Creamy Cacao Mousse

One of our readers Becky asked, "What is something she can eat that will satisfy sweet chocolate cravings without completely ruining her clean eating plan?"  I’ve made this from time to time for friends, and they love it!  The cacao provides a great source of magnesium – which is great for relaxing after training, whilst the coconut oil is great for fat burning!

If you would like us to show you how to put a superfood spin on one of your favourite meals, please email us at sales@tonicsuperfoods.com.au with your request!

Creamy Cacao Mousse

Ingredients

2 Ripe Avocados

½ cup Tonic Superfoods Cacao Powder

3 tbsp Raw Honey or Agave

1 tbsp Coconut Oil

1 tspn Cinnamon Powder

Optional Ingredients – Depending on personal preference!

1 tspn Mesquite Powder

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper

½ Tonic Superfoods Vanilla Pod

1 tbsp Cacao Nibs

Strawberries!

Method

Add all ingredients to blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy!  Yum!

Avocados are a surprisingly complete food, with fourteen minerals to stimulate growth, including iron and copper for your blood. The sodium and potassium in avocados keeps your body chemically balanced, and their low sugar content and absence of starch make them an ideal fruit for diabetics or hypoglycemics. Vitamins in avocados include A, several B-complex, C, and E, as well as phosphorus and magnesium. They’re also a great source of antioxidants like vitamins E and C.  Furthermore, Avocados contain lutein, which is an antioxidant that is great for the eyes. It helps to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

Due to their density, avocados, like bananas, are filling. They are also a perfectly digestible slow-burning fuel, making them ideal for replenishing nutrients for athletes. They’re a great source of fruit oil and digestible fats. Avocados also contain many other antioxidants that can fight against free radicals in your body that can cause cancer. These antioxidants are so powerful that they can even reverse the signs of aging.

What about the FAT?

Eating avocados in moderation for your fat source is a wise decision. It is very high in nutrients per calorie, meaning that your body will be getting all of its necessary nutrients and you will be feeling full because of the avocados good amount of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Also, eating avocados with other fruits and vegetables will make it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients from those other foods as well. Most of the nutrients are fat soluble nutrients and, well, we’ve already established that avocados contain fat. So eating them together will make for one healthy body!

The high fat content in the avocado nutrition facts is actually a good thing. According to studies done on the use of avocado in a diet to reduce cholesterol, the monounsaturated fat in avocados helps to reduce triglyceride levels and increase HDL, which is the good cholesterol.

Mighty Magnesium - The Key to good health.

Magnesium helps us to relax, and prevents us from getting overly stressed, it is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body—it can be found in human bones, teeth and red blood cells, and activates more enzyme systems than both Iron and Zinc combined. Magnesium is critical in over 350 essential biochemical reactions in the body including digestion, energy production, muscle function, bone formation, creation of new cells, activation of B vitamins, relaxation of muscles, and also assists in the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, adrenals, brain and nervous system.

Magnesium Deficiency

When the body’s cells are depleted of magnesium, the body will start to replace magnesium stores from its own reserves, namely from the bones & the liver.  When the body no longer has the capacity to replace magnesium from its own reserves, the symptoms of magnesium deficiency start to manifest.  Symptoms can range from cramps, muscle twitches, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, as well as migraines & insomnia to name a few.

A magnesium deficiency accompanies a potassium and phosphate deficiency, and in the worst instances, a calcium deficiency is also evident.

Magnesium & Women.

During the menstral cycle, levels of magnesium in the body drop, which can lead to migraine head aches and cramping.  The magnesium found in Cacao, can assist in easing these symptoms, as well as assisting with water retention and weight gain that are caused by low levels of aldosterone which is produced by adrenal gland as resulting of magnesium deficiency .

What can cause magnesium deficiency?

