MACA ROOT IS THE NEW V-DAY GIFT.

First of all, please allow me to set the scene for you right now.

I'm chillin in the most comfortable robe I've ever felt (it's 150.00 if you want to take it home...l'm kinda considering???) at the ACE HOTEL in downtown LA for the coolest event I've ever been invited to. 

I'm probably going to do an entire blog for the event so don't worry, I'll keep you in the loop BUT while I have some downtime right now in between this mornings brunch and tonights run, I want to talk to you guys about MACA powder. 

I placed an order with MRM again the other day to re stock on pre workout and L-Carnitine (which I also brought with me today so I can take it before today and tomorrow's run haha, seriously HATE working out without them), AND I looked into MRM's superfood powders. 

I saw that they have Maca root powder which I haven't really experimented with yet but I've been hearing a lot of about it.

Two days later it was at my front door and the day after that I was hooked. 

I put a TBS of it into my smoothie that I've been taking with me to work and drank it throughout my shift. 

Now, if you read my last blog, then you know that my smoothie is already pretty stocked with lots of vitamins, minerals, collagen and other goodies but I could still notice a difference this time around. 

Without knowing anything about it, the first thing I noticed was that I was EXTRA focused but had lots of energy (someone actually asked me if I took an adderall HA! No.)

I got home and was still loaded with energy so I dove into Google to get alllll the deets. 

The first thing I read besides Maca being one of the worlds few SUPERFOODS is that some of it's primary benefits include:

POSITIVE EFFECT ON HORMONE BALANCE,  ENERGY LEVELS AND HEALTH BOOSTER. 

So I wasn't crazy about feeling energy.

Now I was intrigued by the hormone balance...which is why I put this blog in the girl section. PREPARE...TO THANK ME ;)

Maca root has been historically known as a very potent aphrodisiac that increases fertility in both men and women, balances hormones, boosts the immune system, increases stamina and improves sexual function, memory and focus. 

This article says that "Consuming Maca often makes people feel more "alive", energetic, and leaves them with a sense of well-being, all of which are thought to be due to it's ability to restore proper hormone balance and elevate "feel good" endorphins. Another benefit of Maca is it's relatively high amount of absorbable plant-based nutrients, including protein, fiber, calcium and magnesium, among others".

I personally know that this is something that I'm going to have everyday now thanks to it's nutritional benefits. As a vegetarian, I kind of have to search for other foods that will supply me with enough vitamins and minerals since I lack iron, magnesium, and of course my protein mainly comes from protein shakes and beans.

Maca offers me PLENTY of nutrients including but not limited to over 20 amino acids, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc and 20 free-form fatty acids. 

After doing some research I found that there is no set serving size for consuming Maca, but most people suggest starting with 1 TBS because it does give you energy (which is why a lot of people like to have it before a work out) and then you can work your way up to 2-3 TBS a day. 

Want the specifics? Here's some more 411. 

TOP 3 MACA ROOT BENEFITS: 

1. MENOPAUSE, CRAMPS, PERIOD BS.

As I've already mentioned a million times, Maca root helps balance our hormones. An unbalance in our hormones is basically why we feel like we're on a psycho girl roller coaster when we're on our periods. We cry watching any commercial, reconsider being vegetarian for an in-n-out burger and hate everyone then love everyone. 

I think we would all love some balance during that time yeah? Ha, shit. 

2. INCREASED SEXUAL LIBIDO:

Maca increases the sexual libido in women, most likely due to it's ability to raise serotonin levels " the feel good hormone". It also restores the health of our adrenal and thyroid glands which regulate A TON of our feelings including stress levels and appetite. 

3. ENERGY, MEMORY AND MOOD. 

People that regularly use maca report that they feel more driven, awake and energized which I can DEFINITELY vouch for. Since the Maca decreases levels of anxiety and depression, it is easier to maintain a stable level of positivity! And unlike coffee, it gives you a FOCUSED energy that doesn't give you jitters, AND it lasts longer. 

I put it in my coffee this morning and it was actually really good! It has a slightly nutty and sweet flavor ALTHOUGH, try to only use it with COLD recipes. So use it in a cold brew, smoothie or on yogurt for example. Pairing it with HOT recipes takes away from it's nutrients. 

