We've been blue in the best sort of ways this week, from an (excessive) dissertation post on the history, chemistry, and metaphysics of lapis lazuli, to an introduction to our favorite blue botanical butterfly pea flower, and the awesome phytochemical that gives us a range of blue-hued flowers, fruits, and vegetables, anthocyanin. We thought we would bring it all together for a fun and simple blue-tiful face mask and a tasty blue chai, to show you that being blue can be super fun!
When we're feeling down, the first thing to go out the window tends to be self-care. The irony is that self-care has been shown, again and again, to be one of the best ways to start coaxing yourself out of a funk. Taking time for yourself can feel difficult in our high-stress, fast-paced world. Still, even 15 minutes of Me Time a day can help boost the mood, dial down the stress, and give much-needed space to reflect on how the day has been, or to face down difficult situations or emotions that have been gnawing at you. Taking some time doesn't make you selfish or lazy. Quite the opposite- it makes you stronger, both for yourself and others!
We use this face mask a lot. It's fantastic for soothing sun-crisped skin, and is a beautiful go-to face mask for any time you've spent a healthy amount of time outdoors, no matter what the season or weather! Blue Chai is a fun spin on a traditional drink, and the butterfly pea flower's mild flavor lets the spices shine through! Paired together they make a wonderful ritual to help calm the body and mind at the end of a long day enjoying the sunshine.
THE FACE MASK
If your skin is super dry, or super sunburned, swap out the clays for an equal amount of flax seed powder, or finely ground oatmeal: both will offer more intense soothing and deep hydration!
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder (you can grind them in a spice grinder!)
1 tablespoon of bentonite clay
1/2 teaspoon blue spirulina
1 teaspoon raw honey
2 teaspoons of helichrysum hydrosol, chamomile hydrosol, OR calendula hydrosol
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix together the butterfly pea flower powder, bentonite clay, and blue spirulina powder.
Add in the raw honey and hydrosol of your choice, and stir until a creamy paste forms. Add more hydrosol if the mask seems too stiff.
Apply the mask to a freshly cleaned face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse off the mask with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.
ALCHEMIST'S NOTE: When doing a clay mask, a good rule of thumb is to follow up with a deep conditioning face cream- clays draw out A LOT of oil from your skin, and for normal-dry skin types a clay mask can strip your skin completely!
THE BLUE CHAI
This is just one great way to enjoy butterfly pea flowers! Because of its gentle flavor, reminiscent of sugar snap peas, it can be slid into any drink for an added pop of color and nutrients!
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flower petals
5-6 green cardamom pods, crushed in a mortar and pestal
1 inch stick of cinnamon
1-2 tsp. rose water
1 cups water
1 cup of milk (can be substituted for a non-dairy alternative, we're a huge fan of pistachio milk when Mack has the time to make it!)
2 tablespoons of honey (or to taste)
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
Add the dried butterfly pea flower petals, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods and simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don't be scared if your tea currently looks like fountain pen ink!
Add the rose water and stir briefly to combine. Pop a lid on the pot and turn off the heat. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Add the milk and honey and stir to combine. Strain the mixture into a mug.
Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
Enjoy your butterfly pea flower chai tea!
ALCHEMIST'S NOTE: Mack */loves/* cardamom, but if it's not you prefer a less stringent flavor, you can use just 2-3 pods, and still have a delightful beverage!
A face mask and calming drink are a great way to end the day when you get home, or as part of a before-bed routine. You can mix up the chai after you've applied the face mask, and enjoy this antioxidant-rich brew with a mindful activity while you let the mask dry. We are huge fans of building a ritual with journaling or doing a tea meditation- anything that gets you off your phone, tablet, and computer, and helps you get back in touch with yourself, and the world around you. Just remember to wash off the mask before you go to bed- you don't want to dye your pillow blue!
Do you have a favorite way to bring some healthy blue into your life? Let us know in the comments!