THE HIT LIST
CHUG A CHAGA Mushroom lovers will be happy to know that there is a whole month dedicated to the tasty little fungi. According to NationalDayCalendar.com, September is National Mushroom Month, so you may try stuffing one for dinner or chopping a few up for a stir-fry. Or you could celebrate by drinking a mushroom. Why not try a Chagachino from One Utopia, a super foods drink bar located in The Downtown Exchange Clemont? Never chugged a Chagachino? It’s made with oat milk, monk fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, cacao and Chaga, a type of mushroom that grows on birch trees and that One Utopia’s Owner Tina Aldrich says contains a higher natural source of antioxidants than 3 pounds of blueberries or 30 pounds of carrots. When ordering a Chagachino, you can ask for it hot or cold, or with a shot of espresso. “When we tell people what’s in our Chagachino, they think, ‘What, I’m drinking a mushroom? Oh no,’ but when they try it, they usually can’t believe it. We turn it into something that really tastes delicious, that’s sugar free and that is very good for you,” says Aldrich. If you’re not into mushrooms, or you’re allergic to them, One Utopia serves many other drinks. And everything on the menu is plant-based, keto, vegan, organic, paleo friendly and gluten free. ONE UTOPIA 639 8th St, Clermont, FL // 407.575.7616 oneutopia.com
HONEY HONEY Dandelions aren’t just a weed to get rid of in your garden! They also have dual uses, culinary and medicinal. Dandelions are 100% edible, and in the culinary world, they have many uses because they are so full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Greens can be eaten raw in a salad, or cooked in a soup. Dandelion greens are high in vitamins C, A and K, and have small amounts of vitamin E, folates and other B vitamins. They’re also a good source of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Stems are often used in teas. You can also use dandelion heads to make vegan honey! With water, dandelion heads and lemon, simmer for 15 minutes and leave overnight. In the morning, strain the liquid with a strainer
020 /
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • S E P ' 2 0
or cloth, add an amount of sugar equal to the amount of liquid and bring the new mixture to a boil for 15 minutes. Just make sure if you’re consuming raw or cooked dandelions your flowers have been grown in safe soil and have been washed thoroughly. Medicinally, not only do dandelions contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are important to the human body, but consuming dandelions can control blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, promote a healthy liver, aid in weight loss and help with digestion and a strong immune system. Outside of the body, dandelion leaf and flower extracts have been shown to help with skin damaged by the sun, as well as reducing inflammation and even preventing acne in some cases.
