Soulful living is all about clarity – clarity of mind, body and spirit. So keeping our body temples clean and clear is essential for our ultimate wellbeing.

In my quest for more mental clarity, I discovered yerba mate years ago and I love it. It’s my alternative to coffee, which is acidic and causes too much crash and burn in my mental and physical body.

Mate (ma-tay) is made from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the South American rain forest holly tree. It does provide me with a sustainable lift that feels completely different than a coffee buzz. It’s much cleaner.

For centuries, South America’s Ache Guayaki tribe have sipped mate daily for its powerful rejuvenative effects and other healthful benefits.

Yerba Mate is known to:

* Support focus and clarity* Boost physical energy without a crash* Support weight loss* Contain natural antioxidants* Aid in elimination

Mate is part of my morning ritual. I use organic, fair trade brands, such as Guayaki and EcoTeas on Amazon. I also see yerba mate in some supermarkets. Now that’s a good sign!

How to prepare Yerba Mate Latte

In my standard size coffee press, I add:

* 3-4 tablespoons of loose leaf yerba mate * a few dashes of organic cinnamon* not quite yet boiling water (hotter the water, the more bitter the mate)

Steep for a few minutes. I then add almond milk to my cup for a more flavorful Mate Latte. Otherwise, mate has a grassy flavor, which is fine too. Experiment to find your favorite flavor!

Keto Yerba Mate Latte

I’ve updated my morning ritual to include a more fat-burning version of my original Yerba Mate Latte to supercharge my mental focus and clarity. It’s still super easy to make!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup prepared yerba mate tea (see how to prepare above)* Dash or two of organic cinnamon* 1 scoop