by Caroline | Jul 8, 2015 | Recipes
I accidentally bought maca powder when I meant to buy matcha powder. Oops. Oh well! I know this mysterious maca is supposed to be a superfood so I decided to do a little research on it so it doesn’t go to waste. I am SO GLAD I accidentally bought this stuff because it’s benefits are pretty freakin’ awesome.
What is it?: Maca is a root vegetable grown in the Andes Mountains. Some say it’s close to a radish or a turnip. Who knew?
What does it do?
- Increases and sustains energy. And does so without stressing the adrenals like caffeine and sugar.
- Regulates hormones
- Improves thyroid function.
- High in iodine (which has a load of health benefits in itself)
- Reduces menopause symptoms
- Reduces Depression and Anxiety
- Improves memory
- Improves muscle gain and development
- Improves circulation
Maca contains nutritious vitamins such as B1, B2, C, D, and E as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, copper, iodine, manganese and zinc. It also contains essential fatty acids and ameno acids which means it’s a good source of plant protein. Wikipedia has a much more in depth explanation than I can provide.
How do you incorporate it into your diet?
Since maca is usually found in powder form it can be easily incorporated into smoothies, which is probably the most common way to use it. However I find the rich nutty flavor to be a bit strong in a smoothie so I like to add it to oatmeal. Creative people out there are always coming up with ways to incorporate it into recipes such as puddings, brownies, protein bars, homemade ice cream, desserts, and so on.
So if you happen to be in the mood to try something new that you may not have heard of before, this versatile superfood may be fun to try out.
by Caroline | Jul 8, 2015 | Recipes
I love incorporating superfoods into my diet. I find the easiest way to do that is mixing them into smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal. I waver back and forth on the whole grain debate. Some say whole grains are healthy, others say that the modern grains are so genetically modified it’s best to stay away from them. But what I know for sure is that worrying about things like that is more harmful to my health than not. So I adopt an everything in moderation approach. I probably have oatmeal once a week and I try to use organic Irish steel cut oats when I can. I like loading up my oatmeal with everything in my cabinets that would give me fuel for the day. The great thing about this breakfast is that you can add or take away any ingredients depending on your taste and what is available to you.
Here are my go-to power oatmeal ingredients (it looks like a lot but I just use what I already have, these foods are staples in my kitchen).
- Irish steel cut oats
- 1/2 tsp maca powder
- a few generous shakes of cinnamon
- 1/2 of a banana chopped
- toasted walnuts chopped
- slivered almonds
- chia seeds
- goji berries
- a small splash of almond or coconut milk
- 1 tsp maple syrup if you like it sweet
Mix everything together and enjoy!
by Caroline | Jul 8, 2015 | Lifestyle
Everyone loves a plan to start off the new year right with energy and optimism. We tell ourselves that we are going to eat better and begin to make grand plans for a nutritional overhaul. There is so much to be learned about ourselves by exploring new territories, and taking on challenges, even when things don’t go as planned. Real life happens.
When we decide to change our diet habits in any way, whether it’s something small or very dramatic, we forget that beyond the physical act of preparing and eating new foods, there are unexpected psychological issues that come up as well. These are what I like to call “food freak-outs.” It’s not necessarily about the food, but it’s the mental challenge of changing our habits. Women especially have a very complicated interconnected relationship between food and our mental environment. We tend to use food as rewards, punishments, social lubricants, feeling suppressors and mind numbing agents. Feelings of anxiety and conflict can arise when those voices start to say “It won’t kill me to have just one. What’s my quality of life if I say ‘no’ to everything?” versus “You made a commitment to stick to something so you must stick to it.” Balance is key and it’s best to decide what is going to work for you. I find that diet programs usually don’t work (for me at least) because it’s an external force, designed by somebody who is not you, influencing your internal system and thought process.
So how can we find harmony and success in this process of improving our health without hating ourselves like Louis C.K says?
Make up your own rules to follow, but still be smart. Decide where you can tiptoe across that line occasionally (a glass of wine with dinner or some dark chocolate), and where you will never step foot (multiple cocktails and a trip to the drive-through). You are more likely to stick to something that you have laid out for yourself than a preplanned rule based system made by a stranger. The difference is you have to want it, and you’re more likely to followthrough with something if you created it for yourself.
