Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with 4 Mushroom Blend

March 7, 2024 | by EASTON GILOWSKI

Indulge in the perfect ending to your day with this Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, made exceptional with the Eversio 4 Mushroom Blend. This blend is a methodically selected mix of Reishi, Lion's Mane, Maitake, and Shiitake mushroom extracts, each chosen for their unique benefits to health and well-being. It's crafted to ease daily stress and lead you to a restful night’s sleep, all while enjoying your favourite treat.

Reishi for Sleep and Digestion

The Reishi mushrooms in this blend are key in enhancing sleep quality, making it an excellent addition to your cookie recipe. Renowned for its soothing properties, Reishi mushrooms contribute to peaceful sleep and overall health. They promote the production of neurotransmitters that induce sleep and are beneficial for gut health [1].

The impact of Reishi mushrooms on the gut-brain axis is notable [2]. Studies indicate that Reishi mushrooms increase total sleep time and deepen the quality of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, contributing to a more restorative sleep cycle. They also help regulate cytokines like TNF-alpha, which bolster NREM sleep and lessen stress by improving sleep quality [1,2].

Furthermore, Reishi's polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans, are prized for their prebiotic qualities, encouraging a healthy gut microbiome and reducing undesirable bacteria [3]. This balance is crucial for overall health, including nutrient absorption, lipid metabolism, and immune system functionality. Additionally, these polysaccharides can modulate inflammation, boosting immune response and potentially reducing the risk of certain diseases [3].

Lion’s Mane for Brain Health

Lion's Mane mushroom is another essential component of the 4 Mushroom Blend, celebrated for its cognitive health benefits. It’s known for compounds that foster brain cell growth and mental sharpness, aiding memory retention [4]. Incorporating Lion’s Mane into your cookie mix could support nerve growth factor (NGF) production, which is essential for nerve cell vitality and cognitive functions [5,6].

Maitake and Shiitake: Antioxidant Benefits 

Including Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms for their potent antioxidant properties enhances the health value of your cookie treats. These mushrooms contribute ergothioneine, a significant antioxidant for cell health and protection against various conditions [7]. Oxidative stress is a precursor to numerous health issues, including heart disease and diabetes [7].

Studies have shown that Maitake-derived polysaccharides mainly influence gut microbiota, which is beneficial for managing diabetes and metabolic diseases [8]. Meanwhile, Shiitake mushrooms have been found to boost immune response, indicating improved gut immunity and reduced inflammation markers through regular consumption [9].

By incorporating the 4 Mushroom Blend into your chocolate chip cookies, you’re not just treating yourself to a delicious snack but also embracing a path to better health, relaxation, and sleep.

INGREDIENTS

DRY 

½ cup + 2/3 cup oat flour  

4 tbsp coconut sugar (or high-quality brown sugar)  

4 tbsp cane sugar (or double your coconut sugar)  

1 tsp Eversio Wellness 4 Mushroom Blend  

1 tsp cinnamon  

¼ tsp sea salt 

½ tsp baking soda  

WET 

2 tsp vanilla  

2 tbsp melted coconut oil  

3 tbsp almond milk  

OTHER

½ cup dark chocolate chips or 1 dark chocolate bar chopped up

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix your dry ingredients and mix well.

2. Add in your wet ingredients and mix. This will be slightly crumbly, but that is okay; it will hold once you roll it into balls. Add in your dark chocolate.  

3. Evenly roll your dough into balls and line them on a baking sheet. Press them down slightly to help flatten them once in the oven. Please place them in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes (this gives a chewy and more flavorful cookie). 

4. While the cookie dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

5. After 30 minutes, bake your cookies for 7-9 minutes. They will flatten and start to crack. They will be incredibly soft when they come out; allow them to cool completely before moving them!

 

References:

[1] Yao C, Wang Z, Jiang H, Yan R, Huang Q, Wang Y, Xie H, Zou Y, Yu Y, Lv L. Ganoderma lucidum promotes sleep through a gut microbiota-dependent and serotonin-involved pathway in mice. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 1;11(1):13660. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92913-6. PMID: 34211003; PMCID: PMC8249598.

[2] Cui XY, Cui SY, Zhang J, Wang ZJ, Yu B, Sheng ZF, Zhang XQ, Zhang YH. Extract of Ganoderma lucidum prolongs sleep time in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Feb 15;139(3):796-800. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.020. Epub 2011 Dec 21. PMID: 22207209.

[3] Xie, J. L., Liu, Y. X., Chen, B. H., Zhang, G. W., Ou, S. Y., Luo, J. M., et al. (2019). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide improves rat DSS-induced colitis by altering cecal microbiota and gene expression of colonic epithelial cells. Food Nutr. Res. 63, 1559. doi:10.29219/fnr.v63.1559

[4] Ratto D, Corana F, Mannucci B, Priori EC, Cobelli F, Roda E, Ferrari B, Occhinegro A, Di Iorio C, De Luca F, Cesaroni V, Girometta C, Bottone MG, Savino E, Kawagishi H, Rossi P. Hericium erinaceus Improves Recognition Memory and Induces Hippocampal and Cerebellar Neurogenesis in Frail Mice during Aging.Nutrients. 2019 Mar 27;11(4):715. doi: 10.3390/nu11040715. PMID: 30934760; PMCID: PMC6521003.

[5] Ryu SH, Hong SM, Khan Z, Lee SK, Vishwanath M, Turk A, Yeon SW, Jo YH, Lee DH, Lee JK, Hwang BY, Jung JK, Kim SY, Lee MK. Neurotrophic isoindolinones from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2021 Jan 1;31:127714. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127714. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33246107.

[6] Conner JM, Franks KM, Titterness AK, Russell K, Merrill DA, Christie BR, Sejnowski TJ, Tuszynski MH. NGF is essential for hippocampal plasticity and learning. J Neurosci. 2009 Sep 2;29(35):10883-9. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2594-09.2009. PMID: 19726646; PMCID: PMC2765804.

[7] Fu TT, Shen L. Ergothioneine as a Natural Antioxidant Against Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Mar 18;13:850813. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.850813. PMID: 35370675; PMCID: PMC8971627.

[8] Wu JY, Siu KC, Geng P. Bioactive Ingredients and Medicinal Values of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). Foods. 2021 Jan 5;10(1):95. doi: 10.3390/foods10010095. PMID: 33466429; PMCID: PMC7824844.

[9] Dai X, Stanilka JM, Rowe CA, Esteves EA, Nieves C Jr, Spaiser SJ, Christman MC, Langkamp-Henken B, Percival SS. Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(6):478-87. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2014.950391. Epub 2015 Apr 11. PMID: 25866155.