Maca Powder







I've recently discovered the joy of using Maca powder in baking, mostly because of it's delicious vanilla/malt, nutty flavour. An added bonus is that it's supremely good for you! Yay! I make a delicious cacao and maca protein slice that is so tasty. I'll try and post a recipe in the next few days.

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What exactly is Maca?

  • Grown in the Peruvian Andes mountains
  • Full of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, essential fatty acids (EFA's) and, most importantly, vegetable protein containing numerous amino acids
  • Rich in B-vitamins (energy vitamins), C and E vitamins.
  • Provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium
  • Vegetarian source of B-12

What can Maca do for my body?

  • improves libido for both men and women (it's nickname is "nature's viagra")
  • increases energy
  • helps people to maintain energy and mental balance
  • improves stress management
  • promotes hormone balance - this can lead to higher fertility rates in women
  • stimulates and nourishes the hypothalamus and pituitary glands ("master glands" of the body)
  • Works as an adaptogen - this means that is responds to each body differently, depending on the individual needs. Maca will regulate hormone production upwards or downwards, depending on need.
  • help reduce menopausal flashes and sweating at night
  • improve overall mood
  • ramps up metabolism making fat loss easier and faster
  • can improve workout performance
  • helps to improve levels of concentration in children

But how do I use it? 

So so easy. You can use Maca powder in your fresh juice, smoothie (see recipe below), with yoghurt and muesli (I mix cacao, Maca, and natural yoghurt with some strawberries - yum!), baked in cakes/cookies, sprinkled on soups or cereal.

Is Maca suitable for me? 

I hope so! It is dairy, soy, egg, wheat and gluten free. It is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Maca is beneficial for women, men and children.

It is recommended to start with 1/2 a teaspoon a day, working up to a tablespoon a day over the course of a few weeks. If you're taking Maca daily, it's best to take a day off each week.

Available in powder or capsule form.

Get around it people!

Easy Maca Smoothie

In a blender, mix Maca powder with banana, milk and cacao powder.

Maca and Coconut popcorn

There is nothing that makes our house smell better than a delicious batch of coconut popcorn. With the estimated prep and cooking time totaling, um, let's say 3 minutes - what are you waiting for!

Add a teaspoon of your favourite coconut oil* and a pinch of sea salt to a saucepan and melt over low to medium heat on the stove. Once melted add popcorn kernels to the pan and cover with a lid. Remove once constant popping stops, pour into bowl. Put another teaspoon or tablespoon of coconut oil into the saucepan and melt, pour over bowl of popcorn and season with sea salt and maca powder. Adjust amount according to preference.
When Matt and I often pop a batch of freshly made popcorn into a container and take it with us to the movies. Wayyyyyy better than movie-bought popcorn.

*(our favourite Coconut Oil is the Niugini brand at the moment, less food miles as it is from Papua New Guinea so good for the planet and a beautiful jar!)