Some of you are hesitant about doing the maca. I get it. Another powder for the cupboard... No worries! I've got an alternative made from spices you can find in your kitchen.
But first another public service announcement about coffee.
If you're having your vitamins with your morning coffee - stop wasting your money.
Why?
Coffee puts your body in "fight or flight" mode -- which means that digestion is halted to get your body ready to go-go-go. So that gorgeous breakfast you had full of nutrients won't be digested and absorbed properly.
And as for your multivitamin -- here's what caffeine does to just a few of those vitamins and minerals:
- Caffeine inhibits the amount of calcium absorbed through the intestinal tract.
- Caffeine inhibits vitamin D absorption, which also negatively impacts calcium absorption in the bones, resulting in an increased risk for osteoporosis.
- Caffeine interferes with the body's absorption of iron, which is necessary for red blood cell production and strong energy levels.
- And because caffeine is a diuretic, it means you're going to wee out all your lovely water-soluble vitamins, like VitC and your Bs. That really sucks VitC and B are crucial for you to cope with stress.
So caffeine messes with your blood sugar, give you brittle bones and depletes you of the nutrients you need to build your energy reserves and cope with stress.
As an alternative -- why not try this nourishing and energy boosting drink:
- 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk (or nut milk of your choice)
- 1 tspn cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tspn turmeric powder
- 1/2 tspn ginger powder
- dash of black pepper (to help your body absorb the turmeric)
- 1 tspn coconut oil (if you don't like coconut oil, try a bit of butter)
- 1/4 tspn vanilla extract
- stevia or a bit of honey to sweeten (optional)
Put all the ingredients in a small pot and whiz with a hand-held blender, then warm.
The benefits are amazing:
- In Chinese medicine pungent spices such as these stimulate & warm the body.
- Cinnamon in particular is amazing for stimulating your kidneys which in turn, energize your life essence!
- In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is the staple anti-inflammatory spice used for treating cancer, irritable bowel, cold sores, eczema and arthritis. It's also rich in iron, zinc and B-vitamins - all stress fighting nutrients.
You CAN do better than coffee. Rise & Shine!
Thrive Nutrition Practice launches in Spring 2016