Last week I was catching up with a friend who I haven’t seen or heard from in a while and she told me something alarming. She said “Vani – I haven’t changed my diet, or my exercise routine, but I’ve gained 15 pounds in the last 2 months! I gained it all because of stress!” She’s currently working on a big project and was worried about her sudden weight gain. When she went to the doctor, the doctor checked her cortisol levels. She found out, “they were through the roof!” Did you know cortisol levels can increase from elevated stress and cause sudden weight gain? Fat accumulates near the stomach because the cells in the stomach are more sensitive to cortisol, and very effective at storing energy. I don’t know about you – but knowing that fact alone makes me want to drop everything and check into the spa. Hearing her story was a huge wake up call to myself, I’m a workaholic and if I don’t watch it, the balance in my life can totally take a free fall. Her story also got me motivated to share a superfood ingredient that can help your body handle stress better and reduce cortisol levels (and help you in the nooky department too, which I know also reduces stress!).

Superfoods are nutrient dense foods that pack a powerful punch when it comes to antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals. Basically SUPERFOOD = SUPERMAN! . . . or WOMAN! Eating superfoods has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease and prolong life. Way up high in the Peruvian Andes grows the prized superfood called Maca. It’s the highest altitude crop on earth. With a growing altitude of 13,000 feet, this plant is not for your home garden (unless your garden happens to be on the top of the Andes). Over its 3,000 year cultivation maca has earned itself a pretty long list of benefits, some of which include . . . get ready . . .

• Increased energy
  
• Reduced stress
• Improved sexual function (improved libido)
• Improved physical and emotional well being
• Improved mental clarity
• Improved hair growth
• Improved thyroid health
• Ability to balance hormones
• Ability to protect skin against ultraviolet radiation
• Ability to treat PMS
• Improved skin tone
• Ability to raise sperm count
• Helps prevent osteoporosis
• Ability to treat depression

In an extensive study of the maca plant, Dr. Gustavo F Gonzales found that maca can enhance the ability for an individual to “adapt” to a stressful environment by “improving homeostasis” in the body. This can positively effect energy, endurance and oxygen in the blood (which makes maca a great cure for altitude sickness . . . it’s no coincidence that it is grown in high altitudes). Maca can also affect the happy chemicals in your body that control libido, balance the endocrine system, adrenals, hormones, thyroid, and one’s mood! That is a lot for just one scoop of powder a day. Throughout its history, the consumption of maca has been used by Peruvian natives for having strong effects on fertility and energy in both humans and animals. It is said that during the Incan empire, warriors were give maca to give them strength and stamina in battle but were then denied maca when they returned home in order to protect the women from their strong sexual desires. Whoa. This stuff is like nature’s Viagra. Check out this article where my friend Dr. Mercola lists maca as one of the top natural supplemental ways to enhance sexual function.

Dried maca contains 59% carbohydrates, 8.5% fiber, and slightly more than 10.2% protein. The protein in maca contains seven essential amino acids. Maca is also rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and iron. Add to that the vitamins B1, B2, and C and you can easily understand what makes this a superfood! Some researchers even argue that Maca’s ability to treat a disorder like depression comes simply from the fact that the food is so nutritionally dense and that people become happier because they are getting the nutrients they need! So, the good news is ever since the reemergence of maca in the 1980 access to this powerfully medicinal food is becoming easier and easier. And now, thanks to the beautiful world wide web you can have maca show up at your door, which is way easier than hiking up the Andes, let me tell you!

Maca is a member of the cruciferous family which includes brocolli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips and radishes. Maca is grown for its root which resembles that of a radish. Maca root can grow in a variety of different colours and can be consumed in several different ways, of which the most popular is dried and ground into a powder, maca powder. Maca powder is definitely the easiest way to add maca to your diet. I love throwing 1 tbsp in morning smoothies for extra energy, in homemade hot chocolate (recipe below) and in desserts like brownies or anything with chocolate! It goes really really well with chocolate – yum! Did I say chocolate? When I was in Peru recently, Maca caramels were everywhere, I’d love to try to make those at home one day. You can also check out more recipes and the subtle differences between red, black and cream maca from my partner The Maca Team here.

Prep time 5 mins, Cook time 5 mins, Total time 10 mins Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 and ½ cups nut milk (coconut or almond)
  
• 4 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon of maca powder
• 2 dates pitted
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
2. Place ingredients in a small sauce pan and slowly warm to temperature desired.

Notes ***Please use all organic ingredients if possible***

The Maca Team is a small family owned operation and supplies maca straight from small Peruvian organic co-op farmers. I feel really good about supporting and partnering with a company that offers the highest quality organic maca straight from the source. I hope you take time to look into this amazing superfood and see what it can do for you. Please share this with your family and friends that might be in the need of a little stress reduction or a boost in the nooky department. I would love to hear your stories about how maca is affecting you (well . . . most of your stories . . . haha!)

Peace, Love, and Maca,

Food Babe.com

Organic, raw Maca is available at Quantum Vitamins.

The liver's main role in the body is for detox, by taking in blood from the digestive system and filtering out toxins like alcohol, medication and processed foods to be excreted. It also helps in the maintenance of energy in the body by breaking down fats for use, as well as helping to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Focusing on the health of your liver is the foundation of vitality.

