Our culture seems to be fixated on fancy drinks with expensive sounding names. I'm not into the coffee culture, but have been a mate drinker on and off for more than a decade. I thought I'd deviate ever so slightly from our homestead-focused content and bring you a little treat for ya'll to enjoy. This post is a healthful alternative to any number of caffeinated frothy beverages. This is our entry to @celestialcow’s #healingfoodschallenge supported by @pusteblume!

Enjoy a scrumptious and vitalizing mate latte
and take a moment for healthy self indulgence!

Simple Yet Delicious

This recipe includes a few easy to find ingredients (in most places) and is luscious indeed and features:

• 2 Cups Yerba mate

• 2 TBSP Coconut oil

• 1 TBSP Tahini

• 2 Dates

• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate (or simply mate) is a fantastic leaf belonging to the holly (ilex) genus of plants. It grows in the Northern part of South America and is very popular in Argentina and surrounding countries. It has gained popularity recently, but we also have a native variety of yerba mate growing in much of the United State! We wrote about our native Yaupon Holly (mate's local relative) here. Mate is often called a coffee alternative, but I prefer to appreciate it for the beautiful plant that it is.

Benefits of Mate

Unlike coffee, mate energizes without the jolt, crash or jitters. The caffeine content is somewhere between green tea and coffee depending on how its brewed. Everyone wants to be as smart, productive, focused, and creative as possible and yerba mate may just help you do that. This helps boost mood, enhance memory, alertness and mood. It also stimulates dopamine production which helps support motivation and productivity. Most folks are familiar with the gourd and bombilla set up that it is traditionally commonly consumed with.

Morning mate gourd with breakfast burrito in the mountains of Shasta, California

Food of the Gods

Mate has an wide range of nutrients as well as caffeine and other xanthines. Along with caffeine, mate also has theophylline and theobromine (theo = god and bromine = food). These help to open the heart (physically and energetically) and support feelings of wellbeing.

I've even noticed more emotionally sensitivity on occasion when I drink mate. In addition to this, mate contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, niacin (B3), B5 and B complex. It also contains the following essential minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. This means that while you're enjoying a stimulating and uplifting beverage, you're also feeding your body on a deep level.

Chlorophyll, Antioxidants and Other Goodies

Flavonols, polyphenols, chlorophyll and carotene are some of the antioxidants that help protect the body from those rascals called free radicals. Mate also contains chlorophyll which is of course the "green blood" of plants, is one molecule away from blood hemoglobin, helps to alkalize the body while oxygenating the blood, supports detox and clears up skin, among other benefits.

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The list of beneficial components goes on as saponins (a phytochemical) are another compound in mate. Saponins such as ursolic acid and oleanolic acid glycosides help to reduce body weight and help boost immunity. This isn't even to mention the 15 amino acids present in mate, or caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) which has been isolated and been shown to treat colon cancer.

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Coconut oil

There are LOADS of benefits to coconut oil and I'm not here to cover them all, but there are a few that are worthy of mention. It tastes great and is a great creaming agent. Some hype has been created around the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) present in coconut oil and have been isolated and sold separately. The take home here is that coconut oil is HEALTHY fat that helps feed the brain. The fat is easy to digest because of the shorter fat chains that are processed by the liver. The keytones in the oil can replace carbs in food for the brain and also can kick up ketosis where the body uses fat as fuel instead of sugar (research has shown it to be great for Alzheimers patients).

Immune Boosting, Antimicrobial & More

• Lauric acid is in coconut oil and breast milk! It helps support the immune system.

• Saturated fats in coconut oil are also antimicrobial and anti-fungal. This can help with candida overgrowth as well as balancing digestive bacteria.

• Helps convert LDL cholesterol (bad) to HDL (good).

• The antioxidants in coconut oil help reduce inflammation.

• If that wasn't enough, it has also been linked to increasing physical stamina and endurance.

Bottom line is that coconut oil is good for you!

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Tahini

Tahini is simply ground sesame seeds and, in this recipe, it adds a huge nutty flavor and gives the beverage a fuller mouthfeel. Tahini is a great health food and contains:

• Mineral rich: calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, iron and zinc.

• ####B vitamins which help support metabolic function, stress and cognition.

• 20% protein.

• Methionine helps with liver detox.

• Phytosterols that have an effect on hormonal levels, arterial health and cholesterol levels.

Making It Happen

Now that you're convinced this recipe is good for you, it's time to get brewing! This recipe can be enjoyed hot or cold. Simply allow to cool and account for ice in the cold version (use a little less than 2 cups of mate).

1. Brew your mate in a french press, a standard brew uses 2 TBSP to make 2 Cups.

2. Pit the dates and assemble the ingredients

3. Blend!

4. Sit back and take a moment for healthy self-indulgence.

This is really a great way to appreaciate many health promoting foods in an easy to enjoy format. What a great way to love yourself and indulge in a luscious beverage.!/h2>

SOURCES

https://draxe.com/yerba-mate/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6997/10-Reasons-to-Eat-Tahini.html

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-amazing-benefits-of-chlorophyll/