Sunday, May 26, 2019

Dandy Blend

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a tasty hot drink now and then, and this product has become a recent favorite. A nice alernative to a cup of hot Teechino, which is another favorite. 

I enjoy it with hot unsweetened Vanilla almond milk with a dash of cinnamon.



Dandy blend has an impressive list of benefits and some unique qualities. Here are some of those perks listed by bloomandclementine:

  1. It is easy and fast to make! It dissolves into water and requires no grinding or special preparation. This makes it especially easy in an office setting or for busy mama’s where all you have to do is boil water and pour!
  2. Tip: I add a teaspoon of Cacao (full of it’s own list of incredible health benefits) and a bit of almond milk. This sweetens and adds more flavour if you need it. Although, I find Dandy blend to have a slight natural sweetness to it and I’m even able to drink it black.
  3. Caffeine free! It’s an herbal drink and similarly to herbal teas does not contain caffeine which means you can drink at anytime of the day or night without stimulation or those pesky coffee crashes in the middle of the day.
  4. Gluten free! The roasting and grinding process extracts the gluten proteins from this product and is safe to drink for anyone who struggles with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
  5. Over 50 trace minerals in every cup! Your body will use these minerals to help boost metabolism.
  6. No headaches or withdrawal symptoms occur when switching from coffee to dandy blend. Dandy Blend reports that many of those who switch over report that they feel they are simply drinking a different brand of coffee!
  7. Dandy blend costs as little at 7 cents per cup! That’s MUCH cheaper than a cup of coffee these days.
  8. Last but not least, I personally think it’s delicious! I am also a happy camper when I can find something so nutrient dense to put in my body!
What got me really excited about this drink is the quality and quantity of dandelion root. This is the main ingredient of the drink as it’s name clearly shows and it comes with many health benefits. Here are 9 different health benefits found from ingestion of dandelion root:

  1. Digestion: Dandelion root is a mild laxative and also balances the good bacteria found in your intestines. It also helps your stomach and liver release stomach acid and bile which keeps your digestion moving properly.
  2. Kidney support: Dandelion is a diuretic which assists the kidneys in flushing out waste, salt and excess water. This can be especially helpful for women who have trouble with bloating during PMS. Instead of leaving you dehydrated from water loss, dandelion will replenish your potassium stores which is an important electrolyte.
  3. Liver support: As mentioned above, Dandelion root helps the liver release bile which is an important function of this organ. This promotes removal of toxins and replenishment of electrolytes.
  4. Antioxidants: It is known that coffee can help remove free radicals but it is also known that dandelion root does this better! Dandelion root is packed full of antioxidants which slows the aging process (while coffee actually accelerates aging).
  5. Cancer fighting: Dandelion has been shown to fight cancer cells and this claim has been backed up with A LOT of research. Every part of this plant is packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that have been proven to slow the growth and even prevent formation of cancer cells.
  6. Diabetes: This is another benefit of coffee which is listed above, so why not switch over to Dandy blend to have the same benefits PLUS many more! Dandelion helps regulate blood sugar and insulin which is something that coffee actually destroys.
  7. Blood pressure: Dandelion’s diuretic effects leads to more frequent urination which in turn will lower blood pressure. Fiber and Potassium found in Dandelion will also regulate blood pressure.
  8. Inflammation: While most people are aware of the inflammation they can experience in physical injuries, more education is starting to reach people about the issues that internal inflammation can cause. Inflammation is the culprit in many diseases and illnesses today. Dandelion will reduce inflammation through it’s essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. This reduction of inflammation helps internally as well as externally from sport injuries.
  9. Immune System: If what I mentioned above wasn’t enough, dandelion boosts immune function! It destroys any bugs entering your system so can be especially helpful during the winter months.
What minerals are in Dandy Blend?

According to tests done by Chemical Solutions Ltd., Dandy Blend contains the following minerals on a single serving basis (1 Teaspoon):

Major Minerals:
Potassium 22.2 mg
Sodium 3.2 mg
Phosphorus 2.8 mg
Magnesium 2.0 mg
Calcium 2.1 mg
Iron 0.9 mg
Aluminum 0.05mg
Manganese 0.03


Trace Minerals:
Rubidium 12.0 mcg
Zinc 8.6 mcg
Barium 6.0 mcg
Boron 4.0 mcg
Copper 1.6 mcg
Strontium 2.0 mcg
Chromium 2.0 mcg
Titanium 2.0 mcg



How is Dandy Blend Made?

Dandy Blend is made of only 5 ingredients — extracts of barley, rye, dandelion, chicory and beet roots.
a. the ingredients are dried and roasted separately, each for their own prescribed time. Dandelion roots are roasted at around 230 degrees fahrenheit until they smell like a sweet coffee-hot chocolate mix. b. all five are combined in the proper proportions, and placed in a hot water-filled vat. c. they are allowed to steep for the prescribed period of time. d. the water, with the soluble portions of all the ingredients, is drained from the grounds e. The water portion is spray dried. The grounds, with all the water-insoluble substances, are discarded. f. the powder that remains after the water is driven off is Dandy Blend.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Tropical Fruit slushie bowl

My most farvorite recent dessert is this smooth, sweet, healthy slushie!

Ingredients:
1 cup Frozen Tropcal fruit Blend (Mango, Pineapple and Strawberry)
1/2 cup frozen Strawberries
1 frozen banana
1-2 cups unstweetened Vanilla almond milk
Granola (your favorite granola...like Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey crunch) 
Monk fruit sweetener (5-10 drops, to your sweetness preference)
2 cups of ice

*Makes at least three decent sized servings, but only 410 caleried for the whole amount!

Directions:
Blend all ingredients except the banana and granola.  Blend until fine and soft.  Chop up frozen banana and sprinkle granola ontop. And you have a cool, sweet, refreshing treat with a crunch.