Hot chocolate recipe

Is it cold and depressive outside? Prepare yourself a hot chocolate and improve your mood instantly. :)

What you will need:

- 2.5 dl milk (try almond or rice milk)

- 1 full tbsp raw cacao powder

- 1 and 1/2 tbsp dark chocolate (chopped)

- sweetener of your choice (try 1/2 tsp of Stevia)

Instructions:

First, heat the milk. Next, add cacao powder, chocolate and sweeter and stir to combine. After that, warm again until your reach the desired temperature.

Your hot chocolate is ready! :)

Enjoy!

How Mulberries Can Help You Live a Better Life

MULBERRIES FACTS

Mulberries are large, deciduous trees native to warm, temperate, and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Each fruit measures 2-5 cm long. In most species, mulberries are purple-red when ripen. However, they can be white, red, purple or multiple variegated colors in the same fruit.

There are three species of mulberries:

• White mulberry (Morus alba).
• Red or American mulberry (Morus rubra).
• Black mulberry (Morus nigra).

Mulberries are refreshingly succulent, tart and sweet fruits. They are rich in numerous health benefiting flavonoid phyto-nutrients.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MULBERRIES

• Delicious, fleshy, succulent mulberries are low in calories (only about 43 calories per 100 g). They compose of health promoting phyto-nutrient compounds like polyphenol pigment antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
• Mulberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Scientific studies have shown that consumption of berries have potential health effects against cancer, ageing and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes and bacterial infections.
  
• The berries contain resveratrol, another polyphenol flavonoid antioxidant. Resveratrol protects against stroke risk by altering molecular mechanisms in the blood vessels.
• In addition, these berries are an excellent source of vitamin C (33 mg per 100, about 41% of RDA), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.
• Further, the berries also contain small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E. Consumption of mulberry provides another group of health promoting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin, ß-carotene and α-carotene in small but notably significant amounts. Altogether, these compounds help act as protect from harmful effects of oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in ageing and various disease processes.
• Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively concentrates into the retinal macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant functions and protects the retina from the harmful ultraviolet rays through light-filtering actions.
• Mulberries are an excellent source of iron, which is a rare feature among berries. They contain 1.85 mg of iron per 100 g of fruit (about 13% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
• They are also good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
• They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Contain very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. These vitamins function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats.

SIDE EFFECT OF MULBERRIES

As mulberries are highly dense with potassium it creates discomfort to the kidney patient. So avoid eating large quantities of mulberries.

Source: Nutrition and you

Spirulina

Gives strength and energy. Helps with slimming and dieting. Contains more essential nutrients than any other food. Rich in easily absorbed proteins, iron, vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. Spirulina is also a source of calcium, copper, chromium and selenium, chlorophyll and beta carotene.

Spirulina are floating filamentous cyanobacteria with cylindrical trichomes in left-hand helix. Spirulina grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate. It is commonly used as food supplements.

For centuries Aztecs have been eating Spirulina. The earliest record reveals that it grew in Lake Texcoco, and was collected and sold as food. The first Spirulina manufacturing factory was established in 1970s. Recent years it has become a popular thing in the world, and has been approved by the FDA, WHO and other medical authorities as health food.

Spirulina is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. It contains Lysine, Cysteine, Methionine, Phenylalanine and Threonine, which are important amino acids that can only be acquired by human beings through food. Spirulina is also a very rich source of Vitamin B-12. It has much higher iron content than Spinach. It contains much higher amounts of Beta-Carotene than carrots.

Its protein constituent can be easily digested form. It also contains minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are not available to humans from any single food of vegetable or animal source known so far.

Spirulina is helpful in preventing gastro enteric disturbances as it enhances intestinal flora such as Lactobacillus and Bifidus bacteria. It is also known to reduce the risks of infection by Escherichia Coli and Candida Albicans, two virulent gastroenteritis pathogens. Spirulina by virtue of its fatty acid contents is known to reduce Cholesterol. It contains anti-oxidant radicals that scavenge highly reactive free radicals that are known to be involved in the occurrence of many degenerative disorders such as cancer.

Spirulina is a rich source of potassium, and also contains calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments including chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, plus the phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.

Spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy using Doxorubicin, without interfering with its anti-tumour activity. Spirulina reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery of movement after a stroke; reverses age-related declines in memory and learning; and prevents and treats hay fever.

Organic spirulina is available as powder HERE or as tablets HERE.

Barley Grass Powder

Strong, natural detoxicant. Rich in fibres, proteins and chlorophyll.

