Healthy Drinks To Quickly Boost Your Mood and Energy

Did you spring out of bed this morning with energy to spare? Or, did you wake up in a bit of a funk for no reason at all? I do hope the former, but for those days when you seem to have lost your spark and you're experiencing a low-energy day or two (We have all been there!), please . . . lean in!

Studies show those canned energy drinks can create havoc for your heart and are a risky choice to get through your busy day! But, let me share with you a few tools I use for a natural energy boost to help lift me out of those low-energy days and or when I am having a hard time finding my smile.  Scan on down for a few healthy tricks you can throw in your blender to whip up a good mood and more energy in no time at all!

3 Magical Powders To Make Healthy Energy Drinks 

Have you met the magical powders below that can create some amazing healthy energy drinks?  They can do beautifully when sprinkled in your blender for smoothies and other healthy drinks to give you both amazing energy and an uplifting mood! Scan on down and meet these three powerful powders (with six great recipes that use them) and learn some more about how you can create healthy energy drinks that aid you in multiple ways!

1.  Cacao 

Let me begin with chocolate as it is a universal favorite -- and for good reason. It tastes great, but it does not end there! Find out here why the raw form of chocolate, cacao, is a great choice for your energy drinks:

• The neurotransmitters that are increased when you consume cacao may promote a sense of well-being and help cognitive function.

• Many of the antioxidants present in cacao are flavonoids, including anthocyanidin - great for the prevention of free radical damage and boosting collagen protection - a strong anti-ager.

• Cacao may be an aide to cardiovascular disease as it may lower inflammation and block the oxidation of undesirable LDL cholesterol.

•  It acts as a great protector for your nervous system.  Cacao is high in resveratrol, a potent antioxidant, known for its ability to cross your blood-brain barrier to help protect your nervous system.

• Cacao contains over 300 important compounds, including protein, fat, certain B-vitamins and minerals such as calcium, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and copper.

2.  Matcha Tea

The second energy and health-promoting powder I reach for often may be my favorite! If I have a demanding day ahead, organic matcha tea is on my list to prepare for it.  I love how it does not make me jittery or wired at all (like coffee can for some), but, instead, provides a really nice, even energy for a very long time.  Yes, it cheers me on even on my craziest days!  Here are some more specifics on Matcha and why I really think you should include it on your pantry shelves and reach for it often:

• The high chlorophyll contained in the leaves is a known purifier of harmful elements like heavy metals and chemical toxins.

• Matcha increases your energy and concentration.  The energizing properties of Matcha is largely due to its combination of nutrients. Japanese Samurai drank it before battle, and Buddhist monks drink it to assist in meditation creating an alert calmness.  

• Matcha is rated at 1300 according to the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, which is the scale to measure the antioxidant level of foods). This is a high number considering the antioxidant-rich pomegranate is 131.  The antioxidants like EGCg as well as the amino acids, high chlorophyll levels and vitamins A, C and E in Matcha have been linked to longevity, prevention of cancer and other diseases.  These also play a big role in its detoxification and mood enhancement capabilities.

• Matcha is an aide to your oral health. The amino acid, catechin, in Matcha has antibacterial properties that can protect your tooth enamel and also counteract the effects of germs and bacteria in your mouth.

3.  Maca 

The third powder I am sharing today is maca. Here are a few reasons why maca could be a smart addition for your healthy drink rotation, too:

• Some studies are pointing to Maca's ability to provide a nice energy and mood boost - great right before that early morning workout or help counteract a sleepless night.

• Maca may help balance stress, aid in reproductive function, increase fertility and overall, is and aide for hormone health. 

• The root is rich in protein and B vitamins which can be especially helpful for vegetarians and vegans.

• Maca also has vitamins C and E, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorous.

6 Healthy Drink Recipes To Provide Great Energy and Mood

Steer far away from the chemically-laden energy drinks you can buy, and instead, try a few of these healthy energy drink recipes below using cacao, matcha and maca that you can whip up in minutes to put a smile on your face and some pep in your step:

1.  Cherries and Chocolate Protein-Rich Infusion

Cherry and chocolate are a classic winner, and this drink packed with protein does not disappoint! It will surely delight with the taste and the mood-boosting cacao.

