GOURMET WELLNESS

Yerba mate is from the nourishing leaves of the South American rainforest holly tree. For centuries, the Aché Guayakí rainforest tribe have sipped yerba mate from a traditional mate gourd for its rejuvenative effects. They found invigoration, focus, and nourishment in yerba mate. The leaves contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, abundant antioxidants, practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life! You can even sip this through the course of the day for an ongoing energy boost! A mild, subtle, leafy, slightly ‘grassy’ (not gassy) flavour with overtones of coconut and cinnamon, a delicious mug of happiness!

This smoothie is a real mood-booster with ingredients your mind will love!

Vanilla’s sedative benefits are so powerful that it’s been said to help lower blood pressure and to make you drowsy enough to send you off into a faster, more relaxing sleep. And great news, it couldn’t be easier to make your own DIY vanilla, you only need 2 ingredients: vanilla pods and vodka! C’est tout! DIY vanilla is much more cost-effective than buying it…unless you want to fly to Mexico to pick some up! Vanilla is the second-most expensive spice after saffron because growing the vanilla seed pods is so labour-intensive…so make your own!!

This quick fixx Chia Pudding is a healthy bedtime snack, chia seeds are tiny bundles of the amino acid tryptophan which raises melatonin and serotonin levels which support stable sleep, PLUS they’re loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats!

This banana bread is truly a healthy, guilt-free treat. Bananas contain the natural muscle-relaxants magnesium/potassium for a relaxing sleep. Ahhh.

Trouble Sleeping? Maybe your bedtime snack needs an overhaul? Here are some Bedtime Snacks to Help You Sleep.

I know this sounds like breakfast in a glass, but its actually a perfect bedtime drink! Bananas give you a dose of melatonin, serotonin and magnesium to help your muscles uncoil and help you sleep soundly. Chia seed gives you high amounts of tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids which increase levels of the sleep-regulating serotonin. This is the PERFECT banana milkshake/ice cream-style smoothie, with just the right amount of peanut butter to add that “delicious” PB factor. It’s the perfect smoothie blend with a kick of protein, fat, carbs. Sleep well, cheers!

Passion Flower can help to promote a restful night’s sleep and may also reduce stress and anxiety with its sedative and calming properties. This tincture has a definite alcohol flavour, but its worthwhile if you want a good, restful night’s sleep. Trust me…worked for me!

Passion Flower has been used traditionally for years and years! Get your beauty sleep with this hot, soothing tea tonic latte with subtle citrusy notes, turmeric and coconut. It can help to promote a restful night’s sleep and may also reduce stress and anxiety with its sedative and calming properties. It has also been used to treat women experiencing hot flashes during menopause and was traditionally used to heal bruises and cuts. Enjoy this tonic at bedtime or any time of the day, anytime is tea time and everyone should get to know and experiment with passion flower.

This blue lotus tea is said to relax, and calm the sipper and aid with lucid dreaming. The ancient Egyptians and Asians also associated the lotus flower with the human soul, spirituality, and divinity. It also forms one of the important elements of Buddhism and is associated with enlightenment, re-birth, unification, and purity in a mystical way. Sip this subtle tasting tea with notes of flowers, lemon and sweet dreams.

A dreamy dairy-free, gluten-free layered cheesecake, topped off with a delicious homemade cranberry orange sauce. This truly is a dreamy cheesecake, you’ll see. You’re sure to ‘veg out’ over this dessert…ahhh!

This dish is an interesting, delicious ‘take’ on squash and is sure to warm your heart. Perfect as a ‘meatless’ main course or a side dish. The richness of the balsamic glaze adds a delicious, depth to the dish.

This delicious salad takes time, but is definitely worth the effort because of the healthy ingredients! Plus pomegranate juice is a key ingredient and contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other foods on the planet! It also has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. Antioxidants are said to help remove free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation.

This alkalizing green drink has a mild taste (believe it or not) and is excellent for your nervous system (and bonus, your complexion too)!

I love, love, love this soothing tea! It takes me back to years ago when I was in China at the Snow Mountain Retreat and it was ALL I drank for two days. It’s truly a little taste of comfort and brings me steps closer to heaven. Who would have thought that roses could be used in tea? And who’d of thought that research has shown that this tea could be helpful to relieve anxiety and pain, improve digestion, manage diabetes, aid weight-loss, is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and might even have antimicrobial effects! The tea has a light floral taste with a slightly tangy flavour. Rose Petals can even be used to make DIY rose water for cooking and skincare, as well as in the bath! What NOT to love!

This calming tea has a very subtle taste of saffron, but a big taste of spices (without overdoing it). It’s deliciously warming and soothing. Cheers!

Mint and lemon balm are prolific, calming herbs that are commonly found in many gardens everywhere…including mine! Enjoy this chilled glass of Zen!