I Love MACA

 

Why do I love Maca? Maca root is a highly nutritious root vegetable, but also a wonderful medicinal adaptogen, also known as “Peruvian ginseng”. In today’s day and age, with all of the stressers in our daily lives, adaptogenic herbs and foods are our friends, the more we eat the better we shall feel and thrive. I believe that Maca and other adaptogens should be part of our daily diet.

Maca grows in the high mountainous areas of South America, and has been cultivated as a vegetable crop for thousands of years.

Maca’s has some wonderful positive effects of the body and the mind; especially the endocrine and reproductive system. It is known for its hormone balancing and regulating effects and seems very good for the reproductive health of both men and women. Maca root is said to increase fertility, improve sexual function, improve hormone balance, and help increase energy and stamina. It may also help improve mental health, especially mood, focus and learning. WOW!

In Peru, maca is cooked and eaten like a vegetable. Here, it is more available as a dried powdered root and is considered quite the superfood.

Raw maca powder does not mix well with liquids so I like to use it in baking, as a replacemnt for ordinary flour. You can still mix the raw powder into a smoothie or a no-baked recipe, but it needs to be blended quite well. I recommend about 1 tablespoon once or twice a day, and because it might help boost your energy, I usually take it in the morning or early afternoon.

Maca has a pleasant flavor, and I think it tastes creamy and delicious. Some describe it as similar to butterscotch, and it comes in a variety of colors, most commonly yellow, black, and red. All colors of maca have similar benefits, although specific maca types/colors are thought to be more beneficial for certain medical conditions.

Rich and yummy Maca Blueberry Cocoa Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries

1-2 Tsp Maca

2 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder

2 cups coconut milk, full fat in a can

1 Tbsp raw organic honey

OR 1/4 tsp stevia powder extract

Directions:

Put everything in a blender until well combined.

Drink it all yourself or share it with a lucky friend!

Another awesome Maca recipe is Maca Cocoa Coconut Bliss Balls

Ingredients

10 Medjool Dates (about 10-12)
1/3 cup finely chopped Macadamia Nuts
1/3 cup Goji Berries
2 tablespoons Chia Seeds
2 tablesspoons Cacao Nibs
1 tablespoon Maca Powder
1 Teaspoon Raw Honey (VEGAN VERSION – 3-4 drops stevia)
1 Teaspoon Cacao Powder
Dash of Vanilla Extract
Finely shredded Coconut (for rolling them in)

Instructions

Combine dates, chia seeds, cocao powder, vanilla extract and honey in a food processor and whiz up until you get a fairly smooth consistency.

Stir in the goji berries, macadamia nuts and cacao nibs. Feel free to add or take out any of the nuts and seeds, play with the ingredients anf find a blend that you love.

With clean washed hands, start forming into little balls or fun shapes and then roll them  in the shredded coconut.

Then simply enjoy !

 

 

Beet greens – delicious recipe

I bought some beets at the framer’s market yesterday and they were tiny, but still little gems of red goodness. There was definitely more leafy stuff then beets and so I thought hmm… green and dark red leafy, has to be good for you, now how to make it taste good?

So I washed them well, dried them and chopped them up, stems and leaves. In a pan I added sesame oil, sesame seeds, (black because they have more calcium), garlic, a dab of seas salt and stir fried them up. They were super rich tasting and really delicious! I had some plain and then ate a few over savory flax crackers…amazing!

 

Healthy, zesty, yummy condiments (part one)

I am a condiment fanatic especially when it comes to hot sauces and mustards. But store-bought condiments, if not careful, can add some pretty hefty calories to your meal. Some have  a lot of added sugar or even worse corn syrup while others are laden with very unhealthy ingredients, additives, preservatives and taste boosters like evil MSG, so beware.

On the other hand, some are super healthy and can add nutrition to your every meal. Here are my favorite picks for the healthiest condiments for a lean energetic body: (And by the way, if you have a favorite and a recipe, I would love for you to share it!)

 

1. Guacamole

If you know me you are probably thinking of course she has this one on the top of her list. It is my bring to your party staple as Guacamole is seriously one of my favorite foods. Not only does it go fabulously well on flackers but it is seriously healthy and yummy, so why not indulge?   Avocados are filled with healthy fats that satisfy your appetite and regulate sugar balance, insulin and hormones. They also are filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And lets face it creamy guacamole makes everything taste just a tad bit better! I love making my own cause I can make it super spicy and garlicky but if you chose to buy yours pre-made just be mindful to read the ingredients. Make sure it doesn’t have added trans fats, bad oils, preservatives or other artificial ingredients.

3. Salsa

Salsa, another perfect complement to almost everything and it has no added sugar, unlike ketchup which makes this dip super healthy.  Salsa, if made right , is mostly just vegetables and some herbs and spices. It goes great with guacamole, eggs, salads, chips, flackers, tofu, you name it! It is the perfect ketchup replacement as well.

3. Mustard

That’s right… mustard is absolutely one of the healthiest condiments!  First, it has no added sugar.  Also, mustard seed itself is a source of powerful antioxidants.  In addition to the antioxidants in the mustard seed, most yellow mustards also contain turmeric, a wonderful super antiinflammatory and powerful antioxidants herb. So go for the mustard!

So for  a zestier lunch today add a little something extra to your meal, try some salsa or guac or mustard and while your taste buds expand and explode with new flavors you can also enjoy knowing that your waist will not!

To your health!