Holistic health is evolving, and we're all for it! Moving away from thinking of health as  simply illness prevention but total health and wellbeing and having a greater connection between the mind, body and spirit are all things we can get behind. Something exciting leading the charge are Adaptogens. Adapt-a-what?! We hear you fam, so we're giving you the cheat sheet to Adaptogens 101. What are they, how do they work and how you could benefit from incorporating them into your life.

WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS?
Adaptogens can be defined as a nontoxic plant source that is used to help increase the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress, support your adrenal system, and promote or restore normal physiological functioning. Adaptogens have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayruvedic (Indian) healing and continue to be used today. One of the most notable plants which you may be familiar with are medicinal mushrooms which are powerful adaptogens we're huge fans of. Medicinal Mushrooms including Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps are common types that support the body in their own way to adapt and cope with stress. These mushrooms all promote immune system health and are great to integrate into your daily routine for overall health and wellbeing. Our delicious ‘Shroom Brew’ Super Latte features Chaga, Reishi & Lion’s Mane extracts.

HOW DO THEY BENEFIT THE BODY?
Of course, there are over hundreds of different adaptogens that all function and benefit the body in different ways, depending on what you are after. A number of clinical trials have been done which demonstrate that adaptogens are able to exhibit neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, ant depressive, anxiolytic, nootropic and central nervous system stimulating activity (Panossian & Wikman, 2010). Without getting too technical, adaptogens function by buffering the stress response in the body to help reach homeostasis (balance). They can help reduce recovery time between stressful events and decrease the body’s sensitivity to outside disruption.

Below, we’ve given examples of 3 popular adaptogens and their function in the body.

Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum)
Ashwagandha is well known herb for stress. It helps improve the response to stress and help the body to adapt by normalising physiological processes in times of increased stress. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha may help reduce cortisol levels and help balance high blood sugar levels.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Siberian Ginseng is commonly used for increasing energy and enhancing performance for athletes by increasing oxygenation of the cells. It also exhibits immune health benefits by increasing lymphocytes (components in the body that defend against viral infections) and helps stimulate the activity of white blood cells.

Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)
Commonly used for anxiety, sleep and digestive problems, Lemon Balm has a mild lemon aroma which is very soothing. Lemon Balm increases GABA levels in the body (a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating communication between brain cells) to improve sleep, help reduce anxiety and increase calmness and mood.

Ready to stress less and adapt more? You can try taking single adaptogens or a blend such as our Shroom Brew Super Latte. Above all though, if you decide to include adaptogens as part of your routine we wanna know! 

xx Knowrish Well

References
Panossian, A, Wikman, G, ‘Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity’, 2010, Pharmaceuticals, 3, 188-224

Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C, ‘Flow-cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulatory agent’, 1987, Arzneimittelforschung, 37(10):1193–6

Amit et al, ‘Antistress activity of Ashwagandha- a review’, 2014, International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, 2, 3

When speaking to plant based eaters, do you know what the most common food they seem to miss the most? Nope, it’s not chocolate, the answer is cheese.

Vegan cheese is one of the hardest foods to master, and we’re excited to finally announce that we’ve made the impossible possible and present to you the bomb-est cheese powder; Better Cheddar. Free from dairy and gluten, our Better Cheddar perfectly mimics the delicious flavour of cheddar cheese but with wholesome, plant-based ingredients. We’re proud to say our Better Cheddar free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, so you can give into those cheesy cravings any time!

To give you a lowdown of what’s in our Cheese; lets break it down…

The base of our Better Cheddar is made up of raw cashew nuts, nutritional yeast and coconut milk. Cashew nuts help provide a delicious creamy texture thanks to their rich content of unsaturated fats including oleic and linoleic. A great vegan-friendly source of Iron and healthy fats, cashews also contain micronutrients including magnesium, potassium, zinc and Vitamin E.

Of course nutritional yeast is equally as important as cashew nuts, as it naturally provides that ‘cheesy’ flavour. Its flavour profile includes; nutty, creamy, umami (savoury tasting) and of course cheesy. Flavour aside, we also include nutritional yeast for its impressive nutritional composition. Vegetarian and vegan diets can often be deficient in B vitamins, which is why nutritional yeast is a must, not only does it provide a great source of fibre and protein but most importantly B vitamins such as B12. Nutritional Yeast is associated with improved immune function, digestion, and skin health.

Coconut milk another key player in our Better Cheddar, provides a subtle creamy taste completing the taste and texture profile. It also provides a source of healthy fats such as medium chain triglycerides.

Other goodies in our Better Cheddar include Organic Lucuma, which is a popular Peruvian super fruit. It adds a nice rounded flavour and also provides micronutrients.

