Winter evenings are the prime time to warm up by wrapping your hands around a toasty cuppa, but tea or coffee can leave you less-than-primed for a good night of rest. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for delicious caffeine-free hot beverages that will warm us up without waking us up; here are five of our favorites.

1. Rooibos Cinnamon Latte

Numi Organic Tea produces tons of teas to enjoy; we love their attention to quality with their organic and fair trade-certified blends. The company’s Rooibos Chai Tea is the base for this latte, made with a simple combo of your choice of steamed milk sweetened with honey and a touch of extra cinnamon for spice. Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free plant with a tea-like flavor that stands up perfectly to the warm flavors of the chai spice blend.

Image: Turmeric drink, latte, tea, milk with cinnamon

2. Turmeric Latte

The health benefits of turmeric have been touted far and wide, so it’s no surprise that golden milk and turmeric lattes have become so popular of late. This recipe uses fresh turmeric and ginger for even more flavor and improved health benefits. Sweetened with honey and vanilla, this latte also features a secret ingredient: your favorite nut butter, which will lend body (and a bit of protein) to the drink.

3. EPIC Bone Broth Latte

Bone broth has become one of our favorite superfoods, and while we love to drink it plain, it gets a delicious makeover in this bone broth latte. The healthy fat of coconut oil is combined with the natural collagen and gelatin in EPIC’s bone broth for a richly flavored savory hot beverage you’ll love to sip.

Image: Hot chocolate

4. ALOHA Protein Superfood Hot Chocolate

Chocolate does have a touch of caffeine, but if you’re not overly sensitive to it, this superfood hot chocolate can be a great option for a nearly caffeine-free hot beverage.

ALOHA Chocolate Superfood Greens powder takes the place of the traditional cocoa powder in this drink. Made with fair-trade cacao, coconut sugar, peas, spinach, wheatgrass, and antioxidant-rich berries, the powder is just as delicious as it is good for you. ALOHA Chocolate Protein Powder adds several certified organic sources of plant-based protein to your cocoa. Top with some homemade marshmallows and serve!

5. Medicinal Mushroom Latte

Mushrooms have made a big splash in coffee, with several companies selling adaptogen-enriched blends. But these coffees do have caffeine in them (even if it’s a bit less than coffee), so while they’re delicious, they’re not the best choice for the evening.

For a caffeine-free version of this new trendy drink, this medicinal mushroom latte really hits the spot. Use your favorite medicinal mushroom blend (we love this organic one from Naturealm featuring adaptogenic mushrooms like cordyceps and reishi). Combine the blend with cashew milk, maca, a touch of sweetener, and a bit of coconut oil to give the drink body. Enjoy sprinkled with cinnamon for a good-for-you pick-me-up!

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Any time an ingredient is said to make skin look younger, it’s going to get attention. Such is the case with collagen supplements.

Spiking your fresh juice or smoothie with collagen powder or drinking a cup of bone broth are the latest list-toppers on keeping skin healthy and youthful. But do they really work?

The reported benefits of consuming collagen seem too good to pass up. Before you go spending a decent chunk of your hard-earned cash on a jar of the stuff, let’s take a look at how collagen works in the body and if collagen supplements provide those same benefits.

What is Collagen, Anyway?

Collagen is the primary structural protein in our bodies, found in skin, bones, and connective tissue. Its job is to hold the body together, providing strength and structure. Around the age of 40, the body begins to produce less collagen, and existing collagen breaks down due to things like sun damage and natural aging. This collagen loss and breakdown causes sagging and wrinkling of the skin.

Collagen can be injected into areas of the face to give a fuller, smoother look. If going under the needle in the name of wrinkle reduction sounds extreme, there are easier ways to get ahold of collagen.

To get collagen back into your body, it comes from animal sources. It’s essentially Jell-O (gelatin) without all the neon colors and flavors. It’s typically sourced from animal bones, hooves, and other meat industry byproducts. So, vegans, this is not for you. Fortunately, for vegans, certain natural ingredients in skincare support collagen, like rosehip oil and avocado oils. Also, making sure you eat enough vitamin C daily also helps support your body’s natural collagen production.

Drinkable Sources of Collagen

Drinking collagen is a big deal right now. Certain experts feel that collagen supplementation can give back some of what’s lost and make skin look younger. And science may back this up. A 2014 study on a hydrolyzed collagen peptide (Verisol) showed a 20% reduction in eye wrinkles and a 65% increase in collagen production.

