Hi friends!
I’ve been really into maca root powder lately. If you’re thinking, “what the hell is that?” I’m not surprised. It’s something that stumbled upon while browsing Pinterest a while ago and thought the same exact thing. I noticed that it was a frequent addition to a lot of smoothie recipes I was looking at. Then I noticed it as an ingredient at a couple of my favorite local smoothie/juice bars. I felt like all I saw was maca maca maca, like the universe was encouraging me to try it.
So, I did. I tried it about a year ago when I found the powder at Whole Foods. I put it in a bag and took a whiff and wanted to throw up. It was SO EARTHY AND WEIRD. I actually left the bag at Whole Foods! Nope, no thanks.
Butttttt, I really couldn’t stop thinking about – the more I researched its benefits, the more I was like… man, this sounds like something I really need (more on benefits later). So, I tried again. This time, I found it at Marshalls (of all places) in their superfood/snack section. The bag was sealed, so I couldn’t smell it and be turned off this time, so I just bought it. Like $9.99? Something like that.
The smell was not as strong this time around (thankfully) but I was still kinda eh about it. Side note: I am the worst at trying new foods – I really do want to try anything and everything, but it takes me so long to build courage and actually do it (you should have seen the first time I tried avocado and cucumber sushi – bleghhh! Seaweed is the worst!!) I tried a tsp with peanut butter, banana, and almond milk. You could definitely taste it (kinda a nutty/earthy caramel flavor??) and I was still not convinced. So again, I just left the bag to sit in our pantry.
Here I am a couple months later, trying to like it again (and doing much better!) The benefits really do outweigh the subtle earthy taste (unlike spirulina – now THAT I cannot do… I have this weird thing with seaweed and anything from the ocean, really). I have finally mastered a recipe where the taste is basically non-existent because there is so many other flavors happening. I think if you are on the fence about the taste of maca as much as me, this is a great stepping stone to possibly tolerate it more. And hey, if you really never like it 100% (like me), this at least gets you to incorporate it into your diet.
You’re probably like, what the hell kind of benefits does this have that she tried sooo hard? I mean, it’s nothing crazy, but it’s enough for me to be like – yeah, this is good shit for me!! I definitely feel like my hormone balance is off more often than not. I should get this checked out for real, but trying natural remedies is my first step. I’ve also made mention on here before about my struggle with mood and depression. Again, I think this goes back to hormonal balance. Maca first and foremost is known for this stuff, so of course I want to like it. Some of the key benefits that really caught my eye:
- Balances hormones (yup)
- Improve mood and depression (something I struggle with from time to time)
- Ease PMS symptoms (who doesn’t want that?)
- Increase in libido (it’s a powerful aphrodisiac!)
- Boost in energy
- Decrease menopause symptoms (not for me yet, but hey, GREAT to know)
- Supports overall brain health
- Positive impact on fertility
- Promotes bone health (love this because, obviously, no dairy for this girl)
Of course, if you are not sure about maca root and want to ask your doctor, please do that. This is a natural remedy and I do not have evidence to support the claims above. I’m just giving it a go!
So, now that I have rambled on and on about maca for over 600 words (oops), I’ll share the recipe. Almost forgot about that ;)
Recipe
You will need:
- 1 frozen banana
- 3-4 frozen strawberries
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk (more or less based on preference)
- 1 tbs peanut butter
- 2 tbs cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 1 tsp maca root powder
- 1 pinch salt
To make:
Add all ingredients to your high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more or less almond milk for consistency.
Finally, a maca smoothie that I can get down with. I also drink this with an extra fat straw so it goes faster (lol, I am a baby).
Maybe this post will help you to embrace this superfood, too. That’s what I hope, anyway! Thanks for listening to me ramble about this, and let me know if you try it. xx bianca
