BODY BEAUTY: MACA POWDER
If you know me, you know I love me a good superfood. I often talk about superfoods and how I am 110% obsessed with them and implementing them into my daily routines [as I should be and you too] because they are straight PACKIN'—and by packin' I mean packed with *MULTIPLE beneficial body beauty nutrients that our bodies crave, need, and canNOT live without on a daily basis.
From kale to chia seeds to goji berries, açai [just to name a few] superfoods are incredible. A superfood is a REAL [unprocessed] nutrient dense powerhouse food item that is incredibly advantageous to your well-being—due to the simple fact that a superfood is packed with high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—which shield our bodies from cell damage and help prevent diseases.
S-U-P-E-R.
Literally.
There's no "official" scientific definition for a superfood, but it's easily understood that superfoods basically have superpowers and treat your body the way food should. I think of them as 'kinda like a superhero? Kinda. #LOL, just like the ones you see in the movies saving the lives of people all over the world. Really. No joke, because by consuming superfoods on an EVERY single day basis, you will be adding high-levels of inner body-beauty to yourself all the while reducing the risk of chronic diseases, body aches as well as prolonging life quality.
It doesn't get much better than that, does it? No. OR, actually, it might just get better once you hear ALL of the body-loving goodies I'm about to share with you beatiul babes.
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE superfoods is maca power.
#YAYYYYY as I automatically begin to shimmy-shake my shoulders with all the good feelings that maca power brings.
Maca is grown high in the mountains in the Andes of high altitudes and is sometimes referred to as the Peruvian ginseng after it is picked, dried, and processed into a powder. It is considered a root vegetable and is a member of the cruciferous family [like broccoli and cabbage]. I have always read mixed reports about the health benefits, maca is rightfully known to boost endurance and energy, libido, but what I truly LOVE most about maca is that it is classified as an adaptogen. An adpatogen is a natural substance that it has the ability to adapt to stress and "undo" damage brought forth by fatigue and will aid in repairing and generation the body's muscles rapidly.
Amazing. Maca powder contains:
- over 20 amino acids—including 8 essential amino acids
- vitamins B-1, B-2, C, and E
- calcium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and sodium,
- rich in phytonutrients
- free-form fatty acids—such as linolenic, lauric, palmitic acid, oleic, and steric acid
Maca powder is a superfood that naturally helps the body adapt to stressors like a hectic schedule, busy family life, demanding job, illness, hormone inbalance, high-intensity sporting events, and all things of that realm.
This superfood has rightfully become very popular in the nutrition field because it increases energy levels, stamina, athletic endurance, mood, hair growth, mental clarity, memory, focus, regulates hormone balance, and improves muscle gain, skin tone and strengthens bones + teeth as well as reduces anxiety, stress, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and acne. #BOOM
With it's rich earthy flavor and nutty taste, maca powder can be incorporated into smoothies, cereals, oatmeal, bliss-bites, pancakes + waffles, baked items, and even a little maca date caramel creation [stay tuned for the recipe this Thursday]
*all it takes is just 1 teaspoon a day.
xo,
Hazl