More Antioxidants!

Today I am going to finish out the Antioxidant section of the Shakeology ingredients. This list is completed with grape seed extract, green tea, Maca root, and pomegranate. So lets start with grape seed extract.

Grape Seed Extract

To obtain the grape seeds used for grape seed extract are generally obtained from wine manufacturers. Grapes and their leaves have been used since ancient Greece for medicinal purposes. Grape Seed Extract is used to treat conditions that are related to the heart and blood vessels, some include high blood pressure, high cholesterol or poor circulation. This can also be used to treat complications related to diabetes, nerve and eye damage, vision problems and swelling after an injury or surgery. Grape Seed is also used  for cancer prevention and wound healing.

Green Tea
Green Tea is produced from the Camellia sinesis plant which is the same plant that produces black and oolong teas. The difference is in the ways the tea is produced. To make the green tea the plant is steamed. The extract that is looked for in  green tea is the component EGCG, which has been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers including breast, stomach and skin cancers. Some other uses for green tea are: improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels and protecting skin from sun damage.

Maca Root
Maca is grown in the high Andes of Peru and the fleshy root is used a vegetable and also as a medicinal herb. Maca when dried has the nutritional value of rice and wheat, which is a compostioion fo 60% carbohydrate, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber and 2.2% fats.  It also has essential minerals such as selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Maca is reported to have beneficial effects for sexual function which could be attributed to  the high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients.

Pomegranate
Pomegranate is  a fruit that grows on trees or shrubs that are between 5 and 8 meters tall. They are native to the Himalayas in North Pakistan and Northern India. Pomegranate contain 16% of an adults daily vitamin C requirement as well as a good source of vitamin B5, potassium and polyphenols. They are high in fiber and unsaturated oils found in the seeds.  Some labratory research has found that pomegranate maybe able to reduce heart disease risk factors.


That concludes the look at the antioxidants that are found in Shakeology. I will be starting the looking at the Phytonutrients or Green Super Foods on Friday. Until then if you are interested in trying Shakeology you can visit My Shakeology site or email me at balancinglifeandlove@gmail.com.

Have a great day and Healthy meals!

Mocha Strawberry Cheesecake Shakeology

Mocha Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

1 Packet Chocolate Shakeology

4oz Almond Milk

4oz Water

5 Frozen Strawberries

1/4 cup Ricotta

1/4 cup Greek Yogurt

2 tsp instant decaf coffee

Place in a blender  and blend until smooth. Add more ice if desired, but if you use frozen strawberries it generally comes out to a nice milkshake consistency. 

 I hope you enjoy. I know I will enjoy this again it is fast becoming one of my favorites. 

Antioxidants

Good Evening! Who is ready for another day of whats in your drink. The last two days I went through the proteins that are found in Shakeology and now I am moving on to the antioxidants.  But what do antioxidants do?  Antioxidants protect the body from the effects of Free Radicals and people use them to treat or prevent medical conditions such as, coronary heart disease, some cancers, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and some conditions related to arthritis. Antioxidants are continued to be researched as a treatment for these diseases. Lets get on with the ingredients,

Acai Berry

Acai Berry is a reddish, purple fruit which grows in Central and South America on the acai palm tree. Acai contains anthocyanins and flavonoids. These are both very powerful antioxidants which help defend life stressors as well as helping with the cell protection system. Acai Berries are said to have more antioxidants than  cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries.


Acerola Cherry
Acerola Cherry or if you would rather Cherry can be found all over, from Barbados, Puerto Rico and grows on a small shrub in South and Central America as well as in the southern United states. These Cherries are sought after because of their many health benefits and for good reason, they contain more vitamin C than any other fruits. Vitamin C is important because it forms collagen, skin, blood vessels, and muscles as well as helping  to heal wounds and keeping bone and teeth healthy. As well as containing vitamin C it also contain compounds called anthocyanins which have antioxidant properties and like the Acai Berry these can help lower the risk of heart disease, enhance memory function, protect developing fetal brain tissue, acts as and anti-inflammatory, helps to regulate blood sugar and reduces the risks and effects of obesity.
Bilberry

The Bilberry is a relative of the blueberry and is indigenous to North America. Some of the health benefits are for your eyes and the cardiovascular system.  These contain anthocyanosides which have antioxidant properties. In Europe Bilberry extract is used to treat chronic venous insufficiency, which is when the valves in the leg veins that carry blood are damaged which can result in leg swelling, pain, itching, varicose veins and skin ulcers. This berry works to strengthen blood vessels and decrease these symptoms.
The anthocyanosides are also used to prevent blood clots. Traditional European medicine also use  bilberry for the treatment of diarrhea, because it contains tannins which reduce intestinal inflammation.

