SubscribeCategories
All
ARCHIVES
|
⇠ Back To Blog
Maca Morning Motivator Smoothie2/8/2022 Maca, which is found in the high Andes mountains of central Peru, has been touted as a superfood for its multiple health benefits. It’s been eaten as a medicinal plant for over 3,000 years to boost libido, strength, and stress. Today I’m sharing with you my Maca Morning Motivator Smoothie recipe which takes advantage of one other benefit maca provides – increased energy. What is Maca? The maca plant is a cruciferous vegetable known scientifically as Lepidium Meyenii. It contains 133% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C as well as other nutrients such as vitamin B6, manganese, copper, potassium, and iron. One ounce (28 grams) of maca root powder contains 4 grams of protein and only 20 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fat. It also contains bioactive plant compounds like polyphenols. The powder form can provide stable energy without the jitters you get with caffeine. It has a slightly sweet, nutty, and earthy taste, which makes it ideal for smoothies or blended drinks. Aside from this smoothie recipe, I like to enjoy it in iced coffee and lattes, but it also works well in baked goods, energy bars, and oatmeal. Where can you get it? You can find maca powder in your local health food store in the supplements section and through online retailers. If you’re new to maca, consult your doctor to see if it’s right for you, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have thyroid problems. Also, start with a small amount, such as half a teaspoon to see how your body reacts to it. Blending Tip If you find your blender doesn’t give you that smooth consistency you want, make sure you add the liquid to the blender first. Doing this allows the blender to pull down the ice and other ingredients into a “vortex” for a better, smoother blend. For easy cleanup, fill your blender with about a cup of water and a few drops of dish detergent. Cover and blend. The action will easily scrub bits off the inside of the carafe. Empty the contents, give it a good rinse, and enjoy the time you saved with this quick cleanup tip. Personally, I love my BlendTec blender. Easy Swaps If you have nut allergies or dislike the taste of almond milk, you can substitute with coconut milk. Want to skip the vanilla protein powder but still want some sweetness? Try substituting a banana, two pitted Medjool dates or a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Storage I highly doubt you’ll have any leftover, but if you want to whip up a big batch in advance, it will keep well in the fridge for a day or two. Store it in the blender carafe so you can easily remix it just before serving. Alternatively, pour individual servings into mason jars and shake well before drinking. Mason jars also make it super easy to travel with or take to work. Maca Morning Motivator Smoothie This maca smoothie is rich and chocolatey but packed with superfoods to give you a boost of energy to kickstart your day. Prep Time: 1 minute Cook Time: 1 minute Servings: 1 Ingredients:
Directions:
If you’ve tried one of my recipes, leave a comment and let me know what you think. Shared it on social media? I would love to see it! Tag your post with #RealLifeOutlawBlog, so I can find it. Be Well & Thrive! With Love & In Health, Sarah Outlaw, MH, MSACN
⇠ Back To Blog
Basil-Thyme Vinaigrette2/8/2022 When your diet consists mostly of vegetables, fats, and proteins, you tend to eat a lot of salads! A good dressing is a must-have. Store-bought dressings, even the organic ones always contain less-than-desirable oils, so it is always best to make your own. Canola, vegetable oil etc. are not as healthy as we’ve all been led to believe. I prefer olive oil for salad dressing. This dressing recipe has been my family’s favorite favorite for a long time. I’ve posted it before, but have revamped it a bit so that it is even more amazing. Fresh herbs are a must for this dressing. While dried herbs work, they are not the same. It tastes like a completely different dressing. Still delicious, but different. With fresh herbs of basil and thyme, it tastes like summer. It’s tangy, and slightly sweet. The recipe calls for 1-3 cloves of garlic. I would start with one and then add more if you feel you need more. It tends to get more garlicky the longer it’s in the refrigerator so less is usually better. My kids love this dressing as long as I don’t load it up with too much garlic. 6 sprigs of thyme is 6 of the sprigs shown in the photo. I throw the whole thing in. My blender takes care of the stalk. If you don’t have a high powered blender, you may want to remove the thyme leaves prior to blending. You can also use a food processor for this recipe. There is honey in this recipe. This is a problem for a lot of people who are completely off sugars. It is such a small amount that it is *usually* okay. Not always, but usually. Ingredients:
Instructions:
This basil-thyme vinaigrette will quickly become your favorite dressing. You will get complimented on how delicious it is and get recipe requests. Trust me! 🙂 Be nourished. Be happy. Enjoy!
⇠ Back To Blog
5 DIY All-Natural Detox Body Scrubs2/8/2022 Introducing self-care into your weekly and even daily routine is important. It’s more than just applying a face mask or reading a book. Self-care is about taking care of you and your mental health. It provides you with time to relax and reflect. So, I invite you to take a break to pamper yourself with one of my DIY all-natural detox body scrubs and treat yourself to some self-care. What Is a Body Scrub? If you’ve never used a body scrub, you’re in for a treat. Scrubs are a fabulous way for you to exfoliate your skin. Not only do they leave you flake-free, but they also revitalize your skin by encouraging blood flow to the areas you are massaging. Additionally, body scrubs help purify and detox your skin by drawing out impurities like dirt and excess oil, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed. Body Scrub Benefits Outside elements can take a toll on our skin. Whether you live in a cool or warm climate, environmental stressors can irritate the skin. And when our skin experiences drastic changes in temperatures, it can get stressed, lose moisture, and become dry, itchy, and even sore. In warmer climates, your skin can produce excess sebum (oil) as a result of perspiration and dry skin. In cooler climates, skin tends to become red from cold air and windburn. Regardless of temperature, we must take care of our skin, our body’s largest organ, and make sure it gets the nourishment it needs. Treating your skin to a detox body scrub can be the perfect fix to these problems. Soothing Ingredients Commercial body scrubs are often filled with chemical irritants and toxins like synthetic fragrances, color dyes, and harsh exfoliators. These ingredients can cause an allergic reaction, damage to the skin, and further irritation. When you make your own, you can skip the toxins and use more nourishing and protective ingredients. My all-natural body scrubs are packed full of exactly that, with no chemicals or preservatives. And they’re made with things you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, you can make them in just ten minutes or less. Tips Here are some tips to keep in mind for creating your own body scrubs. Essential Oils Be aware when using essential oils as over-scenting your products can cause irritation and contact dermatitis. Shelf-Life Your scrub should last between one to three months or a maximum of one week if you’re using fresh produce. Use them within this timeframe for the best results. Storage You can store your scrubs in a mason jar or air-tight, BPA-free container and keep them in the shower. I find it helpful to add a label to the container with the name of what you made and the date you made it. Organic and Non-GMO To get the best results from these scrubs, use organic produce, 100% pure essential oils and extracts, and non-GMO ingredients. |