Echota's Chaga Reishi Chai Latte [Recipe]

Every morning I drink this delicious supplement, and every morning I forget it's a supplement because it's so darn delicious. It's warm, it's comforting, it's a million times better than coffee, it gives me energy, and the ingredients are healing nourishing foods. 

~ Chaga is an incredibly powerful medicinal mushroom that is highly sought after due to its phenomenal levels of antioxidants and healing properties. Chaga is rich in Vitamins A, C, B, D, and E and minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium. It also contains potent anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-candida, and anti-parasite properties. Information on chaga and more about chaga can be found here on the Medical Medium blog.

~ Reishi mushroom is a prized medicinal food that has been called the “medicine of kings” and the ”elixir of eternal life” due to its astounding and powerful health benefits. Reishi has been shown to significantly boost immune system function and is an excellent cancer preventative food as it contains compounds such as canthaxanthin and beta-1,3-D glucan which can slow down the growth of tumors and help immune cells bind to tumor cells and remove them from the body.

It also is well known for helping to protect the body from radiation damage and has been shown to ease symptoms of chemotherapy such as hair loss, nausea, fever, infection, and headaches. Reishi is amazing for weight loss and can help cleanse a fatty liver and reduce edema and bloating throughout the body. WAY more about Reishi can be found on the Medical Medium blog here. 

~ Cinnamon is a highly prized spice that has been used since ancient times for its medicinal and healing properties. It has the highest antioxidant strength of all the food sources and is several hundreds more potent than any fruit or vegetable.It is particularly good for helping diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence, and arthritis. Cinnamon is known to help prevent and shorten the duration of the flu as well to eliminate congestion and mucus from the body. It is also very beneficial for lowering cholesterol and to help regulate blood sugar.

Cinnamon is known to help increase circulation and contains anti-clotting compounds which makes it highly beneficial for helping to prevent strokes and coronary artery disease. It is also very good for reducing inflammation in the body. Cinnamon also has the amazing ability to stop yeast infections, candida, and menstrual cramps. Cinnamon has anti-cancer properties and has been known to reduce the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells within the body. It is commonly used in gum and dental treatments due to its pain relieving and antiseptic properties.

Cinnamon helps to boost memory and cognitive function, just smelling cinnamon spice or its essential oil can help make you more alert and focused. More information about cinnamon can be found on the Medical Medium blog here. 

~ Ginger is one of the world’s oldest and most popular medicinal spices. It is known to greatly aid in digestion and assimilation and is widely regarded to help prevent colds, flu, motion sickness, and vertigo. Ginger can also help to alleviate menstrual cramps, nausea, heart burn, migraines, sore throats, exhaustion, fatigue, and constipation and it is great in providing relief from the stomach flu and food poisoning.

Ginger also contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols and is a powerful painkiller which makes it especially beneficial for those who suffer with joint, muscle, and nerve pain. Ginger has incredible immune-boosting and germ fighting abilities and has even been shown to help provide protection and relief from E.coli, Staph infections, and Candida albicans. More on ginger can be found on the Medical Medium blog here.

~ Cardamom is a wonderful medicinal spice that has similar health properties as those of cinnamon and ginger. It is rich in minerals such as iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. It also contains antiseptic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Cardamom is an excellent spice for the respiratory system and works as a natural expectorant in relieving congestion and phlegm from the lungs and sinus passages.

Cardamom is also great for the digestive system and stimulates the appetite as well as ease gas, nausea, indigestion, and cramping. It also helps to kill off any food borne bacteria in the digestive tract which helps to protect against food poisoning and gastric distress.

Cardamom also contains several compounds that helps to prevent blood clots from forming in the blood stream, making is an important medicinal for those concerned with deep vein thrombosis, lupus, strokes, or pregnancy. More about the amazing healing power of cardamom can be found on the Medical Medium blog here.

~ Nutmeg contains anti-depressant, anti-fungal, and digestive properties that are highly beneficial for the neurological, cognitive, immune, and digestive systems.

Nutmeg is commonly used for abdomen pain, liver and spleen disorders, gas, diarrhea, and general weakness. A pinch of fresh ground nutmeg in a teaspoon or two of raw honey is a wonderful natural remedy for nausea, indigestion, and gastritis. It is also great for kidney infections and for helping to dissolve kidney stones.

