I get my caffeine the only way I like it… in coffee form. But if you aren’t a cof-fiend (get it? coffee fiend) like I am then these recipes might be for you. Also, if you haven’t already read my post on Loaded Teas, I encourage you to do so.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which controls a lot of your body’s functions. Caffeine can improve mental alertness and help temporarily with fatigue. 400 mg of caffeine a day, for healthy adults, is generally deemed safe. But, if you have any underlying conditions (especially heart or pregnancy) listen to your doctor when it comes to intake. Natural caffeine is found in more than 60 plants like cacao, coffee beans, kola nuts, tea leaves, the bark of Yoco, and guarana berries. So, instead of the “loaded with fake sugar, unregulated supplements and synthetic ingredients tea,” you could try the following recipes.
Matcha Latte with Coconut Milk
Matcha is a powdered green tea that’s low in calories, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals and rich in a variety of antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- ½ cup hot water, make sure it’s not boiling
- honey (optional, to taste)
- 1 cup warm frothed unsweetened coconut milk
Instructions
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Add the matcha powder to a shallow bowl and add half the water. Whisk until there are no lumps. You will have a thick green paste. Add the honey at this point.
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Add the remaining water, and whisk vigorously until the powder and water are blended and lots of bubbles form on top.
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Pour in the frothed coconut milk. Enjoy.
Orange Coconut Smoothie
Around 3 pm in the afternoon, I want to reach for another coffee and sometimes junk food but instead, when I work from home, I have a smoothie like this one. The citrus from the orange helps my mental focus, the coconut milk and yogurt are rich and help me feel full, the honey will give you some lasting energy and the flax is a great source of fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 medium orange, peeled
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 3/4 cup low-sugar vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup ice
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pomegranate Hibiscus Iced Tea
In my opinion, the combination of hibiscus tea and pomegranate is a magical one. Slightly sour, slightly sweet, bright, and refreshing it makes for the perfect pick-me-up drink. Hibiscus can be a good source of iron which can help with focus and improve energy. Of course with everything, drink in moderation.
Ingredients
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 4 cups cold water
- ¼ cup honey, optional for more sweetness
Instructions
- Steep tea bags in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and pour them into a large pitcher. Stir in pomegranate juice and cold water. Add honey at this point if desired.
- Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
- Serve over ice with lemon wedges, if desired.
Store in a covered pitcher for 1 week.
Bonus item: Water
A huge side effect of dehydration can be fatigue. When you are dehydrated your body may work harder to pump oxygen throughout your body. This can make you feel sluggish and less focused. So, drink some water. I have to flavor mine with a piece of fruit like lemon and maybe some herbs too.