Modern diets & bad eating habits have lead to many people not consuming enough magnesium, however the shortage of magnesium begins with modern day  farming methods whereby crops are artificially fertilised with potassium and nitrogenous fertiliser, which in turn drains the earth of nutrients including magnesium!  Furthermore, modern day processing methods of sugar, grain & salt based foods see more than 80% of magnesium is removed, 38-67% of magnesium is lost through cooking, up to 38% through freezing and up to 99% through refining processes.

A deficiency can also generally be traced to areas in which the soil composition already has a poor magnesium content and consequently less of it is found in the drinking water and food. Australia has the lowest magnesium content in the soil in the world.

Reasons for magnesium deficiency

• Diets that don’t incorporate multiple  nutritional sources
• Diets high in refined foods, such as sugar & white flour
• Food that has a very high calcium content, or is lacking in vitamins B1, B2 & B6
• Excessive Alcohol consumption & smoking
• The use of diuretics and some antibiotics.
• Excessive exercise
• Stressful situations

Cacao & Magnesium

Cacao is a great source of phytonutrients including aminos, protein, omega-3, calcium, zinc, sulphur, copper, potassium, beta-carotene, chromium and magnesium. Cacao is without rival the highest source of magnesium to be found in any food, so rich in it that it has been known to reverse magnesium deficiency.

Mighty Magnesium Smoothie!

4 cups Almond milk

3 tbsp Tonic Superfoods Cacao Powder

1 tbsp Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tbsp Cacao nibs

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

1 tbsp Raw Cashews

1 tbsp Raw Honey – To Sweeten

1 pinch Celtic Sea Salt

½ Tonic Superfoods Vanilla Bean

½ tsp Cayenne Pepper

Blend & Enjoy!

Strong Bones, Strong Body: maintain your bone health with SUPERFOODS

By Bonnie Pockley
Did you know that healthy bone is half as strong as steel in resisting compression and fully as strong as steel in resisting tension?1 Did you also know that the body leeches (resorbs) calcium from bones to control blood calcium levels as calcium is used in an extensive number of the body’s regulatory systems?

Bone ‘resorption’ in offset by bone ‘repair’ to the extent that our thigh bone, for example, is fully replaced every 6 months. The human body does not actually act to preserve the skeleton’s strength and wellbeing but to maintain blood-calcium homeostasis and without adequate nutritional intake our blood calcium levels drop dangerously. Extended periods of low blood calcium levels demineralise our bones so much that they develop large, punched-out-looking holes. Taking a calcium supplements is, however, problematic and will not improve the health of your bones. As calcium supplements are generally made of ground down shell and other hardened or ‘calcified’ forms of the mineral, the calcium content of most supplements isn’t readily available to your body for use. Further more, these forms of calcium actually cause calcification throughout the body, decrease flexibility and exacerbate inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.


Want to maintain functional strength as well as prevent osteoporosis, arthritis and other conditions relating to the deterioration of bone mass?


Did you know that magnesium and silicon play as big a role as calcium in the intracellular balance that is conducive to bone health?


Silicon, in fact, not only reduces the number of bone destroying cells but also partially prevents bone resorption and bone damage. 2 Studies have also shown that with every 100mg supplementation of magnesium (consider here that 50% of the body’s total magnesium is found in bone), bone density increase by 2%! 3






Complete bone health is dependant on a variety of bioavailable vitamins, proteins and minerals: vitamin C, vitamin D, Vitamin A, several minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese) and silicon.


Where do you find the richest source of most of these? Superfoods!


Raw Cacao contains more magnesium, and Camu Camu contains more vitamin C, than any other food substance. Bee Pollen contains high levels of all essential amino acids and bone repairing minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. MSM synthesises and increases the level of silicon that is available to the body. Supplementing your diet with these good quality, organic tonic foods will not only improve your physical well being but improve your performance, strength and endurance during training.






1) Marieb & Hoehn, ‘Human Anatomy and Physiology, Bones and Skeletal tissue, Pearson International Edition, 2010.


2) Silicon: An Overlooked Trace Mineral; www.arthritissupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/739 v8/18/2003


3) Stengler, M. Magnesium Is the Key to Strong Bones, http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/hot_topics.html?aid=38200&sid=hottopo2, 25/9/10

Nuts about Almonds!

