Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on a mission to become a smoothie ninja. My relationship with my blender can only be described as a roller coaster of poo hued nutrient dense cocktails and fish tank tasting mug meals with the occasional victory of creating a beverage that I actually wanted to drink. Read more about my journey here. 

This recipe, however, was the result of successfully conquering a craving for a chocolate milkshake. It crushed my lusty desire for a rich, creamy and indulgent shake without the gut busting price tag and even offered up some healthy libido boosting qualities to boot! 

This tasty little treat features the Peruvian superfood maca. Studies have found that this nutritious little tuber can help add a little sass to your bedroom parties.

The Incas were said to feed maca to warriors before heading into battle to increase energy and stamina. However, after the battle they were prohibited from consuming it to save the women from their sexual impulses.

But if you’ve ever headed into your local health food store looking to score some boner boosting maca, you may have left empty handed after getting confused with all the options. It comes in raw, gelatinized, capsules, liquids, powders and not to mention all the different colours. So to help you navigate the overwhelming aisle of Maca, here’s a rundown on what to look for:

Raw or Gelatinized?

Raw Maca is processed at a low heat therefore it retains high levels of enzymes and nutrients. However, raw maca contains a high number of long chain starches that the body has a hard time breaking down which can cause digestive upset (gas & bloating). So if your tummy is a sensitive Sally, I’d recommend trying gelatinized maca over raw. Because if you’re looking to spice things up in the bedroom, nothing makes the mood fizzle quicker than a Windy Walter or a Bloated Betty.

Gelatinized maca is quickly heated to break down those long chains of starches, making it much easier to digest and absorb all that nutrient goodness. Because of the short heating times, it retains many of the health promoting enzymes and nutrients.

Red, Black or Yellow?

Each colour of maca is said to offer up different benefits. Here’s a brief breakdown to help you decide which one best suits your needs:

Bonus: No matter which colour you choose, Maca is an adaptogen that helps support our adrenal glands and their ability to fight off/deal with stress. It also helps boost energy and immunity by offering up a super sized dose of essential minerals, essential fatty acids and phyto-chemicals. 

Mocha Maca Love Shake

2017-05-02 21:11:05

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Ingredients

1. 4 Frozen Bananas
2. 3 Tbsp Dandy Blend Coffee Substitute
3. 2 Heaping Tbsp Raw Cacao
4. 2 tsp. Maca Powder
5. 2 Cups Non-dairy milk or choice (Coconut, almond, rice etc…)
6. 1 Tbsp Raw Cacao Nibs (optional)
7. 2 Cherries (because everything looks decadent with a cherry on top)

Instructions

1. Toss al ingredients in a high-powered blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. This recipe serves 2 because love is always better when it’s shared
4. Share the love and enjoy!

Notes

1. *You could add a protein powder and a handful of greens to this for a healthy, well-rounded breakfast smoothie. But I chose not to this time, because sometimes you just need a treat!

Heather Allen http://www.heatherallen.ca/