Natural Morning Energy Drink
Mornings are rushed. You need to wake up and get going—fast. Maybe you’re caring for your family, or you have to get to work on time. Whatever the reason, most of us aren't fueling our bodies appropriately in the morning. The truth is, the first thing we put in our bellies in the morning matters. Our whole body is gearing up for the day. You want to give your body the best so you can feel your best.
Don’t worry—we won’t tell you that you need a three-course breakfast with freshly squeezed juice. All it takes is a few baby steps to start your day a little bit better than it was because sometimes, little changes can make a big impact.
Waking up is a complex process. It’s a symphony of processes slowly coming online while others are shutting down. Melatonin is tapering off while adrenaline is slowly starting to rise. Digestion, which came to a grinding halt while we were sleeping, is preparing to supply the body with energy. Our metabolism hopes to get energy from a good night's sleep and a decent meal. It doesn’t want to pull straight from adrenaline and sugar. When we eat something with an empty stomach, that changes the way our body uses the food/drink.
A Note About Sugar and Your Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands are located just above your kidneys. They play an essential part in your immune response, stress response, and metabolism. Essentially, the adrenal glands are responders, similar to dispatchers. Your adrenals respond to what you eat, drink, breathe, think, and do. The adrenal glands dispatch hormones to react to the situation.
Sugar consumption, particularly refined sugar consumption, causes peaks in blood sugar levels. These peaks are incredibly high when the sugar is consumed without significant protein or fat. The constant peaks and valleys of blood sugar may tax the adrenal glands, as the glands are constantly trying to help the body find a state of balance called homeostasis.
A quick note about caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant. It affects people differently. Some people feel jittery very quickly, some feel focused and energized, and some feel relaxed. The effects of caffeine are more intense on an empty stomach. They are much milder when consumed with fat and protein. Some people also have caffeine sensitivity, which can cause someone to have powerful effects from even a minimal amount of caffeine.
Overconsumption of or sensitivity to caffeine can cause a wide range of symptoms. It can be helpful to step back from caffeine to fully understand how it affects you mentally and physically. Enjoying the benefits of caffeine in its natural whole-food form can be beneficial, but using caffeine in large amounts can negatively affect your health.
Symptoms of Overconsumption of Caffeine
- Feeling jittery
- Feeling anxious
- Being agitated easily
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Racing heart
- Raised blood pressure
- Upset stomach
- Acid reflux
- Headache
- Getting withdrawal symptoms when you take a break
Enough with the Nos!
We promise breakfast can still be delicious and energy-giving with a few simple ingredients. Everyone’s body is different, and you might find a particular drink or combination of foods fits your body better than others. Some thrive with carbohydrates like oatmeal mixed with fats like butter. Others need a mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, like toast with butter and eggs. And yet others really like high protein, low carb breakfasts like eggs, bacon, and sausage. If you’re looking for other simple, nutritious breakfasts, check out our cookbook Wholesome Real Food Favorites.
These morning drinks are exactly what your body needs to get started. Just like food, some drinks might work better than others.
Nettle Tea (or Infusion)
Nettles are a powerhouse herb full of vitamins and minerals that your body looks forward to starting the day with. The amount of tea you drink can vary depending on how you feel and the flavor. If you are doing an infusion, you can start it overnight and strain it in the morning.
Ingredients
- Quart jar
- ¼-1 cup of dried nettle leaves
- Water
Directions
- Boil a quart of water.
- Steep nettle leaves in freshly boiled water for 15 minutes to 8 hours.
- Strain leaves and drink.
Notes
You can store an infusion in the refrigerator for 48 hours after preparation.
Don’t have the herbs or the time? Don’t worry! We use nettles in our Nourish Line of tinctures, and you can find them in the smoothie recipe below!
Easy Breakfast Smoothie
Instead of providing a set list of ingredients, this recipe is a la carte. You can pick and choose what works best for you from each category.
Nutritional Fruits and Veggies
- Pineapple
- Spinach
- Blueberries
- Mango
- Tart cherries
- Pumpkin
- Celery
- Avocado
Protein
- Pumpkin seeds
- Collagen
- Peanut butter
- Cashews
- Coconut milk
- Cooked quinoa
- Milk
Liquid
- Milk
- Water
- Coconut water
- Coconut milk
Herbs (add to taste)
- Ginger root or powder
- Turmeric root or powder
- Cayenne pepper or powder
- Mint
Optional Earthley Add-ins
Directions:
- The majority of the smoothie should be a balance between the fruits and the vegetables.
- If you want a liquid, that can range from ¼ cup to 1 ½ cups depending on how thick or thin you want your smoothie to be.
- Proteins can be 1-3 Tbsp, depending on the size of your smoothie and how much protein you want.
- Herbs can be added based on how strong you want them to taste
- Earthley products can be added based on your personal needs and preference
- If you find a smoothie combo you like, don’t forget to write it down!
Functional Herbal Mushroom coffee
This one is for the coffee drinkers! This recipe will turn your coffee into a functional beverage.
Ingredients
- 8-12 ounces of freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 tsp of Earthley’s 5 Mushroom Super Blend or your favorite mushroom powder
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tsp of chicory root
- 1 tsp of burdock root
- ½ tsp of Earthley’s Cocoa Calm
- Cream of your choice
- Sweetener of your choice
Directions
- Add mushroom blend and any additional add-ins to your coffee.
- Blend for 1 minute or until all powders/creams are mixed thoroughly.
- Drink and Enjoy!
Fueling your body for the day doesn’t have to be complicated, taste bad, or time-consuming! For more ideas, check out our Morning Metabolism Challenge!