One of the first things people start to do when embarking on a new diet is to snack on almonds. Your body needs fuel on an ongoing basis - You want to have a steady stream of fuel throughout the day in order to keep your blood sugar levels balanced, which is what makes almonds a great snack! Did you know that just a small handful of almonds can provide a great amount of essential nutrients? So, what is in that handful of almonds that has the ability to assist in relief from a host of health ailments as well as assisting the aesthetics of your hair, skin & teeth?

Firstly, almonds are a great source of protein, Protein with no cholesterol!  They also contain vitamin E, a valuable antioxidant with many cancer-fighting qualities. It doesn’t stop there, by consuming a small quantity of almonds; you are consuming minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, as well as fibre, calcium and folic acid. Don’t fall for the myth that almonds are fattening - most of the fat in almonds is unsaturated, which is "good" fat.

All of this sounds great, but how will almonds really help you?

Almonds are going to help the health of your heart! The fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to avoid heart attacks. Almonds help reduce C-reactive protein which causes artery-damaging inflammation. Almond is also a source of folic acid. They therefore help to reduce the level of homocystein, which causes fatty plaque buildup in arteries.

The potassium present in almond helps to regulates blood pressure. Almonds are very low in sodium which also helps in containing blood pressure.

Regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and reduce the level of low density lipoproteins (LDL), thereby effectively controlling cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol.

Almonds are rich in fibre. Like most other fibre rich food, almonds also help in preventing constipation.  By assisting movement of food through the colon, this can also assist in the prevention of colon cancer.

Still worried about the fat?

The mono-unsaturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and prevents over-eating. Studies have revealed that almond rich low calorie diet is good for obese people to assist in shedding their weight. Furthermore, The presence of manganese, copper and Riboflavin in almonds helps with energy production, which means you are going to have more energy to exercise!  Almond milk is a great substitute for dairy if you are looking at ways to tweak your diet to aid with weight loss!

Here is a great cake recipe that caters for most (No Gluten, No Dairy, No Wheat, No SUGAR), unfortunately if you have a nut allergy you may want to steer clear though!  Not only does this posess all the benefits of eating almonds, but this cake will provide vitamin C as well! Enjoy!

Middle Eastern (Superfood) Orange & Almond Cake

Ingredients

2 large Oranges

1 tsp Tonic Superfoods Camu Camu Powder

6 eggs

250g whole almonds (don’t use almond meal – blend/crush them yourself!)

200g xylitol

1 tbsp Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder

Method

Wash and boil oranges (unpeeled) in water for 2 hours, don’t cover them with water but keep topping it up so it doesn’t boil dry.
Preheat oven to 190.
Prepare a cake tin with butter or baking paper

Let the oranges to cool, then cut them open and remove pips.
Throw the whole almonds in to a food processor to grind them finely, however a few chunks are good as it will give the cake a slightly crunchy texture.
Take the almonds out of the food processor and then use the processor to blend the oranges & make them quite “pulpy”
Toss the oranges into a bowl with the almonds, then throw in the eggs (beaten) , the xylitol, camu camu & maca powder. Give it a good mix.
Pour in all into the cake tin, preferably one with a removable base
Bake at 190 C or about an hour, or a little longer if still very wet, although a little bit moist is great for this type of cake!

Cold Weather - Comfort Food!

We have all experienced it, the weather gets a bit cold - we crave comfort.  Something warm that is going to make us feel full and happy!  You don't have to throw your clean eating regime out the window to experience this feeling.  Here is one of our nutrient dense, comfort recipes!

Cauliflower Maca Mash

Head of 1 Cauliflower
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Tablespoon Tonic Superfoods Maca Powder
1/4 Cup of Raw Cream
2 Teaspoons of Olive Oil
2 Teaspoons of Organic Butter
Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

Pepper or Fresh Chives to Taste

Chop up the cauliflower and boil in water until soft then drain, add all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth.

