*ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLI IRELAND AT LOOKTWICE PHOTOGRAPHY
I’m really pleased and excited to be “guest blogging” on Love And Garnish’s blog! My name is Kori Leigh Hagel; I am a Holistic Nutritionist, Life Coach and Personal Trainer! I am an advocate for wellness and I have a deep appreciation for food and Mother Nature… I hope you enjoy another perspective on food and herbs and all the glorious things that our beautiful planet provides for us!
Monday Sept 22 was Autumn Equinox, which marks the astrological change of seasons. Mother Nature reminds us in this shift the importance of balance and she demonstrates this to us by giving us a day that is equal in light as it is in darkness. In the days to come our nights will get longer, our days cooler and we will submerge into the beauty of the golden autumn season. Autumn and winter are the perfect time for warm drinks, root veggies, powerful elixirs and internal soul work… Books, good conversation, long meditations, deep glorious sleeps and hot Epsom salts bath. Today I bring to you a recipe for the perfect autumn elixir.
By definition (according to Google!) an Elixir is a magical or medicinal potion. You can mix and match what ingredients, and herbs you want depending on the outcome you wish to achieve. Today’s elixir is crafted with the intention of increasing immunity through powerful antioxidants and increasing stress coping mechanisms with endocrine supporting adaptogens…… so sit back and enjoy!
Cacao supports a healthy cardiovascular system, opens the heart, and returns us to our natural state of feeling vs obsessive thinking. It is a rich source of antioxidants and packed full of vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium to help calm the nervous system, and relax the body; and Chromium to help balance blood sugar levels. Cacao can be purchased in a powder form, nibs, beans and butter and makes all drinks taste better weather it’s a hot elixir, or a cold blended drink. One of my absolute favorite snacks is cacao nibs, bee pollen and gogi berries. I add cacao to a lot of dishes and drinks in my kitchen, it’s delicious and the health properties are abundant.
Coconut is not only creamy and delicious but it supports gut health, increases immunity, supports blood sugar balance, weight loss, and is said to help normalize cholesterol levels. It is an amazing source of saturated fat, and medium chain triglycerides that are related to increased energy levels. Coconut water is Mother Natures perfect blend of electrolytes helping to keep us well hydrated after a hard-core workout. Coconut is said to increase thyroid function, support endocrine and increase metabolism. Because it is a saturated fat it makes it the perfect oil to cook with. Oh and guess what else I use the oil for? Eye makes up remover. Yup, that’s right! Coconut oil can be applied to your hair as a “hair mask”, or used as lotion; it’s effective for oil pulling for teeth hygiene and you can even use it is lube!
Honey, oh beautiful honey – one of the most magical foods on the planet from one of the most magical creatures – the honeybee. I could literally go on and on about the beauty and miracle of the honeybee. Did you know that honeybees communicate by dancing which they can understand even in complete darkness? All worker bee’s are female and the average worker bee makes 1/12 of a tablespoon of honey in her life. Bee’s produce the only food that will never spoil; edible honey has been found in Egyptian tombs. That is pure magic!!! I have a deep love and respect for honeybees. Honey is a rich source of amino acids, live enzymes, antioxidants and probiotics. When purchasing honey it is key to buy raw, preferably organic honey packaged in glass. It not totally rare that you will find me on the cold winter days curled up on my couch with a hot elixir, a good book and a face mask made or pure honey.
What I love the most about a hot elixir like this is the adaptogenic effects it has. Reishi is an adaptogen, which means that it is a powerful mushroom that supports the endocrine system and helps us better deal with stress.Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Hawthorn are a few gifts from Mother Nature that act as nerviness supporting the nervous system and increasing our ability to deal with stress. Stress wreaks such awful havoc on our bodies and I truly believe that adding in a healing adaptogen on a daily basis is a key component in staying grounded, open hearted and balanced. Ashwagandha is a calming adaptogen and is good for anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and cloudy thinking. Shatavari and reishi are known to increase our psycho-spiritual health, helping us connect to the moment and to our breath. Hawthorne is a heart tonic and supports the nervous system – amazing for those days when anxiety is high. I brew a batch of reishi tea every week and store it in my fridge in mason jars and use it in the base of soups, elixers, teas and blended drinks.
So there you have it people a list of foods that may be new to you mixed together in a perfect chocolaty, creamy healing autumn elixir. Brew this bad boy up, plant your feet on the ground, connect to your breathe and remember what a miracle it is to be alive! You are here for a reason and your life matters to the whole of our magical universe. What does balance mean to you? Do you feel rooted, connected and happy? Do you take time each day for self-love and personal evolution? Today is your day!
Namaste,
Kori Leigh Hagel
You can find Kori at MOVE, EAT VEGETABLES, GIVE YOURSELF A HUG
- GROCERY LIST
- • handful reishi mushrooms (You can find this in fresh, sliced pieces to boil in water)
- • 1 can of coconut cream
- • 1-2 Tablespoons raw powdered cacao
- • 1 Tablespoon ashwagandha
- • 1 Tablespoon shatavari
- • Hawthorn tincture (you will only need 10-30 drops)
- • 2 Tablespoons raw organic honey
- • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder
- • Cayenne pepper
- DIRECTIONS
- 1. In a pot, boil a handful of reishi pieces with filtered water to cover by double. Bring to a boil and then let simmer (the longer it simmers, the better). This is your reishi tea.
- 2. Mix reishi tea, coconut cream, cacao, ashwagandha, shatavari, and 10-30 drops of hawthorn tincture into a small pot and simmer over low heat until it reaches the desired temperature.
- 3. Pour elixir into your favorite mug and mix in honey, vanilla, and sprinkle with a tiny amount of cayenne.
- 4. Mix and match these ingredients until you reach your desired flavor. I like lots of honey and only a tiny dash of cayenne – it you want it spicer just add more cayenne!
- • There are many ways to buy reishi: powdered, full mushroom, sliced fresh reishi, pills, tinctures etc…. this recipe calls for sliced reishi.
- • Ashwagandha, Shatavari and Hawthorn can be purchased in tincture form or powdered form – choose what ever resonates most with you as they will not make a huge difference in flavor.
- • You cant really mess this recipe up and it does not need to be followed to the tee add more of the flavors you like and limit those you do not like
Krista - Great recipe Kori! I learned something new about Honey Bee’s. I am looking forward to trying this elixer!