A Gift From Me to You and Yours

Nika Alexandra
Dec 23, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 20

A Little Light (and Chocolate) for the Darkest December Days

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or the winter solstice, this time of year is rich with traditions. It's the darkest stretch of the year—the solstice marks the longest night. For our ancestors, food was scarce, and survival wasn't guaranteed.

So humans did what humans do: we gathered. We lit candles and fires to push back the darkness. We brought evergreen branches indoors as a reminder that life persists, even in the coldest months.

My personal favorite is Yule—derived from the Norse Jól—a multi-day festival marking the solstice and symbolizing the rebirth of the sun.

The Promise of Light Returning

The promise of light returning was worth celebrating then, and it still is now.

Red candle surrounded by festive greenery and berries, glowing warmly with blurred golden lights in the background, creating a cozy ambiance.

Thousands of years later, we're still doing it—just with more cookies involved! The holidays often pull us into a cycle of overindulgence, guilt, bloating, and digestive chaos. It’s a whole rollercoaster ride. All that sugar, stress, and late nights can wreak havoc on your system.

But don’t worry! That’s where adaptogens like mushrooms come in. They help your body cope when everything feels a bit overwhelming.

So, if you want something sweet that won't add to the damage (and might actually help), try these easy no-bake treats:

Coconut-covered balls on a plate with twisted pastries nearby, on a textured surface with autumn leaves scattered, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Reishi Cacao Truffles

Makes about 12 | 10 min active time

½ cup coconut butter or unrefined coconut oil, softened
3 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tsp reishi powder
2 Tbsp monk fruit sweetener, allulose, or stevia
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Mix everything until smooth. Roll into balls and place them on a parchment-lined plate. Freeze for 20 minutes. Keep them in the fridge. Eat when you need a moment of pure bliss!

Make It Your Own:

Add 1–2 Tbsp collagen or vanilla protein powder for staying power.
Swap reishi for any mushroom blend you have—Four Sigmatic and Real Mushrooms are my go-tos.
Stir in a spoonful of almond or cashew butter.
Roll in shredded coconut, crushed nuts, or cacao nibs.

Assorted truffles on a glass plate: pistachio, cocoa, and coconut-covered. Bright, creamy setting with a white background. Sweet and indulgent.

A Quick Note on Mushroom Powders: Look for "fruiting body" on the label. That’s the actual mushroom—the cap and stem—where the beneficial compounds (like beta-glucans) are most concentrated. Many brands use "mycelium," which is the root system grown on grain. You end up paying for a lot of oats and rice filler with fewer active compounds. Fruiting body = more bang for your buck.

Embracing the Season

Remember, metabolic health isn't about perfection—it's about building a relationship with your body where you both thrive. Let’s use these dark days to connect more deeply with ourselves and each other. I’m here supporting you through it all.