Spring in your step....

This morning I'm heading off to do the 1000 steps (Mount Dandenong, Victoria) with some friends.  Knowing these friends, I know its going to be competitive to see who can power their way up the stairs the fastest, and who has the most stamina!  With this in mind, I'm making sure my breakfast smoothie has everything I need to get me to the top as quickly as possible!

Cacao Kapow!
(serves 2)

2 Oranges
14 dried apricots, soaked in water overnight
1/2 cup of dry almonds
1 generous tablespoon of raw cacao nibs
2 tablespoons of Tonic Superfoods Cacao Powder

Juice the oranges & then blend the orange juice with 10 of the apricots & pour into glasses.
Blend the remaining apricots with the almonds, cacao nibs & cacao powder, Keeping it slightly crunchy! Spoon this over the top of the orange & apricot blend.

Yummy & guaranteed to keep you going all day!

Todays recipe comes from David Wolfe's book "Superfoods - The food & Medicine of the Future", check it out on Amazon (using the link in the sidebar) for other yummy superfood recipes & ideas!

Off to climb a mountain now - Have a Happy Sunday what ever you're up to!

Camu Camu - The ultimate immune health booster!

Camu Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) is a miracle fruit born from a low growing South American riverside shrub. Emerging from the Amazonian rainforest, the Camu Camu fruit is a purply/red colour and can be harvested once a year during the wet season.

Although Amazonian cultures do not perceive Camu Camu to be nutritionally relevant, what makes Camu Camu such a miracle fruit is its extraordinary high vitamin C content. This making the Camu Camu fruit extremely sought after on the international market - due to its immune system enhancing properties!

As well as its high vitamin C content, the Camu Camu fruit is rich in flavonoids (bioflavonoids) with the antioxidant activity of such flavonoids assisting with cancer prevention. Furthermore, incorporating flavonoids into ones diet can assist with anti-depressant treatment, by providing nutritional support to the bodies own mood balancing chemistry.

Camu Camu is also a significant source of potassium, providing 711 mg per kg of fruit. It also has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C such as anthocyanins (a powerful antioxidant), bioflavonoids, and other essential co-factors. In addition to the chemicals mentioned above, camu-camu contains beta-carotene, calcium, leucine, protein, serine, thiamine, and valine, making it particularly invaluble for the formation of white blood cells, maintaining a healthy immune system, and support for the brain, lymph glands, heart and lungs.

Benefits of Vitamin C
As mentioned earlier, Camu Camu, posesses an exceptionally high vitamin C content. In comparison to oranges, Camu Camu, provides 30 times more vitamin C per serving. As a high dose vitamin C botanical Camu Camu works as an absorbic acid, which is required to assist with metabilic reactions in the body including the synthesis of collagen.

Vitamin C deficiency means that the body's collagen is to unstable to perform regular functions and can lead to decreased immune function and scurvy. By increasing the levels of vitamin C in your body, you are ensuring strong immune health, the abiltiy to fight of winter colds more effectively, as well as a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C consumption has shown to support
the immune system maintain excellent eyesight create beautiful skin ward off viral infections support strong collagen, tendons and ligaments decrease inflammation improve respiratory (lung) health help maintain optimal clarity of mind in times of
stress and anxiety.

How to take Camu Camu
As the fruit is extremely acidic, it posesses a unique flavour and is best utalised in a powder form, where it can be combined with other ingredients. A great way to enjoy the benefits of Camu Camu is to add between 1 and 3 teaspoons (or more) to
juices, smoothies, or simply to your drinking water. It can also be used in conjunction with MSM powder helps rejuvenate collagen and improve the health of the skin. If you would like to incorporate the flavour of Camu Camu into a meal, the below recipe is a favourite of ours!

To a serving of cooked quinoa add:

1 tablespoons of coconut butter
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1/4 teaspoon of Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Tonic Superfoods Camu Camu Powder
A small pinch of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of soaked Tonic Superfoods Goji Berries

To the quinoa add the coconut butter and honey then mix well. Then stir thru the maca, camu-camu and cinnamon. Finally, on top place the goji berries.

Achieve balance with Maca.