You’ll also notice Turmeric Powder appearing in the ingredient list. Turmeric provides a savoury taste and natural colour plus anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

When formulating Better Cheddar, convenience and versatility was something we knew we had to nail along with nutrition and taste! You can enjoy it in a number of different ways such as sprinkling it on pizzas, salads or pastas. It can also be transformed into the ultimate gooey cheese sauce by mixing it with almond milk (definitely one of our favourites!)

So there you have it, we can guarantee Knowrish Well Better Cheddar will become your favourite pantry staple!

Vegans may make up a small percent of the population but reality is the demand for vegan-friendly products in the food & beverage, health and beauty industries is becoming increasingly popular. Although there is more awareness on veganism, there are still so many misconceptions about vegan diets. Here, we’ve asked our nutritionist to tackle some common myths surrounding veganism.

 

MYTH: Not Enough Protein

One of the most common misconceptions is that to meet your protein intake you must include meat in your diet, this is far from it. There are a variety of high protein plant foods including nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, lentils and of course tofu which provide plenty of protein. In fact, some of the foods you may already be enjoying in your diet provide a good source of protein in just 1 serve.  Quinoa, for example, provides roughly 13% of your daily recommended intake of protein I just ½ cup. You can also reach your protein intake with the variety of plant protein powders available, this includes pea, brown rice, pumpkin and hemp seed protein powders. They’re easy to add to cooking and baking plus of course in a delicious smoothie with your favourite superfoods.

MYTH: Restrictive choices

With so much variety and choice available today of vegan foods and products, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop with all the endless options. Just take a look in your local supermarket or health food store and you’ll see the choices of mylks, cheeses (yes vegan cheese exists!!), chocolates, spreads and more! Many restaurants and cafes cater to vegans with some even being exclusively vegan. You can easily enjoy your favourite recipes like spaghetti bolognaise, pasta carbonara, nachos and cakes and slices using vegan products such as coconut milk, flax & chia eggs, plant mylks and more. Check out our recipes for some delicious vegan-friendly dishes at: https://knowrishwell.com/blogs/recipes

 

MYTH: Iron deficiency
a belief that vegan diets result in iron deficiency is a very common misconception. Most people make the link that iron is only found in meats, particularly red meat, this however is not the case. Iron rich food sources include dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, beetroot leaves and swiss chard (a cousin of beetroot leaves). Fact: Iron absorption is actually increased when consuming vitamin C rich foods at the same time. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits and strawberries. Our tip is to make a delicious citrus dressing to go on top of your leafy green salads, or even enjoy a glass of OJ with your meals!

MYTH: Being vegan isn’t healthy

It’s true that having a balanced diet is the foundation for healthy eating, which is exactly what veganism is. There is no excluding of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates and protein) in fact it could be argued that vegan diets are healthier due to the majority of the diet coming from fruits, vegetables and wholegrains which are rich in micronutrients (vitamins & minerals).  This includes mushrooms which are rich in B vitamins and broccoli which is rich in calcium. Many plant based mylks are also fortified with calcium and vitamin D such as soy and almond.

 

If you’re considering going vegan, we recommend easing into it, start by incorporating 2-3 vegan days a week, experiment and have fun in the kitchen and also check out some popular vegan influencers on social media for tips and delicious recipes. One of our favourites is Sam Murphy from @sobeautifullyreal

OK, put your hands up… who struggles to get up in the morning during these cold winter months? And to be honest we can’t really complain because we’re lucky enough to have beautiful winters on the Gold Coast, but we know not all of Australia is as lucky as us!.

Keeping on track with your health and fitness goals during winter can be a challenge, but we’ve put together some helpful (and proven) tips to knock out those excuses! When summer comes around, you’ll be thanking yourself for pushing through and looking after yourself.

Set a goal
Ever heard the quote ‘Summer Bodies are made in the winter’, well that’s definitely true! There’s nothing like setting a goal to work towards, to keep you on track and focused with getting that end result. When setting a goal, make sure it’s achievable, if you’re not a morning person try exercising in the afternoon or at nigh time. Start off by setting a goal to get to the gym or move your body 4 times a week, when you achieve that you can reward yourself with a new outfit, massage or manicure.

 

Take advantage of soup season!
Soups are super easy to make and a great way to nourish the body with plenty of vegetables-your body will thank you for all the vitamins & minerals. You can make a big batch for the week and portion it out. Keep the leftovers stored in  the freezer for those nights you don’t have time to cook. Side note- our Maple Bacon Coconut Chips taste delicious topped on homemade potato and leek soup, you can easily replace the dairy cream to coconut milk for a delicious vegan friendly recipe.

Train with a partner
Training with a friend or personal trainer is the best way to stay motivated and increase your accountability. If you know that person is relying on you, you’ll be less likely to skip a session, plus it’s always more fun working out with a partner! If you really want to take it to the next level, make a pact that the person who skips a session has to shout the other lunch!

