Recipe:

*8 oz Coconut Milk (coconut butter + filtered water) or Almond or Oat Milk (can buy boxed)
*2 Tablespoons Cacao Powder
*2 Teaspoons Cacao Nibs
*1 scoop (2 Tablespoons) Protein Powder of your choice (Raw, Brown Rice or Whey)
*2 drops of chocolate stevia concentrate
*2 drops of vanilla creme stevia concentrate
*handful or two of ice

Optional:

*maca powder- 1-2 teaspoons
*banana or dates (take out the pit!) for sweetener instead of or in addition to stevia
**toppings: buckwheat grawnola, goji berries, cacao nibs

Medicinal mushrooms have amazing healing benefits.

Modern scientific research examining the Ganoderma (Reishi) mushrooms has revealed a variety of potential health benefits:

* anti-cancer properties

* immune system up-regulation

* liver-protecting properties

* antibacterial properties, antiviral properties and antifungal properties

* reducing radiation-induced damage

* reducing lower urinary tract symptoms

* increasing exercise endurance

* inhibitory effect on high blood pressure, due to ACE inhibitor properties.

* inhibitory effects on angiogenesis (via inhibition of VEGF), blood platelet creation, and fibrosis.

Healing Benefits of Maitake (from Wikipedia):

In 2009, a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients.

In vitro research has also shown Maitake can stimulate immune system cells. An in vivo experiment showed that Maitake could stimulate both the innate immune system and adaptive immune system.

In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Investigational New Drug Application for a portion of the mushroom.

Ways to get medicinal mushrooms into your daily regime:

• put the mushroom powder into a smoothie (my fave is inside a chocolate smoothie)
• put the mushroom powder into a dish that has mushrooms into it anyway (sneak it into a gravy or dressing)
• make a tea out of the powder

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO ON MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS BY DAVID WOLFE!

Maca is a plant with a radish-like root that is used as a food and for medicinal purposes. Although maca is unrelated to the ginseng family, it has been dubbed “Peruvian ginseng” because it is used as a folk remedy to increase stamina, energy, and sexual drive.

Maca improves both male and female hormone balance, supports the adrenals, increases stamina, helps with erectile dysfunction and increases sex-drive and fertility! I would start with a teaspoon a day in a smoothie and increase up to 4 teaspoons a day. Read on to read more details!!

Maca-an Adaptogen

In the 1930s, Russian scientists studying plant medicine coined the term adaptogen to refer to a plant that promoted non specific benefits to an organism while inducing NO negative side effects.

An adaptogen is a substance which raises the non-specific resistance in an organism. Adaptogens enable the body to enhance its power of resistance and adapt to external conditions. They work with the body’s natural rhythms to help rebuild weak immune systems, re-mineralize poorly nourished bodies, and increase energy and endurance.

The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce chemical “messengers” called hormones essential for normal bodily functions. A wide variety of physiological processes are carried out unconsciously by these “messengers”. Once released they flow directly into the bloodstream and are transported to organs and tissues throughout the entire body.

Scientists and doctors are now finding maca to be one of the best natural ways to regulate and support endocrine health. This action regulates metabolism, energy levels, growth, sexual development and the sense of well being and attitude.

Thankfully, maca does not contain hormones itself. Instead it provides a unique set of nutrients that directly fuel the endocrine system and help the glands to produce vital hormones in precise dosages predetermined by one’s own body.

Sexual drive and fertility

According to folklore, ancient Incan warriors took maca before going off to battle to make them physically strong. However, they were later prohibited from taking it, in order to protect conquered women from their heightened libidos.

One study looked at the effect of 4 months treatment with maca tablets on semen quality in nine adult men. Treatment with maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count, and sperm motility. A 12-week randomized controlled trial looked at 1,500 mg maca, 3,000 mg maca, or placebo. After 8 weeks, there was an improvement in sexual desire in the men taking maca.

So why does maca feel so good?

Personally, because I eat a primarily vegan diet, my body is somewhat low in iron and B vitamins. Although I eat as many plant based foods that contain iron and B vitamins, sometimes I need to take an iron and B vitamin supplement. I find that the days I have maca I don’t need to supplement with the vitamins because my body feels nourished. As an adaptogen, maca works broadly to contribute to overall well being. It nourishes and calms the nerves with calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B1 and B12 , and fatty acids, all of which work beneficially on the nervous system.

I would experiment, just like any other superfood or food, and try it each day for a few weeks and see how you feel. In my experience with maca, the best way to tell if it’s effecting you is to take it away after some time.

Maca comes in pill form or is ground into powder. I include maca powder in many of my own smoothies, and in those of my clients when they are doing a cleanse or raw-life experience.

*I would avoid maca if you are on birth control.

Bee Pollen is granulated pollen gathered by the bees and is one of nature’s most complete, nutritious foods. About 40 percent protein, half of which is free amino acids, bee pollen supplies humans with almost every essential element we need to survive.

I was once told that we could survive only off bee pollen and water because of it’s abundance in nutrients.

It is also incredibly high in folic acid, B vitamins, and nucleic acids, and is thought to help cure chronic digestive and autoimmune diseases. And women, listen up: not only has bee pollen been tapped to stimulate the production of eggs from ovaries, it also plays a role in preventing and treating such cancers as breast and uterine. In this case, a spoonful of bee pollen just might save your life.

