Yes, the in-toxic-ating aroma of coffee! I get images of the piazza, laughter, a good book, and stimulating conversation! Ah, yes... the robust flavor of a perfectly poured espresso ~ I'm in heavan!

We all have a love affair with this bean and like any un-healthy relationship, we must strive to make a better choice. This coming from a gal who used to drink three double espressos a day AND THEN walk over to Starbucks and order a Frappuccino (or two)! Those were the days of restaurant living, no wonder I needed a bottle of booze at the end of the day to come down! LOL ... I digress... lets get back to coffee...

While coffee is promoted as something of a healthy sort... we all know this to be false. Coffee in its splendor is a wonderful romance novel and the reality is much different.

Coffee dehydrates, taxes our adrenals, and stimulates anxiety. It is the culprit to mid-day-crashes, mood swings, and the inability to focus due to the overt frying of our nerves.

I have found that Yerba Mate is a GREAT transition as it gives one that "jazzed" feeling when we're having trouble keeping our eyes open, however, it offers a similar profile of Green Tea in that it is highly mineralized, keeps one from the mid-day-crash and dehydration and allows one to focus on the task at hand!

Having said that.... (wink wink) I must admit that there are those occasions where I have cheated myself and had the famous frothy perfectly poured espresso... and I use the word "cheated" purposely because that is exactly what it did... it cheated me of the centered, relaxed, sanity of a good day and delivered its less than desirable twin, anxiety, dry mouth, irritability, and then crash...

There are only TWO ways I have found I am now able to ingest this torrid bean we have all come to know and love. 1.) A 1/4 of a teaspoon of Raw Organic Coffee EXTRACT which is like Jet Fuel and 2.) making a superfood coffee elixir which offers a bit of the romance while reading your favorite novel in the piazza!

Without further adieu ...

Un Elisir D'amore, Caffè

4 CUPS WARM SPRING WATER

1/2 CUP ORGANIC UNSWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES

1/4 CUP ORGANIC COFFEE BEANS

2 ORGANIC FRESH VANILLA BEANS

Directions:

Blend all of the above together on high and strain. The coconut flakes offer a nice source of fat and add that creamy froth.

Next Add:

2 TABLESPOONS FLIRTY

2 TABLESPOON SWEET TREE

1 TEASPOON CINNAMON POWDER

a pinch of Crystal Salt and Xylitol or Stevia to sweeten to taste.

Directions:

Blend and serve in your favorite mug!

Hanno una bella giornata!

Ciao!