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Not only do my dogs get the mushroom medley powder every day, but I do too. To learn more about what I do, skip down to "Kat's Mushroom Smoothie Recipe", but first let me take a meandering path on why I take them...

Sunday, October 30th: I hopped on a red-eye to the east coast.  My dad (91) and mom (85) were needing health care assistance so I rushed to Massachusetts to help.  Seeing our strong, proud, invincible parents age is never easy.  We shared a few lovely days  in the sun together in what was uncharacteristically beautiful November weather.  

Thursday, November 3rd: my dad said goodbye and passed, as you can imagine, I am heartbroken and it’s been a long couple of weeks.  My mother who married my dad 65 years ago, was and is devastated, but stricken with dementia, it’s hard for her to comprehend all that’s happened around her.  I moved her into a lovely memory care facility and know she’s in the best of hands (in fact, just today I received a video of her dancing to a cover band playing the Monkees). I know she will have good and bad days, but knowing she’s in a loving community makes me smile.

Thursday, November 17th: I'm now back in Seattle, thinking about the crazy year this has been. And while I am sad, I want you all to know, I'm ever grateful for this year. I learned a lot, cried a lot, and also smiled a lot.... I beat cancer, lost my dad, and relished in living. As we approach the holidays, I wanted to remind you to get outside with your dogs (parents, kids, friends, etc), go that extra half mile on  your walk, stop and literally smell those roses, and remember there are only so many trips around the sun.

And while we say thanks this month to our customers, retailer, staff and friends, I’m reminded of all the good health and fortune I have been given.  And having said that, I’d like to share with you my absolute musts for a full and vibrant life.

Why I take supplements

When I was diagnosed with cancer in December last year, I thought how in the world can that be?  I knew I’d beat it, it was just a speed bump, but I needed to embrace my health and well being and what a better way to do that then with using the very best supplements.  Having a brilliant innovation team around me, and the sourcing knowledge I’ve developed over the years doing Austin and Kat, I knew I had a leg up on finding the very best supplements to help in my road to recovery.

When I looked at my supplement shelf, I was amazed at the different ingredients I’d amassed.  There were/are twelve different ones I was/am taking everyday, and range from Astaxanthin (yes, the same ingredient in our Hip & Joint and Feline Oils), Curcumin (in our chews and toppers), fish oil, vitamin D, Holy Basil, Rhodiola Rosea, Schisandra…..and MUSHROOMS. I thought to myself…hang on a second.  I make a Mushroom Powder for Austin and Kat….why am I not using that?  Fast forward a few weeks, and I started incorporating that same powder I was giving to my dogs (Austin, Bailey and Harper at the time) into my morning smoothie!

A little bit about Mushrooms

These are some of the most historically-revered mushrooms on Earth. A wealth of health-optimizing, longevity-promoting compounds are naturally present within these powerful mushrooms.  The mix contains what are referred to as the “Seven Sacred” mushrooms and include:  Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Reishi, Shitake, and Turkey Tail. 

They become ultimate "add to anything" mushroom blend for immunity, cognition and energy. These mushrooms are the real deal. Powerful, natural and organic. It's actually a difference you can feel.  My sourcing is super important to me because while I want the very best, I also want the most effective. 

As I researched the blend for the powder earlier this year for Austin and Kat, I learned that there was a HUGE difference from just using Mycelium vs. Fruiting Bodies.  When you combine them together you receive a myraid of benefits, that may only exist in either/or, not both, so in term by utilizing both you receive a full spectrum of macro and micronutrients, beta-glucans, antioxidants, prebiotic insoluble fiber, digestive enzymes, proteins, vitamins and other unique bioactive compounds in the most bioavailable form.  The whole mushroom powder is very different than an extract as it undergoes less processing.

So while, I never in a million years thought I’d be using the same products my pets are, I am in fact doing just that.  Nature at its finest.

Kat's Mushroom Smoothie Recipe

Just add one teaspoon to your coffee, tea, smoothies or other dishes. Take any time of day, with or without a meal.

Here’s my go to recipe for my morning smoothie:

• ½ banana (frozen preferred)
• 1 scoop Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein & Greens
• 1 scoop Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
• 1 Tbsp Pure Peanut Powder
• 1 Tbsp Navitas Organic Hemp Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Navitas Organic Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp Austin and Kat ~ Harper’s Mushroom Medley Powder
• 1 dropper (40mg) Austin and Kat ~ 1200mg Everyday Wellness CBD oil

1. fill Magic Bullet container with 6 ice cubes (the more ice the thicker the smoothie)
2. add above ingredients
3. top with water and choice of milk (I prefer Oat Milk)
4. Blend well
5. Enjoy!

~ Kat