my beautiful friends Anya and Masha from Golubka Kitchen have created one of my most favorite herbal tonicy recipes ever, so I can't not share it with you.

I'm a big coffee person — I adore the morning ritual, the taste, the creaminess, the bitterness, the slight sweetness, the mood-elevation and vibration of it all. I started drinking coffee daily after a high school trip through Italy, that introduced me to the magnificent bean. I returned home begging my mom to make it for me every morning. that was many years ago, and today I still in(joy) a cup every now and again, but my diet is not anything like it was those years ago. meaning, I went from nothing but processed food and animal products to now, nothing but clean, whole plant foods and herbs. I have detoxed ridiculously. my adrenals and organs have found equilibrium. they've really balanced out, at least more than what they were. and so today, when I indulge in that stimulating cup of brew (especially first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach) I feel pretty ill. 

and what a sad blessing that is. a blessing, because I now know what it feels like to have taxed adrenals, dehydration and bad blood sugar. a blessing, because it has led me to discover an intelligent, kaleidoscopic reality through herbs.

and only sad, because I crave coffee a lot! so on the days I don't indulge, I like to make a warm cup of similar flavor, but even higher vibration. again, here's one of my faves! below the recipe, I break down Anya & Masha's wondrous ingredient list for you, so you can know what you're ingesting and why.

 

 

 

HERBAL MOCHA WITH CHICORY AND MACA

serves 2 (just half all if making 1)

• 1 tsp roasted & ground chicory root

• 2 soft Medjool dates (pitted) or 1 TBSP maple syrup

• 1⅓ cup boiling water

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or other plant milk

• 1 TBSP raw cacao powder

• 2 tsp maca powder

• ½ TBSP mesquite powder (optional, if you have it on hand)

• seeds of ½ vanilla bean, or a pinch of vanilla bean powder

• 1 tsp coconut oil

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a french press, steep chicory root in boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain. If you don't have a french press, simply use your favorite jar and strain through over fine mesh or a nut milk bag.

• Blend up your filtered "chicory coffee" with the dates or maple syrup, almond milk, cacao, maca, mesquite, vanilla, and coconut oil. Blend until smooth and frothy. Serve steaming, cooled, or over ice.

 

 

THE BREAKDOWN

CHICORY _ reduces stress, unlike coffee, which causes stress. it helps to balance epinephrine and cortisol levels (especially essential for stable blood sugar and clear skin). it reduces inflammation, unlike coffee which causes inflammation. it's a super liver cleanser, contains the prebiotics needed for a happy belly, and regulates thyroid function (aka stable weight, easier periods, and clear skin). 

MACA _ I love maca so so much! it provides a sustaining energy and is an incredibly powerful adaptogen, meaning it helps your body to stay in balance, and adapt to life that just seems to happen. a little bit goes a long way in balancing hormones, increasing stamina, improving sex drive, memory, and focus. it significantly eases PMS, charges cells with antioxidants, and packs quite the hit of over 20 amino acids, calcium, copper, zinc and more. 

MESQUITE _ high in soluble fiber, it helps maintain blood sugar levels (again, something coffee doesn't quite do!). it's high in protein, lysine, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. 

DATES _ I don't go a day without dates! they're a rad digestion aid, packed with iron (amazing during / after moon cycles), manganese, copper, phosphorus. they're quite bone strengthening, energy enhancing, colon cleansing, nervous system stabilizing, dreamy caramel drops.

CACAO _ dosed with the bittest of caffeine, cacao is energy producing and beyond heart opening. a nibble of raw chocolate opens my heart and turns my brain on in beautiful ways. it's a powerful antioxidant, protecting your cells from sun radiation and outside invaders (physical, and energetic). it destroys toxins in tissues and stabilizes the metabolism. it's one of the very best foods to consume for blood and brain health. it lowers bad cholesterol and enhances sex drive. seriously I could go on about cacao forever. just google for more...

PLANT MILK _ animal milk is no bueno. packed with unnatural hormones that the human body not only doesn't need, but doesn't know how to make use of, milking a nut tree is your better option. load up on omega fatty acids by home-making your favorite nut's milk for healthy hormones and a tuned brain. 

VANILLA _ sweet, cooling vanilla. choke with antioxidants, it reduces inflammation and calms overworked nerves and senses. it's known to improve skin health, hair health, speed wound healing, protect the heart, prevent cancer, nix anxiety, and aid weightloss.

COCONUT _ though I more prefer to eat whole coconut, rather than refined coconut oil (to get all that good fiber), STILL, coconut oil is a miracle. incredible. powerful plant medicine. it's tropical fatty acids treat / precent Alzheimers, heart disease / high blood pressure; protects the liver, kidneys, reduces inflammation and arthritis, prevents / kills cancerous tumor cells from growing, boosts the immune system (so antifungal and antibacterial), improves memory and brain function, increases energy and endurance . . . okay, I'm done now.

* images and recipe via Anya & Masha at Golubka Kitchen <3