MACA BLAST

"It's Juicing Wednesday"

"Maca Blast" on the go

What are we juicing/blending?

Maca Blast!

Alternative milks, Maca powder, Leafy greens, Pineapple, and Ripe bananas

What is maca (lepidium meyenii)?

Maca is a vegetable root belonging to the radish family grown in the mountains of Peru.  It is known as the "Peruvian Ginseng."  Maca contains fatty acids and amino acids.  Maca has become very popular in the healthy diet lifestyle because the excellent health benefits it gives the body.  The Peruvian root is super beneficial in helping with treatments, control, and prevent the following health conditions such as:

• Anemia
• Fatigue Syndrome
• Boost energy
• Stamina
• Athletic performance
• Memory
• Fertility - balances hormones and menstrual problems
• Menopause Symptoms
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Stomach cancer
• Leukemia
• Tuberculosis
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Boost the immune system
• Skincare - acne

Maca root holds active nutrients for the body:

• High in protein
• Natural sugars
• Iron
• Potassium
• Iodine
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Fiber
• Amino acids
• B vitamins

Due to its high nutritional content it is often referred to as a "superfood."

Normally, sold in raw powder food or capsules.  If you are lucky, some places may have it in its rare form "root" itself.  The strength of the active ingredients in maca varies:  raw powdered maca is usually taken as one tablespoon per day or supplement capsules 500mg twice daily.  Maca works as a adaptogen.

Add your ingredients, leafy greens and bananas to blender 

*Essential Tool:  Nutribullet or Blender

Add your powdered ingredients
Maca and Cinnamon

Add your Pineapples with core

*Health Tip:  The core is the tough fiber part located in the middle center of the pineapple and less sweet.  Many people tend to throw it away and eat the flesh around it.  But, that core is actually edible and super beneficial to the body.  The core is known as the "bromelain".  Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapple stem.  Centuries ago pineapple was used in Central and South America as an alternative to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation.  Today, bromelain is currently used as a dietary supplement and sold in the form of powder, cream, tablet, or capsule and in a combination mixed with other ingredients.  The German Commission E approved bromelain to treat swelling and inflammation after surgery.

What do we know about bromelain benefits?

1. A powerful relief from inflammatory pain
2. Heals injuries (sprains, strains, and tendinitis)
3. Works well just as NSAID drugs without the side effects
4. Reduces the pain of osteoarthritis (joint pains)
5. Anti-inflammatory properties
6. Sinus support (relieves sinusitis, nasal congestion)
7. Relieves symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease/ ulcerative colitis (diarrhea)
8. Skin disorders 
9. Fights cancer
10. Speeds healing time and pain after surgery

*Shopping Tip:  Buy a whole pineapple instead of precut.  Pineapples that are sold already cut are usually missing the core (bromelain).  When purchasing a unripe whole fresh pineapple look for green leaves and a firm shell.  Remove the crown of the pineapple and turn it upside down (all the sweet juices from the bottom will flow evenly through the fruit) leave on counter until it turns a golden color.

Add your favorite alternative milks and probiotics 

Add 1 tablespoon of coconut water probiotics 

Blend away!
Ready to bottle up or drink

                                                                                           
                                                                                       Enjoy your Maca Blast!

MOVE OVER TUESDAY, HELLO JUICING WEDNESDAY

"What Are We Juicing?"

 

Pina Colada Keifir Smoothie (non-dairy)

It's juicing/blending Tuesday! I know today is not Tuesday it's hump day Wednesday.  Well, actually I made it yesterday, technically Tuesday.  Does that count for something?  Juicing or blending can be for any day but there are those who likes to have a specific day to set aside for this task.  Yes, juicing can be a task.  Literally, with prepping and clean up. It is work but beneficial.

So, what are we juicing/blending?

"Pina Colada" keifir smoothie with a healthy boost twist.  The twist to this particular smoothie are the two ingredients that heals the body from within.  My power boosters are, fresh organic turmeric root (actually grown from Thailand by my aunt) and organic spirulina powder.  

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice root that fights inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, and bacteria. 

