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Stop The Flu or A Cold Fast with This Immunity Boost Drink

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Feeling run down and that you are coming down with something?  Stop the Flu or a Cold fast with this Immunity Boost healing drink.

I woke up with a sore throat and congestion the other morning– and that “oh no! I’ve been tagged by one of “those bugs ” feeling… Great!
So, I immediately headed to my FARMacy cabinet and pulled out a few goodies.  Let’s see:

Then all of a sudden… what do I see in my arsenal of packaged natural remedies? Ah ha!  Immune strength 5 defenders by Real Mushrooms– Whaaaa? Now we are in business!
I knew I had a chance to get through my day.  I received a couple of samples from real mushrooms and remembered I had a bag of  5 defenders…Bingo!!! Time to head to the lab aka “my kitchen” ha!

Yes, now I will be able to say goodbye to this virus hopefully within 48 hours…

I am not kidding you. I drank healing elixir in the am and by the next day in the late afternoon, I was feeling so much better.  Yes, that is how effective it is.

At the first sign of a scratchy throat, runny nose or that feeling that you’re coming down with something drink this.  Perhaps, you are going on a trip?  Drink it when you leave for the airport.  Planes are one of the top breeding grounds for viruses.

So, if you travel a lot make this your number one companion.  It works…It really works.!   How? I am glad you asked:

Let’s start with the ingredients:

Ingredients:

~ Black Elderberry: has an extensive history of being used in the early stages of seasonal and immune challenges
~ Echinacea: is an herb of the day see family with strong immune promoting properties
Andrographis is a bitter herb packed with compounds known to help support immune system function at onset.
Warning: They’re not kidding when they say is bitter.

~ Immunity Strenght “5 Defenders” ~ Contain 5 medicinal mushrooms:

These mushrooms are hot water and alcohol extracted to gain all the beneficial beta glucans, triterpenes and other bio-active compounds

5 Defenders are well known to boost immunity.

–Reishi: a famous herb/adaptogen in TCM and Japanese medicine that has a track record of over 2, 000 years. Aids in liver support, immune function, healthy heart function and promotes restful sleep.

–Chaga: a dense, dark black canker that is found on the outer regions of the birch tree where it is infected by the fungus, Chaga is a canker that has been produced by the tree. Chaga is rich in betuclinic acid and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

–Maitake: one of the most well-regarded and studied mushrooms out there. An adaptogen that supports healthy glucose metabolism and supports the immune system.

–Shiitake: Another wonderful source of beta-glucan as well. It supports healthy cholesterol levels and supports the immune system.

–Turkey Tail: Contains high amounts of beta-glucans – one of the world’s leading anti-cancer drugs was derived from this mushroom.

Your Turn. What do you take or drink when you start feeling like you’re coming down with something?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

New Evidence Reveals The Importance of Digestive Enzymes in Your Diet

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digestive-enzymes-aid-in-digestionDigestive Enzymes are incredibly important in the process of digestion. Saliva, fruits, and vegetables contain enzymes that help us digest foods. However, since our processed foods were introduced those digestive enzymes became less and less present in our foods.   That being said, if you follow a raw food diet, you are ahead of the game (kudos).

 Wade lighthearted  3-Time Canadian Natural Bodybuilding Champion, and one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods stresses on the importance of enzymes in your diet, especially when consuming a variety of cooked meals– as most of us do.

In his article The Importance of Enzymes in Your Diet  Wade explains:

Research has shown that any food that is heated above 118 degrees loses all of its enzymes.  In other words, all cooked food is deficient in digestive enzymes.

Processed foods, irradiated foods, foods grown with pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or on mineral deficient soils all have minute levels of enzymes that occur naturally.

Our bodies are actually designed to recognize the taste of enzyme and nutrient dense foods by seeking foods that break down easily, and taste sweet.  Anyone who has eaten a vegetable or fruit at an organic garden or farm will quickly attest to how different organically grown enzyme rich foods taste.

What are Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are regularly found in fruits and vegetables. They are required for the breakdown and digestion of food and fall into 4 main digestive enzymes and a whole pile of other enzymes and enzyme precursors. Sucrase and lactase are a couple of familiar ones you may be familiar, mostly because some is unable to digest certain foods because of a lack of that enzyme.

