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Top 3 Caffeine-Free Coffee Alternatives

4/22/2020

9 Comments

 

My Top 3 Caffeine- Free Coffee Alternatives 

I love coffee, but unfortunately coffee doesn't love me. A few years ago I realized that my daily cup of coffee was hurting my stomach, making me break out and causing me to feel really anxious. I slowly transitioned it out of my life and my skin and mental health thank me for it.

I switched my coffee for tea, but still really I missed the taste. I searched far and wide for the best caffeine-free alternatives to replace my daily mug of joe. 
You can enjoy these in the morning, afternoon and evening. No need to kick your coffee habit to sip some new delicious herbal beverages. 

Enjoy my top caffeine-free coffee alternatives and let me know which one is your favorite!

Rasa Adaptogenic Coffee Alternative 
​
I love the sustainable energy that this beverage gives me. Filled with adaptogenic herbs that help your body deal with stress, this makes the perfect way to start the day.

I add 1 tbsp to my french press and steep it for at least 15 minutes. 



This is the only coffee alternative that actually gives me energy rather than just enjoying it for the flavor.

Flavor: earthy and slightly roasted. I think it states more like a strong roasted tea (which it is) over having a coffee flavor. 
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Café Capomo

Capomo Maya Nut "Coffee" has the closest taste to coffee that I have every found.

If you are looking a zero caffeine sip that tastes like coffee this is your best bet.

Made from roasted maya nuts or breadfruit this beverage is rich in antioxidants and has a delicious roasted taste!


I add 1 tbsp to my french press and steep it for at least 15 minutes.  You can also simmer it for 10-40 minutes and then strain out the grounds.

I love adding coconut milk to this to make a maya nut latt​é.

Flavor: roasted, very similar to coffee.

Dandy Blend

Dandy Blend is a delicious instant herbal coffee alternative made from dandelion root and chicory root. 

It has a naturally sweetness from the beet powder that is in the herbal blend.

It is super easy to make, just mix with hot water and stir. Start with 2 tsp in 8oz hot water and adjust depending how dark you like your "coffee". I really like adding coconut milk to my cup of Dandy Blend for a creamy treat.

Dandy Blend also makes a delicious iced beverage! Just add the powder to jar with ice, coconut milk, cinnamon and a squirt of date syrup. Yum!

Dandelion root has many healthful qualities including supporting liver function.

I also like to add Dandy Blend into my banana ice cream to make it "coffee flavor"

Flavor: roasted, creamy and sweet.
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Let me know which one you like best!
9 Comments

DIY Herbal Spritzers

4/22/2020

4 Comments

 
As the weather warms up enjoy a refreshing drink that gives your body a nutrient boost. I enjoy these Herbal Spritzers  in the morning, afternoon and night. They make a great celebratory drink if you’re cutting down on the booze too. 
Step 1:
Make REALLY strong tea. Infuse herbs like they are on their way to become syrup. I have had success slow cooking my herbs for 4 hours or you can simmer them on the stove for 1-2 hours. Simmering the herbs on the stove will make a more concentrated brew because some of the water will evaporate.

My general ratio is 1 cup of dried herbs with 4 cups of water.

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What herbs do I use?
I have really enjoyed making an elderberry-immune concoction using elderberries, schisandra berries, reishi mushroom, marshmallow root, licorice, fresh ginger, and cinnamon. But the world is your oyster!

Check out my elderberry syrup and adaptogenic root beer recipes for some inspiration. 


The best herbs to slow cook and simmer are roots and barks and berries. If you are using all flowers and leaves, I would cut the brewing time in half.
Step 2: 
Let your herbal mixture cool to room temperature. Strain the liquid into a jar using a mesh strainer. If you used berries, make sure to use the back of the spoon to squish all the juice out. Compost the used herbs.

Add 1/4- 1/3 cup honey and shake jar vigorously to dissolve. I use much less than I would if I was making a syrup. Note that this will make your ice cubes a little sticky. You can choose to not use honey if you want an unsweetened version or try another form of sweetener.

I also add a splash of apple cider vinegar for preservation.
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Step 3:
Pour your herbal infusion into an ice cube tray. Once completely frozen transfer to another airtight container for storage. I usually do a few rounds of this since I only have one ice cube tray.

​I found the best results with a silicone mold where I can push the herbal cubes out.
Step 4:
Serve! Mix one herbal ice cube with 6 oz of carbonated water for a simple herbal spritzer. 

Some of my other favorite additions are:
-lemon juice
-lime juice
-cranberry juice
-beet juice
-pomegranate juice
-coconut water

I just use a splash of these to not dilute my carbonated water too much.


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BONUS: I also freeze my favorite juices (100% organic unsweetened cranberry and pomegranate)  into ice cubes and use them in spritzer beverages as well.

