Chaga-Caramel Iced Tonic

 

 

I was gifted this dried Chaga from a friend who lives in an area up north where wild Chaga grows. After a long day at school, I came home to find at the doorstep....Chaga mushroom! I get more excited over Chaga mushroom than an iPhone (true story). I received this mushroom as a wonderful unforgettable gift at the perfect time too. Being so busy with school lately has made me spend little time in nature, so holding these Chaga nuggets, even SEEING them in person, felt so amazing and grounding to be connected to the energy of this completely wild food.

 

 I've seen videos of it and pictures but it's been hard getting a hold of it. I actually bought a bag of Chaga in Berkeley a few months ago but I may have bought something that they confused Chaga with. When I made the tea with my friend it reeked her kitchen and it was offensively bitter, almost toxic bitter. Of course I managed to get down half of my brewed cup because I wanted some Chaga darn it! haha. An online friend from Keystone Herbs was so kind to have sent me some of their wild harvested Chaga to make up for my first time trying "Chaga" that went bad. I will never forget this thoughtful gift.

 

Well this Chaga that was gifted to me came from Keystoneherbs.com. It tasted wonderful. It has a very mild aroma of Vanilla and the Vanilla was also detectable in the tea. I needed no sweetener. It was perfect. 

 

Chaga-Caramel Iced Tonic

 

This drink has a nice hint of Caramel flavor thanks to the Maca powder, is very refreshing, energizing yet calming at the same time, & grounding. Besides being enjoyable, both the Maca powder & Chaga tea have incredible immune boosting properties & they are stress relieving. The synergy of these two ingredients make this drink a powerhouse for healing joints, relieving inflammation, prevention of cancer, & nourishing the body with anti-oxidants.

 

-1 cup cooled Chaga tea (Boil on medium high about a teaspoon of small pieces of dried Chaga in 4 cups in a pot for 30-40 minutes. Then strain the pieces of Chaga.)
-1/2 teaspoon raw Maca powder
-2 drops Stevia Extract (or use raw honey, or maple syrup to your preferred taste)

Blend in a blender or mix by hand thoroughly.

Chocolate Macadamia Bites (Decadently Healthy)

Chocolate Dates Macadamia 

 

 Get it?

 

 

Three of my favorite foods in one recipe. These past few weeks I have been going crazy over Medjool Dates. I could eat a plate filled of only Macadamias and be the happiest person! Cacao just sits deep in my heart. I've been enjoying pure chocolate pretty often throughout the week lately.

 

The picture speaks for itself. This recipe is as simple as it looks.

 

Recipe: Serves 2

 

-2 soft Medjool Dates

-8 Macadamia nuts

-Your favorite healthy chocolate bar (or homemade). Another great way I've been enjoying these with less sugar from the chocolate bar is to simply use Cacao Nibs. The Medjool Dates are sweet enough! Cacao Nibs are a little hard to the bite & would add a great crunchy texture.

-Sea Salt

 

To create, remove the pits from your Medjool Dates. Now open your Medjool Date all the way to create halves. Chop in half or in smaller pieces your Macadamia nuts. Two Macadamias for each Medjool Date half is a good base. Slice off small chunks or pieces of your chocolate bar. Add the pieces of your Macadamias & chocolate to each half of the Medjool Dates. If you are using Cacao Nibs then sprinkle about a teaspoon on each half. Lightly sprinkle a touch of Sea Salt. Enjoy! You can double the recipe and store these in the refrigerator covered for a couple of weeks.

 

These are enjoyable as a snack, pre-workout, & dessert.

 

 

I used my favorite chocolate bar at the moment :)

 

 

 I like my sandwiches closed.