Name: Autumn Spiced Coffee
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 Tbsp (heaping) ground coffee beans (try dandelion coffee for AIP); 1/4 tsp ginger; 1/8 tsp nutmeg (try mace for AIP); 3-5 cardamom pods, cracked open (omit for AIP); 1/8 tsp cinnamon, optional; 4-5 cups boiling water

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Autumn has at least a little pull on all of us. Despite the fact that winter is coming in fast, we relish the slight chill after summer’s heat, the boots, sweaters and scarves, crisp golden leaves, and let’s be honest – the pumpkin spice lattes, chai teas, and all the spicy foods! Combining school and work this year, I found myself drawn back to coffee. However, the damp bitterness made me feel congested, heavy and achy. What could I do to make my morning cuppa a little easier on my system? Enter Autumn Spiced Coffee.

Autumn may look like it’s on fire on a sunny day, but in reality it is a cold, damp season that gets into our bones, and makes us susceptible to cold and flu onset. What if you could add one simple thing to your daily routine to help warm up from the inside-out, and ward off the rainy day damp and blues?

Simply adding a few warming spices to your morning coffee or dandelion coffee, will help keep you healthy, happy, and oh-so cozy on your rainy commute or puddle jumping session. Spices can aid digestion as well, making this elixir just that much better than your regular cup o’ joe!

If caffeine is your potion of choice, cardamom is a beautiful addition to your cup. In Ayurvedic wisdom, cardamom has the ability to counteract the “toxic” effects of caffeine – you’ll still get your boost, but without the jittery side effects. I suggest playing around with a spice combination that suits your constitution and taste buds – just be careful not to use hot spices such as cayenne or too much dry ginger as this in excess will leave you with dry cough and skin. (For AIP-safe spices, try ginger, cinnamon and mace!)

Recipe Notes

Lovely non-AIP coffee additions include: star anise, cashew or hemp milk, medicinal mushroom blend, maca powder, cocoa or vanilla.

For AIP elimination phase try: ginger, cinnamon and mace, with dandelion coffee. Tasty additions include: turmeric, collagen powder, carob, vanilla powder, molasses or coconut milk.

Note that any milk or milk substitute does create a damp effect in the body. If you have obvious congestion or edema, try this Autumn Spiced Coffee black, without added creamy ingredients.