Digestive enzymes break down food into usable material. For example, Enzymes can speed up or catalyze the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. For example, fruits like papaya, kiwifruit, pineapple, fig, and mango are a good source of enzymes that can break down meat proteins. These fruits all contain a type of enzyme called a protease. However, here are the major different types of digestive enzymes are:

 

•Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates, starches, and sugars which are prevalent in potatoes, fruits, vegetables, and many snack foods
•lactase – breaks down lactose (milk sugars)
• diastase – digests vegetable starch
• sucrase – digests complex sugars and starches
• maltase – digests disaccharides to monosaccharides (malt sugars)
• invertase – breaks down sucrose (table sugar)
• glucoamylase – breaks down starch to glucose
• alpha-glactosidase – facilitates digestion of beans, legumes, seeds,
roots, soy products, and underground stems
• Protease – breaks down proteins found in meats, nuts, eggs, and cheese

 



• pepsin – breaks down proteins into peptides
• peptidase – breaks down small peptide proteins to amino acids
• trypsin – derived from animal pancreas, breaks down proteins
• alpha – chymotrypsin, an animal-derived enzyme, breaks down proteins
• bromelain – derived from pineapple, breaks down a broad spectrum of proteins, has anti-inflammatory properties, effective over very wide pH range
• papain – derived from raw papaya, broad range of substrates and pH, works well breaking down small and large proteins
• lipase – breaks down fats found in most dairy products, nuts, oils, and meat
• cellulase – breaks down cellulose, plant fiber; not found in humans

 Read the rest of the original article here

Adding enzymes to your smoothies, or snacks is a great way to add enzymes to your diet.  However, the best time to take enzymes supplements is before and during a meal (sprinkled over it) in order to help the body predigest the foods.

Wade lighheart makes really good enzymes and you can visit his website to learn more about his product.  However, If you are looking to supplement enzymes that are great and a bit more affordable here are the enzymes I use.

 

Do you supplement enzymes and if so what are your favorite ones? Also, what foods are known to contain “natural digestive enzymes’?

 

How Maca Powder Can Help You Increase Energy Naturally (Plus Maca Smoothie Recipe)

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(Bonus: Find out about the benefits of Maca powder as a Pre-workout Drink)

If you want to naturally increase energy, mental focus, and performance naturally, Maca powder should be part of your daily wholesome food and supplements routine.

The maca plant, scientifically known as Lepidium meyenii, is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng. Maca is a superfood and adaptogenic herb with an outstanding ability to increase energy, stamina, mental focus, and strength. It supplies iron which aids red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body and therefore reduces tiredness and fatigue. Maca can contribute to normal immune and cognitive functions.

To the Incas in South America, organic Maca is a highly valuable commodity. Maca is also a favorite of raw foodists, vegetarians, adventurers, extreme athletes, dessert chefs and food alchemists. (Try Maca root)

I am very picky when it comes to supplements or “pre-workout” drinks. Many pre-workout drinks may make you feel jittery, give you palpitations or simply make you feel off. (Someone at the gym recently told me about that, and there’s research demonstrating that some of these drinks are harmful). Energy drinks for starters can be detrimental to your heart health.

I am back at the gym full time since my back is doing better and my physical therapist gave me the green light. I was recently researching for ways to increase energy and vitality naturally without harmful chemicals or side effects for my pre-workout shakes. Maca was one of my choices because it is natural, it tastes great and has a long history of health benefits.  Maca has a delicious malt flavor, and it absolutely works. I drink a shake before my work out and I’ve noticed the difference.

Maca Nutrition

Maca root powder is a fantastic source of protein, fiber, several minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C, copper, and iron. Additionally, it contains over 20 different types of amino acids — including all eight essential amino acids — and plenty of health-promoting phytonutrients. Maca contains quite a few beneficial plant compounds, including glucosinolates and polyphenols, and is a popular choice for the vegan diet.

