Vegans and Coffee

Hi there Lovelys-
     Coffee and caffeine in general is something that is still a subject of debate in the vegan community, mostly the High Carb/Raw Vegan community.  Coffee is natural.  Coffee Beans can be bought organic, you can order vegan, non-dairy versions of your favourite lattes and cappuccinos.  It comes from the Earth, and as vegans, anything that comes from the Earth naturally is meant for our bodies. Right?  This doesn't apply to coffee for many vegans, so you are a vegan or a vegan who is trying to follow a more raw lifestyle, then you may not be able to enjoy your favourite morning pick-me-up anymore.
     Here's why: it is a stimulant.  On top of that it needs to raised to a temperature no longer considered to be in its raw form to please the raw vegan crowd.  Besides coffee, other stimulants that raw vegans leave out are caffeinated tea varieties, cold or hot, and vegan varieties of chocolate.  Stimulants are seen as unnatural in what they do and it is true that they can mess with the body's natural ability to energise itself through whole foods and proper hydration.  If you consume coffee frequently, it might help to cut down as a diet rich in fruits and veggies can definitely enable your body to reset itself and start producing it's own natural fast metabolism and energy.
     I'm not going to lie though, if I wake up after a rough night and even after enough water and a huge plate of dates and bananas, and I'm STILL dragging like a zombie, I'll brew up a cup of organic coffee and not feel bad about it.  I enjoy a cup of green tea on a snowy day, or a cup of honey and jasmine tea when the rain falls heavy.  Even I find that Raw Vegan diets can be a little restrictive in some regard.  There is nothing wrong with an occasional cup of coffee, or a cup of tea when you're cold or need to relax.  If you have the ingredients and the time, there's nothing wrong having a piece of home made, raw, organic dark chocolate.  It is not going to reset your progress and make you wake up the next morning feeling like you are starting your journey all over again.  Stop beating yourself up and be thankful for the discipline that got you this far and keep going.
     However, if you or someone you know is still a hardcore Raw vegan/Vegan set in their ways, then don't make them feel bad for it or accuse them being up-tight.  It is their decision and if it seems to be working for them, let them be.  On that note, if you or your strict vegan mates still wants to incorporate caffeine in a healthy and non-over-stimulating way, use this amazing face/body scrub recipe that I just started experimenting with this week.

Luxurious Coffee Scrub
-Finely ground coffee beans (enough for two cups of coffee)
-Juice from a whole lemon
-4 Tbsp. of raw honey
-Finely crushed mint leaves, use a mortar or food processor. (optional, but leaves a refreshing tingle)

After-Scrub Moisturiser
-1 Part coconut oil
-2 Parts Lemon Grass oil
(depending on the size of container you are using)

     It's so simple and easy; just combine all the ingredients in a bowl until the coffee grounds are soaked. Find a bathtub, get in your birthday suit and apply the scrub to your face, neck, chest, arms and legs.  Pay special attention to elbows, knees, heels and your hands (top and palms).  Rub GENTLY in a circular motion on delicate areas like the chest (especially if you're a woman), lady/man parts (don't get it inside areas where it shouldn't!) and around the eyes (don't get on your eye lids either).  Scrub with your hands for about 2 minutes and leave on for another minute.  Rinse with warm (not hot) water.  Shower as usual and then rinse again with cold water (if you can manage it).  Step out feeling like a baby and moisturise as usual (or use the additional recipe I provided above).  I promise you will see and feel a difference immediately.  Say hello to bright, soft and renewed skin.  Repeat twice a week or more if you have severely dry or sun damaged skin.
     The coffee not only works as a stimulant when taken internally, but it stimulates the skin as well.  It "wakes it up", so it's a good addition to your morning routine when the coming winter might leave your skin a little lack luster, even if you moisturised the night before.  Lemon juice has long been known as a reliable natural skin brightener.  That's exactly why this is a key ingredient for this scrub.   If you haven't heard till now, honey helps with acne!  Why wouldn't you want this natural gold on your skin? Look it up online and you will see the proof...or just check the mirror after a couple weeks on this regimen ;)  And as I wrote, the mint leaves are optional.  It doesn't affect the effectiveness of the mask, but if you want a light lasting tingle on your skin it works beautifully.

PS.
A lot of vegans do not use Honey.  If you are one of them, then you can use agave nectar.  I for one, cannot afford agave nectar, so until I can,  I guess I'm a Beegan for now :P.

     Hope you all enjoy this recipe and leave comments below to tell me how it worked out, or share you own natural skin recipes. ;).

Cheers <3