# Moonlight Dream Elixir

## Description
A luxurious Ayurvedic bedtime beverage featuring adaptogenic herbs and a mesmerizing color-changing effect from butterfly pea flowers. This calming elixir combines the stress-relieving properties of ashwagandha with immune-supporting reishi mushroom, creating a powerful sleep-promoting blend. The natural sweetness from dates pairs beautifully with warming cardamom and vanilla, while edible gold dust adds a touch of celestial magic. When lemon is added, watch the deep blue transform to purple, creating a mindful ritual that prepares both body and mind for restful sleep.

## Quick Facts
- Calories: 185 per serving
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: easy
- Cuisine: Ayurvedic
- Health Score: 8.5/10

## Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 185
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 25mg

## Dietary Information
This recipe is: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

## Ingredients (4 servings)
- 2 tablespoons dried butterfly pea flowers (or 8-10 whole flowers)
- 2 teaspoons ashwagandha powder (organic preferred)
- 1 teaspoon reishi mushroom powder (finely ground)
- 6 pieces medjool dates (pitted and chopped)
- 2 cups coconut milk (full-fat for creaminess)
- 2 cups water (filtered)
- 6 pieces cardamom pods (lightly crushed)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (pure vanilla)
- 1 piece cinnamon stick (Ceylon preferred)
- 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced)
- 0.25 teaspoon edible gold dust (food-grade)
- 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)

## Instructions
1. Begin by setting your intention for peaceful sleep. In a medium saucepan, combine water, coconut milk, chopped dates, crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and ginger slices.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Allow the dates to soften and release their natural sweetness.
3. Add butterfly pea flowers to the pot and continue simmering. Watch as the liquid transforms into a deep, celestial blue color.
4. Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract maximum flavor. Return the strained liquid to the pot.
5. Whisk in ashwagandha powder and reishi mushroom powder until completely dissolved. Add vanilla extract and stir gently.
6. Pour into serving cups and dust the surface with edible gold dust. Create a spiral pattern with a toothpick for a mesmerizing effect.
7. Serve with lemon wedges on the side. Before drinking, take three deep breaths, then squeeze lemon into the elixir to witness the magical color transformation from blue to purple. Sip slowly while practicing gratitude for the day.

## Allergen Information
Contains: tree nuts

## Tags
ayurvedic, adaptogenic, sleep-aid, color-changing, ritual, instagram, wellness

## Source
Recipe by: CalorieGram AI

## Machine-Readable Data

### Recipe Metadata
```json
{
  "id": "ac446d21-9524-463e-892e-c48d24e6a394",
  "youtube_id": null,
  "title": "Moonlight Dream Elixir",
  "cuisine_type": "Ayurvedic",
  "meal_type": [
    "beverage"
  ],
  "difficulty_level": "easy",
  "servings": 4,
  "prep_time_minutes": 15,
  "cook_time_minutes": 20,
  "total_time_minutes": 35,
  "health_score": 8.5,
  "created_at": "2025-06-25T19:08:31.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2025-06-25T19:08:31.000Z"
}
```

### Ingredients Data
```json
{
  "servings": 4,
  "ingredients": [
    {
      "name": "dried butterfly pea flowers",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "tablespoons",
      "notes": "or 8-10 whole flowers"
    },
    {
      "name": "ashwagandha powder",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "teaspoons",
      "notes": "organic preferred"
    },
    {
      "name": "reishi mushroom powder",
      "amount": 1,
      "unit": "teaspoon",
      "notes": "finely ground"
    },
    {
      "name": "medjool dates",
      "amount": 6,
      "unit": "pieces",
      "notes": "pitted and chopped"
    },
    {
      "name": "coconut milk",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "full-fat for creaminess"
    },
    {
      "name": "water",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "filtered"
    },
    {
      "name": "cardamom pods",
      "amount": 6,
      "unit": "pieces",
      "notes": "lightly crushed"
    },
    {
      "name": "vanilla extract",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "teaspoons",
      "notes": "pure vanilla"
    },
    {
      "name": "cinnamon stick",
      "amount": 1,
      "unit": "piece",
      "notes": "Ceylon preferred"
    },
    {
      "name": "fresh ginger",
      "amount": 1,
      "unit": "inch",
      "notes": "sliced"
    },
    {
      "name": "edible gold dust",
      "amount": 0.25,
      "unit": "teaspoon",
      "notes": "food-grade"
    },
    {
      "name": "lemon wedges",
      "amount": 4,
      "unit": "pieces",
      "notes": "for serving"
    }
  ]
}
```

### Nutrition Data (per serving)
```json
{
  "calories": 185,
  "macros": {
    "protein_g": 3,
    "carbs_g": 22,
    "fat_g": 10,
    "fiber_g": 3,
    "sugar_g": 15,
    "sodium_mg": 25
  },
  "dietary_tags": {
    "vegan": true,
    "vegetarian": true,
    "gluten_free": true,
    "dairy_free": true,
    "nut_free": false
  }
}
```

---
This recipe is from CalorieGram Recipes - Your AI-powered healthy recipe discovery platform.
Visit https://recipes.caloriegram.ai for more healthy recipes.