Allow yourself flexibility for certain situations. The hardest part about making the changes last is when you get that last minute call from a friend to go out to dinner, or when you forgot your lunch at home and have to find a fast replacement during your 15 minute lunch break. Then the guilt and hatred sets in when you “fall off the wagon” and you feel like giving up all together. It feels terrible to go to someone’s house and have to tell them that you don’t eat certain foods. That was something I decided I couldn’t do. So when I am in my home, doing my own cooking and food shopping I go as heathy as possible, that way I can relax a bit and not beat myself up during the times when I don’t have all the control. I found that when I’m in a situation I cannot control, the really unhealthy thing to do is work myself up into an anxious frenzy or a “food freakout.”
Be kind to yourself. Harsh words toward yourself are the opposite of health promoting. So if you find yourself on a diet where you are constantly depriving yourself or experiencing harsh thoughts toward yourself (“I can’t believe I just ate two chicken chalupas. I hate myself!”) something is not working. That’s not to say allow yourself every indulgence and disguise it as self love. Taking good care of yourself is as much about food, as it is your thoughts.
Experiment. For short periods of time I have done every kind of nutritional plan including vegetarian, vegan, paleo, Whole-30, gluten free, and felt like a failure when I “cheated.” I found that the key wasn’t converting to one for the rest of my life because at some point I was bound to fail, or just change my mind. Try something out for as long as your willing to keep it up. It could be a month, a day, or just one meal. The benefit is you will learn to prepare new types of foods, and you can see what works best for your body. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Don’t ever set yourself up for a failure! Today I was a vegetarian, tomorrow I may be paleo. As long as what you are trying out is mostly whole unprocessed foods, play around!
For people who are natural worriers, adding another thing to life that you are going to worry about is a recipe for disaster. During the times that I experience conflicting thoughts and harsh feelings toward myself when it came to my food choices I ask myself what’s my bottom line? Is it keeping to a regimented program just for the sake of it and in the process beating my soul into submission with feelings of guilt and anxiety? Or is it being loving and kind toward myself and rolling with the flow of life as best I can, while making good choices? I’m sure you can figure out the answer to that one.
Sometimes life give you moments where it’s healthier to go with the flow and pick up again tomorrow.
by Caroline | Jul 8, 2015 | Lifestyle
Everyone who cares an ounce about their health should know about this major wellness mover-and-shaker: Kris Carr.
Her story begins with, but certainly is not defined by, a diagnosis of incurable cancer. She chronicled her journey to find health and vitality through various types of holistic treatments and nutrition in the documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer (which I highly recommend). While not afraid to show the raw realities of a cancer diagnosis, she retains her strong sense of humor and optimistic attitude in the midst of breakdown and uncertainty. She shows that a “take matters into your own hands” approach to your health can be as emotionally liberating as it is physically healing. She refers to herself as a cancer thriver, which I love, because though her cancer may be incurable, she has been able to maintain her health and improve her wellbeing.
image from jivamuktiyoga.com
Since her documentary, Kris has written 5 books about her healing journey, helping and inspiring others with and without cancer. Her website kriscarr.com is my regular go-to for information, recipes and tips on healthy living. She is the Green Juice Queen, and one of the reasons I got a juicer last year.
I recently had the privilege to see her at an event with Gabrielle Bernstein called Crazy Sexy Miracles. While the majority of her brand is focused on nutrition, she spoke primarily about living a joyful and extraordinary life. She gave great advice on understanding your purpose and passion, and how to live a life of balance and alignment. Along with a side busting sense of humor, her authenticity and empowering voice is as inspiring as it is down to earth.
My new bff and I. JK, I wish. Sorry for the horrific quality of this photo (*sigh* cell phone cameras).
She’s like the friend you wish you had that drags you to yoga with her, makes you try her new green juice recipe and gives great advice, but also drops f-bombs like a trucker and makes you laugh until it hurts. We all need a Kris Carr in our lives.
by Caroline | Jul 8, 2015 | Recipes
All snowed in, so what to do? Experiment in the kitchen of course! I wanted to get creative with only using the ingredients I had in the refrigerator because there’s no way I’m going to the store right now. Simple recipes always resonate most with me, because as much as I love to cook, I really just want to get to the eating part. The more ingredients there are the more mess there is to clean up, and the longer it takes to actually get to eating it! So I found some basic ingredients and whipped up some delicious and healthy pancakes. Perfect for a snow day!
Makes 1 serving (three small pancakes)
Ingredients:
1 banana mashed
1 egg
1 tbsp coconut flour (feel free to use another type if it’s what you already have)
Optional add-ins: blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
If you want them flatter and not quite as thick add some milk (any type will do).
Directions: Mix all 3 ingredients until they are well incorporated. Melt some coconut oil in a pan and make small pancakes with the batter. Cook for several minutes on medium heat and flip occasionally until they look done.
I added chopped walnuts, almonds and maple syrup to finish it off. It was heavenly.