Spirulina is a blue green algae rich in protein, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that can help protect DNA cells from damage, boost immune system, protects against liver damage, and anticancer properties.

• Amino acids (protein)
• Vitamin E, B1 thiamin, B2 riboflavin, B3 niacin
• Iron
• Copper
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid)
• Beta-carotene

You can barely taste the turmeric or spirulina due to the sweetness of the ripe mangoes with the hint flavor of coconut milk and a touch of coconut oil lingering in the back of your mouth.  Yum. Yum. 

Why book a flight to an island to get a nice refreshing cool Pina Colada? 

You can make one right at home.  Lets' get started so we can sit back and relax like we are at the beach on an island.

Just about ready to blend

• 1 small turmeric root
• 1 tablespoon of organic chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon of organic spirulina
• 1 teaspoon of organic coconut oil
• 1 scoop of organic pea protein powder
• 1/2 cup of fresh pineapples (including core) *or 1 cup of pineapples
• 1 fresh ripe mango 
• 1 cup of frozen mango

Now ready to blend

• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon of coconut water keifir (liquid probiotic)

Blend away!

Coconut water keifir
(probiotics)

*Keifir cultures are excellent for the digestive system.

It is high in probiotics and super beneficial.

Now, was that easy?  Yes! 

Pina Colada Keifir Smoothie
Ready to Drink!

                                                                                                        Enjoy!

DID YOU HAVE YOUR GREEN WATER TODAY?

"Liquid Chlorophyll and Water"

Alkaline Water

I sure did!  Chlorophyll and water is the best cup of drink your body needs.  The liquid green comes from the photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cycanobacteria.  If you remember in past juicing/smoothie post, I added it to my juice.  I have raved about the amazing benefits it has to offer our bodies. 

Chlorophyll

• Detox toxins 
• Helps control hunger and cravings
• Controls body odor
• Protects DNA
• Promotes healthy iron levels
• Improves digestion
• Weight control
• Help fights cancer
• Protects skin health
• Helps in normal blood clotting

Lets' drink a cup of this "alkaline water" a day.

                                                                                                      Enjoy!

CHILI WATERMELON COOLER

"It's Juicing/Blending Tuesday"

Chili Watermelon Cooler

It's juicing or blending Tuesday!  I hope you are keeping up with a dedication day of juicing.

What are we juicing or blending?

We are making Chili Watermelon Cooler.

Summer is still here and many fruits are in season.  Seasonal fruits are on sale at your local supermarkets, farmer's markets, community or urban gardens, and your backyard gardens.

Watermelon Sprout
(Planted some seeds Summer 2016)

A coworker gave me half of her watermelon she grew last season 2015 and I kept the seeds.  I planted about three seeds on April 16, 2016.  The seeds sprouted up May 16, 2016.

Three watermelon sprouts
May 28, 2016

*Update:  Gave away two sprouts to friends and last week my sprout that I transferred into my garden raised bed has died.  Some sprouts will live and some won't.  Do not be discouraged.

Watermelon is one of the summer fruits that you will find available at this time.  Watermelon is an excellent fruit that can keep your body hydrated.  The fruit holds 92% water  and has 46 calories per cup.

Watermelon
"Hello I'm Available...NOW"

Health benefits that we cannot ignore:

1. Fiber
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin A
4. Potassium
5. More lycopene than raw tomatoes (1.5 times than a large tomato)
6. Fights heart disease
7. Fights cancers
8. Maintains blood pressure
9. Antioxidant
10. Stops free radicals from damaging DNA cells
11. Relieves muscles soreness
12. 92% water
13. Speeds up your metabolism 

Its refreshing sweetness, and burst of color can add a brightness to your plate or cup!

Organic Chili Pepper & Watermelon Chunks

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of filtered or purified water
• 2 cups of watermelon  
• 1 chili pepper

Why the chili pepper?

The chili pepper I grew was ready to be harvest from my fruits and vegetables garden.  

Chili pepper has beneficial health properties to help the body fight pain, inflammation, and promote weight loss.  The chili pepper's heat comes from capsaicin - a compound produced to protect the pepper from fungal attacks. 

Tool Appliance:  Blender

Directions:

Ready to blend!

