my new favorite morning brew (it's good for me, too)
/I love the ritual of coffee—the smoky fragrance of the beans as they’re grinding, pulling my favorite hand-thrown Vermont mug from the cabinet (thanks, Kate Butt), floating a frothy fresh-made nondairy milk cap on top (cheers, Almond Cow) and zhuzhing the whole thing up with sprinkles of cinnamon and cac1o powder. But the caffeine … I could do without (some days I have plenty on my mind to keep me up at night). So I’ve switched to an herbal blend that gives me all the comfort of the original, with a healthy boost.
The dandelion and chicory root used in herbal “coffee” brews are thought to support our digestion, boosting gastrointestinal and liver function. And when those organs are humming along nicely, it’s believed that our bodies feel better overall (I’m pretty sure many of us can attest to that). You may have enjoyed “chicory coffee” in New Orleans or other parts of the world. Chicory’s earthy nuttiness adds to the dandelion’s GI benefits with prebiotic fiber supporting good belly bugs, and nutrients that benefit brain health (read more here).
My go-to recipe was tweaked from one shared by Mountain Rose Herbs, who sells all the ingredients if you can’t find—or don’t want to forage—them locally:
8 parts roasted chicory
2 parts dandelion root
1 part cacao nibs
I blend everything together and store the mixture in a glass jar, ready for me to scoop into my coffee maker and brew as I usually would.
The cacao adds a yummy chocolately flavor (bonus!), and I’ve started experimenting with adding chaga mushroom powder in small amounts, too—you can read about those benefits here. Think about what flavors you enjoy. You might try incorporating cinnamon right into the brew basket (it's not just delicious, but has health benefits, too). Have fun trying things you already consume … or experiment with something new.
These bitter weeds have made my morning routine even more enjoyable, now that I know I’m doing something helpful for my body.
What do you like to drink in the morning to get your day started?
This cup is full-on nurturing to me, but if you could use a little something extra, treat yourself to five days of free selfcare. Click here to get started with some simple mindfulness practices—just a few minutes at a time. with no special equipment required—and drink up the sensations of warmth and well-being.