Chocolate MACA Protein Shake

One of my favorite shakes lately (and during my cleansing fast) has been a Chocolate MACA Protein shake.

If you have never heard of "Maca" before...you are in for a nutty/malty treat! I categorize Maca in the superfoods group along with other natural superfoods like cacao and goji berries.

Maca powder has many benefits for our bodies, including stipulating the endocrine system in the production of good hormones, increased libido, and much more! It is kind of expensive, and goes for about $11 at health food stores, or you can buy it online too.  I always like to get it from Mother's so I know what I am getting.

It is SUPER easy to make.  The only problem is, I don't think I can have it anymore because it contains bananas, which do not fit in squarely with my "No-starch" AS diet.  (To relieve symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis)

But it is only a banana, so we'll see...

To make:
1 1/2 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 frozen banana
1 scoop MRM Veggie Protein Powder, Chocolate
1 tbsp. Raw Maca Powder
5 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in blender and enjoy with a straw!







I sometimes change it up a bit by using RAW Protein powder and a tbsp. of almond butter. 

It gives it a nice nutty flavor.  You can also try putting a tbsp. of raw cacao powder in for a super rich and creamy delight!!!!

And speaking of cleansing, tonight, after having a very tough day...I felt like breaking the fast on something bad and all I could think about was pizza.  I know I have one more day left but I couldn't fathom drinking another dinner (whether it be hot soup or a juice/smoothie) so I cracked and had a bowl of artichoke hearts steamed in water with seasonings.  I ate half the bowl and was full.  Then I had some organic unsweetened applesauce.  I am still full 2 hours later.  I guess the cleanse really does work.  I am actually excited to get back on it tomorrow.  Still going strong, feeling energized more than ever, and haven't taken an Aleve in 7 days. :)

Read more...

The Cocoa and Milk Debate

I recently had this long conversation with my mother about the difference between "Cacao" and "Cocoa."  Although the two varieties seem similar at first glance, the word "cocoa" is actually a derivative of "cacao." Both are commonly interchanged, however there is a difference that you may not have picked up.

 
Cacao comes straight from the cacao bean, in its raw form.  **P.S. It's also more expensive...about $13.00 for a bag of Raw Cacao Powder.

Cocoa, on the other hand, is the highly processed ingredient present in hot cocoa or hot chocolate (in powder form) after it has undergone extensive processing.

Nutritional hints regarding the benefits and research regarding cacao vs. cocoa:

"Prolonged intake of flavanol-rich cocoa has been linked to cardiovascular health benefits, though it should be noted that this refers to raw cocoa (from the Cacao plant seed) and to a lesser extent, dark chocolate, since flavonoids degrade during cooking and alkalizing processes.  Studies have found short term benefits in LDL cholesterol levels from dark chocolate consumption. The addition of whole milk to milk chocolate reduces the overall cocoa content per ounce while increasing saturated fat levels, possibly negating some of cocoa's heart-healthy potential benefits."1

Which leads me to my next topic: whole milk.  I would think by now, with all the documentaries like Forks Over Knives, Ingredients, etc., most people would jump on the bandwagon by realizing that the whole "Got Milk" campaign, while attractive and enticingly creative, is a bunch of BS.  (I need to remind you of my disclaimer right about now, I don't want the milk people coming after me.)

Anyhow, it is no big secret that cows milk is a highly processed, casein filled beverage that does more harm to our bodies than good.  And they just don't make it now-a-days like they used to in the 'ol days either, which only adds insult to injury. 

Even still, consumers have been programmed like robots to assume as fact that milk "Does a Body Good," right? And that those funny cows on the commercials are gleefully grazing mammals pumping milk straight from their udders to your icy glass and foamy mustache.  I mean, if Heidi Klum and Usher drink it, then it must be pure quality goodness.  They successfully have brainwashed consumers to believe whole-heartedly that we need our precious milk to obtain proper calcium for our bones and stay strong and healthy.  Wrong!  Milk is not processed by human digestive systems well at all, even those who are not lactose intolerant.  And there is more calcium in fresh vegetables and other organic whole foods than in milk, which don't contain dangerous hormone-induced additives!

People seem to get very defensive about this subject, as they do with the topic of eating meat.  I know, I live with a man.  He loves his milk, meat, and potatoes, and no one is going to tell him otherwise.  Except, over the past few months as I have been making changes to my diet, he has been making sutle changes here and there as well.  Not only has he lost 17 lbs, but he feels better and has more energy.  Every now and again B will go out and have a burger, when his late night In-n-Out cravings call! And that's ok!

But honestly, my unilateral decision to replace the almond milk in our fridge (where I once used to buy 2% for him, and almond milk for me), has never been contested! Also, I even bought soy nog this year, the rice nog was nothing like the EggNog we grew up loving.  I wish they would come out with an almond nog! I think I am going to try to make my own using the Vitamix.  Any excuse to utilize my new favorite kitchen accessory, my nut mylk bag!

Cheers!

Read more...