A Matcha Latte for Adrenal Fatigue

Depending on what stage of adrenal fatigue you are in, your tolerance for caffeine may vary.

For many of us, it's a crutch and for those with adrenal fatigue, mustering up enough energy to get through the day can be tough. We totally feel ya on this. This is where many fall into the cycle of drinking coffee for more temporary energy because they are fatigued, while at the same time putting more wear and tear on the adrenal glands over the long term. Do you see how this is a double-edged sword? 

If you are struggling with adrenal fatigue is any caffeine okay!?

This question comes up a lot.  The answer really depends on where you're at and how depleted your adrenals are. 

Typically, I'd recommend taking a good 30 day break from coffee while you give your adrenals some time to recover.
Why would I recommend this torture you ask? To help you regain balance and control.  30 days is enough time to release you from the clutch of caffeine addiction and to reset your relationship with it. It will also support you in re-establishing hormonal balance. 

Is there a better way to energize without coffee?

We think so! We wrote a blog all about this that you can check out here! 

I recommend tindering down your daily consumption slowly, rather then going cold turkey. This will just make things a little easier on you.  Start with smaller cup sizes or switch to decaf. 

I love substituting in matcha or raw cacao in place of one of my daily coffees during this phase.  These alternatives provide smaller amounts of caffeine to help prevent withdrawal headaches, while also offering comfort, deliciousness, and lots of great nutrition. 

WHAT IS MATCHA?

Matcha is finely milled, premium green tea leaves. The difference between this and regular green tea is that you actually consume the whole ground leaf (rather than steeping it in the water), because of this you consume all the nutrition from the leaf too. Because your consuming the whole leaf, you are getting a much more concentrated green tea with exaggerated benefits. 

The Benefits:

• It is amazingly high in free radical scavenging antioxidants! ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is a method in which we rate the antioxidant capacity of things, and matcha is up there amongst the highest rated foods.

• Matcha has 137 times more antioxidants than 1 cup of regular green tea

• The nutritional equivalent of drinking 10 cups of regular green tea per 1 cup.

• It boosts your energy! Studies have shown that a cup of matcha can boost endurance by nearly 25%. Matcha does contain caffeine, but about half the amount of a regular cup of coffee. With matcha, the buzz is longer and more sustained, not up and down like a cup of coffee.

• At the same time that it is stimulating, it is also calming. Matcha is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes alpha waves in your brain promoting zen and calm. You won't get those jitters like you may from caffeine, just a blast of non-anxious energy!

• It is rich in detoxifying chlorophyll and fiber.

• It's amazing for skin health!

A CREAMY MATCHA NINJA LATTE RECIPE FOR THE ADRENALS

The Recipe:

• 1 cup steamed almond milk

• 1/2 tsp Matcha Ninja matcha

• 1 tsp coconut oil

• 1/2 tsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp collagen protein powder

• a splash of vanilla extract

• a pinch of sea salt

Directions:

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until mixed well and frothy. Transfer to your mug and enjoy. 

Alternatively, add a 1/2 of your steamed almond milk and the rest of the ingredients to your mug. Mix well with a mini hand frother and then gently pour in the rest of your steamed milk. 

This matcha latte is special. The maple syrup and sea salt bring out a really delicious flavour and provide trace minerals that our adrenals crave for repair. The addition of collagen protein gives this drink a blood sugar balancing boost as well as extra gut nourishment. The coconut oil and collagen balance things out helping to energize you and fuel you- you'll find this is a perfect mid-morning or mid-afternoon energizer snack.

Hope you love it! 
xo  Danielle + the HYAF Team

Candida Overgrowth: 7 Signs & 10 Things You Must Know About Treatment

Are you dealing with the following symptoms?

• Fatigue

• Constipation

• Brain Fog

• Poor concentration

• Cravings for sweets

• Unexplained weight gain

• Frequent urinary tract infections

If so, there is a chance you could have candida overgrowth.  In this blog, you will learn all you need to know about candida; symptoms & signs, causes, the different types of candida infections and treatment.

What is Candida?

Candida Albicans also known as Candidiasis or yeast overgrowth has become a hidden epidemic. It is becoming more and more of a major disease and can be found to be an underlying factor in many other diseases.

