hello, crunchies!

long time no see. or no talk… or type… you know what i mean.

if you’re wondering why i dipped again — i moved to mexico city! yes! and coolest of all, i’ll be here for two years with my company. if you have any tips about the city or surrounding areas, like where to source ingredients or where the best vegan-friendly food spots are, let a girl know!

also – should i start vlogging? i’m not sure if that would interest this little community more than just blog posts. please chime in with your thoughts! either way, i hope to post way more regularly as my life settles back down and i get into my new routine. anywho, now to our regularly scheduled post… magical moringa.

sourcing ingredients here in mexico city has been a bit more difficult than in the U.S., where everything seems readily available, comparatively. my other half has been on a moringa binge, using it for everything from a supplement to skin food.

you can imagine my excitement when i found moringa de polvo (powder) on the shelves at our local health food store. (they also had delicious vegan cheeses in lots of flavors, so i’ll let you bet on which i was most excited about.)

what is moringa?

taken from MindBodyGreen

 

moringa, or moringa oleifera, is a really cool health plant boasting many benefits and uses, that’s native to North India.

its leaves, where the highest concentration of vitamins and minerals are contained, are said to be great for nutrition, immunity boosting, energy boosting, and its curative properties. most notably, it’s a really great source of vitamin c, vitamin b6, iron, protein, vitamin e, and magnesium. it’s also a potent source of antioxidants and is great for anti-inflammation.  we’re talking matcha-rivaling levels, people… plus extra skin-loving vitamins.

how can you use it?

you can take the leaves as a supplement, tea, or apply externally for various ailments or skin boosts. please consult your healthcare professional before supplementing and/or consuming.

no matter how you use it, please source organic leaves only, as moringa is often sourced from developing countries with poorer water quality and where quality control is typically not as stringent.

my favorite use:

about 15 to 20 minutes before my shower, i let a spoonful of moringa sit and soak up 2 to 3 spoonfuls of water. using a shot glass has been the perfect small container for this. side note – you can use hydrosols in place of water. hello again, rose water! i’ve been using bottled water down here due to poor water quality.

while in the steamy shower, i gently rub the moringa all over my face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. i massage any leftovers i have into my scalp. after letting your skin soak up the goodness, wash off to reveal super soft and glowing skin. we’re talking baby butt soft. and not to mention – it won’t strip your face of natural oils or leave it super seco (dry). it does smell like mushy spinach though, so prepare yourself.

*give your face a gentle wipe with a dark towel or washcloth as you dry off, to ensure the green tint doesn’t stain your sheets or clothes later on.

have you ever tried moringa in any form? please share your stories and tips with our crunchy community below.