Whole302010 – SUPERfood SPOTLIGHT
Why we like it
Known to increase energy, endurance and boost stamina (without a crash like caffeine) daily and especially during exercise.
Balances hormones during menopause (maybe helping with those hot flashes!) and also helps to improve fertility.
Excellent source of vitamins B, C and E, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, plant sterols and alkaloids.
Improves skin and hair
5 ways to use it
- Start by adding ½ tsp daily to smoothies, yogurts or in juice
- Mix in baked goods, such as cookies, granola or muffin recipes
- Sprinkle on popcorn with a little coconut oil and sea salt
- Enjoy a “Hot Maca Latte” to start your day – Mix 1 tbsp maca with any milk alternative, 1 tsp honey and ground cinnamon
- Mix 3 tsp maca powder with ½ cup walnuts, ¼ cup coconut, 3 pitted dates for a delightful nutty raw “crust”
Maca Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup cocoa
- ½ cup hemp
- 3 tbsp maca
- 6 dates
- 2 scoops protein
Instructions
- Soak dates in water for 20-30 min to soften. Grind walnuts in a food processor to form a flour.
- Add all other ingredients to combine.
- Once mixture has formed a dough like mixture, remove and form into 8 equal sized balls.
- Store in the fridge or freezer.
Serving size: 8 Calories: 183 Fat: 6 Carbohydrates: 21 Fiber: 5 Protein: 7
If you have already used this superfood before – let us and your fellow challengers know how you add it to your MCC meals. If you have never used it – what has been your favourite way to incorporate Maca Root Powder into your everyday?
Well to start on the challenge on the right foot, I went to Bulk Barn and stocked up on everything I needed for the recipes I was given, including Maca Root.
Off the top of my head, I forget which recipe had it but I did do one recipe with it in it and I remember liking it.
Now that I have been provided ways to incorporate it, I will be trying 4 of the 5…I’m not big on dates, never have been. I’ll try it if I can substitute the dates with raisins or cranberries.
Have a good week everyone.
This was the first time I have heard of maca root. I bought some from the Bulk Barn on the weekend to make the maca balls, but I haven’t made them yet. If it is true that it boosts energy, I will be adding it to other foods too. Good suggestions. Thanks.
I started using Maca last year. It most definitely made a difference with my energy. I didn’t necessarily associate the energy boost with Maca however because I was on the 302010 program, was exercising, and little was known about it at the time (a friend had recommended it to me).
I can now see it makes a big difference. I’ve used it in smoothies and also have taken the capsules, which contain only maca powder.
I tried it in my booste smoothie, and also polit some sprinkled in my chicken stir fry the other day. It was pretty good!
I have been using maca root powder in my smoothies for a while. It has a slight nutty taste.
My favorite smoothie is with coconut milk (1cup), pitted dates (1/4 cup), almond butter (1tb),
a dash of vanilla and 1 Tb of maca powder and 1TB of protein: it has an exotic taste
I have tried the maca ball recipe and I enjoyed it but it doesn’t make my top 10 list.
Maca is supposed to energize you in the morning like a good cup of coffee. Well… I am not really feeling it . I’ll keep using it and still enjoy my java..
That sounds tasty. Thanks for this variation
Thanks as well for the variation in the recipe. I always like to try new ideas!
Now that I know where to purchase this powder, I’m heading to the Bulk Barn. With an interest in its historical roots, I found out the following:
-Native to Andes of Peru
-Root vegetable, medicinal herb, aphrodisiac!
-Average composition of dried maca root is 60-75% carbs, 10-14% protein and 2.2% fats
-acquired taste for maca
-economic interest lies in the medical application of the root’s properties
Looking forward to trying maca balls!
I haven’t tried MOCA yet. I am still trying to adjust to the new (for me) healthy foods which were introduced with the new 302010 challenge.
No worries Clean eating can be an adjustment. Sticking to the base diet in the challenge is a huge step in the right direction!
I purchased the Maca powder during my shopping spree in getting ready for the Challenge but have not yet tried it. I heard the Maca balls are great so I am planning on making them within the next few days.
Have to admit, I had not heard of maca root before MCC 🙂 Smell is a bit off-putting, but have tried it in smoothies now, and have also tried the maca balls. Maca balls not my fav (but that might be the dates that are swaying my opinion), but it hasn’t changed the taste of my smoothies, so will continue using it in those. I am feeling less lethargic this week, which is great, but am guessing that’s a combination of the 302010 meals, including the maca. I’m extremely curious to see how this month goes, and see if maca really helps balance my hormones!
I know the first time I opened the bag, I was put off by the smell, it smells like turnips!
I haven’t tried Maca Powder yet however I tried new recipie :
Greenlantins soak overnight and next day blend it with Ginger garlic, sea salt and green thia chillie. Make a pancake with these micture..It will be apprx 3 pancake for 1/2 cup of netins and enjoy with your choice of veggie. Very much feeling and very healthy too.
I as well went to the Bulk Barn and stocked up on Maca Powder as well as many of the other ingredients.
I have not made the Maca Balls yet but did try the smoothie and loved it. I think adding the strawberries and banana make it feel like a treat,:)
I’m interested in trying to add some Maca Powder to my bfast ideas to maybe take the place of my morning coffee ( energy wise!) Wondering if anyone has noticed an increase in energy doing so?
I have to say I love this blog idea. Already I love the community of the classes and now this makes it even more fun.
See you all soon!
Lillian
Thanks for the support! There are some great ideas here, I never thought to sprinkle it on my chicken! That is my next must try!
As a dedicated latte drinker, giving up my espresso with frothy milk was a challenge.
I’ve replaced it with hot, frothy almond milk and a dash of xylitol and cinnamon. This morning I decided to add in a spoonful of maca root powder. I really wanted it to work. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well, the fake latte was a disaster. Maca has a strong smell and flavour. Oh well. Given the significant health benefits (and not to mention to the big bulk barn bag of the stuff I bought), I will try maca another way. The balls look pretty good.
I was put off by the smell of the maca powder, but am now inspired to give it another try.
I was missing my morning coffee, but was ok with decaf, but hemp milk gives it an odd taste.
Almond milk is great, though!
I haven’t tried the maco powder yet so have enjoyed reading everyone’s posts and getting some ideas – thanks! This week I tried some of the quick snacks to keep me going at work. So, a first for me was trying the gojo berries in the quick trail mix which I quite liked. I will be sampling maco powder in the next week.
Well Bulk Barn must be doing great business as I went there too! I have to say I did make the Maca balls and I actually really like them (mind you, I like dates!) I find they are a great treat at night when I am on my computer and one portion seems to keep my munchies at bay (thanks Muriel for the tip!)
I have to say overall that my first little while on the 302010 challenge has increased my energy level – I feel less tired, less bloated and more motivated. Thanks MCC crew :O)
My question is – can you have too much Maca powder (or hemp hearts / powder for that matter)??
I made the maca balls and they were really good. Have to try the Hot Maca Latte and see if its a good substitute for coffee!
Tried the maca in smoothies and feeling more energized this week! Definitely going to try it in more recipes. Thanks for the blog reminder Muriel!