Candida yeast is a type of fungus. A fungus is a microorganism that is not beneficial for the body. Candida exists everywhere and we come into contact with it throughout the day on everything we touch, breathe and consume. However, this is not the problem. Candida is generally not a problem unless it overgrows and interferes with the balance of friendly bacteria in the body. Overgrowth can lead to many health concerns. A balance is always an indication of optimal health.

symptoms and signs

When we first think of Candida our thoughts involve women and yeast infections. This is one example of overgrowth, but Candidiasis affects both sexes and many age groups. Its main habitat is the digestive tract.  Other types of candida infection include:

• White flaky skin

• Vaginal discharge

• Jock itch

• Athlete’s foot

• Heavy coated white tongues

• Colic and thrush in children

Candida can show up in many ways, present with many or no symptoms and can lead to symptoms of fatigue, constipation, fuzzy thinking, poor concentration, lethargy, weight gain, and many more symptoms. If you think you are dealing with a candida infection, treatment can be given. especially if it is the cause of the problem.

Candida Treatment

With proper treatment, Candida Albicans can be healed in a short amount of time (unless there are other underlying causes). Treatments must include 3 important components:

1. DIET

2. EXERCISE

3. DETOX PROTOCOLS  (to remove toxins from the body as well as enable and optimize the body’s innate ability to do its daily requirements)

9 Things You Need to Know About Treatment:

1. To ‘cure’ candida it is necessary to destroy as many microorganisms or unfriendly bacteria as possible and restore a healthful balance of friendly bacteria within the body.

2. With proper treatment, a wholesome diet, and lifestyle changes, Candida Albicans can be healed within months (unless other underlying causes prolong the treatment)

3. Candida overgrowth can recur at any time the body’s immune system and energy levels reach a low state for a period of time. A weakened body creates a breeding ground for all types of unfriendly microorganisms

4. Traces of candida can remain in the body even after treatment

5. New yeast cells can easily enter the body from the outside sources daily

6. A healthy individual maintains enough friendly bacteria in the body to counteract and prevent overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and therefore prevent the overgrowth of candida

7. For successful treatment, all yeast cells present in the body must be eliminated and keep the body strong for any contact in future with daily doses of yeast

8. A person must raise the body’s health and wellness levels to avoid recurrence of infection and yeast overgrowth. This is where diet and lifestyle play a major role in the optimization of health

9. Cleansing programs can assist the body to heal, boost the immune system and help remove candida yeast from the body

10. Once treatment is successful, yeast growth in the body may be controlled by taking supplements, and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

WRAP IT UP

Candidiasis, or yeast overgrowth can present in many different ways. It can be the cause of the symptoms one may be experiencing. Treatment will depend on the health of the individual as well as any other underlying causes that have not been addressed. Overall, yeast is present everywhere and the goal is to create an optimal state of health that prevents overgrowth from occurring. A balanced diet and lifestyle are important for everyone’s treatment.

Adrenal Loving Grain-Free "NOatmeal"

There is something so warm and comforting about a bowl of oatmeal, especially on a cold day. For many of us suffering adrenal fatigue, this carbohydrate dense start to the day, though delicious, can get in the way of our recovery. So voila, today we bring you our Adrenal Loving Grain-Free "NOatmeal".  (We couldn't resist that bad pun (#sorrynotsorry)). The way your typical bowl of oatmeal is handled by your body very much depends on a few important things, such as:

1. How well your body tolerates grains

2. How you prepare your oats and what you eat with them

Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal with berries, sugar, and milk is a very high sugar, low protein start to the day. This is not ideal for someone trying to balance their hormones and recover from adrenal fatigue. Instead, the focus should be on healthy fats and protein and THEN carbohydrates. This approach will help provide you with balanced energy all morning long and set you on the right path for the rest of the day.

The recipe we are sharing with you today is very unique. It has a similar taste and look to oatmeal, but this recipe is actually 100% grain-free. This recipe is packed full of healthy, anti-inflammatory fats, and blood sugar balancing protein. It will keep you full for hours while providing that comfort we all enjoy from a bowl of oats topped with your favorite fruits and lots of cinnamon. Whether you haven't been tolerating grains well lately or just want a new adrenal supportive breakfast recipe to add to your arsenal, this recipe has got your back.

