Just 1 blender, 10 minutes, and 10 ingredients stand between you and this delicious shake. Let us show you how it’s done!
What is an Adaptogen?
Good question, and something I wondered about myself up until a few years ago. An adaptogen is a plant (usually an herb, root, or mushroom) that may help your body adapt to stress (whether acute, episodic, or chronic). To be clear, I’m not suggesting adaptogens replace stress-reduction practices like yoga, walking, deep breathing, breath work exercises, getting outdoors, therapy, etc. But what they can do is help your body take the edge off when you’re experiencing stress. In this way, I see them as a bit of a stress sidekick. I’ve personally found adaptogens to be most helpful when paired with other daily rituals like reducing caffeine, eating balanced meals, yoga, walking, meditation, and journaling.
What Do Adaptogens Taste Like?
All adaptogens taste different (and they can taste different to different people depending on their palettes). But in my experience, adaptogens in general tend to not be the most enjoyable in terms of flavor, which is why mixing them with other things like sweeteners or cacao or carob powder makes them more palatable.
Which Adaptogens To Try First?
While I’m not an adaptogen expert, I have been taking them for years with good results. And if I had to choose, these are the three adaptogens I’d suggest getting started with as they’re more widely available and relatively easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Ashwagandha – An herb widely used in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) that’s become most well known for its ability to help our bodies adapt to stress and potentially lower cortisol. It has a slightly bitter taste. Best for adding to smoothies or hot chocolate in small doses (we don’t usually exceed 1/2 – 1 tsp per serving). Maca – A root vegetable grown in the Andes that has serious health benefits — everything from boosting libido to balancing hormones to increasing energy levels. It has a malty, almost caramel-like flavor, making it easier to enjoy. We love it in smoothies, hot chocolate, energy bites, and shakes (we don’t usually exceed 1 – 2 tsp per serving). Reishi Mushroom – commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and also known as the Queen of Mushrooms, reishi is especially good for helping our bodies relax and chill out during times of stress. It’s also relatively neutral in flavor and pairs especially well with things like Mushroom Coffee and this shake (we don’t usually exceed 1 tsp per serving).
In this recipe, I also use an adaptogen called He Shou Wu (a.k.a. Fo-Ti), which has been claimed to improve the health of hair, skin, and nails — something I’m always trying to support. It’s a less common adaptogen with a pretty bitter taste, so I use it sparingly and in lesser quantities (usually 1/4 – 1/2 tsp per serving). For this shake, we used all four of the adaptogens described: ashwagandha, maca, reishi mushroom, and he shou wu. If you don’t have all of them, feel free to play around with what you have. It’s fairly forgiving and versatile as long as you start with small quantities of the adaptogens and work your way up. The chocolaty flavor (from carob or cacao) and the sweetness of the banana, dates, and cinnamon balance the bitterness of the adaptogenic herbs. And the coconut milk provides richness and helps it all blend. The result is a shake that tastes like dessert but sneaks in some health perks! We hope you LOVE this shake! It’s:CreamyChocolatyNaturally sweetenedQuick & easyCustomizableNourishing& Delicious! It’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up without the caffeine rush! And it’s also great as a snack or healthier dessert. Admittedly, this drink isn’t for everyone. It requires a handful of adaptogens, which can be a bit of an investment. But some of you are really into these types of recipes, so we decided to share! If you don’t have all of the ingredients, just use what you have on hand for similar results. If you’re looking for shakes with more readily available ingredients, we have several delicious options for you below!
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If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
