Awhile back I received a Macasure bar from Sequel Naturals
Thanks, Sequel Naturals for the bar. It was a nice piece of dark chocolate. I didn’t really taste any maca per se. But I did have some extra energy and pep in my step after I ate it. Not sure if that was just from the chocolate or from the maca + chocolate, but either way, I enjoyed my little energy burst.
I’m a fan of Sequel and Brendan Brazier. My Book Post shows his Thrive books on the right hand side of my cookbook stash
And just the other day I posted about the Vega Smoothie Optimizers and you all chimed in about your thoughts on Smoothie “Helpers” and Vega products.
In the past, I’ve posted on Maca. See This Post for lots of info, benefits and uses.
Here’s a quick bit of Maca info (source)
Male:
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Nourishes glandular system
- Fertility enhancement
- Improves physical and emotional well being
- Promotes mental clarity
- Balance hormones
Female:
- Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
- Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
- Sexual stimulation
- Nourishes glandular system
- HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Balance hormones
I love Maca Popcorn. Coconut Oil, Cinnamon, Nooch, and Maca
From my previous post on Cookies in the Mail and Winter Workout Motivation, I liked hearing what specialty cookies or products you’ve tried, i.e. vegan, GF, and also what you are doing to stay motivated with your winter workouts.
Snack/Dessert: Vegan GF Banana Nut Muffins
Questions
1. Have you ever tried maca? Did you like it?
I know some people don’t like the taste of maca. They feel it’s too earthy or malty or just not for them. I happen to really like the taste of it and if I can derive some health benefits from it in the process, even better.
It’s one of those foods that I have tried because of the ‘sphere that I recently posted about. Peanut flour also made that list.
2. If you’ve tried maca, did it “work” or did you notice any effects?
It’s one of those things that I can’t “feel” if it’s working or not. I have never noticed a difference when I consume maca or not, but since I enjoy the taste, I consume it anyway.
I don’t buy it all the time because it is pricey and I don’t believe we have to consume “superfoods” in order to be healthy and balanced, but since I like the taste, I figure, what the heck. I figure it’s the type of thing that can’t hurt.
I know some women swear by it for hormone regulation and many people say they get extra energy from it.
3. What are you doing this weekend?
I am going to be spending time with the family, not watching the Superbowl or making Superbowl recipes, and will be working instead.
TGIF and Happy pre-Weekend!
I tried maca a few times when I lived in Peru, it was cheap and all over of course. I noticed increased energy and alertness and one of my few regrets from living there is that I didn’t squirrel away a year supply because it’s so much more expensive here!
omg you lived there, how wonderful! and yes, too bad you didnt squirrel away a stash!
“sinfully good for you”–i love it!
i’ve never tried maca, but if tthats what it does to popcorn, sign me up.
i’m also not a fan of the ‘m’ word… but those look delish!
I love macca, I put it in everything!! Although I have never felt a difference?!
Have a great day!
I have never tried maca — but I’d be happy to try it in a dark chocolate bar. The benefits sound amazing though.
No big plans — going to MOA for some shopping, super bowl on Sunday (I might watch, who knows). Relax, take it easy and enjoy the time off!
Have a great weekend Averie!
I’ve tried maca in a bunch of my smoothies and I haven’t really noticed much of a difference to be honest. I usually add my maca to a smoothie with hemp protien and chlorella, and in general these smoothie ingredients (along with a banana and some lemon) make me feel good and keep me full for a while.
I like the story that Brendan Brazier tells in Thrive about how the European settlers started eating it to help them adjust to the high altitude of the Andean mountains and so I imagine that it gives me some sort of advantage in my long runs, but I really can’t be sure.
Also, I linked to your raw vegan kale chips recipe (Oct 17, 2009) for my blog. Thanks!
thanks for lmk about the kale chips and also about brendan.
seasonal/local eating principles at work there, clearly. Eating the foods that are local to help you, i.e. eating tropical melons in the tropics which are full of water to help one stay hydrated type thing.
I have Maca powder but never truly knew what it was for. Thanks for the education!
I have tried Maca and I don’t like the taste much.. but I like the way it makes me feel.
I use spray oil too for popcorn.. it’s such a great way to get it good and coated!
I haven’t really noitced any ‘benefits’ but I like the way it tastes – I put it in smoothies, sometimes sprinkled on fruit or popcorn. It is pricey, but a little sprinkle adds some nice pizzazz!
Good morning, Averie!
We have maca powder at home and I haven’t been too adventurous with it, only using the smallest amount in smoothies. Both of us aren’t too thrilled with its taste and find that it overpowers if using anything more than a 1/2 teaspoon or so. I haven’t noticed any energy difference.
Do you have any recommendations? Perhaps, “suck it up, buttercup!” ? *wink* :-)
I’m excited about our weekend:
– spend it all with my dear husband!
– saturday morning gym visit
– time for new running shoes (and I think I’ll get them on sale; bonus!)
– visit friends who were away for a month and a half
– try out some new recipes (graham crackers, goldfish crackers, coconut cream)
– vegan and GF a recipe (goldfish crackers)
– try some old recipes (roasted chickpeas, split pea soup)
– purge my closet
happy friday!
xo
sabina
you could always take the maca pills/tablets and avoid the taste all-together if you really want to take maca.
I’ve never had maca in anything…but now I’m interested in trying it — thanks for the informational post!
I love maca. I use it in my green smoothie everyday. I do get quite a pick-me-up from the smoothie, almost better than coffee! Occasionally I’ll throw it into some chia pudding too
I have only had Maca in products, like bars or protein powders. I liked what I had, but I don’t know that I had a huge burst of energy from it.
I like maca a lot, and I have had several clients use it (for many of the uses you mentioned). I’ve seen it work at all levels—nothing at all to a major mood/energy overhaul. One guy got “addicted” so when he forgot for a day, he crashed emotionally (he stopped taking it). I read that different brands/types (red, black, etc) work differently for different people…so maybe you just haven’t found your “type” yet?
Sometimes it peps me up and makes me feel like I can focus and work (or workout) all day/night! It also significantly raises my body temp…so I end up sitting at my desk in shorts and a tank top. I love that stuff!
I like the maca sure brand, and I’ve also gotten it from navitas and sunfood. In a coffee/sunwarrior smoothie is how I like it best :)
But the chocolates are pretty good too…
I LOVE maca! I have the Navitas Naturals raw maca, and I put it in my Cookie Dough Bowls every morning!
I definitely think I have seen “benefits”, I always have so much energy after having it:) The only downside is that it kind of tastes like the smell of cigarettes? Besides that, I love it! :)
Never tried maca before!