Photo by Chloè Besson
Like many entrepreneurs and others who mainly work from home, Andrea and I are used to having extra time in the morning. It allows us to start our day slowly, journal, meditate, and spend extra time making our coffee justtttt right! Because let’s face it: coffee is just one of those things that many of us look forward to in the morning. And now that we don’t have to pour it in a thermos and rush out the door, we have the opportunity to make our mornings special.
By staying home right now, there is additional time to not only make your coffee, but to make your coffee work FOR you. Here are some ingredients to superboost your coffee so you can start your day off feeling balanced and energized:
SUPERBOOST COFFEE ADD-INS
Bulletproof Origin
The names for coffee mixed with fat include “butter coffee” and “superhuman coffee,” but the one you’ve probably heard of is “bulletproof coffee.” Coined by Dave Asprey, bulletproof coffee is high quality brewed coffee blended with MCT oil and grass-fed butter or ghee. Its touted benefits are boosting energy without a caffeine crash, improving mental performance, facilitating weight loss through burning stored fat, and curbing cravings. But as trendy as bulletproof coffee is, it’s actually based on drinks people were making and enjoying long before this, high in the mountains of Tibet. For these people, adding fat to their tea energized them while ensuring their joints stayed healthy and strong---both very necessary while living in a physically taxing environment. It was here that Asprey first drank yak butter tea, and wanted to replicate the impact it had on his brain and body.
HEALTHY FATS: Grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, MCT oil, coconut cream, and coconut milk
Benefits: Because fats don’t spike your blood sugar and insulin levels, adding them to your coffee will help stave off cravings for sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods and promote feelings of fullness. Starting your day off with healthy fats also promotes steady energy, so maybe you won’t need that next cup in the afternoon. In addition to being a quick source of energy, the fats found in coconut and MCT oil (called medium-chain fatty acids) can be used by the brain for energy as well.
High-quality saturated fats (organic, virgin, and unrefined coconut oil, cream, and milk; and grass-fed butter and ghee) have a range of health benefits: they make up portions of our brain tissue and hormones, help us absorb nutrients from our food, and play a role in immunity. For instance, coconut contains caprylic acid, a fat that helps fight off pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and viruses. In doing so, caprylic and other fatty acids support the beneficial microorganisms in our gut microbiome. Butyric acid, found in butter and ghee, nourishes cells in the colon, and may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells there.
Anti-inflammatory spices: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg
Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can be helpful for a variety of conditions that have an inflammatory component such as autoimmunity, PMS and menstrual issues, fatigue, arthritis, injury, anxiety, depression, and pain. It also works as an antioxidant (helps protect cells from damage) and helps fight off pathogenic microbes. Make sure to add black pepper along with your turmeric as compounds in black pepper activate it (and fat enables the body to absorb it).
Ginger is another anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich spice that also helps stabilize blood sugar and may ease pain. One of ginger’s most notable functions is as an adaptogen, a compound that helps protect the body from the negative effects of stress. If you’ve been experiencing more stress, fatigue, and low mood than usual, ginger is a great addition to your coffee and other dishes.
The powers of turmeric and ginger combine in Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix! Together, these spices help to boost mood and endurance while easing stress and inflammation. Morning win: you don’t have to measure out the different spices yourself!
Cinnamon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helps cells respond to insulin (key to blood sugar balance), may lower blood pressure, and helps protect against conditions such as type II diabetes and heart disease. It’s a sweet spice that works overtime for your body.
Nutmeg has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activity, and may help lower cholesterol as well. Maybe it’s time to keep this spice in use all year long!
Protein: Collagen
Collagen is a protein that provides strength and structure to various tissues in the body, such as the bones, joints, skin, and the cells lining the digestive tract. In addition to helping the body repair these tissues, collagen has a neutral flavor and quickly dissolves in coffee, making it an easy way to get some protein in the morning.
Bulletproof Golden Root Coffee Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup of hot coffee
- 1 teaspoon of a healthy fat (grass-fed butter, ghee, MCT oil, coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut butter or coconut cream - lots of choices!)
- 1-2 teaspoons of Golden Root (Original or Sugar Free mix)
- 1 scoop collagen (optional)
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until frothy and smooth. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy. The fat will begin to settle and separate as the drink cools, so it’s best enjoyed while piping hot!
___________
Author Bio
Maria Capecelatro is a Master Nutrition Therapist and Stress Detox Expert in Denver, CO. She started her practice to help those struggling with Depression, workout/injury Recovery, Energy, Anxiety, and Mood feel like themselves again through nutrition and lifestyle changes. These five issues can get in the way of being our best selves and achieving our dreams. IF we let them. Contact Maria at maria@mariarose.co or via her website.
Photo by: JoAnne Capecelatro Photography