Pretty impressive. But you are probably more interested in those readily available collagen supplement powders easily found in online wellness shops and your local health food store. These supplements are easy to use. Simply add to your daily smoothie, coffee, or tea.

I tried a collagen peptide powder from Whole Foods called Vital Proteins. First off, this stuff isn’t cheap. A large jar (and large seemed to be the only size available) is right around $40. As advertised, the powder has absolutely zero taste and no grit. I whipped up a latte with espresso, ghee, milk, and the collagen.

There is another popular way to drink collagen. Bone broth. Yep, just like it sounds. Broth made from bones. People use beef, chicken, and even fish bones to create this stuff. Fish and oysters are two foods that support collagen production. Keep that in mind for your next visit to the shore.

I bought a pre-made organic bone broth to diminish the ick factor a bit. Is it just me, or is there something super gross about boiling bones? In my experience, drinking the broth wasn’t much better than the thought of making it. If you go the bone broth route, my advice is to chug it down while it’s hot because it doesn’t get better as it cools. Or use it in your cooking and avoid the whole cup o’ broth scene entirely.

Do Collagen Supplements Actually Work?

Ok, now for the results. I will admit, I didn’t see the skin firming action I’d hoped for. Maybe I need to use the supplement longer to reduce wrinkles and give skin back some springiness, but for now I have noticed that my skin feels a bit less dry. Not a bad thing and maybe the first step to a collagen-boosted face.

If you feel like taking the collagen plunge, there is little risk in giving it a try. Although, people with sensitive digestive systems may experience discomfort. It’s always best to discuss with your primary care physician before adding any dietary supplements to your regimen.

3 Collagen Boosting Beauty Products

1. The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost

A beauty-full ingredient rich supplement with probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamin-rich fruits. Add to any drink you prefer.

2. Moon Juice Beauty Dust

Not an actual collagen supplement, but the powerful ingredients in this powder help to support collagen production. I do see visible results on my skin with Beauty Dust, and they are almost instant. Love it!

3. Linne Botanicals Repair Face Oil

A powerful rosehip oil blend high in antioxidants to moisturize and protect the skin, and boost collagen production. Rosehip oil is also great for reducing the appearance of dark spots and evening out skin tone. This beauty includes sea buckthorn oil for a happy glow.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Once a prehistoric mainstay, bone broth is now making way into the modern diet.

The elixir is taking its place among the green juice-loving crowd as the latest health trend with incredible health benefits. Learn why this potent drink made from animal bones may be the fountain of youth, vitality and longevity.

Bone broth is homemade stock made from animal bones. The key is to simmer the bones in water for at least 12 hours – the longer it simmers, the more nutritious the broth becomes. Unlike regular stock, which simmers for a few hours, bone broth can simmer for days. As it simmers, the hot water breaks down bones and connective tissues, such as proteins, minerals and fats, creating an elixir that is incredibly healing to the body.

Bone broth is rich in easily-absorbable minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur, among others. It is known to improve connective tissue, strengthen the hair, accelerate hair and nail growth, improve digestion and remineralize teeth. It contains good amount of the amino acids proline, glycine, arginine and glutamine. Proline is necessary for DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in the body. Glycine moderates the synthesis of bile salts and the secretion of gastric acid, which means it is effective in improving digestion. Glycine also regulates blood sugar levels, enhances muscle repair and growth and improves the function of the nervous system. Arginine boosts immunity, heals wounds, produces and releases growth hormones, regenerates damaged liver cells and helps to produce sperm. Glutamine protects the gut lining, serves as metabolic fuel for cells in the small intestine, improves the metabolism and builds muscles.

Another healing compound found in bone broth is collagen. Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues, such as bone, marrow, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. When collagen is broken down in broth, it produces gelatin. Gelatin is commonly used as a medical treatment in many cultures. It has been shown to ease food allergies, protect and sooth the lining of the digestive tract, improve the body’s health bacteria balance, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, banish cellulite and reduce joint pain.

To benefit from bone broth, regularly make your own. Try out this classic bone broth recipe or, for the vegan out there, try out this plant-based version.

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Bone Broth image via Shutterstock

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