What it is:

A caffeine-free herbal beverage many use as a substitute for coffee.

Health Benefits:

From removing toxins to killing cancer cells, dandelion is purported to have many healing effects on the body.  Dandelion contains essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids necessary for the body to achieve optimal health.  Fighting inflammation, boosting immune function, and anti-aging properties are also associated with dandelion health benefits. 

Dandy Blend also contains chicory root which is a health powerhouse in its own right!   Chicory contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, antiviral and can help with allergies.  Barley and Rye extracts are also known for promoting weight loss.   

How I use it:

I put two teaspoons of Dandy Blend in my coffee mug. I add a touch of vanilla, cayenne, borax, salt, and cinnamon.  From time to time, I add a small slice of butter.  I brew one Tablespoon of Dynamite Decaf coffee with 16oz of water into the coffee mug.  I add a bit of organic whole milk, et voila!  A delicious breakfast brew! Click here for more info on Borax.

How I found it:

A client introduced me to dandelion and its myriad health benefits.  She lived in the Appalachian Mountains and regularly foraged for edible weeds, mushrooms, and herbs in the woods surrounding her home.  One day she brought a serving of her freshly foraged dandelion soup to the gym for me to try.  I was stunned at how delicious this little bowl of goodness was!

I wish I could say this inspired me to begin foraging so that I could make this healthful soup myself.  But truth be told, I was a bit intimidated even though my client assured me it was SO EASY!  Even when I saw the dandelion leaves on the produce shelves at Whole Foods, I still wasn’t enticed to give it a go! 

I came across Dandy Blend at the grocery store a few years later. Now that I could try!  Honestly, I assumed it wouldn’t taste very good, but I figured I’d get past that little detail to benefit from all the purported health benefits of dandelion!  But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Dandy Blend was quite tasty!

I typically choose the organic version of whatever product I purchase.  However, after reading on Dandy Blend’s website about the sourcing of their products, I decided that organic Dandy Blend was not appreciably better than the non-organic blend.  Why? Because regular Dandy Blend is sourced from medicinal herbal farmers in Poland.  And although I have not researched Poland specifically regarding its food regulations, I know generally that European countries have been much more restrictive than has the US in allowing products on food crops that could be highly toxic to people. 

Additionally, my feeling is that food products produced by medicinal herbal farmers, although not technically organic, are likely being produced with the health of the end consumer in mind.  Organic Dandy Blend is sourced from certified organic farmers in Poland.  Either would be excellent in my estimation, so do your research, and go with what seems right for you!

Why I use it:

I am very sensitive to caffeine and for the first 45 years of my life could never regularly drink decaf, let alone caffeinated coffee.  I would get so amped on just 6 oz of coffee that I couldn’t focus for longer than a few minutes on any one thought or activity. My resting pulse would reach 100 beats per minute.  And then after a couple hours, I would be irritable, cranky, pissed off….all the things lol!

Despite my personal experience, there is research that suggests coffee may be a super food.  And there is also competing  info that will tell you to stay away altogether.  I imagine there is truth to both sides, and one’s own unique biochemistry is a big factor.  As a matter of fact, Peter D’Adamo, author of Eat Right for Your Blood Type, suggests that people with O blood type are among those who struggle the most with coffee and caffeinated products.

But then Covid happened.  And having to close my gym for several months and wear masks and isolate and social distance, I began to realize my mood was indeed very blue.  That is when I started drinking coffee regularly.  I would have one scoop of caffeinated and one scoop of decaf brewed in 16 oz of water.  That was just enough of a kick to allow me an extra happy boost without the irritability.

I chose Dynamite Roasting Co coffee, a single source, organic, locally roasted coffee.  Often people can be sensitive to the mold that coffee can harbor in addition to the caffeine itself. However, it is more likely that using single source, organic, locally roasted coffee contains less mold. Often Decaf is processed with more chemicals relative to caffeinated coffee.  Dynamite Roasting Co Decaf coffee, however, uses the chemical-free Mountain Water Process.  Plus, it is an absolutely DYNO-MITE coffee…pun intended!  As proof, one of my favorite coffee houses in Asheville uses this brand exclusively.

In the last several months, however, I was reminded by Barbara O’Neil the downside of coffee consumption.  And I thought, you know, after 3+ years of having coffee daily, perhaps it’s time to choose an alternative that has no controversy in terms of its health benefits! 

Since I have become quite attached to my daily morning coffee (ahhh….the taste, aroma!), I currently use two teaspoons of Dandy Blend and one scoop of decaf in about 16 oz of hot water.  I’ve been amazed that there is ZERO give up on the taste by substituting the Dandy Blend for a scoop of coffee.  As a matter of fact, I feel the Dandy Blend enhances the overall taste, fullness, and richness of my quasi-morning coffee! 

Personally, I’m still on the fence about whether to eliminate coffee altogether.  In the meantime, I continue to enjoy a delicious hot Dandy Coffee Blend beverage every morning.  And I’m excited about the added nutrition Dandy Blend brings to the table! 

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