Adrenal Loving "NOatmeal"

• 3/4 cup of cashew milk (or milk of your choice)

• 3 tbsp chia seeds

• 2 tbsp almond flour

• 2 tbsp coconut flakes

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• a sprinkle of nutmeg

• 1 tbsb of collagen protein powder

• optional: sweeten with a bit of honey, maple syrup or stevia or monk fruit if desired

• Top with ½ cup of organic berries and a dollop of coconut butter

Mix everything together in a pot on the stove top. Heat and stir. Remove from heat, add your fave toppings and enjoy! 

Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a timeless tradition and has been the recipe of choice when it comes to helping to nourish sick people back to health. It's no wonder! Chicken soup, especially when made with homemade bone broth, is teeming with easy to absorb vitamins and minerals. It's warm, it's yummy, and it's the perfect dish to comfort you when you're not feeling well.  Today, we are excited to share our twist on this timeless classic- our Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup Recipe.

Part of the reason chicken soup is so great when you are sick, is because it is very hydrating. The minerals in the broth are great for replacing lost electrolytes, which is great for when you are sick and not eating or drinking much, but also great for adrenal health.  This is because mineral imbalance is very common for those with stressed adrenal glands.

When this soup is made using a bone broth, the amino acid glutamine is released from the bones and into the broth. This particular amino acid is great for helping fuel the production of white blood cells, this is great for immunity. When our adrenals are fatigued, depleted cortisol levels and hormonal imbalance can add stress to our immune system. Therefore a meal like this is perfect to add to your adrenal fatigue recovery diet.

Here is the recipe for our Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup:

• 1-litre bone broth

• 1 onion chopped

• 5 cloves garlic, chopped

• 3 stalks of celery, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 1 cup enoki mushrooms

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup chopped basil

• 3 tbsp tamari

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (can add more or less depending on taste)

• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or pulled

• 3 cups, chopped greens added right at the end 

Directions:

Heat 2 tbsp of grass fed ghee or olive oil in your soup pot.

Once heated, add onions and cook for a few minutes until they start to become translucent. Add in garlic, celery, and carrots. Stir well and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften. Add in bone broth and turn heat up to medium to bring it to a simmer.

Add your tamari and hot sauce and stir well. Add in your mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and herbs.  Simmer your soup for 10-30 mins. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as necessary.

At the last minute, add in your greens and stir in until soft. (Sometimes I omit this and add the greens to my bowl raw and pour the hot soup on top of them. This way they won’t go too mushy in your soup if it sits in your fridge for a few days).

This recipe is very simple to make and makes great leftovers that you can freeze for a rainy day.  We love topping ours with hemp hearts for a little extra protein and anti-inflammatory fats.

All the most delicious & nourishing vibes,
Danielle + The HYAF Team

Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie

If you have been looking for a breakfast recipe that is easy to make and nourishing for the adrenals, look no further. This Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie recipe offers a potent punch of vitamin C,  sustaining healthy fats, absorbable, high-quality protein, and a whole lot of delish. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, ESPECIALLY if you suffer from adrenal fatigue. This first meal has the power to set you up with a healthy blood sugar balance for the rest of the day.. or do the opposite. The power lays in your choice of breakfast. Whether you are recovering from adrenal fatigue or simply looking for a healthy, balanced smoothie recipe that will support your blood sugar levels and your hormones, this smoothie is for you! It covers all the nutritional bases needed to set you up on the right foot for the day.

I love doubling up this recipe on busy days and packing some to-go for a healthy, adrenal loving meal available at my fingertips when I need it.

Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie Recipe

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk + ½ cup of water

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 tbsp grass-fed collagen protein powder

• 2-3 tbsp of lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon acerola cherry powder

• 1/2 cup frozen organic berries

• 1 cup of organic greens

• 4 ice cubes

• optional addition *1 or 2 drops of stevia, or 1/2 tsp of monk fruit sugar

Blend everything together for 1 minute until smooth and enjoy!

Want to learn more? Check out our post on essential foods that support adrenal fatigue recovery and start incorporating them into your diet now.  What has been your go-to breakfast that has made a difference in your adrenal fatigue recovery? Let us know your thoughts or share your favorite hormone friendly smoothie recipe below!

xo, Danielle and the HYAF team.