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      Healthy Coffee Additives to Supercharge Your Cup of Joe

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      Coffee is one of the top beverages consumed around the world (other than water, of course). It’s routine for most—and somewhat of a religion to others. It helps you power through the afternoon slump and get amped for a workout. Coffee alone has many benefits, but can also get a bad rap due to its caffeine content. Coffee contains magnesium and potassium, which helps the human body use insulin, regulating blood sugar levels. Coffee is the best natural source of caffeine and, in moderation (one to three cups a day), helps you focus and can even improve mental alertness. Coffee and espresso also contain some of the highest natural sources of antioxidants that can help protect your body from free radicals. But creamers can turn healthy coffee into a sugar bomb.

       
      If you’re looking to get even more benefits out of your daily cup of Joe (cause why not?), there are many functional ingredients that can be added to increase nutrients. From cinnamon to collagen, take a look at some of the best functional powders and ingredients for a healthy coffee boost.

      Healthy Coffee Additives to Supercharge Your Java

      Courtesy Image1. MUDWTR
      Recommended serving: 1 tablespoon daily
      Why it’s good for you: MUDWTR is a unique mix of all-organic ingredients: cacao, masala chai, turmeric, cinnamon, and sea salt, and chaga, cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane mushrooms. Although they suggest this blend can be used as a coffee alternative for those looking to limit caffeine, it can be used as an extra boost to coffee as well. The delicious blend of ingredients provides many researched functional benefits including enhanced mood, mental performance, recovery, and immune support, as well as reduced inflammation and overall health.
      [$40 ; mudwtr.com]
      Get it

      Courtesy Image2. Respect des Fonds Focus
      Recommended serving: 1 scoop daily
      Why it’s good for you: Respect Focus is a mixture of potent adaptogens to help boost your overall mental clarity and cognition. This complex blend boasts powerful extracts including astragalus (herb), organic ashwagandha root (Ayurvedic herb), lion’s mane mushroom (adaptogen), shilajit, schisdandra berry, bacopa (herb), rhodiola (herb), and L-theanine (amino acid). Although you may have trouble pronouncing those ingredients, the function of them will help you focus and provide mental clarity.
      [$45; respectdesfonds.co]
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      Courtesy Image3. Hanah Life Coffee Boost
      Recommended serving: 1 rounded teaspoon daily
      Why it’s good for you: Hanah coffee boost is a blend of herbal nootropics, compounds thought to boost cognitive function. Amp up your morning coffee with ashwagandha, caopa monnieri, and macuna pruriens. These three ingredients can help improve focus and concentration, alleviate stress, and help calm the nervous system. It also helps ease the spike-and-crash effect caffeine can have.
      [$43; hanahlife.com]
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      Courtesy Image4. Suwink Cacao Clarity
      Recommended serving: 1 teaspoon daily
      Why it’s good for you: Cacao Clarity is packed with natural caffeine-free energizers like maca, reishi and lion’s mane with cinnamon and cacao for rich flavor. The powder provides a natural boost of clarity and focus without an energy crash. It mixes well into your favorite coffee (hot or cold) for some plant-powered wellness.
      [$35; sunwink.com]
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      Courtesy Image5. Momentous Collagen Peptides
      Recommended serving: 1 scoop daily
      Why it’s good for you: This product combines two high-quality collagen sources, as well as vitamin C, which improves absorption. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins found in the human body, ensuring the strength, elasticity, and regeneration of our connective tissues, including skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. The amino acids needed for collagen synthesis are different from the amino acids needed for muscle synthesis, therefore it may be beneficial to add to your coffee routine.
      [$55; livemomentous.com]
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      Courtesy Image6. Laird Superfood Creamer with Functional Mushrooms
      Recommended serving: 1 tablespoon daily
      Why it’s good for you: This powder combines the power of chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and maitake mushrooms. The nutrients from these mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years and have been studied for their support of the immune system, athletic performance, energy, cognition, and overall health and vitality. Laid Superfood Creamers also contain a full range of MCT’s. It’s an easy addition to your coffee to contribute to overall wellness and keep your body and mind fueled.
      [From $12; lairdsuperfood.com]
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      7. Raw, Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
      Cinnamon has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It contains many phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants that make it one of the most beneficial spices—plus it tastes great in coffee. Ceylon cinnamon is less common than cassia cinnamon. They appear to be similar in health benefits, however cassia contains a lot of coumarin, which can be toxic in large quantities. It’s safer to choose ceylon if you eat a lot of cinnamon.
      [From $14; healthytruth.com]
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      Courtesy Image8. Raw, Organic Fair-Trade Cocoa
      In addition to its amazing flavor, cocoa has over 40 times the antioxidant value of blueberries, making it the highest plant-based source of iron (non-heme, so must be paired with vitamin C). It’s a great source of magnesium, and can help as a natural mood elevator and antidepressant.
      [$15; wildfoods.co]
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      Courtesy Image9. Raw Turmeric Root
      Turmeric is well known for its wide range of benefits; it’s been found to help ease the symptoms of depression and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; calm gut issues; and may help your immune system and potentially alleviate signs of aging and free radical damage. Although the active ingredient, curcumin, is poorly absorbed, adding this to your coffee can potentially help if consistently taken.
      [From $10; healthytruth.com]
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      Courtesy Image
      10. Organic Maca Root Powder
      Maca is a Peruvian plant and cruciferous vegetable in the same family as broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Maca has been used for generations for a number of studied benefits including boosting endurance and energy, improving mood, memory, helping fight free radicals and potentially even boosting libido and fertility. It has an earthy flavor and is an easy add to coffee.
      [From $23; kos.com]
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    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Food

