Good morning my friends,

Today’s email feels particularly appropriate for a slow Sunday morning, and if you don’t feel like mustering the energy to read or watch, you can listen to the video like a podcast.

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AN AMAZING ALTERNATIVE TO COFFEE

Recently, my identical twin, Dimity, and I quit coffee (ok, we still have it once a week). Being raised by a devout Italian espresso drinker, this felt tragic.

Coffee is just so damn good. It’s rich and deep and viscous. You can almost chew on it. But it disrupts our sleep and makes me a jittery, anxious mess.

In our quest for an alternative, we discovered we’d both started drinking cocoa.

Go figure!

We were curious how we each made our cocoa, so without revealing our recipes to each other, we filmed a video to show each other—and YOU.

Our recipes are uncannily similar.

Dim refers to her’s as a “potion.”

I refer to mine as a “sexy, morning mamma drink.” Desirable, alluring, sensual, appealing, exciting, hot and steamy, lust-worthy.

Yup, it’s all those things. (So is Dim’s.)

This drink is an easy way to pamper and nourish yourself every morning.

We filmed our videos in real time, so you can see just how quick they are to make.

The best part?

You can make an easy variation for kids that’s just as immune-boosting and delicious (I’ve included the recipe from Seasonal Family Almanac below).

Paid subscribers will receive full access to my and Dimity’s recipe video, as well as the following below the paywall:

* A complete list of ingredients with links to purchase them, substitutions, and tips for storage and use

* Links to the essential blenders we each use and Dimity’s all-time favorite mug (that keeps drinks warm all day—whaaaaaat!)

* Kid-friendly recipe for FROTHY, IMMUNITY-BOOSTING MUSHROOM COCOA from Seasonal Family Almanac (it has fewer ingredients than the grown-up version)

During Cold & Flu season, I repeatedly turn to 4 EASY recipes that deliver hydration, soothe symptoms, and boost our immune systems:

* Two recipes are timeless and foolproof

* Two recipes draw on the healing power of abundant and local wild medicine, which you can source through my favorite purveyor (linked below)

I consider the first two 1,000% essential for having on-hand at all times in your home, to boost your immune system and nurse illness. They are both accessible and easy to make or source.

The second two are less common but amazing natural healing aids and easy to make at home.

Note: you do not need to make ALL these things.

In times of illness, rest and simple hydration are top priority. Don’t make yourself more sick running around trying to prepare everything.

But having just ONE of these healing potions on-hand will help speed healing.

Here are the recipes, all variations from my book Seasonal Family Almanac, with relevant links and additional information you need to know.

I hope these help you feel nourished and bolstered, and that above all, you STAY HEALTHY.