Vegan Superfood Recipes: REBBL Reishi Chocolate Chili

These days, it's rare to find food products that align with my values. With so many pseudo-foods boasting ethically questionable production practices, it can be difficult--if not impossible--to purchase something that meets all of my expectations. But recently, I was introduced to a new-to-me brand called REBBL (which stands for Roots, Extracts, Berries, Bark, and Leaves), and I had the opportunity to try their product line of plant-based elixirs and protein drinks. REBBL was founded by two friends who were inspired to develop something that tasted as if it came out of their own kitchens. All of **REBBL's coconut milk-based elixirs** are organic, gluten-free, and vegan (with the exception of the Turmeric Golden Milk and Matcha Latte, which contain organic honey). What's more, the products prioritize using fairly traded ingredients. REBBL donates 2.5% of revenue to Not For Sale, a non-profit that works to end human trafficking. What about the products themselves? In a word, they're delicious. I had a chance to sample their full line of products, including: Matcha Latte, Turmeric Golden-Milk, Maca Cold-Brew, Maca Mocha, Reishi Chocolate, Ashwagandha Chai, Dark Chocolate Protein, and Vanilla Spice Protein. My favorites were the Maca Cold-Brew and Ashwagandha Chai, which includes assam tea, coconut milk, spices, and ashwagandha extract (which comes from a small red fruit native to India, and is used to help alleviate stress and fatigue). My boyfriend, with whom I (reluctantly) shared my stash, loved the Turmeric Golden-Milk, which also has a coconut milk base, followed by high-quality ingredients like turmeric root, vanilla, ginger, and quillaja extract (which is derived from the inner bark of the soapbark tree, and is thought to help treat respiratory ailments). What's especially unique about REBBL products is that they all contain adaptogens. Adaptogens are a class of herbs that are known promote physiological balance. That is, they strengthen the body's response to stress and enhance its ability to cope with anxiety and fight fatigue. In each of REBBL's drinks, you'll find a variety of these herbal ingredients, so it's not an exaggeration to say that they are true elixirs. REBBL drinks are delicious on their own, of course, but I decided to utilize their unique properties in a recipe. A chili might be a little unconventional for elixirs that are on the sweeter side, but trust me when I say that chocolate and chili are a match made in plant-based heaven. For this recipe, I used the Reishi Chocolate elixir. The star ingredient in this drink is the reishi mushroom extract, which is thought to slow aging, reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and even prevent cancer. When combined with vegetables and pulses, this chili is a veritable powerhouse of nutrition. Don't forget to enter the giveaway so you can have a chance to try REBBL's amazing line of elixirs!