DON"T FORGET!!

You can save 40% on the Maca Powder I'm using from MRM-USA simply by buying it here from MRM and using my code CHELSEY at check out! Make sure you spell it with a "Y" and not an "A" haha. 

ENJOY!!

HOW TO EAT HEALTHY WHEN YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND

I think we all know how this goes right? You eat like a bird when you're just talking, then you eat like a born again 15 year old once you've been dating, and then you try to figure out the 'when', 'how' and 'why' of nothing fitting you anymore. 

Classic.

Damn boys. And it's so EASY at first right? You're still going on your first couple of dates so you order appetizers as entrées or just stick to a salad and a drink, my fav. 

Then something happens as time goes on where eventually you're both hungry, you could go for light bite but he says he's hungry for a beer and a burger and suddenly...SHIT. YOU ARE TOO.

Next thing you know you're just two guys sitting at the bar ordering 3 beers each and french fries and wings and you don't even eat meat.

UGH BUT WE SECRETLY LOVE EATING ALL THE SHIT, DON'T WE? WE REALLY REALLY DO.

I feel like there comes a point where we realize that they love the shit out of us and forget that we're supposed to care about our bodies. French fries? YES. Dark beer? DOUBLE YES. Veggie Burger with the bun even though I'm full from the second beer. HELL MF YES.

SO. After a few months of that I realized I had to get my life together and stop eating like a 6 foot man. 

But seriously, enjoy that time while it lasts because it definitely is a huge cheat card (the whole falling in love thing) and it's glorious. We're supposed to enjoy drinks and fatty foods and pancakes with them on Sunday mornings. But not for forever.

Now, here's what you need to do. You need to get them into eating healthy foods. That's it. Here's how. 

1.

MAKE THEM HEALTHY FOOD THAT'S NOT BORING.

Breakfast for example. At some point you need to stop eating out every single day and actually start eating at home. Half the battle with THAT is being able to feed them something that will actually be satisfying. I can personally totally get by in the morning with bullet proof coffee and toast or a piece of fruit and be chillin, but that's me. 

Boys don't really dig that too much.

SO, I started making my boyfriend egg sandwiches in the morning and he's obsessed. It's so easy you guys and honestly, I'm obsessed with them too so give it a try. 

- 2 pieces of Dave's Killer Bread

- 4 eggs

- 1/2 an avocado

- Small handful of Spinach

- 1 TBSP Vegan "Mayo" Spread (trader joe's)

Just cook the eggs in coconut oil, throw the bread in the toaster, add the avocado and spinach to a piece of bread and throw it all together. SO EASY. 

2.

DON'T TELL THEM YOUR SECRETS

If he likes spaghetti covered in sodium and fat filled pasta sauce, try making a slight adjustment like swapping out the white pasta noodles with whole grain pasta noodles. Tell him it's all the store had or something, who cares. Then grab a healthy organic marinara sauce, top it all with some mozzarella style vegan almond cheese and shredded basil and call it a day. They're just going to see that it's pasta, and eat it. 

ALSO my curry cauliflower rice is the best because it's filling and they think they're eating rice, it's perfect. 

Then after he admits that he likes it you can tell him it's healthy so he can just fucking accept the fact that he likes it. Or don't, whatever.

3.

TAKE HIM TO HEALTHY PLACES

If he's asking you where you want to eat and you always leave it up to him, then you can't get mad that your only options are pizza and cream filled soups. Take him somewhere where they have LOADS of healthy options. He really needs to understand how good a veggie burger is or a vegan mushroom quesadilla. SO GOOOOD. 

4.

MAKE HIM CURIOUS

If he's unwilling to try your healthy stuff, say F it and just do it for yourself. Then make small little mentions like, "I was starting to get sick but I had 3 green juices and it went away". Or "MMMMMM this bullet proof coffee is SOOOO good". You say that every morning and soon enough they'll be asking for some.

5. 

IF ALL ELSE FAILS. LET HIM ORDER THE SHIT FOOD

Okay this is actually kind of a plus. This is what I do. If we go out to eat and I want the pasta but I know I'm going to order the salad, then you point out how good the pasta looks, then they order it, and you can steal a few bites without having to finish the whole entree. Best of both worlds. 

Any other tips? Leave them below!