A trip to Lanzarote with Kaitlyn Reinhart

The fruit of nopal cactus, which are the most common in Lanzarote, prickly pears, are full of beta-carotene, potassium and high levels of linoleum acid which can help moisturizes and hydrate the skin. While also brightening skin tones, prickly pear juice is good medicine for the skin!

Fig trees are also abundant on the island and one of my favorite trees and plants to forage in the summer months! If you rub a fig leaf between your fingers you’ll get this amazing aroma of coconut, pea and vanilla. I am addicted to this fragrance! When I am infusing fig leaves, I want to stand in my kitchen for hours until the smell dissipates. We all know of their fruit but don’t think about the beauty and nutritional value of their leaves. Fig leaves are full of potassium and antioxidants.

Lanzarote’s other hydrating fruits are cucumber, papaya and oranges. Cucumbers contain 95% water, papaya carotenoids and lycopene help the skin glow while moisturizing and toning. Orange’s potassium and vitamin C keep the skin moisturized and enhance skin’s clarity. In the depths of the lunar landscapes of Lanzarote I felt quite small but also managed to find my place, as it is at the end of the day, nature’s creation. It made me so grateful for life and reminded me of nature’s power. The important place that water has on the island can also make us realize how important it should be in our own lives and skincare routines.

Stay hydrated!

Sincerely, 

Kaitlyn @kaitlynreinhart

1 Nopal / cactus paddle

3 springs of mint

3 springs of basil

1/2 small red onion

1/2 green pepper

1/2 hot red pepper

1 garlic clove

Juice of 1 lime

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Using a sharpe knife and wearing gloves, hold the nopal by its stem and scrape off its thorns. Rinse and pat dry. Brush olive oil onto the nopal and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill and flip once it is slightly charred. You know they are ready when they are soft and light green. For the mojo sauce, finely dice the red onion, peppers, garlic, basil and mint. Mix together with the lime juice, olive oil and salt to taste.

500ml fig leaf infused water

2 tbsp chia seeds

6 prickly pears

12 strawberries

Take the fig water from the fig leaf bites and set it aside. Soak prickly pears in cold water for 1 hour, this will make thorns tender enough that they won’t penetrate the skin. Cut the prickly pears in half and remove the inside flesh with a spoon. In a mixer, mix the flesh of the prickly pears, strawberries and fig water. (You can also do this my hand as I did in Lanzarote but you won’t get as much juice but you will get a workout!). Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds. Use a wooden spoon and stir vigorously to push the juice through the mesh. Once the seeds are removed, add the chia seeds to the juice. Take your wooden spoon and stir while adding the seeds. If you don’t stir, you will end up with big lumps of gooey seeds. Stir for a minute or so and let sit for 2 hours or overnight, to let the chia seeds soften.