1. Wash thoroughly watermelon before cutting.
2. Cut the watermelon lengthwise in half.
3. Discard seeds and rinds.
4. Cut up half the watermelon in chunks. 
5. Wash thoroughly the chili pepper.
6. Remove the stem of the pepper.
7. Split open the pepper.  *optional if you do not want your beverage to be too spicy then remove some of the seeds from the pepper.
8. Place all ingredients in your blender.

Refreshing Sweetness
"Tummy watch out...here it comes"

Blend away!

Spin & Blast away!

Ready for that refreshing beverage quencher that has excellent health benefits.  Homemade is better than any store bought beverage.

Yummy

Bottle up your Chili Watermelon Cooler!

Chili Watermelon Cooler
Juice beverage to quench your thirst with a spice kick

Can be served chilled.

Health Tip:  According to researchers, athletes who consumed a little more than 16 ounces an hour before exercise had less muscle soreness and a lower heart rate within a day.



                                                                                           Enjoy!
            

DAIRY FREE MANGO LASSI

"It's Juicing/Blending Tuesday"

Dairy Free Mango Lassi

Today is the day!  What are we juicing/blending?

DAIRY FREE MANGO LASSI

It wakes up our taste buds, digestive system, and the tummy will enjoy.

Cardamon is traditionally used to improve one's taste sensation. 

I have altered the usual mango lassi recipe by eliminating the yogurt and sugar. 

Naturally Sweet
Dairy Free Mango Lassi
Ripe Mango, Coconut Milk, and Ground Green Cardamon

Ingredients

• 1 cup of chopped mango (about 2 riped mangoes)
• 1 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 tsp (teaspoon) of ground cardamon

Tool Appliance:  Blender

Directions

1. Thoroughly wash the mango.  
2. Remove the skin. 
3. Slice up the mango. 
4. Discard seed.
5. Place all ingredients in the blender:  mango, coconut milk, and cardamon.
6. Blend away.

Tip:  You can use frozen mango or add ice if you prefer it to be cold.  

Enjoy...

Yummy!

ALMOND BERRIES SMOOTHIE

"Juicing/Blending Tuesday"

Almond Berries Smoothie

Our Tuesdays of juicing or blending are back!  Once again trying back at it to designate the day of juicing/blending.  It's summer, the weather is nice, and we all want to get our bodies back in shape.  Juicing and blending is an excellent way to get the nutrients we need for our bodies and a better way to help absorb those nutrients.  It gives the digestive system a rest. 

What are we juicing/blending today?

Almond Berries Smoothie

Main ingredients

• 1 cup of almond milk 
• 1 tablespoon of coconut water probiotic
• 1 cup of mix organic fresh berries - raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries (triple threat - Berries are powerful natural antioxidants)



Dairy Free
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, Coconut Water Probiotic, Raspberries, Blueberries, & Strawberries

Other added ingredients

• 1/2 frozen ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon matcha green tea  (gives you a boost of energy and antioxidants)

Tool Appliance:  Blender

Blend away!

Tummy Get Ready for a good dose of super powerful  antioxidants that fight free radicals 

            

  Live well.  Drink well.  Be well.

                                                                                                 Namaste







STRAWBERRY TURMERIC TONIC

"It's Juicing Tuesday"

Strawberry Turmeric Tonic 

It's Juicing/Blending Tuesday!  Oh, yeah right.  It sure has been a while that we had one of these post segments.  Let's get back in the habit.

So, what's in season? Strawberries! 

Organic Strawberries
(the darker the berries the sweeter it is)

If you have noticed in your local stores or your garden, those berries are just popping up in bundles.  The supermarkets are having deals now.  I went to whole foods last week and saw organic strawberries were $3.49!  

"Now in Season"
Grab, grab, grab

How about that!  Normally, they were $5.99.  You got to grab those produce that are in season especially organic.  Keep in mind strawberries are considered one of the dirty dozen produce items.  Why?  Strawberries are usually sprayed heavily with pesticides since they grow low to the ground.  It is very important to go for organic berries.

How about starting to grow your very own strawberry plant?

