Morning rituals with Moringa

I love living in Los Angeles because no one gives me a second look when I want to order something that may be a little off the wall in other places like a oat milk chia seed pudding with a sprinkle of goji berries or bringing my own chlorophyll water. On an average day I’m always on the go so if I don’t know if I can make a pit stop, I at least know I’ve gotten in some kind of superfood in the morning thanks to the cabinet of superfood powers I have. Drinking concoctions made from superfood powders have actually been the easiest way for me to take advantage of their dense nutrition.

Moringa is a plant native to India which has been shown to be beneficial for the skin (like in this study). It’s oil pressed from the seeds have been shown to reduces fine lines and wrinkles (thanks to Vitamin C), build collagen (thanks to Vitamin A), and soothe inflammation (thanks to vitamin E).

Moringa has been used as food in poorer countries where malnutrition is prevalent as most of the tree is considered to be nutritious. In India, it is used in ayurvedic medicine, as well as served in many different dishes. Here in Los Angeles, I usually consume it in powdered form as I’ve never seen it available to buy fresh. Moringa powder is a true superfood that contains huge amounts of antioxidants, phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. It’s particularly high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and protein. The taste can be pretty strong like many of the ayurvedic herbs I take so I try to take them blended with some kind of smoothie or latte.

My favorite way to use Moringa in powder form is by combining it with Matcha for a plant-based latte. Here’s how:

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened cashew milk (a little creamer plant-based milk choice)

1 tsp Moringa Leaf Powder

1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder

1 serving Collagen Powder

1 tsp Coconut Butter or MCT Oil

Optional: Monkfruit Sweetener (to taste)

Directions

Now the probiotic in the photo is a little misleading because i don’t actually combine this drink with it. At first I was, but my nutritionist let me know probiotics are better taken on an empty stomach so I usually drink this first thing in the morning with a glass of water and then continue making my drink once the kids are all dressed for school.

If your mornings aren’t as chaotic as mine, the suggestion the nutritionist made was to wait 30 minutes before consuming anything hot so it doesn’t interfere with the absorption of the probiotics. Once you are ready to make your Moringa Matcha Latte, combine your choice of milk heated with the coconut butter to melt it. Next mix in moringa, matcha, and collagen with your matcha whisk or electric tea frother like this to blend it all together. If you choose to sweeten it, add in the monkfruit or your choice of sweetener and this also becomes your “bullet proof coffee” replacement if you are doing intermittent fasting or keto. Pour into a mug and enjoy while hot (which I know can be a luxury if you are a mama with young kids)!

Now while in India, Moringa grows almost like a weed. I’d kill to have weeds like those here! My mom lives in India and her favorite way to get a bit of Moringa daily is by JUICING! So this Moringa Green Juice before a Ginger Coffee was part of my morning ritual while there. If I could get it fresh easily in Los Angeles, this would definitely replace Celery Juice as the Ultimate Green Juice! .

Ingredients

Fresh Moringa Leaves (not the stems)

Blended W/Water or Coconut Water

1 Lime

Directions

Take the leaves from the stalk and add to your blender. Add water or coconut water depending on if you wanted it sweeter or not. I preferred to just use water and then make it like a superfood limeinade which was really cool and refreshing with the intense heat in India. My mother prefered coconut water and then using honey as a sweetner.

If you make either of these, DM me on Instagram @JasminePennamma!