I’ve traded up post-meal desserts with a cup of Reishi mushroom hot cocoa
There is a reason why people are now looking for alternative medicines and Reishi mushroom is becoming the most favourable. If we’re learning anything in today’s changing world is that our health is wealth and our immune system isn’t something worth risking. We are taking more care of our bodies, watching what we eat, getting creative with our workouts and using the time to reflect and hopefully meditate more. You might have taken to supplements and superfoods to kickstart and improve your immune system. I certainly have.
The star ingredient popularly known for its immune-boosting and medicinal properties is mushrooms. But we’re not talking about the ones you snatch up at your local grocers or the magical kind.
We’re getting into a particular category of powerhouse mushrooms such as Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s mane, Cordyceps and shiitake just to name a few! As we know, good health starts in the gut, and so we called on The Gut Lab to introduce us to their incredibly delicious and most potent elixirs.
Trialling various kinds of mushroom powders from The Gut Lab was a perfect fit. Their elixirs are lovingly combined by two sisters and fellow Canadians from Calgary whose on a beautiful mission to educate, empower and inspire through the use of responsibly sourced natural healing superfoods.
So, why mushrooms?
We’re all about superfoods, and you know our love for kale, coconuts and all of what nature gives us runs deep, and that includes mushrooms. Mushrooms are unique and versatile in that they have been used for thousands of years predominantly in Asian societies for their robust health properties. If you’re not a fan, we get that, except the best part about mushroom powders is they don’t actually taste like mushrooms! Keep reading and see how I’ve used mushroom powders in ways you never thought of.
Adaptogen / Superfood
To put it plainly adaptogens help our bodies adapt to stress. When it comes to superfoods, they are nutritionally dense and provide greater health benefits.
According to The Gut Lab’s #bossisters, adaptogens are
“used in Traditional Chinese + Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, adaptogenic substances have been shown to allow our body to stay within its naturally harmonious state of being by helping us to gently adapt according to our own body’s individual needs. they’re known to offer support + modulate our ever bombarded immune + adrenal system aiding us in balancing the persistent stress + fatigue most of us know all too well.”
I’ve tried almost all superfoods, but the ones I had been missing out on were chlorella, Ginkgo Biloba, reishi and other types of mushroom powders. When it comes to food, I eat clean and with nutritional and functional ideas in mind. In other words, I always incorporate a good balance of superfoods, fruits and vegetables, fibres and fats.
Immune Boosting
The moment I leaned into the idea to see food as medicine and be mindful and appreciative of what I eat is the moment everything changed for me. I saw drastic improvements in my health in the last couple of years. When I was introduced to mushroom powders, especially the most popularly known reishi, it was in Ubud by a lovely artist and friend who taught me about their potent medical and spiritual properties.
Reishi also known as “Lingzhi” are functional mushrooms with plenty of fibre and are known to help strengthen your immune system, relieve stress and promote a healthy gut. Wellness begins in the gut and therefore a healthy daily dose of some of these mushrooms can increase digestion and promote overall well-being.
I created a few fun and easy recipes incorporating The Gut Lab’s powerful elixirs and didn’t take long to notice a significant improvement in my energy levels, skin and overall calmness after continued use.
The beauty of The Gut Lab’s products is that they can be mixed and interchanged in just about any recipe you can think of. However, I prefer and believe it’s best to consume in raw form. See our recipes for inspiration!
Products we used:
Green 6
Clarity
Lion’s Mane
Reishi
Caramelized Fruit Clarity Oatmeal
ingredients
1 cup of organic oats
1/2 cup of blackberries, blueberries or banana
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of almond milk
1 tsp of Clarity The Gut Lab potion
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp flax milled seeds
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp coconut oil
method
- Cook on medium oats, water, almond mylk, vanilla, cinnamon and Clarity potion on medium until oatmeal thickens
- Separately, in a small pan cook blackberries with coconut oil until soft
- Place cooked oats in a bowl, add blackberries and sprinkle cinnamon, flax and drizzle maple syrup
- You can add a scoop of organic almond or peanut butter
Cocoa Reishi Coconut Ice Cream
After learning about this recipe, I never have to buy ice cream again and can make my own delicious vegan ice cream right at home in minutes!
ingredients
1 can of coconut milk
1 tbsp of cocoa
1/2 cup of Callebaut dark chocolate
1 tbsp of reishi mushroom powder by The Gut Lab
1/4 cup of brown sugar (could substitute for palm sugar)
1 tsp of chopped pistachios
1 tbsp of pomegranate syrup (optional)
method
- Heat the coconut milk until it begins to steam
- In a bowl slightly mix together sugar, cocoa and Reishi and dark chocolate
- Once the coconut milk begins to lightly simmer, pour over chocolate and sugar and mix until smooth (dark chocolate will melt from the simmering coconut milk)
- Pour mixture into ice cream maker and churn for 45 minutes
- When finished churning, place a scoop in a bowl, sprinkle pistachios and drizzle pomegranate syrup
Bali Lush Smoothie Bowl
This is the kind of breakfast you can abundantly enjoy in Bali and so I’ve taken what I know and brought it home with me. Luckily for The Gut Lab, Green 6 makes it even easier and immensely nutritional.
ingredients
2 bananas
1/2 cup of pineapple
1 handful of spinach
1 piece of ginger
1/2 coconut yogurt
1 cup of water
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp Clarity potion by The Gut Lab
1 tsp Green 6 potion by The Gut lab
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp coconut flakes
method
- Place 1 banana, pineapple, spinach, ginger, yogurt, water, cinnamon, coco oil, Lion’s Mane, and Green 6 in a blender until smooth
- Pour into a bowl and place 1 banana sliced, chia seeds, and coconut flakes on top and enjoy!
Reishi Hot Cocoa
This is a great Keto recipe and can be altered to your liking. Enjoy morning or night.
ingredients
1 cup of boiling water
1 cup of unsweetened almond mylk
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp Reishi mushroom powder by The Gut Lab
1 tsp Lion’s Mane by The Gut Lab (optional)
2 tsp coconut oil
Dash of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp honey
3 dates
methods
- Boil water first
- Add all ingredients in a Vitamix or high-speed blender
- Blend on high until creamy and frothy
- Pour into your favourite mug and savour
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