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 !

 

 

Cocoa Chia Goji Green Energy MIx

This is my new go to energy booster blend that I am addicted to these days. It is totally yummy, powered by incredible ingredients that will give you energy, help eliminate toxins and add to your overall health and vitality. A little of this mix goes a long way because the nutrients are incredibly dense. So I recommend a handful a day but remember to chew chew chew. You want to chew these ingredients very well so that you can maximize the digestion that takes place in your mouth while you enjoy the blend of different tectures and flavors. You can also throw a handful of these into your smoothie or to top of your salads. You will love this blend!

 

Energy and Power Mix

• 2 tsp of Organic Goji berries
• 2 tsp of Organic Cocoa nibs
• 2 tsp of chlorella mini tablets
• 2 tsp Organic Chia Seeds
• 1/4 cup organic pepitas
• 1/4 cup organic sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup organic almonds, can be sprouted
• 1/4 cup organic Brazil nuts
• ENJOY!

 

Sip your way to wellness

There is nothing like a warm cup of nourishing tea to soothe long cold winter nights or to warm up your insides throughout the day. I love tea. I love coffee too, don’t get me wrong but tea is softer, it feels more healing and there is a tea for every ailment and for every palate.

Here are my favorite healing teas of late…enjoy!

Marshmallow is not just something to eat by a fire but the perfect root tea to ease sore throats with a lovely soothing coating while also calming the bronchial passages. If you like it sweet, add some fresh raw organic honey and this blend is perfect to ease that nagging cough as well. I am also a big fan of licorice root tea and echinacea tea which is often combined with elderberry a fantastic anti-viral herb that I have grown to admire over the years.

Having trouble getting great sleep? Remember a lot of healing and body regeneration takes place when we sleep so it is vital to our optimal health. I terms of sipping your way to great sleep try a blend of valerian root, a muscle relaxing, stress relieving herb that is often combined with passion flower to induce a very restful sleep.

And only because I am drinking it right now and loving it, dandelion tea for detox is just great to have in your tea repertoire. Dandelion is wonderful in relieving congestion in the liver and kidneys, the main detoxification centers in the body. It is also known to stimulate bile so it can be very helpful as a digestive aid to break down fats as well as cholesterol. I like my dandelion tea roasted which adds a great robust flavor to every sip. Combine this with chicory and top it off with some almond milk and wow, a caffeine free substitute is born!

 

Digest Well and Stay Chill Tips for this Xmas

With the holiday season in full bloom, food intake typically increases, healthy choices typically decrease, and lets face it, family events, big dinners and relatives can also be a tad bit stressful. All of this can increase your cortisol levels (the stress hormone), decrease DHEA, the hormone of well-being thus leading to decrease chances of a calm mind and calm tummy.

 

Here are some tips to create a healthy balanced Xmas;

 

1. Have an apple cider vinegar “shot” before your dinner

Apple cider vinegar is one of Nature’s gems health secret. It is fermented so it contains beneficial bacteria to help ease tummy woes. It contains plenty of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and salts to keep the body balanced, to aid in easing digestion and assist in washing away toxins from the body. Have 1 tsp in 4-6 ounces of water.

 

2..Stay well hydrated.

Nourishing and refresh your body by keeping yourself well hydrated this evening. I suggest for every glass of alcohol have a glass of water or a shot of coconut water to balance your system. This will help give you the energy you need to stay uplifted and feel vibrant.

 

3. Eat plenty of fiber; vegetables, fruits, flax seeds 

Veggies and fruits are low in calories and fats, but high in dietary fiber, which means they will provide you the nutrients needed to keep your GI system moving and healthy.

 High-fiber veggies include: avocado, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, chickpeas, garbanzos, eggplant, kale, collard, lima beans, mushrooms, potato, pumpkin, peppers, rhubarb, spinach, sweet potatoes and of course don’t forget flackers!

 High fiber fruits include: apple, avocado, banana, berries, figs, raisins, guava, kiwi, orange, pear, prunes.

 

 4. Keep some digestive enzymes and probiotics on hand

 Digestive enzymes help our bodies break down the food we eat. They are found in our saliva, stomachs and small intestine. Receiving the proper amount of enzymes will help prevent gas and bloating and will make you less tired. Probiotics are “good” and “friendly” bacteria that live in our intestinal tract. they keep the environment of our digestive system fertile and thriving. They keep our pH levels conducive for absorption, as well as digestion. They also support in peristalsis, the muscular contraction that moves food and waste through our digestive tract as well as providing a “boost” to the immune system.

 

5 Breathe….

Stay calm by reminding yourself to take a few deep breaths every hour. Deep breathing lowers your cortisol level and increases the release of dhea so that you feel better, more balanced and calmer.