By Bonnie Pockley

Lepidium Meyenii or ‘Maca’ is an extraordinary root vegetable that originates in Peru. Sometimes known as Peruvinium because of the locality of where it grows, all parts of the Maca plant have been used and continue to be used in traditional Peruvian cooking and culture. It is the root, however, that is used medicinally in the Andes and by practitioners of alternative medicine worldwide. Maca is available over the counter in health food stores except in Norway where a prescription is required to obtain it.

Maca is considered to be an ‘Adoptogen’. Adaptogens are a class of natural substances that have a ‘normalising effect’ on the body and its processes. While this should make Maca incredibly broad reaching in its medicinal application, it is mostly used to assist the regulation of the endocrine system and to increase stamina and endurance. Used in large quantities by Incan men before battle to increase their strength and endurance, Maca made powerful soldiers into formidable warriors but also left them in a state of such heightened sexual desire that its use was prohibited immediately after battle to protect the Incan women. Indeed, Maca is both a powerful tonic for sexual function as well as being both energizing and sustaining. According to several independent studies, its use had proven results of increasing semen quality, motility and quantity in men as well as increasing their levels of sexual desire and overall sexual activity. Maca has been used successfully in trials to decrease enlarged prostates and may therefore be said to assist in preventing and possibly supporting the treatment of disease relating to prostate.

Maca and women
Maca, however, does not directly affect hormone levels. While it has been said to treat conditions ranging from acne to endometriosis, it is the high nutritional level of Maca that supports the endocrine system by nourishing its function and indirectly producing such promising results. Maca contains high levels of essential minerals including selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron as well as much needed quantities of linolenic, palmitic, oleic acids, fatty and amino acids. The supplementation of Maca, therefore, is enormously beneficial to women suffering from anemia, menstrual cramps, brittle hair and nails, stress, acne, skin condition and low energy. Simply put, Maca is of great benefit for both general use and specific but common complaints. For serious or continuous conditions Maca should be used in a supportive capacity only and in conjunction with medical examination and treatment.

How to use Maca
Using Maca is fun. Maca has a slightly nutty taste making it a wonderful and simple addition to Super Smoothies. Other alternatives include adding it to hot chocolate made from unhomoginized, (ideally) unpasturized milk, raw cacao and brown sugar or alternative natural sugar substitutes. Add together according to your taste but I’d recommend no more than a teaspoon of Maca per person or per cup as it is very strong and has some side effects which I will mention below. Another lovely way to include Maca in your diet is as a flour alternative (if you cook with flour) or on special occasions when you want a healthier version of a chocolate cake.

My favourite is a flourless chocolate cake using the following -
250g of almond or hazelnut meal
3 eggs
I cup of milk,
a pinch of baking powder
6 tablespoons of raw cocoa
1 heaped tablespoon of Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder
1 cup of brown sugar.

Just mix the ingredients all together, place in a greased square cake tin, sprinkle with cinnamon, cocoa, brown sugar and cardamon and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. Otherwise, melt raw chocolate over the top and decorate with fresh strawberries.
People have told me this is the best cake they have ever eaten. Little do they know it is probably one of the most nutritious too!

Caution with Maca
Maca is strong and should be used wisely. While is has no toxicity, some wisdom and caution is required when supplementing your diet with it. Maca is high in carbohydrate (approximately 60%), which means that it is high in sugars. Maca also exerts an energizing effect on the central nervous system. If you are trying to lose weight, supplement Maca in the morning as you will burn the extra energy during the day but if you participate in hard labour or athletics during the day, taking Maca at night will help your body recover lost levels of glucose and glycogens from physical stress. These are both needed for muscle repair. Do not take Maca just before going to bed as it has a stimulant effect and can lead to insomnia. Maca has high levels of Iodine so consult your doctor before taking it if you suffer from any thyroid condition. Apart from these simple guidelines, enjoy using Maca at a recommended level of intake of approximately 1 – 4 teaspoons a day and consult a professional practitioner if you are in any doubt of its use.

Maca powder is available from Tonic Superfoods.

MSM - The Miracle Supplement

By Bonnie Pockley

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is one of the most broadly applicable tonics for the body. While the name is overwhelming, MSM is simply an organic form of sulphur found in a normal human diet and used by the body in an extraordinary number of its processes. Sulphur is found in the hair, nails, skin and bones and is used broadly as an anti-inflammatory as well as a powerful device of detoxification and cell regeneration.