Being nutrient dense, eating cauliflower is going to ensure you are consuming Vitamin A, Calcium, Magnesium & Potassium.  If you have read our previous post, you would know that a combination of calcium & magnesium is imperative during any strength training plan, as it allows muscles to relax & contract.
Cauliflower is also a great source of Fibre, Folate, Selenium & Vitamin C - with Vitamin C assisting with increased immune function and the manufacture of collagen; the protein that forms the basis for connective tissue.
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.  Making this Maca/Cauliflower Mash the perfect comfort snack for anyone that takes their training or general health seriously!

Do you have your own website or blog? Check out the Tonic Superfoods Affiliate Program. By spreading the word about Tonic Superfoods on your site, you are not only helping people in their health journey, but you can make money!

The core of your nutrition plan!

To ensure your body is healthy, it requires healthy fuel.  We at Tonic believe that by incorporating the right fuel, the rest will fall into balance.
Tonic was recently lucky enough to have the opportunity to collaborate with Nutritional Coach & Superfoods Enthusiast, Christian Petersen, to create a superfood formulation packed with bio-available (highly digestible) nutrition that will cleanse and rebuild the body.


The Tonic Core has been carefully crafted, with hand picked ingredients to help re-mineralise nutrient deficient bodies.  By consuming mineral rich foods, such as whole-foods, the body is able to make nutrients bio-available through our enzyme systems, and therefore utalise, breakdown and absorb only the minerals it requires.  By giving the body what it needs, cravings for less savory nutrient dense foods will decrease, the body will be better equipped to deal with stress & you will notice increased mental function.


The detox concept has been developed and marketed as a way for people to remediate their grocery sins.  This need for detox arises when people at foods that have been displaced from nature - processed foods.  Processed foods are not compatible with our bodies.  Looking around at civilized people, we can see people surviving on processed foods, however very few are thriving!  The Tonic Core is about thriving! Conventional detox programs cause rapid unsustainable, uncomfortable detox reactions in many people; causing stress to our vital organs.  The Tonic Core is a dietary upgrade, that naturally assists the body in cleansing the way it should be, minimizing organ stress.


With this nutritional philosophy in mind Tonic worked with Christian & chose three ingredients for the Tonic Core, creating a superfood formulation, that can be utalised on its own, incorporated into your current nutrition plan or used as a delivery system incorporated with other nutrient dense superfoods.  The ingredients chosen carefully for the Tonic Core are Raw Cacao, Maca & Mesquite.

Raw Cacao

Cacao is a 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. Chromium is a mineral that is critical for helping us to regulate our blood sugar. It helps our cells to become more sensitive to insulin.  Insulin resistance also known as pre-diabetes is a condition that affects many people living in western countries, whilst Chromium helps us bring insulin levels back into balance, re-sensitizing  our cells to insulin. Our bodies can then utilise glucose (blood sugar) as fuel.  Without balanced blood sugar, our brain function, muscle function and overall well being is affected. Iron is assists with mineral oxygenation of the blood, coupled with the magnesium and therobromine it acts as a vasodilator (vein relaxant). When veins are relaxed, the body better absorbs nutrients and transports oxygen throughout the body.   Raw Cacao is a crucial ingredient of Tonic Core - as it acts as the delivery system & assists in nutrient absorption - assisting with energy production & recovery after training.

Maca

Maca is a key component of Tonic Core.  It comes from the Peruvian Andes, and has been eaten as a staple food in this region for thousands of years.  Maca is a rich source of protein, minerals, plant sterols and di-indol methane.  The adaptogenic properties of Maca are one of the reasons it makes such a great addition to our diet. The various phyto nutrients and alkaloids present are said to help balance our master glands.  It is through this balance that we are able to normalise our hormonal function. Having balanced hormones is critical to optimal health because it will help us to build lean muscle mass, maintain our mood, and feel our best.  For more information about the individual benefits of Maca please read our earlier post on the benefits of Maca.

Mesquite

Mesquite is dense in Zinc, Calcium, Lystine & is also a source of fibre.  By combining the calcium in mesquite with the magnesium in cacao, we are fuelling the body to create strong bones.  The calcium is easily utalised by the body, as it is in wholefood form.  The combination of calcium & magnesium will also give you a competative edge with strength training as the muscles ability to relax & contract is heightened.  Zinc & Lystine assist with immune system function, ensuring the immune system is able to endure the stress placed upon it during strenuous cardiovascular or strength training.  Zinc & Lystine also fuel enzymes/muscle building proteins within the body.  Lystine also assists with calcium absorption.

The Tonic Core program has been designed to work as a foundation for any lifestyle, allowing you to easily incorporate nutrient dense wholefoods in an exciting and fun way.  Start to feel great, increase your energy, mental & physical well-being with Tonic Core.

To purchase the Tonic Core click here.

Do you have your own website or blog?  Check out the Tonic Superfoods Affiliate Program.  By spreading the word about Tonic Superfoods on your site, you are not only helping people in their health journey, but you can make money!

Christian Petersen is available for Nutritional & Superfood consultation and can be contacted by email christianjohnpetersen@gmail.com

 

SUPERFOODS AND WEIGHT LOSS: They keys to your success

By Bonnie Pockley

Everyone whose every tried to lose weight will know that weight loss can be difficult and boring. It’s easy to get frustrated, dejected and defeated. Using Superfoods to lose weight, however, is fun and relatively easy when it’s done holistically. 

Lets take a look at the three elements that are essential to weight loss:

Detoxification:

If you’ve been eating badly, if you eat non-organic meats, unwashed vegies or if you live in a city, your body will be burdened by toxins. If your organs are taxed, your body’s processes of elimination will be compromised and these nasties will be stored in your fat. As most toxins are fat soluble, your body will lay down extra fat stores to ‘house’ extra waste that can’t be metabolised. Toxins, therefore, cannot only make you gain weight but set in motions imbalances in hormonal and digestive function that have broader implications on your ability to lose weight but also in your energy levels.

So what do we do?  TAKE MSM!

TONIC SUPERFOODS' MSM is one of the best agents of detoxification. If you’ve been reading our blog or website you’d already know what we’re talking about. MSM is a naturally occurring sulphur that has both a supportive effect on the boy’s tissue membranes as well as a ‘drawing’ effect on toxins. MSM synthesises collagen that makes cell membrane’s stronger but also more permeable allowing nutrition to enter body tissue and toxin laden fat to flow out. MSM also clears stagnant bile from your liver: the organ responsible for the metabolism of fats and the filtration of what you ingest. MSM is an absolute must for weight loss.

MSM

· Detoxifies cells

· Detoxifies liver

· Increases metabolism of fats

· Synthesises collagen to strengthen cell membranes (this means glowing skin too!)

· Improves digestive function

· Improves immunity

Click here to buy MSM

Hormonal balance:

Hormonal imbalance has an ENORMOUS effect on weight gain. Cortisol, Insulin and Oestrogen are particularly culpable. Cortisol is the ‘stress’ hormone that may be released by environmental, emotional or even physical stressors. Prolonged exercise can even increase levels of cortisol leading to an increase of fat stored around your belly. Oestrogen, similar, stores weight in a particular way. Increased levels of Xenoestrogens (industrial compounds that act like oestrogen in the body but are artificial and unable to be metabolised) lead to weight gain in the lower parts of the body (legs, thigh, hips) and in the bicep area of the arm. Xenoestrogens are toxic to our systems and have been linked to the development of endometriosis, breast cancer and cysts. Xenoestrogens also increase the level of naturally occurring Oestrogen in the body producing what is known as Oestrogen Dominance. Oestrogen Dominance leads to a ‘pudgy’, ‘soft’ appearance because the dominance of this hormone compounds water retention and weight gain. Xenoestrogens are found in plastic wrap, cleaning products and of course it is contained in the contraceptive pill. Oestrogen itself can be found in many foods including tofu, soy, soymilk, chickpeas, non-organic meats and many more.

Insulin is another hormone responsible for weight gain when out of balance. Insulin is secreted when we eat to instigate energy uptake by our cells. To control weight, our insulin levels must be evenly maintained and the GI index system was developed as a way of understanding the ‘spiking’ effect of high sugar foods of our insulin levels. The higher the sugar content of food, the greater the release of insulin which also leads to the greater the amount of energy stored in our bodies as fat. Maintaining these levels in also an important part of preventing diabetes and hyperglycaemia. (high blood sugar levels)

What can you take to balance out fluctuation hormone levels in your body from a variety of different sources?  MACA.

TONICSUPERFOODS' Maca is a root vegetable that naturally balances your endocrine system. Maca is an ‘adaptogen’ so it redresses balance where imbalance exists within the human body. Because the endocrine and central nervous systems are cyclical in nature and are based on fluctuating levels, Maca balances out excessive hormonal levels without negative effect. This means is combats high levels of Cortisol, Oestrogen and regulates Insulin release.  Maca also 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. If you have a lot of weight to lose, Maca will also assist in skin elasticity and the ability of your skin to adjust quickly to the weight loss.

MACA

· Contains a high level of nutrition

· Balances out adverse levels of cortisol, oestrogen and insulin

· Supports your endocrine and central nervous systems

· Helps to manage stress

Click here to buy MACA

Nutrition:

The final, but one of the most important components of weight-loss is nutrition. Today’s food lacks the mineral and vitamin content is once had. Depleted soils through increased harvesting and farming mean that our food literally lacks vitality and nourishment. Unfortunately, we still require the same recommended dietary intake of nutrition that we always have and yet it seems unavailable to us through ordinary means. Our body’s regulation of food is, to a large extent, based on blood levels of nutrition and when they are inadequate we crave more food. This means we eat more. Good nutrition also means we don’t store excess weight.  In order to avoid cravings, excess weight from ‘empty’ food we needs to supplement our diets with Superfoods: nutrient rich foods.

Two of the best of these are TONIC SUPERFOODS BEE POLLEN and TONIC SUPERFOODS RAW CACAO.  

Cacao is the richest food source of magnesium and with an anti-oxidant (ORAC) score of 95500 – 14 times more than red wine – it is also the richest source of antioxidants and bioflavonoid. High levels of sulphur in Cacao act in a similar way to MSM by detoxifying the liver and supporting silicon synthesis. Assisting in immunity, tissue regeneration and protection as well as balancing brain chemistry and function, the benefits of Cacao in your diet also extends from a physical to an emotional level: Cacao contains Amantadine (the bliss chemical), Phenyl ethylamine (PEA – the chemical released when we are in love) and MAO inhibitors (suppress appetite and release serotonin). 

When you feel good, you find it easier to train, easier to reach your goals and easier to keep going with your dietary plans. Bee Pollen contains all 10 essential amino acids (but up to 22 depending on plant origin), 59 trace minerals and is about 20% protein. As a complete protein, Bee Pollen is favourably comparable to equal weights of meat, eggs and cheese with 5-7 times more bioavailable protein and amino acid content. This makes Bee Pollen an ideal component to nuts both gastronomically and as a high protein on-the-go snack.  Bee Pollen also contains high levels of B vitamins (used directly in energy production) as well as significant levels of Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon and Sulphur. It also has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-histamine effect on the body. Both are excellent forms of comprehensive nutrition.

CACAO

· Is the richest food source of magnesium

· Contains sulphur which not only detoxifies the body but is used in most of its processes

· Is high in bioflavonoids

· Is the richest food source of antioxidants with an ORAC value of 99500

Click here to buy RAW CACAO

BEE POLLEN:

· High in Protein

· Contains significant levels of vitamin B, calcium, Chloride, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon and Sulphur.

· Contains all essential amino acids (the building blocs of all cells)

· Has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and an anti-histamine effect on the body.

Click here to buy BEE POLLEN

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.

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