Lavender Iced Tea & Smoothie

Lavender Lemon Iced Tea
2-4 sprigs of fresh lavender (leaves)
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup sugar (more or less, as desired)
2 tablespoon strong black tea or 4 tea bags
1 quart (1 liter) hot water
1 quart (1 liter) ice cubes

In a heat-proof container, brew tea for about 5 minutes. Next, simmer sugar, water, half of the lemon zest and half of the lavender for about 5 minutes in a small saucepan. Allow to cool slightly. Put the ice cubes in a pitcher, and add sugar mixture, tea, lemon juice, and remaining lavender leaves and lemon zest. Add additional water if needed. Put a few slices of lemon into the pitcher for some added flavor. Stir thoroughly then refrigerate until chilled. Pour and serve!
The longer the iced tea sits, the better it tastes. It can be served immediately, but the flavor will not be as strong.

Lavender-Vanilla Honey Smoothie
2 T Raw Almond Butter
2 T Raw Honey
3 Vanilla Beans (add vanilla flavor if more vanilla is desired)
1 tray of small ice cubes
1/2 cup water (more or less to desired thickness)
1 tsp Lavender

Blend until smooth. Serve in tall glass and garnish with Lavender
Variation: Almond milk can be made with soaked almonds and water in a blender. Then strain it through a nut milk bag. Omit the 1/2 cup of water in recipe above if using almond milk.