Gather: 

• 2 cups hemp milk, unsweetened
• 1 cup mixed greens, fresh
• 1 cup organic cherries, pitted - frozen are fine
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 2  tablespoons cacao powder
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended, energy- boosting infusion!

Don't miss this - Yes, those cherries taste great, but check out the amazing other things cherries can do you for your health!

2.  Chocolate Covered Almond Smoothie

If you enjoy a chocolate covered almond or two, try this in liquid form and you'll be grinning in no time:

Gather:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2  pear, cored and chopped
• 1.5 tablespoons almond butter
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder
• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended, energy- boosting smoothie!

Don's miss this:  Here is a great-tasting chocolate (cacao) granola recipe your kids and grown-ups at your house will love!

3.  Orange, Vanilla Refreshment With Matcha

This drink has a big dose of probiotics for your digestion, loads of vitamin C for your immunity, good fiber and can provide the most even, sustaining energy all day:

Gather:

• 2 cups organic, unsweetened kefir, vanilla
• 1 tablespoon matcha tea
• 3/4 cup fresh organic spinach
• 1 organic orange, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon flax seeds
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended drink!

4.  Tropical, Energy-Producing Matcha Tonic

Put an umbrella in this little number, close your eyes and feel the ocean breeze:

Gather:

• 1.5 cups chilled filtered water
• 3/4 cup frozen pineapple
•  half a banana
• 1/2 cup fresh kale
• 1 tablespoon matcha tea
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended tonic!

Don't miss this: Here is why coconut oil is one of the 5 healthy spoonfuls of food I eat every day!

5.  Creamy, Warming Blend with Maca

It is hard to pull yourself out of bed sometimes to do that extra early morning workout, but this drink will warm you up and give you the extra energy to get through it! Toss these in the blender for a sweet way to power through your early morning workout with ease:

Gather:

• 1.5 cups coconut milk
• 1 large banana, peeled
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 2 dates, pitted
• 2 teaspoons hemp seeds
• A good pinch of pumpkin pie spice
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended drink!

6.  Hydrating Watermelon and Lime Maca Cooler

Hot and thirsty?  Let's fix that and hydrate successfully with this thirst-quenching maca smoothie:

Gather: 

• 1/2 cup chilled filtered water
• 2 cups chilled watermelon
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 1 lime peeled
• 1 teaspoon flax seeds
• 1/2 small organic cucumber peeled and seeded
• blender

Now do this:

• Layer all the ingredients in your blender, beginning with the liquid as the bottom layer.
• Follow the instructions for your blending device to create your perfectly blended cooler!

 Healthy Drinks on SnapChat

I have a rather few busy weeks ahead and plan on creating and displaying some of these energy drinks on Snapchat over the next few weeks and maybe even a few more energy-making concoctions! Follow me on Snapchat to see my energy-boosting creations! And, I would love it if you would snap back to me your ideas, too, to help us all power through and make for a productive day!

3 Best-Rated Blenders For Every Budget 

I consider a blender an important tool for healthy food making. They are great for a quick healthy sauce, soup, dip and, of course, drinks and smoothies! They can range greatly in price, though, and it is not possible to fork out so much cash on one tool, I know. With that in mind, I am listing here three well-rated blenders and smoothie makers (with affiliate links below the graphic) for every budget and kitchen size you may want to consider. And, if you have a favorite, please list it in the comments:

1.  To look like the pros and for one that will last forever, make the investment for the smoothest smoothies, soups and more with the Vitamix 7500 Blender with Low Profile Jar.  Extra bonus - that low profile jar means it is not too tall and fits under your kitchen cabinets!!

2.  For those in tight spaces and with tight budgets, this Magic Bullet, Nutribullet can get the job done quite nicely.

3.  I have heard great things about this well-rated mid-range option for blending up all kinds of goodies, and all the colors for the Kitchen Aide 5-Speed Diamond Blender are pretty fun!

For Even More On The Topic . . . 

• Smoothies can be healthy . . .  or, maybe not so much! Here are lots of great tips to make sure those smoothies really are a healthy thing!

• Set up your kitchen for healthy eating once and for all to help you and your family create healthier meals with much greater ease.

Do experiment with these magical powders - cacao, matcha tea and maca - at your house with your blender and let me know if you start feeling the energy fix, too!

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