      The New Snack Down: Meet the Food and Drink Trends of 2022

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      Say goodbye to whipped coffee and banana bread, and hello to the latest food and drink trends of 2022. The future of our pantry shelves are good for you and the environment. Ryan Andrews, RD, principal nutritionist and adviser at Precision Nutrition says he sees a pull toward more sustainability in our food practices and our choices overall, from pasture-raised animal products to eco-friendly packaging. Meanwhile, thanks to a year of waking up to health reminders, Robin Foroutan, RDN, integrative medicine dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says we’re also putting our well-being at the top of the grocery list. Here are the food trends blowing up—and the best ways to taste them.

      Earth-Friendly Upcycling
      The World Food Program World Food Programestimates that one-third of the planet’s food is lost or wasted every year. (The average American trashes 20 pounds each month.) Andrews says a new wave of forward-thinking snack brands are upcycling undesirable and leftover food byproducts into irresistible munchies. For example, addictingly crunchy ReGrained Super-grain+ Puffs are made from the spent grain of brewed beer.
      [$20, 5-pack; regrained.com]
      Get it

      Legumes Reimagined
      First kimchi was all the rage, now good ol’ reliable beans are joining the alternative snacks party. “Legumes are sustainable, health-promoting and tasty,” says Andrews. Plus they’re part of another major movement: plant-based eating. Fiber and protein keep you full longer, while powerful nutrients ward off disease. Brami’s pickled lupini beans have 50 percent more protein than chickpeas and 80 percent fewer calories than almonds.
      [$17, 4-pack; bramisnacks.com]
      Get it

      Punchy Spice Blends
      Herbs and spices will take you to Flavortown without torching your taste buds like some hot sauces can. Bonus: Most of these blends are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, says Foroutan. A big trend for 2021 is artisanal fusions. Try Asian-influenced umami mixes. Or Mexican-inspired adobo spices, like SpiceWalla Al Pastor Rub, in which ancho and guajillo chilli powder lend a slow burn that’s mellowed by pineapple and citrus.
      [$11; spicewallabrand.com]
      Get it

      Diversified Grains, Seeds and Greens
      Go all-in on trendy whole grains like teff, spelt and sorghum; seeds like chia and sunflower; and while you’re at it, swap kale for collards. To achieve variety that yields superfood levels of vitamins and minerals, reach for Go Raw’s Sprouted Organic Mixed Seeds. The pumpkin, sunflower and watermelon seed medley is nutrient-dense due to the sprouted germination process, which breaks down some starch.
      [$80, 6-pack; goraw.com]
      Get it

