Maca Super Food!

The Mysterious Superfood: Maca - Found in Peru and Bolivia

     Maca is also known as "Lepidium meyenii" and is an anual plant that is native to the Andes Mountains.  It is a root grown as a vegetable and also used as a medicinal herb, anti Cancer food, and a overall body boosting food.  Maca is considered the highest altitude crop in the world (Higher than 3000 m - 5000 m).  The roots have been used for thousands of years by the Incas for their medicinal properties. According to Chris Kilham, founder of Medicine Hunter, Inc., maca was once used by Inca warriors to provide strength before battle. After battle, the warriors were not permitted to use maca, in order to keep their libido in check around the conquered women.  The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, similar to cereal grains such as rice and wheat. The average composition is 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats.

Maca is rich in essential minerals, especially selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.  Maca also contains 20 fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, and 19 amino acids, as well as polysaccharides and 20 Trace Minerals.

Health Benefits

Maca is very good for the body in many ways. First off, Maca is known for its large energy boosting abilities. Studies have also shown thatmaca extracts can heighten libido and improve semen quality.  Maca contains calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C, fiber, protein and fatty acids that improve your brain function and benefit your nervous system.  Maca also is good for supporting and balancing hormones, strengthen bones and the immune system, and is used as a healthy alternative to steroids to increase athletic performance. If you suffer from menopause, maca may reduce your symptoms.

Useage

Many people use Raw Maca Powder to add to fruit smoothees or use it to make shakes.  It has a sweet flavor but you should be careful to understand the flavor and it effects on the palate because Maca can sometimes have an overwhelming taste in certain mediums.  There are no known toxic effects or overdoses symptoms know for Maca when consumed in normal amounts so go ahead and give it a try!

-Rawnold P

Sources

Wiki

eHow

Breakfast Recipe - Delicious Raw Buckwheat Porridge!

          Now a lot of people ask about Raw Breakfast options because they get tired of the same fruit smoothie everyday.  Well I have just the recipe!  This is a good recipe to prepare in large quantities and store in the refrigerator, as it will keep for a long time.  It is fairly straight forward and any ingredient amount can be adjusted for your liking!

Prep Time: 1hr 15 mins (Soak Buckwheat 1 hr)

Ingredients:

                        -Buckwheat

                        -Cashews

                        -Honey

                        -Dates

                        -Almond Milk

                        -Vanilla Extract

                        -Cinnamon

                        -Salt

                        -Maca Powder (Optional)

  

To Start:

                 You will soak 1 cup of Raw Buckwheat in 2 cups of water for about an hour.  It is recommended to use a ratio of 1:2 of Buckwheat to water.  I have heard that soaking overnight will make the Buckwheat even more digestible for the stomach.  I have not tested this theory for I am impatient.



Raw Organic Buckwheat Soaking in Spring Water

 


When the Buckwheat is done soaking, empty the bowl and rinse the Buckwheat with water at least 3 times to get all of the oils and bacteria off.  Moist warm places are a breeding ground for bacteria.

 

 



Rinse the Raw Buckwheat Several Times and Drain



Raw Organic Cashews



Organic Vanilla Almond Milk

 



        





 Take the drained Buckwheat and put it into a blender or food processor along with a Handful of Raw Cashews and some Vanilla Almond Milk (To Get the Desired Consistency).  If you want to stay 100% Raw can use water instead.  Blend enough to get a good mixture but do not over do it at this point because you have more required blending later..  The current product might look something like this.

Partially Blended



 Add:



Raw Local Pure Honey



     4 Tablespoons of Raw Pure Honey.  (Use local honey, so much better!  Some people use Agave Nectar but it is high in Fructose so I would not recommend it.)

          1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract.

          1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

          1 Pinch of Sea Salt





Lots of Cinnamon (Little at a Time)



 

BLEND!

Add:

          2 Pitted Dates (Chop First to Avoid Broken Blender Syndrome)

 

2 Pre-Chopped Dates


BLEND!

          Serve this with your favorite fruits or nuts.  You can also eat with oats or alone.  This is a very delicious and healthy recipe.  You can also add Maca powder for added health benefits but be careful because too much can overtake the taste.  Some will also add a Tablespoon or two of Cocoa Powder to made a "Chocolate Version" of this.  Add whatever you want and make it your own!  If you prefer it warmer let it sit out of the refrigerator before eating.

- Rawnold P

Killer Veggie Double-Decker!

I have been craving something filling all day so for dinner I decided to uncook something that would meet that need.  The vegetable sandwich is what I came up with.  Here is what it entailed....




Spread:

- Avocado
- Garbanzo Beans
- Olive Oil
- White Onion
- Garlic
- Salt





Sandwich:

(Part 1)
- Spinach

- Jalapeno Pepper

- Red Bell Pepper

- Eggplant

(Part 2)
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Cucumber

(Part 3)

- Celery

- Cherry Tomatoes

Now that was a killer sandwich!

  The bread was the only thing not raw.  Everything was organic.  The spread was delicious and the crunch of the vegetables just made it one of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever had.  You can use almost anything and create your own!  Enjoy!

Daily Water Flush!

The best way to start the morning is to freshen up!  One thing I have been doing to start my day each morning is a liquid flush.  Upon waking up I pour a large glass of water, (About 25oz or so)  add some lime juice and chug it.  This is not only good for hydrating the body but it usually induces a bowel movement which clears out the colon and makes you feel great before you start to tackle the day.  I would recommend giving it a try for once it becomes habitual, one will realize how much better they feel when having this morning detox.  I have also noticed that this practice helps to settle my stomach.  Good Stuff

Many people talk about the "Salt Water Flush" which is similar and known to cleanse the entire digestive tract.  The recipe is to mix 1 quart of lukewarm water with 2 teaspoons of SEA SALT and consume in the morning before eating anything.  It is said that within an hour you will be stationed on the pot.  I have yet to try this but many have testified to its validity.  For better results it is recommend to drink herbal laxative tea before going to sleep the night before to loosen matter in the digestive system.  This can be done daily for a more complete cleanse.  I would not recommend making it a daily habit, rather just using it to detox periodically.  The Mediterranean recipe is to substitute the salt with a tablespoon of olive oil which helps to lubricate the digestive tract.  Hell maybe even do both.  Side effects include an increase in energy.

- Rawnold P