Perhaps more than any other chapter, this first chapter reflects the growth in my personal wellness journey since my first cookbook. First, you will see some lower-sugar smoothies here. Do I still love fruit and believe that fruit can be a healthy part of your breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Yes, yes, yes! However, I wanted to offer y’all a few sugar-conscious smoothies, which may give you more sustained energy throughout the morning and help minimize sweet cravings in the afternoon. As a result, I recreated my famous LL’s Daily Green Smoothie with avocado instead of banana, and I truly find it equally delicious. In addition to smoothies and a smoothie bowl, you’ll also see a handful of “fatty” drinks in this chapter. Don’t run from the word fatty! The healthy fats in these beverages are wonderful for your brain, hormones, and, of course, that crucial satiation factor. My Almond Chai Latte, Creamy Cashew Iced Coffee, and Crash- Free Hot Chocolate can even serve as a meal replacement if you’re not super hungry in the morning. I hope this chapter serves as a happy welcome to the second LL Balanced Cookbook.

L L’s Daily Morning Elixir

| HANDS-ON TIME: 5 min | TOTAL TIME: 5 min to overnight | YIELD: 1 serving |

Juice from 1 lemon or lime

(2 tablespoons)

1 to 3 teaspoons raw apple

cider vinegar (start with 1 and

increase gradually)

½-inch piece ginger, peeled

and grated

4 cups filtered water

2 to 10 drops liquid stevia

Pinch sea salt (optional)

1 scoop collagen peptides

(optional)*

Combine all ingredients in a large jar or pitcher, and stir well. Serve

immediately, or refrigerate overnight, and enjoy first thing in the

morning. (I prefer to make this the night before because 1) I don’t have

to think about it in the morning, 2) I like that it’s chilled, and 3) if using

collagen peptides, I find they dissolve better with more time.)

I don’t remember exactly when I started making my Daily Morning

Elixir, but I do know that it has been an absolute game-changer for me.

Lemon juice helps move food through your digestive system quickly

and efficiently. This flushes out toxins, a process that benefits your

whole body and will show up as brighter, healthier skin. Raw apple cider

vinegar is rich in gut-friendly probiotics and enzymes, and it helps kill

bad bacteria. It has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and

reduce blood sugar levels. I only recently began adding ginger to my

elixir, but it is incredibly anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative, and it

can soothe an upset stomach. In addition to all of these health benefits, I

personally love the combination of flavors, particularly with a few drops

of liquid stevia added. I feel incredible after drinking my Daily Elixer, and

I look forward to it each morning.

* Consuming high-quality collagen peptides made from the collagen of 100 percent pasture-raised, grass-

fed cows can noticeably combat the signs of aging, as well as improve joint health. For more information

on the health benefits of collagen peptides, see K. L. Clark et al., “24-Week Study on the Use of Collagen

Hydrolysate as a Dietary Supplement in Athletes with Activity-Related Joint Pain,” Current Medical Research

and Opinion 24, no. 5 (May 2008): 1485-96, abstract, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885; and E. Proksch et al., “Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen Peptides Has Beneficial Effects on Human Skin Physiology: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study,” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 27, no. 1 (2014): 47-55, abstract, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208.

NOTES

If you have any leftover fresh

herbs like mint, basil, or

even cilantro, throw them into

your water as well,

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