One ounce (or about 2 tablespoons) of maca powder contains approximately: (source)

  • 91 calories
  • 20 grams of carbohydrates(keep this in mind if you are a Diabetic)
  • 4 grams protein
  • 1 gram fat
  • 2 grams dietary fiber
  • 79.8 milligrams vitamin C (133 percent DV)
  • 1.7 milligrams copper (84 percent DV)
  • 4.1 milligrams iron (23 percent DV)
  • 560 milligrams potassium (16 percent DV)
  • 0.3 milligram vitamin B6 (16 percent DV)
  • 0.2 milligram manganese (11 percent DV)
  • 1.6 milligrams niacin (8 percent DV)
  • 70 milligrams calcium (7 percent DV)
  • 0.1 milligram riboflavin (6 percent DV)

Why Did I Choose Maca as My Natural pre-workout Drink?

In animal studies it was revealed that Maca enhances endurance and performance.  Maca root contains a fair amount of fiber, is a good source of carbs and protein, and it’s also high in some essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper, and iron (see above).

  • Sports Performance ~ Along with a clean diet, and exercise (cardio and strength training) maca is the ideal superfood for your pre and post work routine. Additionally, it may help increase muscle mass.
    Maca is anabolic – The word “anabolic” itself means building up muscle, and that’s something Maca helps to do.  That makes Maca unique among all supplements for muscle building. Maca boasts remarkable adaptogenic properties– just like the superfoods ginseng and Ashwagandha. You can use Maca as an additional boost before a big workout.
  • Stress Management ~  Maca is commonly known as an adaptogen to support and help balance the body, particularly during stressful circumstances.  It is rich in a number of key enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that our body can use during heightened levels of stress.  Maca may support homeostasis (when the body is in a state of equilibrium and balance) during stressful times, on when your body experiences a hormonal roller coaster.

  • Mood Enhancer, PositiveWell Being ~ Maca Powder is famous for the adaptogenic-like qualities that enable it to nourish and balance the body’s delicate endocrine system and to help cope with stress and improve mental clarity.  It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and plant sterols which help promote healthy glossy hair and a radiant glowing skin complexion. Maca Powder benefits for men and women of hormone balancing are well established by scientific research.
  • Vivacity ~ Did you know that the Incas in South America consumed maca to endure long journeys, hard work hours and vitality? They also gave it to children to improve performance at school and during sporting events.

Good news for men (and their woman ): Maca is a natural male enhancer. It helps increase stamina, endurance and helps with ED (unless you have circulation issues) then that’s a whole protocol. You can check my article on improving circulation and ward off of Cardiovascular disease here. That being said, it has been proven to help men last longer, and have more energy/endurance both in and outside of the bedroom. But that’s not all, women can also benefit from Maca powder to increase libido, enhance mental clarity, and balance hormones. Does it ease the symptoms of PMS and hot flashes, Hello maca where have you been all our lives?

There are many ways to use Maca powder. However one of my favorite ways is to use it is in my maca smoothies…

Here’s a recipe for one of my Healing Super Smoothies™

Print
Maca Pre-Workout Smoothie

Maca Pre-Workout Smoothie

Ingredients

  • Liquid Ingredients:
  • 4 oz water
  • Ice
  • 4 oz almond, coconut or (favorite milk)
  • 4 oz of Kefir (optional)
  • Dry Ingredients
  • 1 tbs of chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp Maca root powder
  • 1 scoop Raw protein– chocolate or favorite flavor
  • ½ tsp healing mushrooms Cordyceps-M (peak performance)
  • 1 mini-scoop Glutathione (I love this one)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in your Nutri-Ninja (my favorite), blender, Vitamix or favorite mixer.
  2. Mix for about 40-50 seconds or until you get the consistency desired.
  3. Serve and enjoy

Notes

Note: I like to soak Chia seeds in water or nut mil/water 10 mins before I make my smoothie so they expand. The consistency should be thick.

https://www.healyounaturally.com/increase-energy-naturally-maca-root/

Have you tried Maca root? How do you use it, and have you noticed a difference? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

Image title credit IndiaMART

Interested in Learning more about Maca Root Powder? Here are a few other books you might want to read up on as well:

Maca Root for Health and Vitality: How to Use and Benefit from the Superfood
Red Maca: Complete Information About The Raw Red Maca Root Powder
Maca Root: An Up And Coming Nutrient That Improves Sexual Performance And Fertility