Strawberry plant kit
(cost $1 at Target Stores)

Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for it to sprout.  I transferred the soil and seeds to one of the garden raised beds.  Maybe that will help.  We shall see.

Now back to our original topic- Strawberry Turmeric Tonic

This tonic water is one of the ways you can incorporate the benefits of strawberries, limes, and turmeric in your diet.  All three have significant benefits to help heal the body from inflammation and to fight diseases.

Strawberries Nutritional Facts:

• High levels of antioxidants - polyphenols
• Fiber
• Heart friendly- increases the HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers blood pressure
• Low calories
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Vitamin C - about 8 strawberries
• Reduces inflammation
• Boost short term memory
• Helps burn stored fat
• Anti-aging properties
• Promote eye health

raw honey, lime, and organic strawberries

• 7 cups of purified water 
• 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
• 1 lime
• 3 organic strawberries
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey

**Feel free to add more strawberries, lime juice, and more raw honey if you like.

Essential Tools:  Blender, tea pot or pot, pitcher, and mesh strainer

Directions:

1. Boil 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in purified or distilled water.  For about 15 - 20 minutes.
2. Let the tea cool down and strain it.  
3. Thoroughly wash off your lime and strawberries.
4. Slice off the top part leaves of the strawberries.
5. Squeeze the juice out of the lime.
6. Add the strawberries, lime juice, and raw honey into a blender. 

Ready to blend away!

Once the turmeric tea is cooled, strained, and in a pitcher then add the strawberry puree mixture.

Pour the strawberry mixture into the turmeric tea

Tip:  The strawberry puree mixture can also be use to make a nice strawberry limeade by just using water.

Wholesome good.  Super beneficial!

Strawberries meets Turmeric

Stir away and chill.

Stir or shake away!

                                                                                      Live the Good Life!

TURMERIC TONIC WATER

 

"The Elixir of a Long Life"

 

Turmeric Tonic Water
"The Anti-Inflammatory Water"

 

 

Lengthen your years and reduce your pain with this pure natural tonic water.  Don't you think it's time to live for the good life?

 

I was grateful enough to be able to harvested some turmeric roots and a nice big cayenne pepper for winter 2015.  Long and behold, Oh Meyer has grant me a ripe lemon!  She had produced only two lemons this past season which took a long drawn out six months process to grow.  But, I see Oh Meyer is blossoming more sweet fragrance flowers - hopefully can it be over a dozen strong healthy flower buds?

 

Meyer Lemon Tree Plant
"The Gift that Keeps on Giving"

 

 Oh Meyer will contribute to a good tonic water.

 

Turmeric Tonic Water Ingredients

*For a more potent tonic the ingredients can be doubled.

• 6 cups of purified or distilled
• 1 half of organic lemon
• 1 cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon of ground green cardamom
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey *optional
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt *optional
• 1 piece of ginger root the size of your little (pinky) finger
• 3-4 pieces of fresh turmeric roots (nice sizes) or 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric powder

Organic Meyer Lemon

 

I'm savoring every piece of this lemon because it will be a while for the next batch to be produced again.  I used a small piece with the skin and all!  That is why I highly recommend you use an organic lemon.

 

I used my mortar and pestle to grind up the cardamom.  First I put about 8-11 green cardamom pods in the mortar and smashed them with the pestle.  Then removed the tiny black seeds.

 

Fresh Ground Cardamon
Almost got a teaspoon

 

Then I pulled out my juicer.  I haven't utilized it in a long time.  A shame because it's sitting right on my counter.  *Note to self - please use or remove it from counter.

 



Add the turmeric roots, ginger roots, cayenne pepper, lemon and peel
in the juicer chute

 

Let the extraction begin...

 

Wow not much but it's something

 

Then add the water, the root juice, sea salt, and honey to the water.  Stir well.  It's ok if there are stuff at the bottom of pitcher- just shake and mix before pouring.

 

Turmeric Tonic Water

Can be served chilled.

 

Frugal Tip:  Save the pulp.  It can be utilized for soups, baking goods, etc.

 

Pulp
"I'm useful"

Live it.  Love it.  Enjoy it.

                                                                                                   Namaste