin in the summer.

Sliced fresh turmeric root marinated in lemon juice and salt is also eaten as a relish in India. Generally though, when taken internally, turmeric is paired with a fat to enable assimilation of curcumin compounds. Powdered turmeric used in cooking is briefly sautéed in ghee or oil before other spices and ingredients are added. In this smoothie, I added a tsp. of hemp hearts as the fat along with raw turmeric. If you don't have hemp, you can add a tsp. of coconut, olive, or flax seed oil, or flax seeds to the smoothie.

Inflammation-Reducing Turmeric Smoothie

makes: approximately 32 oz.

- 1/2 in. turmeric root, peeled
- 1/2 in. ginger root, peeled if not organic
- 2 cucumbers, cut into chunks
- 6 stalks celery, cut into chunks
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 tsp. pink Himalayan salt (or uniodized sea salt)
- 1-1/2 tsp. hemp hearts (or flax, coconut, or olive oil)
- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- 3 cups water 

1. In the order listed, put everything except water in a blender.
2. Add 1 cup of water and blend to a thick smooth paste.
3. Add the remaining water and blend to a thin-nish smoothie.
4. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate/store away from heat and light up to 8 hours.

HONEYDEW MELON AND MINT SMOOTHIE

This is an utterly refreshing smoothie, perfect for a light summer breakfast. The blended  ripe melon is so creamy and sweet, and the mint adds a refreshing taste, while the lemon adds a tang. As always, don't eat anything within two hours before and after the smoothie. If you must, have a piece or two of fruit.

I topped this smoothie with 1 tbsp. of hemp seeds because they're delicious, and I thought it would be good to add some protein and a bit of fat to make it a more substantial meal.  I used hemp seeds only for topping the smoothie because I'm watching my fat intake after a severe gall bladder attack and two days in the hospital. You can blend in a tbsp. and top with an additional tbsp. and it's really delicious!

Honeydew Melon and Mint Smoothie

makes: approximately 32 oz.

- 1 medium honeydew melon, cut into chunks (the melon should be very ripe - should feel a bit soft on all sides)

- 10 leaves spearmint

- 1 lemon, juiced

- 1 tbsp. hemp seeds (optional)

1. Blend the melon, mint, and lemon juice for 2 minutes on High, or until very smooth.
2. Pour in a glass, top with hemp seeds if desired, and enjoy!

FACE MOISTURISER: ROSEHIP, YLANG YLANG, AND GERANIUM OIL

This is a wonderful skin balancing oil that I've used for years as my daytime moisturiser. It's splendid on my sensitive combination skin and I can definitely feel the difference when I have to use something else if I'm travelling and have forgotten to take this along.

Rose hip oil is quickly absorbed into the skin and doesn't leave any greasiness - great for sensitive skin. Ylang ylang balances oily skin, promotes smoothness, helps with blemishes,  and is a very relaxing fragrance. Geranium balances sebum production and nourishes both dry and combination skin.

I've always used the Now brand of rose hip oil, and both essential oil bottles I've had for over 3 years - essential oils last for a long time! I usually let the moisturizer sit for 1-2 days after blending, to allow the oils to assimilate. But you can certainly start using it right away.

At night I use cocoa butter on my face, and as a body moisturiser I use shea butter. If you plan to use either of these, make sure they say 100% cocoa butter and shea butter. Nothing added (except perhaps an essential oil if you like fragrant moisturisers). 

Face Moisturiser: Rosehip, Ylang Ylang, and Geranium Oil

Makes: 1 bottle

- 1 fl. oz (30 ml) Rose hip oil
- 8 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
- 4 drops Geranium essential oil

1. Take off the small plastic inner lid of the rose hip oil bottle and add the essential oils (I add them drop-by-drop directly from each essential oil bottle). Replace both the lids of the rose hip oil bottle, and shake well to combine.
2. To use: put a few drops of the oil onto your palm and gently rub it into clean facial skin.
3. Store away from direct sun.