Maca Mocha Smoothie

Regular guest contributor Nancy, from Real Food Allergy Free, brings us today’s post,

with a delicious-looking smoothie recipe… plus information about how maca increases a women’s wellness!

Maca is a tuber root (similar to potato) grown high in the mountains of Peru. Though it’s been used medicinally in Peru for thousands of years, it’s just recently gaining popularity in the US. Since its Women’s Wellness Month here at Quick and Easy, Cheap and Healthy, we will focus on how maca root benefits women.

Maca root is a super-food that is packed full of nutritious goodness. It’s loaded with over 60 micronutrients, 18 amino acids and 20 fatty acids. Maca is 40% potassium, 10% calcium and contains vitamins A, B, C, D, E, B12, B1, 2, 3, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, silica and zinc.

It is believed that maca is most beneficial because of its effect on the endocrine system. Maca is an endocrine modulator and the

endocrine system includes all of the body’s glands and the hormones they secrete. Hormones regulate many, many things including tissue function, mood, growth and sexual development.

Here are some of the ways maca can help women:

• Sometimes called Peruvian ginseng, maca increases energy and provides mental clarity.
• Maca helps to regulates hormones which can alleviate PMS and perimenopause symptoms.
• Leveled hormones lead to less mood swings and better emotional health.
• Also called nature’s Viagara, maca is known as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido.

Maca has a very strong smell and taste. It is somewhat malt like, so I find a chocolate based smoothie is the best way to get it down. This Maca Mocha Smoothie is my favorite.

Maca Mocha Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana, frozen
• 2 tsp Cocoa Powder
• 3 tsp Maca Root Powder (buy it here)
• ¾ cup Vanilla Coconut Milk Beverage or Dairy Milk

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add sweetener if necessary.

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Nancy is a God fearing, family loving, and homeschooling mom to four. You can find her at www.RealFoodAllergyFree.com where she shares her family’s favorite recipes and money saving deals for foods that are free of the top 8 common food allergens (egg, dairy, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanut, tree nut).