5 Healthy Coffee Upgrades… For Smoothies TOO!
October at Missi Balison Fitness has been all about upgrading habits in order to take your health and fitness to the next level …Because that is the point right? Taking things to the next level. In this blog post I am going to share with you 5 delicious and healthy upgrades to one of my very favorite habits… COFFEE!
Today I’ve got some fantastic ways you can upgrade your coffee and even smoothies.
First up … MACA POWDER!
Maca is one of my favorite healthy coffee upgrades because this super-food actually does have some pretty amazing super-powers.
It’s loaded up with antioxidants, great for your energy, mood, and memory, and it’s also well known for helping to balance your hormones and boost libido.
Since it helps support your ability to focus and boost energy levels, it’s a perfect way to help kick-start your day by adding it to your morning coffee or smoothie!
You can find maca HERE online, and many grocery stores now carry it!
Healthy Coffee Upgrade #2 CACAO.
That’s right … chocolate-y goodness!
This one gets a little confusing … because cacao is actually the raw
form of cocoa. It contains more health-boosting components, like antioxidants, flavonoids and minerals than cocoa.
That’s because cocoa is basically cacao that’s been processed with high heat.
You can get cacao powder or cacao nibs, which are little chip-like nuggets.
Here’s a bonus tip that has to do with cacao powder!
This sounds really weird, but I promise it’s delicious. In the morning, try putting a cup of hot coffee in a mason jar and stir in a tablespoon of almond butter and a teaspoon of cacao powder, and mix it up till it’s smooth.
Then, put the jar in the fridge till after lunch … and when you’re ready to drink it, add in some almond milk and ice cubes and shake it up. It’s a delicious after-lunch energy booster!
I know it sounds strange to add nut butter to coffee … but you have to trust me on this one! It’s good.
Healthy Coffee Upgrade #3 PUMPKIN PIE SPICE.
You have two options with this one! Add it to your coffee grounds BEFORE you brew, or to your coffee afterwards.
Actually, make that 3 options. If you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic, you could choose both options for a pumpkin spice party in your coffee!
There are a lot of reasons why this spice mixture is so amazing … if you’re trying to eat less sugar, the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg will add enough sweetness to help satisfy you without actual sugar or other sweeteners.
Not only that, but cinnamon can help regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels if that’s an issue for you … and the ginger is good for your digestive system!
Pretty amazing, right?
Here’s another thing that I love about this tip… nutmeg is also in pumpkin pie spice, and it can help keep your breath fresh so you can avoid the dreaded coffee breath.
You will want to experiment with this one to find your perfect level of spice, but start with a teaspoon in your coffee grounds and then add more or less from there.
Upgrade #4 Turmeric
My Fourth Healthy Coffee Upgrade Is Also Spicy … it’s TURMERIC!
There’s pretty much nothing that this spice can’t do! It’s everywhere these days, and for very good reasons.
It has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits for your entire body, is packed with antioxidants, and scientists are studying how it might be able to help protect you from all sorts of diseases, from cancer to Alzheimer’s to heart disease.
Turmeric can have an “earthy” taste to it, so try adding about a half-teaspoon to your grounds before you brew your coffee.
Or, you can stir a quarter-teaspoon into a cup of coffee and see how you like it, and work up from there … and maybe add a little of that pumpkin pie spice I mentioned earlier, to take the edge off!
Upgrade#5 : Collagen Peptides
Are you ready for my fifth and final healthy coffee upgrade?
This one is so good for your hair, your skin, not to mention your bones and joints.
Get yourself some collagen peptide powder and stir it into your coffee or smoothies for a major boost. This is basically like bone broth, except in powder form.
Here’s a tip: most collagen peptide powder is hydrolyzed, which means it’s broken down so that it’s easier for your body to absorb.
Vital Proteins is my favorite brand of Collagen because it is sourced from grass fed cows… Remember, you are what you eat ate! I also love that Vital Proteins has Collagen Creamers to use as a healthy alternative to those chemical and sugar laden creamers you buy in the store. They even have a Gingerbread Creamer that is PERFECT for this time of year!
Most collagen powders don’t have much taste, but they definitely do have benefits.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s a big part of your connective tissues, including your skin and muscles, giving them structure and strength.
The benefits of collagen supplements are still being studied, but research shows they help with everything from shiny hair and healthy skin to relieving joint pain, improving muscle mass, and making your heart strong!
Definitely worth checking out.
I hope this list helps you upgrade your coffees and smoothies! I know it does mine.
If you’d love more healthy coffee upgrades to take your habit to the next level, you are definitely going to want to grab my newest E-book.. The Healthy Coffee Swaps Recipe Book
