Moondeli: Herbacious Soup for the Soul

By Bex, Supplements Buyer & The Naturalist Contributor

All images by Pure + Wild Journal

Growing up, any hint that we would be going on my family’s now-and-then adventure to our neighborhood deli prompted knee-rattling anticipation as I contemplated a challenging decision at the large window display chock-full of salads and spreads in quantities that could quite literally feed a village. Then, inevitably upon arrival, I would settle on a moon-like matzoh ball suspended in a large bowl of piping hot chicken soup, which my grandmother always reminded me was “the Jewish Penicillin.”

So, when I stumbled upon Moondeli, I naturally thought of that scrumptious celestial body floating in a steaming edible bath for my digestive tract. The comparison is actually not that much of a stretch since Moondeli is my modern day answer to the enduring need for bowl after bowl of comforting and fortifying liquid. Now that I only reserve matzoh ball soup for when I actually fall ill, I’m focused on regularly consuming herb based tonics that support my body in staying strong, energized and relaxed, so that I find myself getting sick much less often. The organic, wildcrafted, ethically-sourced precious powders from Moondeli become boosters to add to your smoothies, tea, coffee, juice, and get this - soup!

Moondeli’s adaptogenic blends have become part of my self-care ritual, supporting my body and mind as they adapt - rather than react - to stress. Inspired by ancient plant medicine, Moondeli Tonics can be enjoyed heated or chilled on their own, immersed in liquid, or cooked into goodies galore. I’ve even experimented with putting these functional foods on my face! Try a teaspoon of the Meditation Tonic stirred into your favorite cup of herbal tea. If you crave a little sweetness, add honey or stevia to taste. Make a golden milk latte by whisking the Golden Turmeric Tonic into your milk of choice. However, if you want to really have some fun, get creative in the kitchen and add these to sweet and savory treats to infuse your bites with life-affirming goodness.

Here are a handful of Moondeli-inspired recipes to nourish your body and soul!

 

THE NOT-SO-MEAN GREEN PROTEIN MACHINE SMOOTHIE

  • 2 tsp Moondeli Blue Green Protein (spirulina, tocos and salt)
  • 1 Banana
  • ½ cup of frozen mango chunks
  • 1 cup of frozen strawberries
  • 4-6 frozen peach slices
  • 1 serving of your favorite vanilla protein powder (I use the plant-based sunwarrior warrior blend)
  • 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice)
  • 1 Tbsp bee pollen (to sprinkle on top)

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend it up! Add more almond milk to achieve the consistency you desire (I like it on the thick side, so I usually use less.) Serves 2

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CRUNCHY MINTY HIPPIE’S DELIGHT SMOOTHIE

  • 2 tsp Moondeli Mushroom Adaptogen (cacao, chaga, cordyceps)
  • 1 Banana
  • 1 cup of frozen strawberries
  • 1 handful of raw organic spinach
  • 3-4 mint leaves (to taste)
  • 2 Tbsp of hemp seeds (one to be blended into the smoothie, the other to use as a topping)
  • 1 Tbsp of almond butter
  • 2 cups of unsweetened hemp milk (or other milk of choice)
  • 2 Tbsp of granola (I sometimes add it as a topping and sometimes stir in. I use paleo granola)

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend it up! Add more hemp milk to achieve the consistency you desire (I like it on the thick side, so I usually use less.) Serves 1-2

 

BLISS BOOSTING GLUTEN FREE hygge season COOKIES

  • ¼ cup Moondeli Bliss Booster (cacao, maca and cayenne)-like Mexican Hot Chocolate!
  • 1 Tbsp cacao powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup GF Flour blend (I use Cup4Cup or Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1.5 cups GF rolled oats
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt (I often double that because I like salty cookies)
  • 1 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup flax meal whisked with a fork in ⅔ cup water
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • ⅓ cup of unsweetened coconut shreds (or unsweetened coconut chips if you prefer crunch)
  • ½ cup dark chocolate (I prefer chopped chunks, but you can also use chips)
  • ¼ cup dried cherries
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (this is another area where I get a little generous)
  1. Mix dry ingredients together (Bliss Booster, cacao, cinnamon, flour, almond flour, oats, chocolate, coconut, cherries, baking powder and salt) in a large bowl
  2. In a separate large bowl stir together the wet ingredients and sugar (melted butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, almond butter, coconut oil)
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring it in bit by bit.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours (I like to chill the dough overnight)
  5. Bake at 350 degrees F on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper (or thoroughly greased) for 10-12 minutes
  6. Check the edges and consistency of the cookies. Depending on the oven, I usually increase the temperature to 375 and bake for another 1-3 minutes as needed.
  7. Cool on a cooling rack if possible.

CHILL THE F OUT CHAI CHIA PUDDING

  • 2-3 Tbsp Moondeli Calming Adaptogen (ashwagandha, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon)
  • 1 Banana
  • 1 cup berries of choice (I topped mine with blackberries and raspberries)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp almond butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons of cacao nibs
  • 1 serving of vanilla hemp protein powder
  • 1 can of coconut milk
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Mash the banana into a tupperware container with the almond butter until it is soft. Add 1 can of coconut milk and stir together with the banana. Add 4 Tbsp of chia seeds and stir. Place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours (I like to let it sit overnight.) Mix in protein powder and Calming Adaptogen powder. Top with cacao nibs and berries!

 

I’ve also added these powders to soup, juices, overnight oats, zoom balls, pancakes, truffles, frosting, and salad dressing, so get creative and have fun! Moondeli suggests up to two servings of each blend per day, but remember that the tonics work synergistically, so you can mix several of them together in your attempt to gain superpowers. I’m not a doctor or a pharmacist, so I can’t say whether or not that will happen, but I’m gonna give it a try… Ceremony Tonic (matcha, cacao, maca,) here I come!