Entering the diet through the ‘sulphur cycle’, MSM is first released by plankton into the atmosphere, where ultraviolet light converts the mineral into Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO): the precursor to MSM. It then enters our soil and is absorbed by plant matter after it rains and through the consumption of fruits, vegetables and some plant grazing animals, becomes available to us as an important part of our natural mineral intake. Unfortunately, today’s mineral content of our soils is poor and sulphur is often found to be deficient in our diets and must, as a result, be supplemented. MSM is not only a component of many of the amino acid building blocks of our cells but by increasing the flexibility and permeability of the cell membrane, ensures its integrity. Such permeability also allows toxins that have built up inside the cell to be released.

MSM and its treatment of muscular and joint pain:
Not surprisingly, MSM is used in the treatment of muscular and joint pain. Without sufficient sulphur in the body, damaged tissue from injury or exercise can regenerate slowly causing a build up of scar tissue and rigid connective fibrous tissues. As the body’s natural defensive response, inflammation causes these cells to swell and pain and pressure result. MSM has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect by restoring the natural passage of fluid through the cell membrane, preventing its stagnation. Simultaneously, permeability of the cell membrane increases the level of nutrition to tissue. MSM supplementation has been effective in the treatment of rebuilding cartilage, ligaments and tendons in both the elderly and athletic and has being used by elite athletes for almost a decade to increase their performance and recovery time.

MSM and women:

The supplementation of MSM is of enormous benefit for women. Not only can MSM help prevent such degenerative conditions as Osteoporosis and Arthritis but its supplementation can be used to treat cellulite and to prevent ‘aging’. As sulphur is required for collagen synthesis and the development of the connective tissue fibres of bones, hair, teeth and skin it plays a significant role in promoting and maintaining their health. With more MSM in our diet our cells stay buoyant, clean of toxins and youthful! MSM is a powerful beauty tonic.


How to take MSM:

MSM can be taken in many ways. With a very low level of toxicity, MSM had been said to be as safe a drinking water. That said, MSM has a bitter taste and is better mixed with something else. A wonderful way of taking MSM is with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey diluted with hot water. The vinegar and honey mask the taste but mixed with MSM they create a powerful blood cleanser. Also add it to your favourite super-smoothie or to a glass of orange juice as vitamin C helps the body to assimilate MSM. Start with a tablespoon of MSM two to three times a day. After approximately 12 hours the body will flush out any excess MSM it doesn’t need so it is important to continue its supplementation.

MSM is available from Tonic Superfoods.

Amazing Aloe Smoothie

As promised, todays post is a yummy smoothie recipe containing aloe vera.
This recipe comes from Health Motivator & Longevity Strategist Daniel Vitalis


Amazing Aloe Smoothie

The inner gel of one whole aloe leaf

1 tsp Tonic Superfoods MSM

1-3 oranges

2 lemons - try to leave as much of the white pith as these contain important co factors

1-2 Tbs raw organic honey - This hydrogen rich sugar helps both hydrate and reduce the bitterness of the MSM and aloe.

1/4 tsp of Tonic Superfoods Camu Camu


Enjoy!

Post provided by Julze Serendipity

Aloe Vera...The secret to staying youthful!

One of the most interesting examples of of superfoods we have available to us here in Melbourne is the locally grown Aloe Vera. Originating in ancient Egypt it is likely the secret of Cleopatras legendary beauty routine. She is porported to have consumed the gel and topically applying it to her skin. This knowlege was passed to the Essenes a long lived sect that grew this plant near the dead sea and lived three times as long as ordinary folk of the period. Later the Greeks used its amazing healing abilities on soldiers wounds and would often carry potted aloe into battle.

The gel of aloe contains many great benefits, including vitamins A, C and E. All of which are useful in maintaining youthful elastic skin as well as regenerating damaged dermal tissue. It is also rich in sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium and chromium. These are known beauty minerals particularly sulfur which is essential in the formation of collagen. It also contains antioxidants, mucilagenous fibre and polysacharides.

So what is a mucilaginous fibre?
Essentially is is a jelly like fibre that expands in your gut allowing you to feel more full and soothing your digestive tract. It’s true genius is however is the former. When you combine a mucilaginous fibre such as aloe vera in a smoothie it slows down the digestion of what ever you combine it with allowing you to feel fuller longer. This way you can have a meal that is extremely nutritive both from the combined ingredients and the filler (aloe) itself. This allows you to prevent emotional eating there by supporting weight loss, while at the same time maintaining energy levels and reducing hunger issues during the day. Some other well known sources of mucilaginous fibre are flax, chia, and irish moss. While both chia and irish moss are also good sources flax is not recommended long term due to its estrogenic nature. This can cause issues in both men and women. Also none of these contain the powerful pollysacharides that Aloe does.

What gives aloe vera its true superfood nature is the polysacharides present in the gel. Like the mucilaginous fibre they provide a steady burning fuel source to maintain energy over time. These polysacharides also possess abilities to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. They calm and soothe the digestive tract and so can assist with any upsets pertaining to those areas. By dissolving mucous in the intestines aloe increases nutrient absorbtion. It is also a powerful anti inflammatory which like MSM gives the body and its cells greater flexibility and elasticity. Aloe gel has been shown to aid blood sugar stabilization and lessen the effects of diabetes. When consumed in conjunction with antioxidant rich foods it seems to increase the bioavailability of those in the body.

From a sports perspective aloe has the ability to assist in weight loss and the ability for the body to put on lean muscle mass. It also contains a lot of hydrogen and so is useful in hydrating the body. When consumed with other hydrating foods like MSM and honey it can replenish and rehydrate after intense physical exercise.

Aloe can be purchased in a prebottled form though it is very likely that this has been heated and or processed to some extent. This means that much of the true healing medicine of the plant is largely lost. It is better to seek out fresh leaves that can be purchased from some Asian grocery stores. You may have to hunt around but it is well worth the effort to do so. We have also posted a video for you to view showing how to properly prepare and filet the fresh aloe leaf.



Once the aloe has been filleted the yellow goo on the skin can be placed onto the skin. It is this pungent stuff that has the healing effects for topical application. It helps with wounds and any other skin conditions and if you have ever cut a live plant before you will note that it is this exudence that seals the plant back up. This action is reflected in its own on your body. This remarkable ability will topically assist in making your skin softer and more suble. Don’t be put off by it’s odor as you can wash it off after 10 minutes. In the case of very dry skin or burns this will not be necessary as the body will quite literally drink it in.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we will give you some delicious aloe vera smoothie recipes!


Post provided by Julze Serendipity

Why not try Almond Milk?

Maybe you have an intollerance to dairy, maybe dairy doesn't fit in with your lifestyle choices or maybe you haven't been able to source raw milk in your local area - Have you ever considered making your own almond milk?
Almond milk is a healthy, delicious and easy to make alternative!

No longer will you have to turn to the "phytoestrogen rich" soy milk, that has been known to be the cause of many hormonal imbalances, as well as being a heavily GMO, processed and chemically laiden product.

Almonds are rich in potassium & magnesium as well as the antioxidant vitamin E & selenium. By making almond milk you are ensured its laden with fiber.

Drinking almond milk will ensure you are adding protein, good fats, vitamins & minerals to your diet, whilst avoiding animal hormones & chemicals.

Here's how to prepare your own almond milk.



Preperation:
• Soak Almonds for 8 hours (or overnight) in water

In the Blender add:
• 1 cup soaked almonds
• 2-3 cups of water (depending on how you like the consistency to be)
• Sweetner to taste (5-6 Majule dates or Raw Honey)
• 1 Tonic SUPERFOODS Vanilla bean
• Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

Method:
• Blend 3-4 times for 30 seconds each time
• Poor contents of blender into a fine strainer or “Nut Milk” bag & strain

Store in an airtight container. Nut Milk can keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Goji Snack!

Are you looking for a healthy, tasty mid afternoon snack to get you through the day?

We at Tonic tried this recipe the other day, and now we're addicted!

Goji Balls

2 cups TONIC SUPERFOODS Trail Mix (blended in a blender)

1 cup rice bran

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

2 tbsp Raw Honey

1 heaped tbsp TONIC SUPERFOODS Cacao Powder

1/4 cup Almonds (blended into powder in a blender)

Mix ingredients together & then roll into bite sized balls.

