Do you want to support healthy stress levels or balance your hormones? Adaptogens do both! They are simply fascinating!

The body's stress system controls hundreds of pathways, and adaptogens give the stress system an ability to "adapt." They also have a knack for bringing some zen to your adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones. 

Begin your morning by including adaptogenic herbs at breakfast. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, and maca are all herbs that balance cortisol levels. Adaptogens are especially powerful when they're combined, so I'm a fan of using blends in smoothies. This smoothie also sneaks in some Brazil nuts, which are a hormone power food.

Adaptogenic Adrenal Balancing Smoothie

Ingredients: 

• 12 ounces full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or MCT oil
• 1 scoop collagen powder
• 1 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
• 1 liquid dropper rhodiola tincture
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 1 cup frozen organic berries
• 1 drop stevia (optional)
• 1 cup spinach
• 5 Brazil nuts

Take home message: adaptogens are bada$$. 

If you're interested in a hot drink, get your adaptogen fix with ashwagandha-infused moon milk. 

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Recipe courtesy of mindbodygreen.