Warming Up To the Idea of Cooling it on the Caffeine
What?! We know. Cutting caffeine sounds like sheer lunacy, right? But Fall is a great time of year to consider cleansing and even taking those healthy habits into the new year. With the season changing, brisk cooler weather abounds, socks (again), pumpkin spiced everything and cozy blankets and Netflix, ditching caffeine might be just the right idea.
Caffeine is a natural compound in numerous botanical plants including the leaves and seeds of tea and coffee. Caffeine, acts as a stimulant to increase energy, mental focus and clarity. But, this comes at a health cost such as insomnia, irritability, rapid heartbeat, adrenal fatigue and anxiety among others.
Can’t imagine living without your coffee buzz? That’s a sure sign its time to take a pause from your love-affair, give your body a rest and try and new morning ritual.
Here are our top picks for a caffeine-free comforting beverage swap with added benefits:
LEMON-WATER – your first, best choice for hydration! Squeeze 1 fresh lemon into 8oz glass of tepid water. Not only does it rehydrate you after 6-8 hours of sleeping, but the lemon aids in your body’s ability to digest your morning meal and provides you with source of Vit C which has been shown to reduce wrinkling and dry skin… and with winter looming, we can certainly use all the help we can get! A win-win!
ELIXIR – An elixir is generally described as a beverage that is capable of remedying ills or difficulties. We like Four Sigmatic Cordyceps Elixir. Cordyceps is a functional mushroom with numerous studies that prove its efficacy for stimulating energy without jitters, or addictive-qualities of its counterpart, coffee. More so, Cordyceps has shown to cause Vasodiliation (meaning, blood vessels dilate and decreases blood pressure), and increases ATP – the body’s energy centre to provide maximum energy output and it also improves V02 max, the way the body uses oxygen during exercise. Also, dubbed Cordy’sex’ – this mushroom boosts virility in both men and women and increases the reproductive capabilities.
HERBAL TEA – sure, tea won’t jolt you outta your morning slump like caffeine, but it will help curb your cravings for something warm when the aches & chills of fall set in. Jump-start your day with ginger tea – for warming the body, and gently invigorating the digestive system. It’s also anti-inflammatory and helps aid with fighting infection, relieve sore muscles and joint pain.
COFFEE SUBSTITUTE – our top pick is Dandy Blend instant coffee alternative. Made from a proprietary blend of 5 ingredients including chicory and dandelion root this is the closest thing to the taste, smoothness, colour and flavour of your morning cup of Joe. Remarkably rich, full-bodied without bitterness or acidity and no brewing necessary, we’re sold on Dandy. In addition to being a coffee clone, ingredients like dandelion is widely recognized for its health benefits such as liver detoxification.
GOLDEN MILK LATTE – warm, smooth, rich, and a ninja kick to inflammation! This popular latte is a delicious blend of coconut or nut-milk of choice blended with turmeric and spices to substitute to your morning java. Turmeric (with its most active compound, Curcumin) is scientifically-proven to help prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce symptoms of joint pain and arthritis. Always blend your turmeric with black pepper (which contains piperine) and a source of fat for optimal absorption…. Up to 2,000% more absorption!
HOT APPLE CIDER – weekend mornings, nuzzled up on the couch or in front of the fireplace, what’s better than apple cider infused with flavours of peppercorns, cloves, anise, orange, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. This drink is made by mashing fresh apples until they reach a consistency of apple sauce, then, pressed to obtain the cider. Essentially, its apple juice, unfiltered. Because it’s not filtered, it retains more nutrients than regular apple juice such as phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect the body from free-radical damage. Easy to make your own, Apple Cider is soothing and can be sipped slowly for an evening beverage instead of a night-cap espresso
BROTH – so you’ve swapped your morning java but looking for something to comfort you mid-day at the office? Why not try a miso, vegetable or bone broth? These are low-calorie soup-like-beverages that soothe the soul and provide essential nutrients like collagen and glutamine to heal your gut. Just be sure to check the sodium content when buying pre-packaged versus making your own.
If you’re feeling like it’s time to dump the caffeine, there are heaps of options to choose from with benefits coffee just can’t provide. Keep an open mind and give yourself a chance to step into a new morning routine…caffeine-free.
Products shown here are available at www.rawelements.ca
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