      Premium Coffee
      Prioritize fair-trade beans; they’ve met standards that help the environment and ensure workers are treated well and paid fairly. Also, expect to see more coffee products mixed with adaptogens—plant compounds thought to armor the body against biological and physical stressors. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee boasts ashwagandha, chaga mushroom and more adaptogenic ingredients known to lower stress and spike immunity.
      [$20; foursigmatic.com]
      Get it

      For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Wellness

      The New Snack Down: Meet the Food and Drink Trends of 2021

      by

      Say goodbye to whipped coffee and banana bread, and hello to the latest food and drink trends of 2021. The future of our pantry shelves are good for you and the environment. Ryan Andrews, RD, principal nutritionist and adviser at Precision Nutrition says he sees a pull toward more sustainability in our food practices and our choices overall, from pasture-raised animal products to eco-friendly packaging. Meanwhile, thanks to a year of waking up to health reminders, Robin Foroutan, RDN, integrative medicine dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says we’re also putting our well-being at the top of the grocery list. Here are the food trends blowing up—and the best ways to taste them.

      Earth-Friendly Upcycling
      The World Food Program World Food Programestimates that one-third of the planet’s food is lost or wasted every year. (The average American trashes 20 pounds each month.) Andrews says a new wave of forward-thinking snack brands are upcycling undesirable and leftover food byproducts into irresistible munchies. For example, addictingly crunchy ReGrained Super-grain+ Puffs are made from the spent grain of brewed beer.
      [$20, 5-pack; regrained.com]
      Get it

      Legumes Reimagined
      First kimchi was all the rage, now good ol’ reliable beans are joining the alternative snacks party. “Legumes are sustainable, health-promoting and tasty,” says Andrews. Plus they’re part of another major movement: plant-based eating. Fiber and protein keep you full longer, while powerful nutrients ward off disease. Brami’s pickled lupini beans have 50 percent more protein than chickpeas and 80 percent fewer calories than almonds.
      [$17, 4-pack; bramisnacks.com]
      Get it

      Punchy Spice Blends
      Herbs and spices will take you to Flavortown without torching your taste buds like some hot sauces can. Bonus: Most of these blends are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, says Foroutan. A big trend for 2021 is artisanal fusions. Try Asian-influenced umami mixes. Or Mexican-inspired adobo spices, like SpiceWalla Al Pastor Rub, in which ancho and guajillo chilli powder lend a slow burn that’s mellowed by pineapple and citrus.
      [$11; spicewallabrand.com]
      Get it

      Diversified Grains, Seeds and Greens
      Go all-in on trendy whole grains like teff, spelt and sorghum; seeds like chia and sunflower; and while you’re at it, swap kale for collards. To achieve variety that yields superfood levels of vitamins and minerals, reach for Go Raw’s Sprouted Organic Mixed Seeds. The pumpkin, sunflower and watermelon seed medley is nutrient-dense due to the sprouted germination process, which breaks down some starch.
      [$80, 6-pack; goraw.com]
      Get it

      Premium Coffee
      Prioritize fair-trade beans; they’ve met standards that help the environment and ensure workers are treated well and paid fairly. Also, expect to see more coffee products mixed with adaptogens—plant compounds thought to armor the body against biological and physical stressors. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee boasts ashwagandha, chaga mushroom and more adaptogenic ingredients known to lower stress and spike immunity.
      [$20; foursigmatic.com]
      Get it

