These days, it seems like everyone is either trying to find the perfect cup of artisanal coffee or cut back on their java intake altogether. If you fall into the latter group—but know for a fact that you'll really miss the warm, comforting ritual of sipping a hot beverage from your favorite mug and fall back into your courtship with coffee—we got you.
Here are five delicious, healthy alternatives to coffee from forward-thinking food blogs. Each easy recipe delivers an energy boost and lets you keep your morning me-time ritual.
Originally posted March 20, 2014, updated May 12, 2016.
Yerba Mate Chai
The leaves from the South American yerba mate plant deliver a decent dose of caffeine (80 mg) to keep withdrawal headaches at bay but without the jitters that coffee (100-200 mg) can cause. This recipe from In Sonnet's Kitchen blends chai spices and frothy almond milk for a seriously rejuvenating morning brew. Coffee? What coffee?
Turmeric Tea
Trendy turmeric has become a wellness insider fave thanks to the spice's serious inflammation-reducing and antioxidant properties. While you can buy it in supplement or elixir form at pretty much any health store or juice bar, whip up your own tea with this recipe for simple honey-sweetened, black-pepper tea from 101 Cookbooks.
Skinny Bites Green Tea Latte
Green tea's been a best friend of the healthy set for its often-studied antioxidant, which are said to boost your wellness and longevity, and even make those under-eye circles disappear. Excellent PR aside, it can be too drying for some. But this "skinny latte" version from fashion blogger Peace Love Shea, complete with matcha, almond milk, and Stevia, makes sipping it a pleasure.
Vanilla Rooibos Latte
Red rooibos tea offers more of a black tea flavor, and this vegan, vanilla-laced version adds a touch of sweetness. Plus, the recipe is penned by blogger House Full Of Jays, a mother of six, so you can expect short prep time, as you're dashing out the door for work.
Dandelion Root Coffee
Dandelion greens are finally getting farmer's market attention for their natural detoxing properties. (Kale can kinda hog the spotlight.) But don't let the root go to waste. Healthy food gurus like Elana Amsterdam say they've got a solid track record in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a liver cleanser to blood-sugar balancer. And unlike coffee which can give you the shakes, this tea will help you keep your cool.
OK, so you're squared away with natural energy drinks, but what about snacks? Check out these seven energy-boosting snack ideas and then get familiar with the superfoods that will make sure you get a good night's sleep.
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