The liver purifies the blood. If the liver is stagnant, the blood purification may be inadequate, leading to the release of toxins through the skin causing acne, eczema, acidosis and allergies. Toxic blood feeds all degenerative conditions such as cancer and arthritis.

1. Digestion and elimination are the first steps toward a healthier liver. If you are not eliminating daily, that becomes the focus. Once you have established that your bowels are working, it is now time to increase digestion.
2. Promote elimination by including fibre and hydrating. The goal is to have one bowel movement at least once a day. If constipation is chronic, you can take 150 to 300 milligrams of magnesium citrate twice daily in capsule form. You can take more if you need to go to the bathroom. If you get loose stools, cut back. Take daily probiotics — approximately 50 billion CFUs of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria and drink eight glasses of water daily. 
3. Improve Digestion: Promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, so that they can keep potentially harmful bacteria in check. Probiotics can also be supplemented.
4. Mind/Body Wellness: Stress can impair the body’s detoxification systems and lead to digestive ailments, impaired immunity, and have wide-ranging effects on health. A detox diet is a time not just to let the body heal, but to allow the mind to rest. 
   


Signs of Toxic Overload

• Bad breath and coated tongue
• Foul smelling breath caused by unhealthy/bad digestion from a backed-up colon or periodontal disease.
• Hemorrhoids 
• Constipation/Digestive complaints 
• Irregular or insufficient bowel movements 
• Use of pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics 
• Weight gain 
• Acne – skin break-outs are often a sign of toxicity in the blood or the liver.
• Excessive body odor
• Belching and bad gas 
• Chronic constipation.
• Lack of energy – could be environmental toxicity, allergies, sluggish liver
• Inflammation and pain/fibromyalgia – joint pain (over-acid body)
• Mental fog, poor concentration
• Allergies
• Depression headaches (includes sinus)
  

Foods to avoid when detoxing include: dairy, wheat, gluten-containing foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners, fried foods and processed foods, deli meats. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit (avoid tropical fruit), include brown rice, quinoa and other gluten free grains.

Herbs that Support Liver and Detoxification

Dandelion promotes bowel regularity, good hydration levels in the body and cleansing of the liver by supporting bile production, and bile helps transport toxins out of the body. 

Organic Milk Thistle helps produce bile, therefor improving digestion.

Stinging Nettle cleanses and builds blood. Since it has a good influence over the pancreas, it assists in lowering the blood sugar and stimulates bowel movements.



By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Gout is an extremely painful inflammation of the joints caused by a buildup of needle-sharp uric-acid crystals. If you’re prone to gout, the foods you eat — and don’t eat — play a key role in keeping your joints pain-free.

You can reduce your risk of another gout attack by following these guidelines:

Supplements

• B complex 100 mg per day
  
• Black Cherry Juice
• Vitamin C 3000 mg per day
• Bromelain 500 mg twice daily
• Stinging nettle or horsetail (tea or supplement) 3 times daily to remove uric acid from joints.
  

Avoid alcohol: Cut down alcohol intake drastically. If necessary, avoid all alcohol or restrict drinking to less than two drinks a day.

Avoid gorging: Avoid rich, heavy meals which contain lots of fat and purines.

Avoid purines: Avoid high-purine foods such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, sardines, anchovies, fish roes (eggs and caviar) and meat extracts.

Drink water: Drink six or more glasses of water throughout the day
and a glass at night before going to bed to help the kidneys excrete
uric acid.

Go easy on caffeinated drinks: Don't overdo tea and coffee drinking
and switch to rooibos tea if you find your joints start aching after a
coffee/tea binge.

By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Have you had a break or fracture recently? Like anyone, you are probably very interested in speeding the healing process so you can get back to your regular activities. What does your body require to do this and how can you supplement for maximum benefits? Read on.

Calcium - Your bones are made primarily of calcium, so taking calcium supplements help speed healing from fractures.

Lysine is an amino acid that helps in the absorption of calcium. Lysine can increase the amount of calcium absorbed into the bone matrix.

Essential Fatty acids are necessary for bone health. A lack of these essential fatty acids results in joint pain, slow wound healing and inflammation.

Vitamin C is essential nutritionally to make the collagen that helps the body form healthy bones. It also promotes wound healing. 

Vitamin K is a very important fat-soluble vitamin that plays a part in bone formation and helps with the absorption of calcium.

Boron is important in bone healing because it reduces urinary excretion of calcium.

Silica is vital for the repair of tissues and it also helps calcium to be absorbed.

Zinc is important for the repair of tissues.

Minerals - Trace elements are essential for normal growth and development of skeletons in humans. They play important functional roles in bone metabolism and bone turnover.

Protein - Roughly half of bone is comprised of protein. The body gathers protein to synthesize bone protein matrix.

To maximize the rate of healing it is helpful to avoid bone robbers such as sugar, salt, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. Eat a diet rich in whole foods.

Osteo Cal:Mag is scientifically designed to provide the most effective bone health formula available. Look for it at Quantum Vitamins.

By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist