Connect with us

Self Sufficiency

Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Want more homesteading tricks, tips and tidbits? Click here to sign up NOW! We'll even throw in some FREE Survival Seeds Playing Cards!

Maca powder has taken its place among the most popular superfoods like ginseng, chia seeds, acai berries, and maybe will even surpass them all. Maca powder’s celebrated health benefits include mood and memory improvement, energy boosting, and improving fertility and sexual function. Read on to find out more!

Maca Powder Could Be Your New Best Friend!

I’ve long known for a fact “food is medicine” and “we are what we eat”. Following a recent hormonal and stress-related health issue, I went on self-help mode researching what foods to avoid and what to imbibe. Surprisingly, this superfood maca, widely cultivated in the Andean highlands, is creating quite a stir online. While superfood is a word thrown around so often you can’t help wonder if it’s just hyped up too much, the reviews for this food item are really amazing–I just had to try it. Learn more about maca powder, why you should start considering it for your diet and as a potential part of your survival food stash!

1. Highly Nutritious

Highly Nutritious | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Highly Nutritious | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Maca powder is highly regarded as a superfood for its high nutritional content. It has been found to contain five times more protein than potatoes and four times more fiber in root form. Maca powder also contains significant or a good amount of the following:

  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Iodine
  • Copper
  • Sodium
  • Sulphur
  • Calcium
  • Selenium
  • Potassium
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Vitamins B-1, B-2, C, and E
  • Unique compounds like as Macaenes and Macamides
  • Over 20 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids
  • 20 free-form fatty acids (such as linoleic, lauric, stearic acid, oleic, and palmitic acid)

2. Boost Energy And Endurance

Boost Energy And Endurance | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Boost Energy And Endurance | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Many consumers of maca powder share a feeling of positive energy and drive. Unlike coffee, maca powder boosts energy without the jittery feeling and nervous anxiety–common effects of caffeine. Apparently, maca has the ability to enhance the function of the adrenaline gland and balance blood sugar levels. These, in turn, boost stamina and endurance, which is ideal for athletes and those who want to lose weight through cardio exercise. In fact, maca is quite popular among athletes and people who work out.

3. Boost Sexual Health And Aids In Fertility

Boost Sexual Health and Aids In Fertility | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Boost Sexual Health and Aids In Fertility | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Some people will spare no expense to get pregnant. Others spend big bucks just to better please their partners sexually. If you’re on that track, try maca powder first and you may not have to break the bank on fertility treatments and enhanced sexual performance aids. One of maca powder’s reputed abilities is boosting libido both in men and women. It’s probably attributed to its ability to help increase serotonin, a feel-good hormone. Maca powder is also believed to aid in stabilizing the estrogen level in the body. A balanced estrogen level increases reproductive ability and fertility in women.

4. Improves Memory And Mood

Improves Memory And Mood | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Improves Memory And Mood | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

With increased energy and drive, you may notice an uptick in good mood and extra energy. Increased physical activity through workouts and sports produces endorphins–a natural pain and stress-fighting brain chemical. One other benefit of maca is the ability to regulate the hypothalamus and help the pituitary gland to function properly which in turn helps increase focus and improve memory.

5. Immune Booster

Immune Booster | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your DietImmune Booster | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Adaptogens are plants with the ability to promote our well-being without side effects. Maca is given a prominent distinction in this group along with ginseng, holy basil, ashwagandha, and astragalus roots. Have you heard about the hormone cortisol, that devil responsible for stress and everything bad in our body? Well, adaptogens, especially maca, help protect and balance the chemical make-up in our bodies and restore normal functions. Thus, helping boost our immune system–our body’s first line of defense.

6. It’s An Antioxidant

It's An Antioxidant | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

It's An Antioxidant | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Glutathione is an important plant and animal component which helps fight free radicals. Maca roots act as a natural antioxidant, boosting the levels of glutathione in our body. Say bye-bye to high levels of bad cholesterol with maca powder. Given this fact, maca powder users have also reported improvement in their hair and skin health. You can even use maca powder as a sun protection by directly applying it to the skin.

7. Maca Stores Long

Maca Stores Long | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Maca Stores Long | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Maca roots, when dried, will store for as long as seven years. Store-bought maca powder, on the other hand, can also last a good two years at room temperature and two and a half years in the fridge. Maca roots is an acquired taste, so with continued and supervised use, you’ll develop the taste for it. In any survival situation, maca powder in your food supply or stock can be a lifesaver.

8. Anti-Cancer Properties

Anti-Cancer Properties | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Anti-Cancer Properties | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Maca is a cruciferous vegetable the same as cabbage, watercress, and broccoli or the other brassicas. They are a family of vegetables with natural glucosinolate component, known to have health-promoting properties specifically in preventing some forms of cancer. Incidentally, maca roots contain a higher percentage of this cancer-fighting compound compared to other veggies from the group.

9. Aids In Hormone Balance

Aids In Hormone Balance | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Aids In Hormone Balance | Maca Powder Magic | Why Add This Superfood To Your Diet

Hormones play an important role in regulating bodily functions from respiration, sleep, stress, feelings, temperature, movement, and reproduction. Maca is said to help stabilize hormonal balance by helping the endocrine system. Other benefits of maca powder are to help with hormone balance that relieves symptoms of PMS and Menopause.

Although the health benefits of maca powder and its medical potential have yet to be fully studied, the fact remains, maca is indeed highly nutritious. Well, don’t just take our word for it–ask around about maca, especially from health professionals. While maca has been safely consumed for thousands of years, it is still best to consume it with caution. Listen to your body and discontinue use if you don’t take well to it. Better yet, consult health experts first before you go obsessing over maca powder.

Find out more about the notable health benefits of maca roots in this video:

Now you know the amazing health benefits of maca powder so the next time you whip up a smoothie, make sure to add a spoonful. I, on the other hand, add it to my breakfast meals to get me going. Enjoy the nutritional and health benefits of maca powder!

What do you think about maca powder as a superfood? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section below!

Up Next: 25 Homemade Granola Recipes You Will Crave For Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner

SubscribeSubscribe

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Suggested Videos

This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article

Continue Reading

Self Sufficiency

NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.

The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.

The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.

“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”

The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller

This Article Was Originally Posted On dailycaller.com Read the Original Article here

Continue Reading

Self Sufficiency

How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!

This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.

So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?

RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead

Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know

Why Make Sauerkraut?

|

Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.

So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
  • 1 tablespoon of salt

Tools Needed:

  • knife
  • bowl
  • mason jar
  • smaller jar
  • rubber band

Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients



Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.

You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.

Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.

Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips



Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.

Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt



Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.

TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.

RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Step 4: Massage the Cabbage



Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.

TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.

Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar



Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.

IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.

Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar



You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.

Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.

Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band



Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.

Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily

Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.

Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures

Homemade Sauerkraut Cumin Juniper | How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.

NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.

You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.

Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut

  • Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
  • Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
  • Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
  • If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.

Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!

So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.

What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!

Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!

UP NEXT:

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Comments

comments

Suggested Videos

This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article

Continue Reading

Self Sufficiency

9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN

Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!

RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide

In this article:

  1. Tomato
  2. Eggplant
  3. Beet
  4. Spinach
  5. Pea
  6. Carrot
  7. Radish
  8. Cauliflower
  9. Asparagus

Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!

Tomato

Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.

Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.

Eggplant

Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?

Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.

Beets

Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.

If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.

Spinach

Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!

Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.

Pea

Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.

Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.

Carrot

There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.

They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.

Radish

A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.

Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.

Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.

Asparagus

Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!

Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.

All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!

So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!

UP NEXT

Comments

comments

Suggested Videos

This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article

Continue Reading

Trending