Are you looking for a delicious way to boost energy, support your health, and stay hydrated all at once? Something that everyone in the family can benefit from? I’ve got you covered! Let me introduce you to the world of nourishing adrenal cocktails. This recipe uses the power of whole foods to introduce essential nutrients to your family, and will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

Nourishing Adrenal Cocktail – what is it? …
and why is it beneficial?

Adrenal cocktails are nutrient-packed beverages designed to nourish and support the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are tiny, but play a crucial role in regulating your body’s stress responses, metabolism, and overall energy levels. In today’s fast-paced world, chronic stress and demanding lifestyles can take a toll on our adrenal health, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and other imbalances. So I’m sure you can see where supporting these little bundles is a really important piece of the health puzzle.

Our bodies require tons of minerals, antioxidants, and protein to sustain us. The adrenals in particular have high requirements for salt and potassium and are often very depleted. The ingredients in this nourishing adrenal cocktail work together to balance blood sugar and replace vital nutrients that support adrenal function, aid hydration, and promote overall well-being. Below I break down what each of them is good for … if you just want to get to the good stuff, scroll to the bottom for the easy-to-make recipe!

Orange Juice

Orange juice, as we all know, is a rich source of vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant known to help combat oxidative stress caused by everyday pollutants and stressors. Additionally, vitamin C is vital for collagen synthesis, further supporting joint health and skin elasticity. Including orange juice in your adrenal cocktail provides a tangy, flavorful boost of energy and immune support. An extra bonus on this one: most kids (and husbands) love orange juice, so it’s an easy family sell.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is a natural electrolyte-rich fluid that helps replenish lost minerals due to sweating or dehydration. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium found in coconut water play a pivotal role in maintaining proper muscle function, nerve transmission, overall hydration, and a myriad of other things (feel free to research the benefits of magnesium on your own and you’ll be amazed at the powerhouse that it is). My favorite part is that coconut water brings a tropical twist to this cocktail while providing essential nutrients to keep the whole family active and vibrant.

Salt

Adding a pinch of high-quality sea salt to the adrenal cocktail helps balance electrolyte levels, especially sodium and chloride. Sodium is critical for maintaining fluid balance and supporting proper nerve function. Incorporating a small amount of salt ensures that your family stays well-hydrated during active days. I’ll be honest here, my kids don’t love when I add the normally recommended amount of salt to their cocktail, so I add less. If you’re a mom, you understand my willingness to compromise this point to just get them to have anything healthy at all.

Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar, or potassium bitartrate, is an unexpected but valuable addition to the adrenal cocktail. It is an excellent source of potassium, an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure, muscle contractions, and nerve signals (what?! yes – you heard that right. who knew?!). Alongside coconut water and salt, cream of tartar completes the electrolyte trio, making this cocktail perfect for replenishing the body.

Collagen

This is not a normal add for most of the adrenal cocktails I’ve seen recipes for. But I love this one because I use a berry-flavored collagen which my kiddos absolutely love. Plus, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and a crucial building block for healthy skin, bones, and joints. As we age or face increased stress, our body’s collagen production naturally declines. Incorporating collagen peptides into the adrenal cocktail promotes joint flexibility and skin elasticity, supporting an active and youthful lifestyle for your entire family.

Incorporating this traditional nourishing adrenal cocktail into your daily routine is an easy way to embrace a healthier lifestyle together as a family. But don’t stop there! Feel free to get creative and experiment with additional ingredients like coconut milk/cream to enjoy an extra boost of good fats. Remember, making small, mindful changes to your family’s diet can have a big impact on their energy levels and vitality. So, raise your glasses and toast to a happy, healthy, and vibrant family, fueled by the goodness of whole-food nutrients! Here’s to more memorable moments and endless smiles together – Cheers!

Alright, friends, gather ’round – I’m about to spill the beans on yolky mochas: a trend that had me raising an eyebrow, but has transformed my mornings.

I have friends who practically have PhDs in health and wellness. These folks don’t just skim the surface of “trends”; they dive deep, research everything, then make dedicated choices for their families. Naturally, when they started raving about yolky beverages – those with egg yolks whisked in for a nutritional punch – I knew there was more than meets the eye.

Now, let me confess something – I’ve got a quirk when it comes to animal products and cleanliness. So, when my friends were all about yolky drinks, my skepticism was in overdrive (I mean … salmonella, am I right?). Also, most of them were using raw milk and eggs straight from the farm. Since we haven’t found a reliable source for either of these, I was using that as an excuse not to give it a go. Then I remembered that I’m not 100% perfect in ridding our home of toxins, but that hasn’t stopped me from doing the best I can with what I’ve been given. So I decided to try a yolky mocha. And let me tell you, I’m hooked.

What is a Yolky Mocha?

You might be wondering what on earth a yolky mocha even is. And now that these have become a normal part of my daily routine, I’m here to spill the (organic, ethically sourced) beans:

Cane Sugar

Don’t worry, I’m not about to glorify sugar as the answer to life’s mysteries. But hey, our cells love a bit of sugar to keep the energy flowing, and I’m all about that sweetness in my morning coffee. (I love this kind.)

Whipping Cream

Is there anything more indulgent than a splash of velvety cream in your coffee? Well, if you’re lucky enough to snag the raw version, you’re in for an extra treat. Besides the creaminess, it brings along good fats that play an essential role in absorbing those fat-soluble vitamins. Yes, the ones chilling in the yolks.