Workout without even leaving home
We’re lucky enough to live in the world of the internet and have all the resources in the palm of our hands. There are plenty of amazing workout apps you can download on your phone to do a workout at home without requiring any equipment. If you have a smart TV you can also find home workouts on YouTube such as Pilates, yoga, boxing, body weight exercises and more.

Deck out your active wear
You know when you buy a new dress and you just can’t wait to go out and wear it? Well work out gear is the same! If you invest in some quality winter active wear, you’ll not only be ready to tackle the cold but the expense should motivate you to put that hard earnt cash to good use!

Prepare the night before
If you’ve decided mornings are going to be the time to work out, preparing the night before will make it a lot easier for you to get up. Place your active wear next to your bed and your gym bag, keys and shoes by the door. If you’re one to snooze, have your phone or alarm on the other side of the room, giving you no choice to wake up (unless you want to hear that dreaded alarm noise all morning!). We also recommend making an epic playlist filled with your favourite up beat tunes to get you pumped!

Embrace it
Lastly, just embrace it. Although splashing at the beach or tanning by the pool isn’t exactly the perfect winter activity, take time to relax and rejuvenate with hot bubble baths, scented candles and herbal teas. Don’t forget to rest and recover in between training sessions, rugging up on the couch with a Blue Dream Super Latte and a good movie is always good for the body and the soul!

Mushrooms have long been used for medicinal and food purposes and have recently come back into the spotlight. The nutritional content of mushrooms is very impressive. They have a high protein content (up to 45%) and contain fibre, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Mushrooms are one of the best food sources to include in vegetarian and vegan diets for their protein content and B vitamins. They’re super easy to incorporate into your diet tasting delicious with almost anything (mushroom risotto anyone?!) 

Now that we’ve covered the macronutrients, the functional and medicinal benefits of mushrooms are pretty astounding. To name a few, mushrooms have immune-stimulating b-glucans, they possess antioxidant activity, liver protection as well as anti-inflammatory activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-viral activity and anti-microbial activity.

Would you believe it if we told you there are around 11,000 named species of mushrooms!? Of course not all of them are edible and some hold more beneficial properties than others. Before formulating our Shroom Brew we carried out extensive research to ensure we selected the best mushrooms for our brew. Some of the mushrooms we’ve included in our delicious Shroom Brew are; Chaga, Reishi and Lion’s Mane. Curious to find out why these amazing mushrooms made the cut? We’ve made it easy for you and condensed all the benefits and research in just 1 blog!

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

Chaga has traditionally been used to make tea, which was drunk to treat a range of conditions including viral and bacterial infections as well as gastro-intestinal disorders. It possesses strong antioxidant benefits, protecting against oxidative stress in the body due to the high phenolic compounds in the mushroom. Research has also shown that a polysaccharide (IOP) in Chaga induces changes in the gut microbiota promoting a healthy bacterial profile.

Reishi (Ganoderma)

Reishi is known for its strong anti-inflammatory function and is tied to longevity, better immune function and mental clarity. Studies have shown Reishi acts as an immunomodulator (modifies the immune response and function) in inflammation induced by a high-cholesterol diet. It’s also been shown that the constituents of Reishi make it one of the important prebiotics used to increase the bacterial flora.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s Mane is often called ‘smart mushroom’ as it provides support specifically for cognitive function, to improve memory, attention and creativity. In fact, it’s been reported that Buddhist monks have consumed Lion’s Mane tea for centuries before meditation to enhance their concentration. Lion’s Mane has the ability to stimulate synthesis of  Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). This is a protein that plays a major role in the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous system. It’s the unique types of compounds in Lion’s Mane; hericenones and erinacines that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate production of new neurons within the brain itself.

It’s no wonder that these ‘magical’ superfoods are taking the world by storm, and makes you look at mushrooms in a whole new light! 

If you’re familiar with our enchanting functional latte range, you would have seen our most exciting new addition to our collection and most popular one; Shroom Brew.

Shroom Brew, as its name suggests contains a combination of medicinal mushrooms which work together synergistically. (We’ve also added in other beneficial goodies too, so be sure to check it out).

The greatest part about our Shroom Brew is that your body can reap all the benefits without the come down like you would get from caffeinated beverages.   

Now that we’ve wowed you about all the amazing benefits this common pantry staple possesses, it is no wonder why nutritionists around the world can’t get enough of medicinal mushrooms.

 

References

Jayachandran 1, M, Xiao, J, Xu, B, ‘A critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota’ 2017, International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Jiao-Jiao Z, et al, ‘Bioactivities and Health Benefitsof Mushrooms Mainly from China’, 2016, Molecules, 21(7), 938

Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. ‘Improving effects of the mushroom yamabushitake (hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial’, 2009, Phytotherapy Research,23(3):367-72.