A few months ago, my sweet cousin Rachel gifted me some of her favorite NYC treats. Amongst them were a bag of Vanilla Gladiator Cookies by my favorite New York juice bar company, Juice Press. Everything at each JP location is made in-house from the highest-quality ingredients, and most of the their products are raw and organic as well.

These cookies had me hook, line and sinker after the first bite. Unlike most cookies, they are just barely sweet, so you really taste the flavors of cashews, vanilla and coconut, and you're not left craving sugar. They're full of healthy fats and protein, so you can enjoy them as a dessert OR a snack OR even as part of a grab-and-go breakfast.

As much as I desperately want Juice Press  to open a Nashville location, I don't know that my wish will be granted any time soon! However, it is unacceptable for me to go forth in life without these cookies. Thus, an LL Balanced version! I have no idea what their recipe is, and they include mesquite powder, which I don't have. But I gotta say...I nailed these! They are SO similar, except I made mine a little bigger 'cause duh.

If you love classic short-bread style cookies, with their rich taste and slightly crumbly texture, these are the cookies for you! Plus, did I mention they are ridiculously easy to put together? xox

FAVE THRIVE MARKET BEVERAGES

 Four Sigmatic Chaga Superfood Mushroom Tea

I am officially on the medicinal mushroom train! I was gifted some samples of Four Sigmatic instant-packet mushrooms teas, and I started using them skeptically. Well, I absolutely felt the effects of them, especially when enjoyed on a consistent basis! Mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and they're powerful components in modern drugs as well, but we don't think about them much. Many are adaptogenic, which means that they can "sense" what your body needs and help you come to equilibrium. The Chaga Mushroom is my favorite, as it clear my head/helps me think better AND it's great for your immune system, but I also love the Hot Cacao Mixes and the Reishi is fantastic for making me feel more calm and chill.  The taste is very mild, so I just pour them straight up into water, but you can add sweetener, cinnamon and almond milk for a nice morning beverage!

Gaia Herbs Golden Milk Powder

As I type, I'm sensing my own theme...keeping my immune system strong! Life is so busy and crazy, it's easy to get run down, and who has time to be sick! Whenever I'm really feeling under the weather, I mix this into my Four Sigmatic tea, or into green tea, or even into hot water. Not only is this great for your immunity, it's extremely anti-inflammatory. So this is my go-to when I haven't been eating as well as I'd like, or I've had an extra glass of wine (or two) or I've been traveling. The star ingredient is turmeric, but the other ingredients make the turmeric more bioavailable, boost metabolism and add delicious flavor.

Mattole Valley Vanilla Grassfed Whey Protein Powder

This company has my absolute favorite grass-fed whey protein powder to-date, and this is a really reasonable price. I mostly buy it for my husband, who needs lots of protein in his smoothies, and he adores the flavor. It's a super high quality protein powder from grass-fed, pastured cows, and it also comes in a scrumptious chocolate flavor. If you find that plant-based protein powders don't exactly make your taste-buds sing, give this a try. It makes a nice fluffy, creamy consistency that I don't often find with protein powders.

Organic Mint Sencha Tea by Pique

Ummmm, whoever founded this company is brilliant. These organic little tea packets are INSTANT, so you can dissolve them right into hot or cold water. I keep these with me when I travel. I'll use them in the morning, but also add one to my water bottle to bring with me on the go. They have multiple flavors of green tea, but the mint is my favorite. It also helps settled my stomach, and you don't get the bitterness that often accompanies green tea bags. If you're a busy person or someone who's also often on the road, I highly recommend these instant tea packets.

Organic Mucuna Pruriens Powder

And last but not least, this powder by the company Sun Potion was also originally gifted to me, and I wasn't sure what to think. Mucuna Pruriens is touted to be good for: "Enhancing Brain Function, Elevating Mood & Refine the Senses, Soothing the Nervous System, and Supporting Overall Well-being. Here's what I've noticed when I add it to a smoothie, hot water or combine it with my Chaga Mushroom Tea: I feel more relaxed and less anxious, my brain feels clearer and my mood is boosted/I feel more positive. I really enjoy having this in my "Superfood" arsenal, especially because a little goes a long way! It also has quite a mild flavor, and you can even stir it into oatmeal.