Some of my favorite places to purchase bulk herbs are Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals. and Lhasa Karnak
4 Comments

Adaptogenic Root Beer

3/20/2020

4 Comments

 
This recipe is dedicated to my inner child who used to guzzle root beer when ever I saw a soda dispenser. Many years and a nutrition degree later, I still love root beer, but am pretty far away from reaching for soda. So I decided to make my own herbal adaptogenic root beer. Cheers to all the root beer and herbal medicine fans out there, this one is for you. 
Ingredients:
4 cups water
⅓ cup sassafras bark
¼ cup sarsparilla root
¼ cup eleuthero root
2.5 tbsp wintergreen leaves
2 star annaise 
2 tbsp burdock root
1.5 tbsp ginger root
¼ vanilla bean (cut in half with seeds scraped out)
1.5 tablespoon lemon zest
3/4 cup honey
herbs for adaptogenic root beer
Note: With the stove top method, the root beer concentrate cooks down to about 1 cup. While the instant pot method, the root beer concentrate remains at 4 cups. 

I have found success with both methods, the more concentrated  the mixture, the less you need.

​Adjust the honey as needed for your preferred sweetness.

Sometimes I add a splash of brandy to help with the preservation of the mixture. 
Herbal adaptogenic root beer
Instructions:* (see note)
​Stove Top Method:

Combine all herbs and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about two hours.

Instant Pot Method:
Combine all herbs and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY.
 Cover and lock. Set to Manual High Pressure for 30 minutes. Allow to depressurize naturally.

Using a mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a glass jar. Compost the herbs.

Allow liquid to cool to room temp, then add honey, close the lid to the jar and shake vigorously until it is completely dissolved. You can use a blender if you'd like. 

​Store in the fridge.

Add 2 tbsp to 8oz of bubbly water and enjoy!
4 Comments

DIY Elderberry Syrup

3/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Make your own homemade immune-boosting elder berry syrup!

It SO MUCH cheaper to make yourself v.s purchasing it at the store and is a tasty way to defend against the cold and flu for kids and adults.

Elderberry syrup is packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins A and C. This botanical remedy has historically been used to prevent or shorten symptoms of the common cold and flu. 
Ingredients:
-3/4 cup - 1 1/2 cups* organic dried elderberries
-1 cinnamon stick
-2 inches fresh ginger, sliced. 
-1 tablespoon
schisandra berries 
-1/4 cup organic dried orange peel
-2-3 slices of dried reishi mushroom
-2 star anise pods
-4 cups water
-1 cup raw, local honey​


*The more elderberries, the thicker and stronger the syrup will be.
Elderberry, ginger, orange and cinnamon in an instant pot
Instructions:
Stovetop:

Combine elderberries, cinnamon stick, ginger, orange peel,  schisandra berries, reishi, anise pods and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about an hour.

Instant Pot:
Combine elderberries, cinnamon stick, ginger, orange peel,  schisandra berries, reishi, anise pods and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Cover and lock. Set to Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes. Allow to depressurize naturally.

Using a mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a glass jar. Use the back of a spoon to mash the berries and extract even more liquid. Compost the berries.

Allow liquid to cool to room temp, then add honey, close the lid to the jar and shake vigorously until it is completely dissolved. You can use a blender if you'd like. 

​Store in the fridge.
elderberry syrup in a jar among plants
Dosing:
Prevention and immune health

Adults: 1 Tablespoon 1x day
Kids 2-7: 1/4 Tablespoon 1x day
Kids 8-12: 1/2 Tablespoon 1x day


If you are sick:
​
Adults: 1 Tablespoon 3x day
Kids 2-7: 1/4 Tablespoon 3x day
Kids 8-12: 1/2 Tablespoon 3x day


Dosing recommendations from
​Dr. Aviva Romm, herbalist and MD via Erin Holt Health.
0 Comments

DIY Ginger Turmeric Shot

1/8/2020

0 Comments

 
anti-inflammatory turmeric ginger shot in jar among plants
hand holding anti-inflammatory ginger turmeric shot
Ingredients
4-inch piece of ginger
2-inch piece of turmeric 

3 tbsp water (add more as needed to blend thoroughly)
3 Tbs lemon juice

Directions
Makes 2-3 servings
  1. Wash ginger and turmeric thoroughly. (I use a vegetable brush. You can also peel them if you desire.)
  2. Place ginger, turmeric and water in a high-speed blender and blend until ginger and turmeric  is completely pulverized.
  3. Strain liquid into a jar and add lemon juice*
  4. Pour 1-2 oz into a cup and take a shot! I also enjoy mixing this with hot water, bubbly water or regular water. Apple cider vinegar and honey are also nice additions to the beverage version of this!
  5. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. *The lemon juice helps this mixture stay better for longer.
Nutritional Highlights:
​
Ginger, turmeric
and lemon are powerhouse foods that support digestion, the immune system and your body’s natural detoxification pathways. 

Nutritional Highlights:
Turmeric is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. This root is an excellent source of iron, manganese, B6, copper and potassium. 

Ginger
 contains gingerols which are the pungent  compound of the ginger rhizomes. This food is known for its anti-inflammatory, immune boosting and digestive qualities. Ginger is a warming root that makes you sweat, which is a great way to detox a little bit everyday.

Lemons
 are a rockin' source of vitamin C, B6, potassium, folic acid and flavonoids. Limonene in lemons elevate your liver enzymes and help with the liver’s detoxification process.

0 Comments

How to Brew Kombucha @ Creative Bug in SF

9/26/2017

2 Comments

 
2 Comments

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