Nutmeg oil contains several health promoting compounds including myrsiticin, safrole, and eugnol. It is known to be good for supporting the adrenal glands and can help support the nervous system to overcome neuralgia, chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and frigidity. Nutmeg oil is also used topically for toothache relief and to support circulation thereby aiding muscles, joints, arthritis, rheumatism, and gout. Even more information on this brilliant healing food can be found on the Medical Medium blog here.

Chaga Reishi Chai Latte
Printable Recipe Here

(goes without saying that all ingredients are organic fair trade, yes?)

4 c filtered water

1 thumb-sized chunk ginger

1/4 c coconut milk

raw honey to taste

1 tsp Vimergy reishi

2 tsps Vimergy chaga

1/2 tsp alcohol-free vanilla

1/2 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp cardamom powder

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Here's how I like to put mine together. Put the water in the kettle and put the kettle on medium heat to warm. You want the water just under boiling.

Then add the coconut milk and honey to the blender. Add spices, chaga, reishi and vanilla as well. By this time for me, the kettle is usually ready, so I then add the just under boiling water to the blender container. Blend on low speed until slightly frothy. 

Pour into your favorite mugs and enjoy! Serves two. 

the garden, the bees, cinnamon bun muffins and chemtrails

Summer  = blog neglect, no? I give you some random updates:

~ The garden is growing. I'm learning more abut plant nutrition and the great importance of feeding the soil so it will feed you. Nutrients are crucial! Kiernen has been graciously donating his pee to feed our tomato plants, and they have NEVER been so happy!

~ The bees...we haven't seen them in a couple of weeks. The landowner went out of town for two weeks, during which the gate was locked and we were unable to visit. Then it's just been intermittently rainy and cloudy, and I don't want to do anything to the hives to make them upset - like opening them in cooler weather, letting out nest scent or heat. I keep waiting for the sun to be out when we need it to be. My plan is to treat with formic acid (or nothing), and I'm not sure. Smaller bees, as we will have having a Warre hive, tend to resist mites. Perhaps I ought to do a mite check before doing a formic acid treatment?

~ I've made these cupcakes twice in the past week. (I use butter instead of grapeseed oil and honey instead of agave, and usually less of it).

The first time I had leftover icing, so what's a girl to do but bake another batch, right? These are so good I cannot even bring myself to share these with friends - I want to eat them all myself. It is all I can do to share them with my awesome husband. Kiernen and I would both easily sit down and each eat half of this batch in a sitting. Possibly all, although realistically, that's way too much sweet for either of our bodies.

The flour to make these is crazy expensive, but you won't even care - they're that good. If you're grain-free, MAKE these. Or don't, depending on your level of self control. And trust me on this one: do them WITH the frosting. Almost painfully delicious. I thought chocolate was my downfall. Apparently I was wrong: it's cinnamon. Goddess bless Elana for her freaking amazing recipes.

~ I wish summer would just decide to be here already. Its sunny, then it rains, then it's sunny, then it rains, sometimes both at the same time. We just want the sun! Dear "military": Stop flying planes over us and dumping chemicals (Titanium,Aluminum, Barium, Magnesium, Calcium)! Just leave the clear skies alone already! WTF! (Want to know what I'm talking about? Here is an introduction to chemtrails. Want to make yourself crazy? Google 'chemtrails' and watch some of the videos. But not too many. I believe it's good to be informed, and not to dwell. Keep finding ways to feel good, most importantly.)

Summertime Recipes

In the summer, what does one usually find an abundance of? Spinach and Strawberries! Here's one more way to use them togather in a most delicious way!

Strawberry Spinach Salad
Printable Recipe

Dressing:
2 Tbs sesame seeds
1 Tbs poppy seeds
1/4c honey
1 sm zucchini
1/4 c lemon juice
1/4 tsp paprika
1 Tbs minced onion

Put all in high speed blander and blend. 

Salad:
sliced strawberries
slivered or sliced almonds
spinach

Toss dressing over salad and refrigerate, or just eat like we did :-)
And to drink, a delicious smoothie dessert!

Cinnamon Mango Delight

Printable Recipe 1-2 c water
1 mango
2 bananas
greens to taste (I use 1/2 bunch)
1 tsp cinnamon

Blend in Vita-Mix. Divine!