      For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More

    • 100 Shares169 Views

      in Food

      How to Make Grilled Oysters With Nduja Butter

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      Oysters are rich in zinc and amino acids that boost sex hormones, but science doubts they’re a true aphrodisiac. They sure set the mood, though. Having a backyard oyster feast? Save some to toss on the grill and earn points with this gourmet-but-simple treatment: grilled oysters with nduja butter.Not sure what nduja is? No sweat. It’s a spicy, spreadable Italian salumi that’s made with pork, fat, herbs, spices, and Calabrian chillies. It just so happens to be this recipe’s secret weapon, so don’t skip it! You can find it available at many gourmet shops or online. It also pairs beautifully with scallops, so it can do double duty in flavoring more than one seafood element.Before you attempt grilled oysters, make sure you know how to properly suck one with our foolproof four-step guide from Florida shucking champ Robert Daffin. Gain some knowledge about the comeback of gourmet Chesapeak Bay oysters from our profile of Rappahannock Oyster Company.Recipe provided by chef Dylan Allwood of Tavola restaurant in Charlottesville, VA.How to Make Grilled Oysters With Nduja ButterFor access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!Ingredients8 oz. unsalted butter, softened2 oz. nduja*Sea salt to taste1 Tbsp. olive oil1½ oz. panko bread crumbs16 oysters, shucked on the half shell2 chives, thinly slicedHow to make itPreheat grill to 450°F. Blend butter with nduja until well combined and season with sea salt.Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat and toast bread crumbs until golden brown. Remove from heat.Scoop 2 tsp. butter mixture on top of each oyster. Arrange in a single layer on grill, cover and cook until hot and bubbly, about 5 minutes.Remove from grill. Garnish with bread crumbs and chives and serve warm. More

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      All the Essentials You Need to Throw an Oyster Fest

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      It’s believed oysters have been around for roughly 200 million years ago. No doubt the first Paleolithic oyster fest was low on modern niceties like linen napkins and silver oyster spoons, but you don’t need anything fancy to turn your own shellfish fest into a success. Just make sure you have a few simple essentials like we’ve outlined below on hand to satisfy any hungry mollusk lovers who show up. Tried-and-True Oyster Fest Essentials1. Oyster KnivesRaw bar shuckers wield cheap ones, so they’re good enough for you—but yes, get the tool designed for the job, not a butter knife. And get several so you’re not stuck shucking by yourself. Use our foolproof guide on how to shuck oysters.2. PlattersDisplay your half-shell beauties for that raw bar vibe. Any rimmed platter that holds ice works; vintage beer trays make a statement, but cooler lids will do in a pinch.3. IceThis is a non-negotiable for keeping oysters chilled and creating an authentic presentation. You need crushed ice—and lots of it. Grab double what you think you need, then a bit more.4. CondimentsLemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and because you’re a class act, mix champagne vinegar with minced shallots and black pepper for a zingy mignonette.5. CrackersYes, eating an oyster atop a saltine is a rookie move. But be nice to newbies, too, especially if they brought good beer.For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More

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      Should You Only Eat Oysters in Months With an 'R'?

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      You’ve probably heard the ages-old rule about eating raw oysters only in months that include the letter “R.” In other words, don’t consume them in the summer, no matter how many seafood shacks you might frequent. We call bullshit. Not that the caution didn’t make sense way back in the day, when lack of refrigeration meant that slurping raw oysters, quick to spoil in summer heat, was like playing shellfish roulette. Nowadays, oysters are kept icy cold and alive all the way from the water to your local raw bar, or doorstep.Red tide? Toxic algae? Yes, these occur more often in summer’s warming waters, but the United States is so strict about quality inspections that oysters aren’t imported from the European Union because it has less strict guidelines.Another previously relevant factor was that wild oysters spawn in warmer waters, a process that leaves them flimsy and rank. (Maybe you can relate.) Today’s farmed oysters are largely bred as sterile triploids that never reproduce. So forget about only eating oysters in months with an ‘r’. As long as you’re not ordering a wild-harvested oyster from warmer waters, there’s no issue. Pass the lemon wedge.For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More

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      in Wellness

      Nonalcoholic Beers That Taste Like the Real Thing

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      Overdoing it on beer was too simple this year. As the pandemic and pugnacious politics upended 2020, cold IPAs were accessible salves for frayed nerves. One could quickly lead to two, four, or more—today’s stress relief bringing tomorrow’s hangover. But in a world off its axis, people are increasingly looking to assert control when it comes to drinking. There’s a real trend toward abstaining from alcohol and moderating intake. Luckily, that no longer means giving up great-tasting beer. “Shifts in drinker perceptions and advancements in brewing technology suggest we’re on the brink of a nonalcoholic beer renaissance,” says Jim Koch, chairman of Boston Beer Company. These nonalcoholic beers prove that when it comes to flavor, nothing really is something.

