Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes 1 drink
This is my regular go-to cacao. I have it nearly every day as gut health has been a LONG time struggle of mine, always searching for ways to support it. This cacao blends two incredible herbs, slippery elm and ashwagandha.
Slippery elm is an excellent herb for soothing the digestive tract. It contains mucilage which turns into a gel-like consistency once it's mixed with water. This texture helps to soothe the GI tract, making it a great resource for anyone suffering from acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, diverticulitis, as well as a sore throat, or painful stomach. It can also help get the bowels moving if you're constipated. Let's be honest, no one enjoys that. Naturally found in the form of bark, slippery elm can be turned into powders or taken as capsules, I typically use a powder.
The other, more familiar herb I used, was ashwagandha. An adaptogen that helps to calm the nervous system, I sometimes call Ashwagandha a miracle worker. It's popularly used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine and has been consumed medicinally for more than 2,500 years! In case you're unfamiliar with what an adaptogen herb is, it's essentially a plant that helps your body manage stress and maintain homeostasis, aka, a balanced, safe, and calm state. I personally think most people would benefit from taking ashwagandha, even if they're not feeling stressed (of course, there are exceptions). Why is that? Well, we live in a world that bombards us with environmental toxins every day. Touch plastic? Microwave your food? Use conventional personal care products? Live in a city and breathe often? They're everywhere. And when we're exposed to these toxins, our bodies then have to filter and excrete them, another job we're asking it to do. So whether or not we physically feel the effects of stress, supplementing with ashwagandha from time to time, can support our ability to handle those hidden stressors.
on to the recipe now...
it's pretty simple, and easy to customize, which I always encourage you to do! Feel free to sub the honey for maple syrup or stick with just banana as a sweetener. I typically use coconut milk as I don't do well with almonds, but I included almond milk in the recipe as it creates a creamier consistency. Hemp would be another great option! This drink is a great alternative to coffee in the morning, or if you're like me and don't want to give coffee up, have both :)
ingredients
1 1/2 c creamy almond milk, or water
1/2 scoop @ancientnutrition chocolate bone broth collagen
1 Tbsp cacao
1/2 tbsp ghee
1/3 banana, or more to your choosing
1 tsp slippery elm (I take this regularly for GI health, can sub with flax or hemp)
ashwagandha: I use whatever is on hand, either 1tsp of powder or break open a capsule
1/2 tsp vanilla
dash of ginger
dash of cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
steps
Blend all ingredients then warm on the stove. Alternatively, warm the milk before blending, just be weary of blending hot foods in plastic blenders.
Hope you enjoy,
kenn
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