Over the past 6 months, my body has been screaming at me to give up coffee. It would leave me feeling jittery, anxious, and like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. For months, I refused to listen to my body because 1) I love the morning ritual of a steaming cup of coffee and 2) I didn’t know what else to drink. I am not a fan of green tea, I think mushroom coffee tastes a little bit like dirt, and as much as I love matcha, I don’t love it enough to drink every day. I tried switching to decaf for a few weeks, but unfortunately the process of decaffeinating coffee beans requires the use of chemicals and changes the overall taste of the coffee. After experimenting with decaf, I switched over to halfcaf (half caffeinated, half decaffeinated coffee) for a couple of days, and was greeted with a pounding headache, racing heart, and unfounded anxiety. At that point, I knew that coffee was no longer serving me and it was time for me to let go and move on.

Now I just want to be clear that I am not anti-coffee or anti-caffeine. Coffee has both negative and positive aspects, and its effects vary greatly from person to person. However, I do want to note that because of its effects on the central nervous system and its potential to produce physical and psychological dependence, caffeine is actually considered a psychoactive drug and is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world. Caffeine can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, cause stomach discomfort, lead to dependency, insomnia, anxiety, and more. Many people (like my partner Greg) can tolerate caffeine well, while others (like me) are much more sensitive. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice and you have to listen to your own body to figure out what works for you.

I knew giving up coffee was the right choice for me, so I set out on a mission to find an alternative morning drink. My expectations were very low, but then the impossible happened–I found the drink of my dreams in the form of dandelion root. Now, I know what you are thinking–that sounds weird (and maybe even Stasia’s gone off the deep end). I too was skeptical at first, but since my options were limited, I decided to give it a try. I zoomed over to Amazon, picked up a small bag for $12, and started experimenting in the kitchen until I found the perfect blend of ingredients. And holy $h*t, I am legit obsessed with my new morning “coffee.” Its absolutely delicious, I feel great after drinking it, and my energy levels are steady throughout the day. I honestly wish I had made the switch sooner.

To give you a bit of background, dandelion root is a plant traditionally used for medicinal purposes. It is caffeine-free, jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, and is rich in antioxidants. It also helps aid digestion, reduces water weight, and helps support liver function. Unlike coffee, there are no downsides unless you have an allergy or are taking certain medications (in which case you should consult with your doctor).

I like to add a heaping tablespoon of dandelion root to a cup with a little bit of cacao, maca, or cardomom for extra flavor and a boost of antioxidants. Cacao–like all chocolate products–does have a bit of caffeine, but not enough to make me jittery. I then add my homemade pecan milk, a tiny bit of coconut oil for some extra fat, Magnesium L-Threonate from Cymbiotika, hot water, and cinnamon. The result is a creamy and delicious beverage full of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. What’s not to love?

If you’ve been considering making the switch from coffee, then I highly encourage you to give this bad boy a whirl! I hope you will love this drink as much as I do. As always, feel free to leave any comments or questions below!

Ingredients

• 1 heaping spoon of dandelion root

  • I use this instant dandelion blend from Amazon. It’s affordable and comes in a small size, which is perfect to get you started

• 1/4 teaspoon of cacao powder, maca powder, OR cardamom

  • If you want this to be completely caffeine free, I recommend using maca powder or cardamom. All three options are delicious so you can’t go wrong

• Milk of your choice

  • You can add as little or as much milk as you like. If you purchase store-bought nut milk, check the nutrition label to make sure it is free of natural flavors, added sugars, emulsifiers, GMOs, carrageenan, and gums. A general rule is the shorter the list of ingredients, the better. An example of a clean nut milk is MALK Organic Almond Milk, which has zero shelf stabilizers or added sugars. I personally make my own homemade pecan milk (let me know if you’d like the recipe).

• Hot water

  • This will depend on how much milk you use. I like to add just a little bit of milk and fill the rest of my mug with hot water, but it’s totally up to your own preference!

• Cinnamon

• Optional: Add a teaspoon of coconut oil for some healthy fat and a bit of texture–coconut oil will make your beverage creamier

• Optional: I am obsessed with the Magnesium L-Threonate from Cymbiotika. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required for 80% of the body’s metabolic functions. What’s fascinating is that in the US, approximately 65% of all adults are magnesium deficient. Magnesium is the one supplement I take consistently and I swear by it. I love the one from Cymbiotika because it utilizes liposomal delivery, which allows allows nutrients to reach the body effectively without being broken down by the digestive system. You basically just squeeze the little pouch into your beverage and you’re done. Plus, it tastes delicious AND makes the drink even creamier. Magnesium also helps with bone function, sleep, bowel movements, mood, stress, energy, heart health, and more

Instructions

1. Add your dandelion root powder and maca/cacao/cardamom to a mug

2. Froth or heat up milk of your choice, and add it to the powder in the cup

3. Blend everything together (I prefer using a handheld frother for this step, but you can also use a normal spoon or a blender)

4. If using the magnesium from Cymbiotika or the coconut oil, go ahead and add it in. This step is optional

5. Top with as much hot water as you want. Mix everything together again using a spoon or frother. If using a frother, make sure you have room at the top of your cup so that the liquid doesn’t spill everywhere (I have done this way too many times)

6. Top with cinnamon, and enjoy!