Traditionally used by ancient Egyptians, Romans and Vikings to promote their health, barley grass embodies an array of vitamins and amino acids. Embodying a significant chlorophyll content, barley grass boasts an array of minerals including iron, copper and up to 11 times the calcium in cow’s milk. Barley grass is an excellent source of protein with 18 of the 22 essential amino acids. Organically grown on the fertile plains of Canterbury New Zealand, Barley grass is harvested whilst the plant is young. The young barley grass plant is transported to an organically certified dehydrating plant. The moisture content is reduced by 4%. Once dried, the barley grass is milled into a fine powder.

Barley Grass from New Zealand is of the highest quality. Find yours HERE.

Benefits of Hemp Protein

Hemp protein powders are rich in fibre, a nutrient that has a number of valuable health promoting properties. Diets rich in fibre can lower your risk for heart disease, type-2 diabetes, constipation and Diverticular Disease, notes the Harvard Public School of Health.

Additional benefits of hemp protein include potential immune enhancing and anti-fatigue properties, as well as kidney-protective effects.

Hemp protein is a high-fibre protein. It is made from the hemp seed which is composed of approximately 45 percent oil, 35 percent protein and 10 percent carbohydrates. Hemp can be considered a superior protein source due to its great digestibility, which also makes it ideal for athletes. The better the protein is digested, the more efficiently it can be used by the body.

The digestibility of any given protein is related to the concentrations of its amino acids. Hemp protein contains all the essential amino acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) making it the most complete source of protein. It is a crucial component for muscle repair and building, together with vitamins, minerals, fibre, enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants which are found in hemp seeds.

Hemp seed is composed of two primary types of protein: Edestin (65%) and Albumin (35%).

Edestin protein is found only in hemp seed and is considered the backbone of the cell’s DNA. It is similar to the human body’s own globular proteins found in blood plasma.

Albumin protein is another high quality globulin protein and is similar to that found in egg whites. Albumin is highly digestible and is a major source of free radical scavengers.

Lastly, there are no known allergies to hemp.

Sources:

Livestrong

Globalhemp

Maca Powder

Gives energy and endurance, reduces physical and mental stress, increases libido in men and women, contains carbohydrates and is rich with vitamins B, calcium, iron and other minerals.

Dubbed the “superfood of the Andes”, Maca is popular amongst the indigenous population of the Peruvian Andes. Cultivated in spring, Maca is a small root vegetable from the maca plant grown at altitudes over 3500 metres. Traditionally integrated in the nutrition of natives, the Maca root has evolved into a modern day “superfood”. Maca has a rich malty flavour that combines well with cacao, another “superfood”. A complete protein, Maca provides 19 amino acids, 4 different alkaloids, 20 different fatty acids, an abundance of calcium and an assortment of vitamins including C, E, B1 (thiamine) and B2 (riboflavin). Raw Maca roots are cultivated on a 5 year rotational method without the use of pesticides. Hand selected for the best quality, the Maca root is cleaned in natural water. Once dried the Maca root is ground into a fine powder and packaged.

Would you like to try maca powder? Click HERE. :)

Ashwagandha Powder

Improves physical energy, increases immunity to colds and infections, increases sexual capacity and fertility.

Ashwagandha is also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, and Winter cherry. Ashwagandha roots are one of the important medicinal herbs in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. It is considered an 'adaptogen', which can improve our physical energy, increase immunity to colds and infections, and increase sexual capacity and fertility.

The main constituents of ashwagandha are alkaloids and steroidal lactones. In Ayurveda Ashwagandha is believed to posess aphrodisiac, rejuvenative and anti-aging properties. The traditional Indian medicine uses Ashwagandha to treat symptoms like chronic fatigue, bone weakness, loose teeth, impotency, premature ageing, constipation, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, arthritis pain, and memory loss etc.

Click HERE to purchase raw organic ashwagandha powder.

Acai Powder

Boosts energy and vitality, helps with weight management. Contains fibres, Omega-3, -6, -9 fatty acids, calcium, potassium and vitamins B1, B2 and E.

Acai Berries are popular healthy food. If you happen to live in the Amazon rainforest you are lucky because if you wish you can climb up the Acai Tree and pick some fresh Acai Berries and enjoy it. 

Nutritionally Acai Powder does maintain the same nutrition properties as fresh Acai Berries, because the manufacturing process only removes the water content from Acai Berries. Because freeze dried Acai removes the water from the Acai Berries, it only means its nutrients are in much concentrated format.

Acai Powder can flavour and improve the nutritional value of any hot or cold drink such as smoothie and teamed milk with acai powder. In addition, one can also add acai powder into oatmeal, pancakes, soup and bread, making your meals and drink more tasty and nutritional. 

My favourite Acai Powder is available HERE.