I love coffee. There, I said it.
As a nutritionist, this is not always an easy thing to admit! While some experts claim it’s nectar of the gods, still others vilify it and believe it causes a whole host of health issues.
Personally, I try to take a balanced approach to java. There is nothing more comforting, in my opinion, than a hot cup of coffee in the morning. But that’s the key – a cup. I’ve learned to keeping my sipping to a minimum and feel so much better with just one caffeinated drink a day. Still, some days you just want that cosy feeling. And as the days get chillier, it’s especially tempting to cuddle up with a warm mug or pop into the corner coffee shop.
The problem, of course, is that many of these drinks are tough on your wallet – and your body. That’s why I’ve learned to create delicious coffee shop caliber drinks in my own kitchen. They taste just as good, and believe it or not, they’re full of good-for-you ingredients!
Dandelion latte: Dandelion root herbal tea is a little miracle – it has the same body and bitterness as coffee, but it’s an herbal blend that usually consists of roasted dandelion root and sometimes chicory and barley. It’s also packed with vitamins and micronutrients – bonus! To make a delicious caffeine-free latte, simply strain one heaped tbsp. of dandelion “coffee” into a cup of hot water, then add frothed almond milk. I love adding a dash of cinnamon, too.
Creamy chai latte: A naturally-sweetened chai latte with a surprise ingredient for ultimate creaminess – cashews! Simply heat two cups of coconut milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add one tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp. nutmeg, ¼ tsp. cardamom, two vanilla pods, four small cloves, and three medjool dates, stirring gently until combined. Pour the mix into a blender and add cashews, then blend until smooth and frothy.
Ayurvedic winter warmer: This is a favourite recipe from my eBook, The Clean Life. It’s a delicious winter warmer that will heal you and help you fall asleep. I like to call it a sleepy time aphrodisiac! Heat one cup of almond milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add one tbsp. cacao, one tsp. nutmeg, one tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. cardamom, one tbsp. maca powder, a pinch of sea salt, and one tbsp. coconut oil, stirring gently until combined. Pour the mix into a blender, add ¼ cup almonds, then blend until smooth and creamy.
Healthy freezochino: It’s admittedly not a warm drink, but there’s something so decadent about a blended coffee in the afternoon. Unfortunately, most coffee shop versions are absolutely packed with sugar – which means you ultimately end up with a sugar crash rather than an energy boost. In my home country of South Africa, “freezochinos” are incredibly popular. I was determined to make my own naturally sweetened version, and I actually prefer this! Simply add one and a half cups of crushed ice, one tsp. ground coffee/espresso (optional – it tastes delicious without it too!), one tbsp. cacao, one tsp. maca poweder, one tsp. cinnamon, one tsp. stevia, ¼ tsp. sea salt and one cup almond milk to the blender, give it a whirl, and you’ve got a healthy homemade treat!
This is a blog by Jessica Sepel.
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