Camu -Camu
Information on Camu -Camu can be found here.


Goji Berry 
Goji information can be found here.

Well that concludes the investigation of the ingredients today, but again if this has peaked your interest in Shakeology you can visit me here and order some today.

Wishing you a Healthy Happy Wonderful Day,

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to treat, diagnose or act in any way as your personal doctors opinion. I am simply providing the information as a way to inform you and myself. 

So what Else you got in that drink?

Welcome back it is day two of figuring out what we are drinking in that glorious chocolate drink.  Ok I may be a little biased because I have lost weight drinking Shakeology, reduced the amount of  hair I lose, have stronger faster growing nails and I am regular.  So but what else is in her that helps the body out so much? What is so different about adding Shakeology into my diet even though I generally meet my daily intake of fruits in veggies without this shake. So to know better what is being put in my body and to share this information with you I am researching each ingredient. Yesterday I started with the sources of Protein which came in the form of Amaranth and Camu -Camu. Today I will continue with Goji Berry, Sacha Inchi, sprouted quinoa and whey protein. So lets get on with the show.
Goji Berries

Goji Berries which are also called wolfberry grow in sub -tropical regions in China, Mongolia, and the Himalayas in Tibet and are part of the nightshade family. They are generally found to be dried and look like red raisins. This fruit has been used for 6000 years in Asia and India by herbalists to protect the liver, help eyesight, strengthen legs, boost the immune function, improve circulation, and improve sexual function and fertility. Goji Berries are high in antioxidants they contain nearly 10 times  more than red grapes. They contain a fatty acid content similar to that of olive oil which is rich in Oleic acid, which assists other nutrients be absorbed through cell membranes. When assisting the cell membranes in becoming supple all hormones, neurotransmitters, and insulin receptors function more efficiently. When eaten Goji Berries have a similar texture to raisins and taste sweet and tangy.
Sacha Inchi

Sacha Inchi grows in the highlands of Peru and is found in the form of a seed or nut. The Fruits are in a 3to5 cm capsule that have 4 to 7 points with heart shaped leaves. The seeds are oval and dark brown looking like an flat almond. The seeds are high in protien and essential omega 3, 6 , & 9 oils and are also rich in iodine, vitamin A and vitamin E. 








Quinoa (Sprouted)
Quinoa is a grain that is could actually be considered more of the grass family and is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. Quinoa is grown in South America. This grain is high in protein and also provide a balanced essential amino acids which makes this a complete protein source.  Quinoa is high source of dietary fiber, phosphorus and high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa may be effective in treating artherosclerosis, breast cancer, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Quinoa is also a prebiotic which feeds the good bacteria (microflora) in the intestine, it is easy to digest which aides in the optimal absorbtion of nutrients.
Whey Protein

Whey protein seems to be everywhere, you can even buy whey protein at Walmart. It seems to be in the hands of everyone and for good reason. Whey is a good source of protein which, repair body cells, build and repair muscles and bones, provide energy, help to control important process of the body related to metabolism. Whey protein is high quality protein that is high in  essential amino acids  and in its purest form it can absorb quickly and efficiently into the body. Some diseases that the use of Whey protein can help with are, cancer, diabetes and weight management. 



That concludes the protein section of our Shakeology ingredients. It is awesome that so much of the protein is found in plant based sources that also provide other nutritional benefits. If you are interested in starting with Shakeology you can go to My Shakeology webpage to order a months supply. If you are interested in recieving a discount email me here.  Until tomorrow when I look at the next section of the ingredients Antioxidants.

Wishing you Strong Muscles and Healthy bodies,