Chai five! (sorry, bad dad joke)

This morning was an absolute doozy… but my go-to latte somehow made it all better [RECIPE INSIDE] This morning, I hit snooze on my alarm 5 times. Then, I got stuck in traffic and hit every red light imaginable. And when I got to work, I realized I left my phone at home. It was “one of those” mornings, {NAME}. But you know what made it all feel a little less “UUUGGGHHH?” When Kendhal came to drop off my phone… she brought something else: A delicious dirty chai latte — my absolute favorite!! Fun fact: I lived off these bad boys during my residency. They’re just the right amount of sweet… a little spicy… and the coffee gives you that little boost to really get the day going. Of course, the ones I bought back then were from a local coffee chain… Made with a sugary, pre-mixed sweet chai blend… And weren't always the best choice for me or my skin. So Kendhal, being the incredible woman she is, started making a homemade version early on in our relationship… And not only is it far healthier… it’s filled with skin-loving nutrients. Plus, it’s made with her special secret chai spice blend — so it’s naturally filled with love. However, her recipe isn’t going to stay a secret for much longer… Because she gave me the green light to share it with YOU. So if you’re looking for a comforting way to start the day (while giving your energy and complexion a lively boost)... Here’s what you’ll need for the tastiest dirty chai latte ever:  1 black tea bag 1 cup milk of choice (I love coconut milk for this) ½ Tbsp maple syrup, honey, or agave ¼ tsp vanilla extract 4 ounces of espresso OR strong black coffee Here’s Kendhal’s secret spice blend: ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp cardamom ⅛ tsp nutmeg Lastly, here’s how to construct your perfect dirty chai latte: - Start by making your espresso or coffee, and set aside. - Heat your milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, and add in your chai spice blend, sweetener of choice, vanilla, and black tea bag. - Let this mix simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat. - Turn off the heat, add in your coffee, top with a little dash of your spice blend, and pour into your favorite mug! (Mine happens to have a picture of my 3 kiddos printed on it :) Ok, so now you know my coffee order… But how exactly can this dirty chai help kick up your skin’s youthful radiance? Well, all those skin-loving benefits lie in Kendhal’s spice mix: Cinnamon is loaded with cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde — two powerful polyphenols shown to help fend off against sag-inducing environmental toxins and pollutants. 1 (Tip: Opt for ceylon cinnamon rather than standard cassia, as it contains FAR more polyphenols per serving.) Ginger contains magnesium, chromium, and zinc — minerals that help blood flow closer to the surface of our skin. Not only does better circulation mean improved collagen production — it also gives skin luminous, rosy flush. 2 (Tip: If you want to use fresh ground ginger for this, keep it in the freezer. This makes grating it less of a pain.) Plus… Cardamom has natural purifying properties that can give your complexion a clearer, more youthful appearance… And nutmeg is actually a natural hydrator, meaning it can give skin a tighter, more even-toned look. Not to mention… By combining coffee WITH black tea, you’re getting a 1-2 punch of flavonoids … Compounds that are scientifically shown to help minimize the visible aging effects of UV rays on skin.3 Suffice to say — this homemade dirty chai runs laps around the ones you’ll find at your local coffee shop. So cozy up with a cup of this dirty chai this weekend — and be sure to write back with your review. Kendhal will be awaiting your reply! :) Your Beverly Hills MD, Dr. John Layke P.S. I won’t lie… When I found out the dirty chai I’d been drinking all those years had nearly 40 grams of sugar… I was pretty flabbergasted. Don’t get me wrong — once in a while is no big deal (we all gotta enjoy our guilty pleasures sometimes!)... But you know as well as I do: Sugar is NOT your skin’s friend. It accelerates sagging… is a major cause of wrinkles… and unfortunately, it can age your entire appearance pretty quickly. So I HIGHLY recommend using either maple syrup, honey, or agave for this recipe — and any other one, for that matter. These contain waaay less sugar per serving… and won’t “spike” your glucose levels the way traditional sugar will. It’s a simple swap — but it’ll make a MAJOR difference in the overall tone, texture, and health of your skin. Sources: 1. Rao PV, Gan SH. Cinnamon: A multifaceted medicinal plant. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:1-12. doi:10.1155/2014/642942 2. Mao Q-Q, Xu X-Y, Cao S-Y, et al. Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe). Foods. 2019;8(6):185. doi:10.3390/foods8060185 3. Woodward KA, Hopkins ND, Draijer R, de Graaf Y, Low DA, Thijssen DHJ. Acute black tea consumption improves cutaneous vascular function in healthy middle-aged humans. Clinical Nutrition. 2018;37(1):242-249. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.013 //links.beverlyhills-md.com/a/141/click/9836088/742234759/_f6aefd14dbab967270a4db976d0f2967892d5235/fe36f167625301246ebf9dbc6d625c3a8c062a1f     This email was sent to {EMAIL} by jlayke@beverlyhills-md.com [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [VIP Discounts]( | [Join Text Club]( | [Subscribe](  Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group 436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 214 Beverly Hills, CA 90210   [Report Spam](  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Â