A few weeks ago, I experienced some of the worst period symptoms I’ve ever had in my life. It was horrible, not only because it was unusual/ not the norm, but also because I was left in excruciating pain during the middle of the night. Though it’s normal to experience a flux of hormones during your cycle, I do think my never ending to-do list and stress levels contributed to my exasperated symptoms.

Going forward, I’m doubling down on supporting my stress levels and my hormone health before the same uncomfortable symptoms take over my life. Today I’m opening up my pantry and sharing some natural remedies in one delicious latte style elixir – which you can feel free to enjoy knowing that it’ll support any phase of your cycle. 

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

• Cacao
• Ceylon Cinnamon
• Maca
• Ashwagandha
• Collagen
• Manuka Honey
• Coconut Butter

I like to make a big batch of the dry ingredients to have on hand for when the chocolate craving hits, and all I have to do is start the kettle. Easy!

HORMONE BALANCING SUPERFOODS

Cacao is rich in iron (one of highest source of plant-based iron out there), a great source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body (40x that of blueberries), and is high in calcium and magnesium (the most deficient mineral in the world). Cacao has all the chocolatey, rich flavor of coco, but is naturally sugar free.  Cacao is easy to sneak into sweets and baked goods, and I love adding a scoop into my morning smoothie. My Everyday Glow-To Smoothie is a fav, and made with ingredients you likely have on-hand! 

Ceylon Cinnamon is not only a powerful anti-inflammatory spice, it’s also a master antioxidant and has been shown to help regulate blood sugar (it’s true!). Click here for more info on the benefits of cinnamon.

Maca is a root found in Peru and is a powerful adrenal adaptogen, helping your body deal with stress more efficiently. It’s shown to improve mood, boost energy, and is great for PMS & menopause symptoms. It has a very intense flavor, so start out small & make sure to follow recipes.

Ashwagandha is another powerful anti-stress and adaptogenic herb. Ashwagandha has tons of benefits. It’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for years and has been shown to help resolve adrenal- and thyroid-hormone imbalances. It contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hormone-balancing properties.

Collagen and honey round out this list of superfoods. Collagen is incredible for supporting healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints, not to mention it being naturally high in protein. And honey, I used Maunka in this recipe, is great for immunity.

HOW TO MAKE A HORMONE-BALANCING CHOCOLATE ELIXIR

Lucky for us, this magical elixir is so easy to make. Start by boiling 12-16 oz of water, or nut milk for a creamier, latte-style drink. Add the hot water, cacao, collagen, maca, ashwagandha, cinnamon, honey, and coconut butter to a high-speed blender and blend for 2 minutes.

If you’re using a Vitamix, or similar blender, be sure to remove the stirring rod so that steam can escape while it blends.

RECIPE QUESTIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Feel free to replace the water in this recipe with your favorite milk or non-dairy milk. You can omit the maca and ashwagandha, but the recipe won’t yield the same hormone-supporting effects. If you don’t have coconut butter, feel free to sub coconut oil or organic grass-fed butter or ghee. For a peppermint mocha variation, add 2 drops of peppermint extract before blending. If you do not have a high-speed blender, whisk well until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the elixir froths. If you’d like to drink this elixir in the morning, feel free to replace the water with coffee.

IS CHOCOLATE GOOD FOR BALANCING HORMONES?

Dark chocolate specifically is great for supporting hormone health because of it’s high levels of cacao. Cacao is one of the best food sources of antioxidants, contains compounds known to trigger endorphin release and has been shown to boost serotonin levels in the brain. Cocoa, on the other hand, is highly processed and does not have the same benefits. So make sure to read the ingredient label, or stick to this chocolate elixir for hormone health!

IS COFFEE GOOD FOR HORMONE HEALTH?

While coffee can be a welcomed morning routine to support energy levels, for many people too much caffeine can contribute to overall stress levels. Experiment with your own morning routine to see what makes you feel energized and supported, and what makes you feel depleted. You can add coffee to this recipe in place of the water for a morning elixir, but know that the maca and cacao are naturally stimulating. You also may not want to consume this elixir before bed because of the natural energetic effects.

WHAT I USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE