Happy Mother's day!  

Feeling tired this Mother's Day? Coffee is a great way to get a boost in energy and can have many great health benefits, but sometimes we could all use a change of pace. Many people rely on coffee too heavily and as the saying goes, too much of a good thing is a bad thing.  

Coffee containing caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart and breathing rate, and other side effects. Consuming large amounts of coffee might also cause headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeats.

I've decided to share with you this Mother's Day some healthy coffee alternatives that I enjoy, for those of who may want to try something new. Some of my favorites are kombucha, yerba mate, chicory coffee, and rooibos. I do love a hot cup of coffee in the morning, but by the time I've had 3-4 cups, I tend to regret it.

Kombucha is one of my favorite drinks. One of the great things about it is that it's practically sold everywhere in different flavors to suit any pallet. It has been called “Immortal Health Elixir” by the Chinese. Kombucha is detoxifying, aids in digestion, increases energy and immune support, and it can even prevent some cancers! A word to the wise however, because kombucha is a fermented beverage it contains trace amounts of alcohol. So if you're nursing or a mother to be you may want to avoid this drink. Here is a quote from the article cited detailing some of the benefits of drinking kombucha.

“Kombucha contains phytochemicals or phytonutrients that have  antimicrobial and antioxidant properties,” says Bazilian. Animal studies  have shown that these antioxidants can promote healthy liver and kidney function, and reduce diabetic complications. Plus, kombucha is rich in B-vitamins and folic acid, which is key for helping the body produce and maintain new cells 

I was introduced to yerba mate by a friend of mine a few years ago and it has quickly become one of my favorite teas. This popular South American drink is made from the leaves of the holly tree, and is traditionally drank from a gourd. It was called “the drink of the gods” by many indigenous South Americans. It has a very earthy flavor, so some may find it hard to acquire a taste for right away. It is nearly as caffeinated as coffee, so you don't have to sacrifice the advantages of coffee. I prefer mine with some milk and honey, but it is also delicious without.

Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant nutrients, including xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives, saponins, and polyphenols.  Yerba mate also may contain seven out of nine essential amino acids, in addition to nearly every vitamin and mineral your body needs.

Roibos, or "red tea" is a relatively new tea compared to black tea, at just 300 years old. Likewise, I have only recently discovered this tea, but wish I had sooner. It has a smoky, sweet, and floral flavor with many other nuances. This tea contains no caffeine and has a high mineral content, improves circulation, and can also prevent against some cancers, along with many other advantages!

Health benefits of red rooibos tea include its use as a cure for nagging headaches, insomnia, asthma, eczema, bone weakness, hypertension, allergies, and premature aging. The tea is absolutely free from caffeine content and is also low in tannins. 

Chicory is not technically a coffee alternative, but a great additive for coffee, and a favorite of natives to New Orleans. Chicory has been used historically by Egyptians and Romans to cleanse the blood and purify the liver. Some studies have suggested that it may have antifungal properties as well.  It is prepared with roasted and ground chicory, mixed with coffee at whatever ratio you prefer.

Chicory may provide direct functional support to the digestive reactions  in the body.  First of all, chicory root increases the flow of bile,  which supports digestion.  Because extra bile helps break down fats,  chicory root may help optimize blood composition and is worth  consideration by anyone seeking to achieve optimal liver and gallbladder  health. In addition to its beneficial antioxidant effect, chicory root provides functional support to the liver. 

Source Articles:

http://www.health.com/nutrition/info-about-kombucha

https://authoritynutrition.com/8-benefits-of-yerba-mate/

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/health-benefits-of-red-rooibos-tea.html

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-chicory-root/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-980-coffee.aspx?activeingredientid=980