Reishi-Cacao-Rose Serenity Bites
By Jordan Douglas
Part snack, part treat, these little bites soothe the nerves, open the heart and delight the senses to bring you back to the here and now.
One of our most crucial nutritional tools in managing stress is balancing blood sugar. Both acute and chronic stress increase cortisol levels, which then raises our blood sugar (and in turn, low blood sugar levels trigger the release of epinephrine and cortisol). Consuming regular, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day helps to keep our blood sugar stable and our energy smooth and consistent. In these bites, your favorite nut butter teams up with honey, providing high quality fat, fiber, protein and a bit of sweetness in a nourishing snack.
The addition of herbal powders amplifies the nutritional foundation through a wide array of phytochemicals that promote healthy function of our nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Reishi, the Queen Healer, reduces anxiety, lifts the mood, improves fatigue, relieves stress and promotes emotional balance. Cacao mineralizes the nervous system, boosts libido and enhances feeling of bliss. Rose uplifts, soothes and opens the heart, connecting us to feelings of love and presence. Shatavari helps to balance our stress response, reduce fatigue, increase libido and support immunity.
Perhaps the most stress-supportive aspect of these little bites is their ease and convenience: they come together in about 10 minutes and stay fresh in the fridge for a week – a simple, delicious grab-and-go snack to keep you nourished and grounded.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup nut or seed butter (unsweetened)
- Scant 1/8 cup Activist Manuka Honey
- 2 heaping tablespoons Wooden Spoon Herbs Rose Cocoa
- 1 teaspoon reishi powder
- Additional extras: cacao powder, rose petals, shredded coconut, ground nuts or seeds
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the nut butter, honey, rose cocoa powder and reishi and mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. You may of course adjust the amounts of nut butter and honey, depending on your taste preferences and the drippiness of your nut butter J.
- Scoop mixture by the tablespoon (I like to use a small cookie scoop) and roll into balls.
- Roll each ball in extras of choice. I used cacao powder and rose petals here.
- Yields 12-14 bites.