Most of us have our coffee pots brewing before our eyes are even half open. It's our morning fix, first thing, every, single, day! That oh-so-intoxicating aroma and rich flavor (and of course anticipated energy boost) keep us coming back for more in a constant cycle of brew, energize, crash, and repeat.
Most of us are at least somewhat aware of the acidifying effect coffee can have on our systems. This begs the question, can we upgrade our daily coffee obsession to actually make it less acidic and, dare I say, even healthy?
Here are three easy tips to keep our daily ritual going strong without any of the guilt or negative effects.
1. Upgrade Your Beans
Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants, however, an average cup of joe also contains neuroactive chemicals like mycotoxins, produced by naturally occurring molds and fungi that grow on the beans. These chemicals are also common in many other ingredients and products like nuts, chocolate, and even wine and may lead to chronic illnesses when consumed regularly.
Thankfully, changes are afoot, and some health-conscious brands, like Bulletproof, are processing coffee beans in new ways to decrease or destroy these fungi completely. After the beans are picked, instead of fermenting in the soil or sun, they are processed with a cold-water method that greatly reduces the molds and bacteria. The benefit: the brew is less acidic, gentler on those sensitive stomachs, and easier to digest for those sensitive to yeasts, molds, and candida. The best part of this process is these beans provide lasting all-day energy without the downside of the midday crash or jitters.
2. Make Your Own "Milk"
You don't have to go live on a farm to have farm-fresh milk every day. In fact, you don't even have to have dairy. This common allergen is highly acidic and a leading cause of inflammation, indigestion, and skin breakouts, not to mention full of added hormones and antibiotics. But the truth is, so many of the alternative dairy-free "milks" on the market today aren't much better. They may be full of preservatives, chemicals, and added sugar and processed and packaged to be able to sit on the supermarket shelf for years. The easiest and healthiest swap - make your own nut milk.
Ingredients and equipment needed:
- 1 cup of almonds
- Purified water for soaking nuts
- 2 cups of water for blending
- Nut bag or fine mesh strainer
- Large bowl
- Airtight bottle or container to store nut milk
Directions:
- Just before you go to bed, or at least eight hours before you prepare the milk, soak 1 cup of almonds in water so that they are submerged completely. In the morning they will be plump, hydrated, and easier to digest and absorb their nutrients.
- Strain and rinse the almonds and in a high-speed blender, combine the almonds with 2 cups of purified water. Blend for one minute.
- In a fine mesh strainer or nut bag, pour the nut milk through the bag to remove the nut pulp, catching the "milk" into a bowl.
- Pour the nut milk into a bottle and store for about five days in the fridge.
Sprouted raw almond milk is easy to digest and alkalizing, and it foams and creams just like dairy.
3. Add a Boost
We're in the age of superfoods and nutritive all-natural supplements that taste good and supply an extra boost to our overall health. The perfect vehicle for these boosts is not just your beloved smoothie but also daily coffee and tea, where these ingredients increase the health benefits as well as flavor.
From immune-boosting mushroom powder to energy- and hormone-stabilizing maca root powder to energy-boosting MCT (medium chain triglycerides) coconut oil and ghee or muscle- and cartilage-supporting collagen, the possibilities are endless. Find the product or supplement that works for your current needs or flavor you enjoy, and stir or blend the recommended amount into your cup of joe. In the case of ghee and MCT oils, these can be blended in for an extradecadent and creamy tonic. I suggest about one tablespoon added to your daily coffee for the best flavor and benefits.
from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1NQNMGp
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