Mushrooms boost our immune system, helping us not get sick. Especially important in these virus times (that’s why they are sold out almost everywhere!)
Not only are mushrooms immune boosting, they also work on all our other body systems – gut, skin, lungs, energy, nervous system and hormones. They are known to be adaptogenic, meaning they help our bodies adapt to stress. They are an everyday supplement for me! They’ve even been shown to improve cancer outcomes.
Because I like to use food as medicine, I take mushrooms as a powder rather than in capsules. I mix the powder into either homemade Chai tea or hot cacao with almond milk. Here’s my recipe for hot chocolate below, and click here for my Chai tea.
My hot chocolate with mushroom powder is so healing and delicious. The mushrooms give a lovely savoury taste and the health benefits are almost too good! Cacao has high levels of magnesium, making it soothing for the nervous system, and a little caffeine too for a pick me up. Cinnamon has been shown to reduce sugar cravings. You can make this completely sugar free if you choose, with xylitol or natvia – both healthy alternatives to sugar. Or use a natural sweetener like Manuka honey, which has antimicrobial properties, meaning it kills harmful bacteria and viruses, helping us stay well.
Hope you enjoy this recipe. If you don’t have any mushroom powder, it’s still delightful just as a yummy hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate recipe
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tsp mushroom powder (I like Mason’s Mushrooms. This is optional but obviously adds lovely health benefits and a savoury, umami flavour)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup almond milk or other plant milk
½ tsp xylitol or natvia
½ tsp raw honey
(you can use just one sweetener and increase the quantity to 1 tsp, or if you like it sweeter add a little more)
Add a little milk to the dry ingredients to form a smooth paste, then add the rest of the milk. Warm gently on the stovetop, and add raw honey after taking off the heat.