So now that I've got your attention I would like to educate you about a cruciferous, root vegetable grown in the high altitudes of the Peruvian Andes that has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. Yes, you guessed it, it's Lepidium meyenii, known to the rest of us as maca. This high nutrient packed vegetable is full of calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium, phosphorous, amino acids, Vitamin B1, B2, B12, C and E. Talk about packed. This helps with mood balance, libido, energy, endurance, strength, memory and can even help us with stress. Yes please! What is interesting about the food is that it grows high up in the mountains where plant a dramatic temperature fluctuation ranging about 40 degrees and changing around every 4-6 hours. Interesting enough, it has been found that maca may help your skin withstand extreme weather conditions. Go figure. What is true of this awesome plant may be true for us human beings. What if you are traveling from a very cool to a very warm one? This superfood might be a good in-flight snack for you. Once you get to that tropical place, Maca can help you with something else, UV protection. It has been shown to scavenge free radicals and to protect cells from oxidative stress. Maybe it's time to add it to your smoothie because it's got a taste like none other! It has a delicious carmel malt flavor so it mixes great in drinks and desserts. Please be aware when combining maca with high heat because it will loose its benefits if you go to crazy with the flame.
Note: When consuming maca for the first time start small with a teaspoon(5 grams) and see how you feel.
Alexa Gray