      Courtesy Image
      10 Nonalcoholic Beers That Taste Like the Real Thing
      1. Athletic Brewing Company Upside Dawn Golden Ale
      Meet one of America’s fastest-growing nonalcoholic breweries, thanks to a proprietary brewing process that leads to boldly flavored bevs. Upside Dawn unites organic German and American malts in a floral, 50-calorie package that drinks light and easy. As such, it’s become popular among the adventure set.
      Get it

      Courtesy Image
      2. Suntory All-Free
      Japanese brewers ran through more than 400 formulas before cracking the code on All-Free, a beer-inspired refresher made with malt barley and hops. It’s reminiscent of a seltzer, full of strong carbonation and flavor, but with zero calories, sugar, and alcohol since they nixed the fermentation process altogether. What’s more, there are no artificial flavors or sweeteners.
      Get it

      Courtesy Image
      3. Lagunitas Brewing Company IPNA
      Clever name, eh? Lagunitas spent a year refining its first nonalcoholic brew, which was just released this December. Like its flagship IPA, this dank little number packs a pungent profile of citrus and pine trees, since it’s dry-hopped with several Pacific Northwest hops like Citra and Columbus from the Yakima Valley. It clocks in under 100 calories to boot.
      Get it
       
      Courtesy Image
      4. Samuel Adams Just the Haze IPA
      Hundreds of yeast strains were tested to create this nonalcoholic hazy IPA (nationwide release early 2021). Wheat and oats amplify the body, while Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, and Cascade hops impart a fragrant profile of pineapple, peaches, and grapefruit. The head retention and gold color are similar to Samuel Adams‘ New England IPA. How wicked is that?
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      5. Ceria Brewing Company Grainwave
      Blue Moon creator Keith Villa’s second act is Ceria, a Colorado brewery focused on nonalcoholic beers made with (and without) THC. Grainwave is a medium-bodied, Belgian-inspired witbier flavored with blood orange peel and coriander and just 77 calories per serving. THC-infused brews (5mg) are available at licensed dispensaries.
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      6. Surreal Brewing Company Natural Bridges Kölsch Style Ale
      Surreal Brewing Company‘s 17-calorie bev is named after a California marine preserve and based on a German kölsch—an ale fermented at colder temperatures for a balance of subtle fruitiness and refreshment. The beer’s soft malt profile goes great with salads and roasted chicken.
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      7. Heineken 0.0
      Heineken has pulled off a delicious magic trick: This gently fruity 69-calorie lager tastes nearly identical to the full-strength original thanks to a unique process of brewing several batches of beer, then blending them.
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      8. Bauhaus Brew Labs “Nah” Helles Lager
      After Bauhaus co-owner Matt Schwandt was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis and had to give up alcohol, he began developing the “Nah” line of nonalcoholic beers. This bright take on a German-style helles lager (meaning pale in color) is made with German hops and malts for a traditional character of fresh-baked bread.
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      9. BrewDog Wake Up Call
      BrewDog‘s brunch-ready stout offers a different kind of buzz. It’s brewed with coffee for a pleasant pick-me-up, while oats and a sprinkling of milk sugar lactose lend smoothness to the roasty sip. FYI: The beer contains 39 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving (a bit more than a can of Coke).
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      10. Clausthaler Santa Clausthauler
      For a jolly, alcohol-free holiday tipple, sip Santa Clausthaler. The latest nonalcoholic beer from Germany’s Clausthaler—a leader in the category since 1979—is flavored with cinnamon and cranberry for a festive kick.
      Get it
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      The Unique Health Benefits of Every Type of Milk

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      Dairy gets put in the hot seat every other month it seems. One good thing to come from all the attention, though, is that companies have scrambled to come up with dairy milk alternatives that meet consumers’ demands, whether it’s “milk” that’s lower in calories, free of lactose, void of stomach-curdling proteins, or something else […] More