I've been feeling a bit more stressed than usual this last little while. Firstly, thanks to the a-not-to-be-named kitty, my computer got a cup coffee spilt on it, frying it totally dead. Then my beloved camera died (both reasons I've been quiet on here lately). Then there are the classic day to day life happenings that can wear me down when I'm not fully taking care of myself.
Luckily for me, I have a long list of tried and true stress reliefs at my arsenal that I turn to in cases like these. My classic go-to's usually include the typical long soak in the tub or evening spent in listening to records, but lately, I've been getting more and more interested in herbalism and finding the right herbs to naturally ease my jitters. Herbs like ashwagandha, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, and skullcap have been my favourites to sip on come those moments of stress.
A soothing warm cup of tea combined with the powers of the right plants can seriously help zen me out. So, when my friend Lauren from Wooden Spoon Herbs told me of some tinctures she had specifically made for coping with stress, I was beyond excited. All Wooden Spoon Herbs tinctures combine some of the greatest American grown herbs into specifically designed tinctures that combat anything from allergies, to hangovers, to migraines. For this recipe I chose the Anxiety Ally which is a combination of holy basil, skullcap, lemon balm, oatstraw, ashwagandha, and lavender. Mixed with a little bit of calming chamomile, warming spices like ginger and cinnamon, and raw honey (which relieves stress), you basically have the most delicious nerve-soother around. If you're looking for more anxiety tips, check out my tips on how to make a toolbox here.
This latte is a great drink to sip come evening or past that point when caffeine doesn't serve you well. While I opted for honey in this recipe, maple syrup would make a great vegan replacement. You may even want to the recipe and have two giant mugs like we did.
Happy weekend! It's feels so good to be back <3
WEEKEND LINKS + LOVES
- These great articles featuring Lauren from Wood Spoon Herbs from Beth Kirby and Golubka Kitchen.
- My new favourite Instagram from sweetheart Lalah Delia will sure to be your new number one source of daily wisdom. Plus, I'm loving the colour scheme 🙂
- Two of the coolest woman on the net are hosting a "Radical Witch Program" which teaches about herbalism and elemental eating. If you're looking to deepen your knowledge on the subject, this programme is for you!
- Speaking of herbalism, this movie combines everything I love- animals, plants, and eccentric older ladies.
- Just finished reading this book and can't recommend it enough. This one is next on my list, followed by a re-read of this classic.
- Sasha just put up an amazing resource guide, if you're suffering ill effects of the season (like crazy dry skin), she has some very effective oil suggestions.
- An older post, but these amazing people are friends of a friend and their book is ever so cute! Seriously worth checking out if you're into small homes.
- Love this!
CALMING CHAMOMILE LATTE
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Plant-based Milk (unsweetened)
- 1 Cup Water1 tablespoon Dried Chamomile (or 1 tea bag)
- 2 teaspoon Honey (or maple syrup to be vegan)
- 2 teaspoon MCT oil or Coconut Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- Pinch Ginger
- 12 Drops Anxiety Ally tincture (optional but amazing!)
Instructions
- Bring the milk and water to the boil, add chamomile and remove it the tea from the heat.
- Let steep for five minutes.
- Strain the tea into a blender with the honey (or maple syrup), oil, tincture, cinnamon and ginger.
- Puree until frothy with a whisk or in a blender. Divide among 2 mugs and garnish with a pinch more cinnamon.
xox Sophie
Ariana W says
A lovely post. I love herbs in all forms for when I'm stressed. Nothing beats an herbal brew to soothe the body and soul. Lately I've been using Badger's Sleep Balm to calm me before bed. Love it (you could totally make your own...I'm just short on time lately). Thanks for sharing the links, I'll be sure to check them out!
Sophie says
So happy you enjoyed the post, Ariana! That sleep balm sounds amazing. I've been having such trouble the last few weeks with sleeping, so maybe that's just what I need <3
Ruby says
I am always trying to think of cozy, frothy things to sip before bed (not the biiiiggest golden milk fan), and this lovely latte looks like just what I need. Having a lot on my plate coming up this month, I am definitely going to be making this veeery soon <3
Sophie says
ah, thanks a million Ruby! No fear about not loving the golden milk. I know so many people who cannot stomach it 🙂 Nothing beats a nice warm mug of something creamy before bed <3
Laine says
This tea is just what I need right now, Sophie. 🙂 The winter period is an anxious time for me too. So lately calming teas are my best buddies. <3
Sophie says
Ah, I hear you! This winter has been super stressful. I hope this tea can offer you some peace and calm xox
Jo says
Braiding Sweetgrass is one of my favourite books! Robin used to be my professor in college a long time ago now, she challenged so many of my beliefs! An incredible woman.
Sophie says
That's so amazing, Jo! I'm headed away soon and definatly going to bring it as my plane book. There is so much wisdom to be learned through plants and indigenous knowledge <3
Wendy says
I am curious as to why you consider honey a non vegan choice. Honey is the nectar from flowers which is carried to the hive by a bee and dehydrated by wing fanning of the bee to make it thicker. There are no "animal bee parts" in the honey, it is actually considered quite pure and can be used for antibacterial properties, the nectar is just carried by the bee. I think that honey making is so much less intrusive than hammering a hole into the side of a tree to tap the honey, removing some nectar from a flower does not harm the plant. Like I said, just curious.
Sophie says
I personally eat honey because I am able to source it locally from small farms, probably much like yourself. A lot of vegans have issues with honey because they view it as "enslavement" of the bees and "stealing", as well as harmful since industrial honey harvesting techniques can be harmful to bees (like gathering pollen which if done poorly can rip the bees limbs). Technically speaking, vegans don't consume anything from animals (like not buying or wearing anything that contains leather, wool, down, or bees wax), so honey is a natural extension of that. Totally great question that causes a lot of discussion in the plant based food community. Here's a link if you want to read more.
Wendy says
Whoops, meant to say tap the maple sap. So sorry.
haley says
Hello, I was wondering how long to boil this. All your recipe shows is the ingredients but not the rest of the directions....
Sophie says
Hey, not sure what happened, but the entire recipe is here now 🙂