 

And finally, if you get to a point where you still feel anxious or frustrated or overwhelmed just remember how lucky you are that unlike some people, that you are blessed to even have the chance to celebrate, have crazy amounts of food, friends or family and /or furry friends near you!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

Last Chance to Get an Olympic Body!

Aside from training ten hours a day for most of your life, an olympic looking body, firm, svelte, full of energy and flexible is not as out of reach as you may think! Here are some tips on getting there the Dr in The KItchen way!

1. Make sure that you are free of food sensitivities or allergies which can cause joint pain, bloating, fatigue and unnecessary weight gain.

2. drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. Dehydration often presents as fatigue, so before you reach for the sugar, have a glass of H2o the reassess.

3. make sure that you get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids found in flax, hemp and chia seeds, walnuts and all cold water fish. This will ensure that your joints and tissue stay well lubricated and oiled up so that you are flexible and able to do those twists, turns and back bends

4. Fuel up on healthy carbohydrates and protein, not sugar!

5 and finally add a little fun to your workout, sing along to your music, add in a few skips or jump rope and stir things up with activities that make you feel light fun and youthful!

 

Detox with Bobbi Brown!

I just could not resist posting this on my blog! Bobbi Brown was kind enough to let me share some of my favorite detoxification tips on her web site http://www.everythingbobbi.com/en/.

 It turns out that Bobbi Brown has decided to devote this year to health and wellness, how lucky for me?

Try all, some or even one of these detox recipes and be svelte and feel more energized this summer.

Check it out….

http://www.everythingbobbi.com/en/2012/06/01/summer-detox/

 

Smart Spring Detox; Tips to Revitalize & Energize from the Dr in The Kitchen

You too can feel this good!

Spring, my favorite time of year. The grey world of winter blossoms into colors and greens, divine aromas awaken my senses from nearby blossoming trees. Sensual and visual candy everywhere and also the perfect time to be thinking about a cleanse. It’s the perfect time to refresh, restore balance and energize because despite the incredible beauty of the season, we all are still exposed to toxins daily. We eat and drink them and sometimes even knowingly impose them upon ourselves.

But no worries, the Dr in The Kitchen has the rescue remedies you need!

Spring is the perfect time to lessen our bodies’ burden of these harmful chemicals and the good news is that our bodies are marvelously equipped to either neutralizing or eliminating most of the chemicals that it is bombarded with daily. By following these effective internal spring cleaning tips you can help your body detoxify and restore your systems’ balance, optimal health and abundant energy.

1. Increase healthy liquids: Simply increasing healthy liquids, will shift your bodies’ balance strongly toward improved elimination and less toxin buildup. Healthy fluids help dilute and eliminate toxin accumulations, pure water being the most important detoxifier. It helps clean us through our skin and kidneys, and it improves our sweating with exercise. Try and eliminate all stimulants like coffee and chemical drinks, like sodas, alcohol and enjoy the purifying effects of healthier liquids such as water (1/2 your weight in ounces per day) along with herb teas, and teas high in anti-oxidants such as green tea or red tea (rooibios).You can also enhance the detoxifying benefits of water by adding a tsp of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and consume ten minutes prior to eating every meal.
2. Fiber is a wonderful detoxification supporter, helping to cleanse and pull toxins from the intestines. I recommend adding three tablespoons of either fresh ground flax seeds, flackers or dried sprouted flax seeds to your daily menu. This will provide your body with excellent fiber, plant lignans and healthy fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. For added fiber you may also consider one tablespoon of psyllium seed husks. (Note: All fiber works more effectively with increased water intake
3. To help maximize your spring cleaning program, lighten your internal load by;

a)     increasing your intake of organic fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables. Try always having at least three colors of vegetables with every meal, in addition add fresh medicinal cleansing herbs to your food like; cilantro, onions, parsley, dandelion, and garlic. This will ensure more fiber intake in addition to potent anti-oxidants and excellent phytonutirents.. I also suggest adding the following, 1-2 servings of artichokes and/or beets and/or onions-garlic per day, 2-3 servings of broccoli and other members of the brassica family (broccoli sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kholrabi) per day. These foods will help promote optimal liver function, (the main detoxification center in our bodies) healthy digestion, increase flow of bile and help with the elimination of harmful environmental chemicals and heavy metals.

            And finally….

b)    Avoid known toxins (alcohol, cigarette smoke) or ingesting foods that produce toxicity in our bodies such as: red meats, cured meats, Trans fatty acids, saturated fats, all refined processed foods and sugar (often disguised as corn syrup, fructose, brown rice syrup).

To your optimal health and your fabuouls revitalized energy!