This snack is not only yummy, but gives you the benefits associated with eating both goji berries & cacao.

Goji berries are a great source of vitamin C, Vitamin A, posess 21 minerals, 18 amino acids and score an amazing 23,500 on the ORAC (anti-oxidant) scale. As a comparison blueberries only score 2400. Goji berries are an adaptogen, meaning they have a combination of therapeutic actions on the body, depending on what the body needs. Goji berries increase strength, stamina, longevity and sexual energy by increasing the energy of both the kidneys and the adrenal glands.

Cacao nibs are great source of phytonutrients including aminos, protein, omega-3, calcium, zinc, sulphur, copper, potassium, beta-carotene, chromium and magnesium. Magnesium is critical for muscle relaxation, circulation, and heart health. It is the most abundant mineral found in the heart. Magnesium helps us to relax, and prevents us from getting overly stressed.

Indulge when you are busy & on the go, or when you want some time out to relax!

Crazy about coconuts.....

Coconuts are the unsung heroes of the Superfood world. Even though they have been used for literally thousands of years as a tonic and medicine, in recent years they have fallen onto hard times in nutrition and sports circles. That is about to change. Despite much bad press about coconuts being a saturated fat and therefore to be avoided in the case of both diabetes and weight issues, the scientific research suggests otherwise. It has been shown to be effective in stabilizing blood sugar levels and normalizing thyroid function. likely originating in the Philippines it has spread throughout the world and is a foundational food source for the South Pacific.

Coconut in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit literally translates to “the tree that supplies all that is needed to live”. A perfect example of this occurred during the mid 20th century on a then unpopulated Magnetic Island off the coast of North Queensland. A pair of men were marooned there for some 9 months and forced to live off nothing but coconuts. When they were finally rescued despite their robust appearance, doctors feared that this sparse diet may have caused major deficiencies and ran many tests on the men. To their shock not only were they the picture of health but many of their previous ailments had disappeared. Such an example gives us a valuable insight as to the healing powers of coconut.

Coconut Water

The water of the coconut is nearly identical to that of human blood plasma meaning that when combined with a green juice such as wheatgrass it becomes an instant and refreshing blood transfusion. The electrolyte rich water is naturally filtered for nine months inside the nut to create the best sports drink ever. The water is also filled with b vitamins and other valuable minerals.

Coconut Flesh

The flesh of a coconut consists of a pure saturated fat that can repair damaged tissue, increase nerve function and restore sexual fluids in males. Unlike the saturated fats found in animal sources coconuts have shorter chain fats that require less energy to burn. This means that they make for a quick burning and readily accessible food source and a gentler fat for the liver. These two factors create a leaner and more energetically functional body.

Coconut Oil

Unquestionably the true magic lies in the oil found in the flesh. When extracted and concentrated the powerful healing benefits of coconuts can really be accessed. The oil of coconut is antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal. It can therefore be used both inside and outside the body to great effect. Here is a list of some of its many benefits:

• Improved digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
• Increase the absorption of calcium and magnesium
• Supports immune system
• Powerful antioxidant capability
• Lauric acid present in oil great for skin
• Doubles omega 3 uptake when used in combination with O3 rich foods
• Assists hormone regulation
• Anti aging precursor
• Increase thyroid thus allowing body to burn excess fat
• Displace bad fats that have been previously ingested
• Contain no cholesterol
• Can assist in fungal overgrowths such as Candida and fight viral infections

Coconut oil for us is a mainstay and helps slow the release of the sugars when added to smoothies. This is the best part of the nut and we are blessed that we can get good quality organic oils that are toxin free. Another fun form though is young Thai coconut. These can be purchased from supermarkets and Asian grocery stores everywhere. They are easy to use once you know how. We have put a video as to how to open these so don’t be intimidated. They are great for beginners and taste awesome with cacao in smoothies. Their soft flesh is easily digestible and offers lots of energy giving goodness. The water is sweet as it is a hybrid nut so it goes down a treat. For now have fun and enjoy their sweet creamy taste!

Post provided by Julze Serendipity