Nourish the Budding Lotus

Peach Rooibos Sun Tea

Yesterday I was talking on the phone with a friend and went into the bathroom to get something out of the medicine cabinet.  Just as I looked in the mirror he made me laugh and I was astonished!  I couldn’t believe my crows feet!  I had never seen them before.  I have noticed that I have a few minor wrinkles, but crows feet?  I was happy to be in total denial but now I know… I am aging.

I had a pretty funny conversation with my sister the other day, who is 18 months my elder.  I told her that I had been on my morning walk and had realized that I truly didn’t know how old I was.  I knew that 30 and 31 had arrived, but was in total disbelief that I could actually be 32.  So I knew I could check in with her to gauge my age.  She laughed and confirmed that I was indeed 32.  I am still in shock.  It is usually not until I progress to the next year of my life that I aknowledge the previous age though…then promptly forget my current age.

Maybe this keeps me youthful?  Now that I have wrinkles though, I might not be able to ignore it any more.  Can I blame it on my environment?  For the past 6 years I have lived in predominantly sunny locations, and for the past year I have been living in the high dessert.  Between the dry climate and the sun I need to start taking better care I guess.

So, step #1: hydrate myself.  I made a huge jar of sun tea yesterday and have proceeded to drink the entire container.  I chose to make a Peach Rooibos Tea from ArtfulTea.com.  It is a delicious combination of rooibos tea, with dried peaches, and flower blossoms.  It makes a perfect sun tea…and…it is great for the skin.

Step #2: consume something that will nurture my skin from the inside out.  Rooibos is known to be a great source of vitamin c, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acid and zinc.  It is great to drink, and come to find out, you can also create your own topical skin treatments.  I am definitely going to experiment with this idea.  Toner, moisturizer, face masks, bath treatments… yeah!

Sun tea is super easy to make, and now that spring is on its way (in the Northern Hemisphere) it is just the time to start making it.  Seek out a large jar, and start brewing.  And if you are looking for some delicious and unique teas I definitely recommend ArtfulTea.com.

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Peach Rooibos Sun Tea

1 gallon glass sun tea jar
1 gallon of water
8 heaping tablespoons of peach rooibos tea leaves
fine mesh strainer
sunshine
patience

Pour water and tea into the gallon glass jar and place in a sunny spot outside.  Let the tea sit for 3-5 hours, or more.

I usually let my tea sit most of the day.  It will continue to “brew” if it is not in direct sunlight.

Once the brewing period has passed, strain the liquid into a pitcher removing the tea leaves from the mixture.

Drink immediately, or refrigerate and enjoy later.

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