Maca Powder, the Good the Bad and the Healthy

There has been a love of buzz in the health food world lately about Peruvian "miracle food" Maca (Lepidium meyenii). Rich in calcium, iodine, and manganese; Maca is known for its energy and libido boosting properties. It is used by couples trying to conceive as it beneficial for both men and women's reproductive health and libido. It is also used by menopausal women to ease the side effects of menopause and is used to ease anxiety and mood swings especially associated with PMS. If you are feeling fatigued or anxious Maca may be for you, however, it is important to see how your body reacts to Maca before you make it a permanent staple in your diet...
Wong, Cathy. "Maca - What you should know about it." About.com <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm>

It is important to start slow and see how Maca effects YOU...

The evidence on Maca powder goes both ways. It is very important to start out slowly and make sure the Maca powder is not negatively affecting you. For women you may want to only take/use Maca on certain days during your monthly cycle. It can be very beneficial for women going through menopause. If you are taking Maca and are experiencing: Racing heartbeat, panic attacks, anxiety, mood swings, or nausea STOP TAKING MACA IMMEDIATELY! It can be very helpful for anxiety in some people it can also go the other way, as with any supplement/food/spice make sure you are paying attention to your body and adjusting your diet for what YOUR body needs! One blogger suggested taking a day or two off from taking Maca each week to make sure you don't over do it! If you have any heart problems or health issues or medication that you even THINK may react poorly with this supplement please consult your doctor!

"A Word of Caution on Maca Powder." HighonHealth.org. <http://www.highonhealth.org/what-nobody-tells-you-about-maca-root-powder-dangers-and-side-effects/>

*Disclaimer - I am not a doctor or a medical professional. I have had good experiences with Maca- I take it daily during the week in my morning smoothies (I do not take/eat it on the weekend, a break is suggested). I have noticed a boost in energy and lowered anxiety. Please be careful when adding any supplement to your diet, consult your doctor and pay attention to your body!

Cinnamon & Honey Miracle Tea

So I can't tell you how much I LOVE Pintrest. I am always finding so many things that greatly impact my life. I am a nanny and work at a school, the kids would have no activities from me without Pintrest, but even more than how it has helped my job, I find the best healthy recipes and tips!

I am admittedly a picky eater so I am always on the lookout for ways to boost my metabolism, fight the flu (I work with kids! Love them but they are little balls of germs!), and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle! I found this wonderful recipe for Cinnamon Honey Tea (I added the "Miracle" part because it is!) the other day from Suzy Homefaker, and have started drinking it daily.

• I have not gotten the flu even though I felt it coming on more than once!
• I have more energy
• I feel happier
• I am losing weight (I am doing more for this as well but it helps!)

Suzy Homefaker has provided a very useful and informative breakdown of the benefits of honey and cinnamon. Read her full post but here is the list of things this wonderful combination helps to treat/prevent:

• Heart Disease
• Arthritis
• Bladder Infections
• High Cholesterol
• Colds
• Upset Stomach
• Gas
• Pumps up your immune system
• Indigestion
• Longevity (can help you live a longer better quality life!)
• Raspy/Sore throat
• Pimples
• Skin infections
• Weight Loss
• Cancer
• Fatigue
• Bad Breath
• Hearing Loss

Again read Suzy Homefaker's complete list of how all these things are helped my cinnamon and honey, she is goes into detail for some other cinnamon & honey concoctions that help each ailment! 

Also if you have a sweet tooth and need a little snack before bed try cinnamon and honey on some toast! Delicious!

Instructions:

• Boil Water first ( Do not add cinnamon and honey until water is already hot if you are using a microwave! The microwave kills all the wonderful enzymes that make the tea so wonderfully healthy!)
• Add 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
• Add 1-2 Tbsp. Honey
• The enjoy! So simple, So healthy, So Delicious!

*Update*

I am more in love with this tea than ever. It's spring, and I have NO ALLERGIES, I haven't even had the sniffles, which is a big deal for me! This delicious tea can seriously change your health. It's so easy, what have you go to lose? Try it and let me know what you think!