The morning coffee is a ritual in every culture across the world. Have you been wondering lately how you could make the most of it? Science shows your daily cup by itself can provide a cluster of benefits like focus, antioxidants, disease protection, and it can even minimize your chances of getting cancer. But don’t stop there! Try these tips and tricks to kick your morning off the healthy way.
It’s been recommended to eat a healthy breakfast before gulping down your morning coffee, but it is often easier said than done – especially if you’re a student. If that is the case, then get the best of both worlds by combining the two! Your blender can give you both a satiating breakfast and a morning buzz that you can drink on your way out the door. Try using a cup of cold brew and a tablespoon of ground coffee (not instant coffee) to pack it with flavor and energy. To keep you satisfied, healthy fats such as avocado and frozen bananas plus protein fuel like nut butter, and protein powder should do the trick.
A popular Middle Eastern tradition, adding spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric to your coffee is an excellent way to boost your antioxidants. They can help reduce cancer and blood pressure risks thanks to their anti-inflammatory qualities, plus all the natural benefits of coffee (preventing Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, etc.). Spices add a rich, authentic flavor to your coffee. Ditch the sugary sweeteners for something distinct and natural. If you’re trying to lose weight, consider adding cayenne pepper to your morning cup. It will boost your metabolism and reduce hunger. If you really want to go the extra mile, experiment with ashwagandha powder. This powerful root extract reduces fat and sugar in the blood and builds strength against daily stress.
It may look like something you’d buy at Whole Foods, but this gorgeous drink is easier to prepare than you think. A saucepan filled with half cups of sugar (I recommend Stevia), water, honey, and a few lavender sprigs will give you a perfectly sweet, aromatic syrup that’s not only delicious but totally good for you. The calming properties of lavender can improve the look of your skin, hair, and even your sleep routine. Plus, think of how much good you’re doing for your body by skipping out on the artificial sweeteners from store-bought coffee by making your own syrup! Honey is an excellent stand-in for any sweetener. One sip of this rich, floral latte and you’ll be a believer.
I’m talking unsweetened cocoa, fermented cacao tree seeds, dark chocolate – the whole nine yards. Dark, real chocolate is packed with the vitamins and minerals your gut is crying for. It naturally transforms cocoa into inflammation fighters, which can prevent heart disease and boost your immune system. As a bonus, cocoa has been proven to give people more focus while doing tasks. While coffee can make you jittery, cocoa is a delicious solution for getting coffee’s energizing benefits without feeling like your eyeballs are vibrating. ‘
If you’ve heard of the Bulletproof Coffee trend that has been ravaging keto blogs everywhere, then this may sound familiar to you. Bulletproof Coffee is most efficient due to the concentrated MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil used alongside tablespoons of butter. You may not be that into scooping heaps of butter into your coffee but reaping the benefits of MCT is easier than you think. It’s extracted from coconut oil! Essentially, this makes them interchangeable. Using coconut oil in your coffee not only makes for a smoother drink, it also helps burn fat. Add a splash of warm coconut milk or coconut cream for a sweet, luscious flavor.
Keeping our skin vibrant and healthy can be difficult when delicately balancing a million other things to do in one day. Thankfully, collagen comes in many forms. You can consume it in a broth, a capsule, as a liquid, and even with collagen powder. I think you can see what I’m getting at here. It may not provide anything extra delicious, but the benefits collagen can give to your skin are numerous. Skin elasticity, hydration, density, and wrinkle prevention are just a few perks of the nutrient, but did you know it also helps relieve joint pain and bone loss? Going up and down stairs or running track all week can take a toll. Up your skin’s beauty and strength by adding collagen powder to your coffee!
If you want to have a deeper understanding of your coffee, here’s where to start – single-origin coffee beans. Single-origin simply means the beans were sourced from one single farm. This cuts out health risks found in mixed blends produced at giant corporate mills that use pesticides and artificial additives. Drinking coffee brewed from pure beans enriched from the minerals of their home soil is not only a healthy, green alternative, it is also a kind option. Think of purchasing single-origin beans like buying local vegetables. The small, family-run farms get the support they need while the environment benefits from the sustainable impacts of traditional farming. It may be more expensive, but it is worth every penny.
These tiny cups of delicious energy are a low-calorie alternative to a full grande sized coffee. With only three calories per ounce, the energy boost you get from a little serving of espresso can blow a full cup out of the water. You don’t just feel energized, you feel like you can run up a mountain and back. Workouts are completed using less exertion and muscle pain is reduced, so you can push your limits to the next level. If you’re using your energy indoors, espresso has impressive benefits for cramming. It enhances long-term memory and focus, which means your studying power will increase tenfold.
How do you make a vanilla latte at home without all the syrups and sweeteners that make it delicious? Simple: vanilla extract. Extracts substituted for syrups will jazz up your coffee without the extra calories and sugars. It is an easy, DIY method to get your sweet fix and keep your health goals in check. But don’t stop at vanilla! Try chocolate extract for a decadent morning mocha. An almond creamer will help achieve the desired creaminess of a rich mocha beverage. Not much of a chocolate fan? Shoot for an aromatic, nutty brew via almond, hazelnut, or even black walnut extract. Top it off with a powdering of cinnamon for a warm, cozy vibe.
Ready to get bold? This ancient tradition has been practiced for centuries and is still popular today thanks to its protein-rich and caffeine enhancing properties. Scandinavian coffee, or egg coffee, involves mashing one whole egg (shell included!) into a bowl of coffee grounds with a few tablespoons of water. Crush and grind the mixture until you have created a slurry, and then boil it in four cups of water in a pot. Salmonella is no concern here because the hot water boils out any possibility of it. When done, strain it, and the result is a rich, delicious amber-hued cup of joe. Your palette will be delighted to notice all the bitterness and impurities have been filtered away natural by the egg. Not only are you getting an energy boost, but you’re also satisfying yourself with a great source of protein and fat.
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