Under the Microscope – Maca.

Superfood Maca is native to the mountains of Peru and is cultivated as high as 4300 meters above sea level. It has been used for over 3500 years and legend claims that during the peak of the Incan empire, the warriors consumed maca before going into battle to ensure super strength and stamina.  On return from battle however, Incan soldiers were prohibited from using maca in order to protect the women from their insatiable sexual desires. Maca is renowned for providing strength, endurance and enhanced libido.

So what is maca?

A member of the cruciferous  tribe  such as kale and cabbage, maca is abundant in potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, sodium and phosphorous and also contains trace minerals which includes iodine, zinc, selenium, bismuth, copper, magnese, tin and silicon. It is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, C and E.

Maca has the ability to stabilise and balance the body’s glandular – hormonal system, nervous system, cardiovascular system and musculature. This makes it great for managing hormones, stress, thyroid and your mood in general.
According to David Wolfe, maca is great if you suffer from:
Anaemia
Chronic fatigue
Depression
Infertility and sterility
Lack of libido
Malnutrition
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual discomfort and disorders
Poor memory
Stomach cancer
Stress tension
Tuberculosis

How to use it and where to get it?

Seeing as maca is a superfood it can be used in greater quantities than other medicinal herbs.  It has also found to be safe to use long term. You can purchase it online or at most health food stores in dried, raw, organic food. Look for the real deal and only buying from the root, not other parts of the plant.

Use a tablespoon in smoothies, juices, nut milks, tea or coffee, or add to your raw chocolate treats.

Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Blend 2 frozen bananas

2 fresh bananas

3 medjool dates

200mls of filtered water (or your favourite nut milk)

1 heaped teaspoon of maca root powder

Sprinkle with cacao nibs.

David Woolfe also claims that maca has a special relationship with cacao so use them together regularly to experience the culinary sensation 🙂

Reference: Woolfe, D. (2009). Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future.  

Apple Pie Smoothie.

This is something I just made for my son who has autism. He suffers from severe communication problems and for the past few days has been saying apple pie numerous times.
I found a great recipe from the raw chef but didn’t have all the ingredients, so I just adapted with what we had around the house.

Recipe:
2 peeled apples
1 frozen banana
2 tablespoons of coconut butter
1 cup of homemade almond milk
1 vanilla pod
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
A good pinch of nutmeg
A quarter of an avocado
1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
Blend it on medium in your high speed blender or similar.

It is quite heavy in fat, so not for everyday but it has made a young boy very happy 🙂

Green Smoothie – Protein Packed

I finally purchased some Sun Warrior protein powder. I’ve never really been into protein powders but I needed the vanilla flavour for a chocolate recipe that I am making. In the past most of the powders I had used were soy based and left a really strong after taste.
Sun Warrior is raw whole grain brown rice protein powder. It is gluten free, soya free, dairy free and 80% protein.
The vanilla flavour is really lovely and makes for a filling smoothie.

For this smoothie:

Blend
1 scoop of protein powder
At least 1 cup of water
Baby spinach
1 tablespoon of grounded chia seeds
Bananas (frozen or unfrozen and as many as you care for)
1 probiotic capsule  (I used Truflora).

It helps to blend the water, protein powder and spinach until smooth and then slowly add the rest.

Don’t forget to share with any little people in the house. Kids love green smoothies and the sooner you can make them a regular part of their lives, the better 🙂

 

Caramel Chocolate Bites

 

The base:

Chocolate Fudge

1/2 cup coconut butter (Different to coconut oil and often used in raw treats).
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/4 cup of coconut nectar
1 tsp vanilla

The top:

Almond Fudge

1/4 cup coconut butter
1/4 cup raw almond butter
1/4 cup coconut nectar
1 tsp vanilla

Line a 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan with baking paper. Allow for excess baking paper to hang over the edge.

In a food processor blend together all the ingredients for the chocolate fudge until it is fully blended and has a thick consistency. Pour into the prepared pan, smooth out and set aside.

In a clean food processor blend together the ingredients for the almond fudge until well blended. Spread smoothly over the chocolate base.

Place fudge the freezer to set up. Once solid, remove from pan by lifting up the baking paper. Peel off paper and cut into equal pieces.

Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

 

Sweet way to start your day

Celery doesn’t really get a huge rap. People find it bland and often stringy, but juiced or blended into your smoothie those two factors are irrelevant.
Why bother you ask? Because it is seriously good for you – just make sure you buy organic.

Some of the health benefits include:
* Celery reduces inflammation. Great for joint pain, asthma and acne.

* It’s calming as it contains magnesium, so eat it to soothe your nervous system and help you sleep    better. A great snack to eat at night.

* It helps regulate the alkaline in your body and aids with digestion because of it’s insoluble fibre content.

* It contains “good” salts. Yes, celery does contain sodium, but it is not the same thing as table salt. The salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.

* Raw organic, whole celery reduces high blood pressure.

Try some in your next smoothie.
This mornings breakfast smoothie contained:

3 sticks of organic celery
1 cup of frozen raspberries
3 large organic bananas
3 frozen organic bananas
filtered water.

Green Breakfast Smoothie

I made this for my kids for their breakfast the other morning and surprisingly all 5 of them scoffed the lot. Usually I have at least 1 non-complier, so must of been a bit of a winner 😉

Blend
Coconut water and chia gel (or just coconut water and suitable tablespoons of chia seeds for the amount of mouths)
Spirulina (I recommend Hawaiian Pacifica)
Bananas
Baby Spinach
Decorate with a few berries

It is full of iron, calcium and protein. Much better than sugary cereals 🙂

Hazelnut Green Smoothie