“Bee pollen is often referred to as nature’s most complete food. Human consumption of bee pollen is praised in the Bible, other religious books, and ancient Chinese and Egyptian texts. It has long been prescribed by traditional health practitioners-including the fathers of Western medicine Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder, and Pythagoras-for its healing properties. Bee pollen rejuvenates your body, stimulates organs and glands, enhances vitality, and brings about a longer life span. Bee pollen’s ability to consistently and noticeably increase energy levels makes it a favorite substance among many world class athletes and those interested in sustaining and enhancing quality performance.” Steve Schecter N.D

Most of the time I blend a tablespoon of bee pollen into my fruit based smoothies. It creates a funny pasty taste that you may not like, so test it with different flavors. Sometime I’ll sprinkle it on top of a shake or salad instead of blending it, but lately I’ve been craving the pure taste and taking it by the spoonful!

Only Bee Pollen has the following:

* All 22 elements of the human system.

*All essential amino acids and is a complete protein.

* Vitamins A, B Complex series C, D, E, K and Rutin.

* 28 Minerals, Trace Mineral needed for good health.

* Enzymes and Co-Enzymes necessary for good digestion.

* No cholesterol.

Bee pollen is also fine to use while on a cleanse, used in a juice or as a supplement.

For natural energy, I try and chose natural and healthier options. I have begun thinking about this daily energy as a process of ups and downs, rather than something continuous and constant. It’s more natural to have a low period or two during a day versus constant up because of band aids and quick fixes (coffee, stimulants, etc).

Move over, wheatgrass. There’s a new superfood in town.

I have been adding blue green algae to my routine for about 2 years now and I’ve really noticed a difference in my energy level.

There are two kinds of blue green algae: that from fresh water and that from the ocean. The fresh water blue green algae is from a lake in Oregon called Klamath Lake. The blue green algae from the ocean is termed Spirulina and comes in a powder/flake or tablet form. I add spirulina flakes to smoothies and juices or sprinkle it onto a salad. I take blue green algae in liquid form and usually take a shot of it in the morning and mid day during my energy shift. Lately I’ve been putting the liquid algae (I use E3 Live brand) into an ice cube tray and dropping it into a glass to melt so that I have an ounce or two at my finger tips instead of freezing and defrosting the whole bottle once or twice a day. I found that I got lazy and would rather not go through the process before I was putting it in an ice cube tray.

The technical term APHANIZOMENON (genus) and FLOS-AQUAE (species) are actually zoological terms of classification that literally mean “invisible living flower of water” in Greek.

Algae capitalize on the direct energy of the sun more than any other food. Primitive as they may appear, most are highly efficient photosynthesizers. Algae utilize light energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and hydrogen from the water to synthesize its bio-chemicals. Klamath Blue Green Algae is unique among all food grade algaes in that it also metabolizes molecular nitrogen directly from the air to produce proteins and other nitrogen containing bio-molecules.

What are the benifits to adding this to your diet?

• increase in mood and mental clarity
• Immunity booster
• for healthy hair and skin
  
• fights off aging (powerful antioxidants-fight free radicals)
  
• feel good food-helps with serotonin
• detoxifies our bodies: liver, GI Tract
• Green Foods in general help with cholesterol problems (regulates gallbladder and liver)
• 10-30x more nutritious than land vegetables

You can begin feeling the effects of blue green algae by trying Spirulina in your smoothie at a juice bar (most have it) or you can try a shot of E3 live. I would suggest trying it a few times before purchasing it to see how it works with you and if you like the effect on your body. I’ve tried several supplements or superfoods some people LIVE by, only to find out it makes me feel off. These are all suggestions, find what works with your body, experiment with many options, and ask lots of questions!!

This amazing raw chocolate smoothie will leave you dreaming of it. (hence the name)

Raw cacao is the most abundant antioxidant in the WORLD, (far beyond blueberries and red wine) and will give you amazing energy and mental clarity. It also has a great amount of Magnesium in it, which most people are deficient in and don’t even know it. Make this as a caffeine free alternative to an energy boosting cappuccino or frappaccino, or a healthy indulgence…raw chocolate mylk-shake

ORAC scores for the Top 10 Antioxidants Foods (per 100 grams)

1) Raw cocoa powder* 95,500
2) Raw cacao nibs* 62,100
3) Roasted cocoa powder 26,000
4) Organic Goji Berries* 25,300
5) Acai Berries* 18,500
6) Dark Chocolate 13,120
7) Milk Chocolate 6,740
8 ) Prunes 5,770
9) Raisins 2,830
10) Blueberries 2,400

Source: US department of Agriculture/Journal of American Chemical Society

*Brunswick Laboratories MA, USA

Delicious Chocolate Dream

• 1 cup almond milk/oat milk/coconut milk or water -maybe more if you want the consistency thinner
• 1 Banana
• 1 small avocado (to make it creamy and for the good fats)
• 1/4 cup raw cacao nibs
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/4 cup agave (less or more depending on sweetness desire) or 1 packet Stevia
  
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (consistency and for the good fats)
• 2 tbsp maca
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  (to make this a complete meal/more filling you could also add hemp or brown rice protein)

Cacao Nibs