Chocolate Collagen

Now, this is the secret added weapon that turns a regular cup of joe into an anti-aging beverage for us 30-something mamas. Collagen, my friend, is the unsung hero of our body’s structure. It’s what keeps our skin youthful and our joints agile. And let’s be real – as we age, our natural collagen production takes a dip, so why not give it some help?

Coffee

Of course, it wouldn’t be a mocha without the star ingredient – coffee. Beyond the caffeine buzz, coffee is packed with antioxidants that team up to tackle inflammation. Consider it your morning superhero.

Egg Yolk

Ah, the pièce de résistance – the egg yolk. It’s more than just a breakfast staple: it’s a nutrient-packed powerhouse. We’re talking vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, iron, calcium, and phosphorus – all in that little yellow package. Vitamin D teams up with calcium for strong bones, while choline supports brain health. Trust me, it’s a nutrient jackpot.

Life’s all about discovering those unexpected gems that add a spark to our routines. And friends, this yolky mocha has become my caffeine-infused favorite. So go ahead, give it a whirl – I’d love to hear what you think!

A while back, I hopped on the sourdough train along with everyone else on Instagram. I could never get my starter to really do what it should, though, and my loaves of bread just wouldn’t rise properly. I really wanted my family to have fresh bread on the regular, though … so I decided to just start making homemade sandwich bread using store-bought yeast. We have been loving it!

The Quest for the Perfect Recipe: I have been experimenting with recipes for the past few months and finally landed on a really great sandwich bread recipe that is almost perfect! It makes two loaves – which for my family is enough for a week of sandwiches. Read on for all my tips and tricks (or click the button above and jump right to the recipe)!

Ingredients You’ll Need: You just need a few simple ingredients to get started: bread flour (AP flour can be substituted if necessary), coconut oil, eggs, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. If you want to make bread on the regular, I also highly recommend having a thermometer and a scale to make things more accurate.

Making the Dough: Start your prep by getting your eggs to room temperature, heating your water to 110 – 115 degrees – you want it warm enough to activate the yeast and cool enough to not kill it so this is an important step – and melting 2 oz coconut oil. In your mixer bowl, combine 1/2 oz active dry yeast and 2 cups warm water. Stir to dissolve the yeast. Add in 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tsp salt, 2 eggs (room temperature), melted coconut oil, and 3 cups of flour. Using your dough hook, beat on medium-low speed until smooth. Stir in 3-4 more cups of flour – 1/2 cup at a time – until a soft dough begins forming.

Kneading and Rising: I like to let the mixer do some of the kneading for me. So, once you see your dough forming, set a timer for 3.5 minutes and let it do its thing. Just make sure you’re paying attention in case the dough starts to go wild and escape the bowl. While the dough is being kneaded, clean a surface off and flour it. Get a large bowl out and grease it. When the timer goes off, turn the dough onto your floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic – approximately 3 more minutes. After you’ve done this several times you’ll get the hang of the feeling of a proper dough! Place the dough ball into your greased bowl, and turn once to grease the top. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled. This should take approximately one hour.

Shaping & Second Rise: Punch down your dough after doubling (I don’t know why – but it’s fun!). For even loaves, weigh the dough and divide it in two. Flatten each piece into a rectangle that is a little longer than your loaf pan. Roll the rectangle into a “log” and tuck the two ends underneath. Place the dough logs into two loaf pans. Cover with damp towels and let rise for another hour or so until they’re doubled in size.

Rising Notes: Everyone’s home is different. Don’t rush the rising process! If you’ve checked in on your dough and it doesn’t seem to be filling the pan or completely risen, let it go a little longer. There is a lot of trial and error with recipes like these.

Pan Notes: When it comes to choosing the right pan for your homemade sandwich bread, it’s all about personal preference. You can opt for an enameled Dutch oven if your family enjoys round loaves, which is perfect for sandwiches like sloppy joes or classic toast. Alternatively, I’ve experimented with Mason Cash terra cotta bread pans, which work well for certain bread types, particularly sourdough loaves. For both of these options, I recommend lightly oiling the pan and adding a sprinkle of cornmeal to the bottom to prevent sticking.

However, my personal favorite is the Pullman loaf pan. These pans don’t require any oiling (and trust me, you’ll want to avoid it, as they have holes at the bottom that can lead to messy oven mishaps—though, of course, that’s not from experience wink). Plus, the Pullman loaf shape resembles that of store-bought bread, which my kids absolutely love. It’s all about finding the pan that suits your baking style and your family’s bread preferences.

Baking & Cooling: Once your loaves are looking nice and full, you’re ready to bake. Keep them in the oven for 25-35 minutes until golden brown on top. Let them cool in the pans for a minute or two; then remove the loaves to a wire rack to cool.

Additional Tips & Tricks:

• Definitely don’t skip the step of dampening your kitchen towels – it helps keep the dough from getting a weird dry crust on the top when it’s rising.
• This recipe actually works really well for swapping out flour. I was able to get bulk bread flour recently, and the high protein content is great for bread … so that’s what I use. But you can definitely substitute with all-purpose flour. I’ve even used whole wheat with great success. Don’t be afraid to try out some different things!
• Use your thermometer to figure out when your bread is done! According to King Arthur, an internal temperature of 190 should result in perfectly cooked bread.

Enjoy your homemade sandwich bread, and good luck with your baking adventures!