Raw Cacao for a ‘mighty main’!

We all love a bit of chocolate…but who knew that our hair did too! The cacao tree is a little strange looking but beautiful tree, in which the cacao pods actually grow from its trunk, and not the branches like other trees. One thing we now know for sure, is that cacao’s health benefits for your hair, is something that is definitely not strange, and will make your ‘main’ shine out from the rest of the pack!

The cacao tree is one of the most top nutrient rich botanical plants, making raw cacao a necessity towards beauty and wellness.  An ingredient found in cacao, called sulphur, is the secret beauty mineral that is responsible for providing the correct super growth nutrients. By adding raw cacao (processed chocolate is not the same) into your diet, you can provide your hair with that added boost to help it grow long and strong which is excellent for people suffering from hair loss or a slow growth of hair, or those of us that just want healthier locks. Raw cacao adds shine and vibrancy while significantly improving the general health of hair.

Environmental toxins also play a role in the health of our hair. In today’s society, many toxins roam in the environment around us that are harmful to our health and wellbeing. In addition, poor food choices also contribute to poor hair due to high BAD fats and little nutrition. By eating antioxidant rich food like cacao, you help your body  fight free radical damage so it can repair itself whenever needed, including the cells that make up hair follicles. Antioxidant rich raw cacao powder is at the top of the antioxidant measurement table:  ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) chart, with a whopping 28,000 antioxidant level per 100g – higher than green tea…so goodbye dull hair and hello healthy hair from raw chocolate![1] [2]

Another fabulous nutrient in raw cacao is its protein content. Not only is protein needed inside and out for growth, repair and maintenance, it can externally be used additionally to coat the hair, adding strength and therefore preventing breakage. Try out this amazing nutrient dense conditioning hair mask to leave your hair feeling soft, looking shiny, with super-strength!

To get started take:

·        6oz plain yogurt
·        2 tbsp Mum’s Original Cacao Powder
·        3 tbsp coconut oil
·        2 tbsp honey

1.      Combine all of the above ingredients until you reach a cake frosting consistency.
2.      Section hair, and apply mixture from root to tip concentrating more on the ends if you have dry, brittle ends.
3.      Once your hair is fully covered, cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and your hair soak up the goodness for 30-45 minutes. Shampoo and condition your hair like normal and style.

VOILA! Soft, supple and ready for anything hair! Plus…. Your bathroom will smell absolutely divine! What a bonus.

For delicious recipes on how to use raw cacao daily for its full benefits inside and out, visit www.mumsoriginal.com and enjoy!

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[1] http://www.creativehealthinstitute.com/blog/raw-cacao-tops-the-table-of-orac-values-for-common-foods/

[2] http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0344385?prevSearch=cacao%2Bantioxidant&searchHistoryKey=

Help beat heart disease with these top heart-healthy superfoods

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD),  are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.  Heart attacks and strokes are the most common form of CVD which are basically blockages that prevent blood from flowing to the heart or brain.  CVD is the leading cause of death in North America and especially those with diabetes.  This prevalent disease  kills more North Americans each year than all of the different forms of cancer put together. [1] Along with a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, no smoking, blood pressure checks, and maintaining a healthy weight - you can help beat CVD by using one useful weapon….superfoods.

Powerful antioxidants found in a variety of superfoods help to fight off harmful free radicals which also contribute to a heart disease and a whole number of health issues such as diabetes. In addition, a diet that includes superfoods containing high fiber, Essential Fatty Acids and anti-inflammatory properties all work to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, chronic inflammation and blood clotting in the human body which are other nasty contributors to CVD and diabetes.[2]

You can easily decrease your risks of developing CVD and diabetes by using these top delicious superfoods daily and help to maintain a healthy heart:

Wheat Free Oats

• High in fiber, folate and essential fatty acids.
• Helps keep arteries clear and levels of bad cholesterol down.
• Keeps you feeling full for longer, reducing cravings for unhealthy, sugary snacks.
• Consuming low glycemic Oats/Oat products can help reduce your risk for developing diabetes which is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Opt for nutrient dense, high fiber quick flake or steele cut oats for maximum benefits as opposed to instant options -  they contain bad for your body sugars that your body doesn’t need.
• Reach for Oat Flour instead of White Flour to increase fiber content in baking and cooking.

Raw Cacao

• Blood thinning effect helping to avoid blood clots and reduce stress on heart.
• Reduces inflammation in the body.
• Contains oleic acid, a heart healthy monounsaturated fat that can help to reduce blood pressure.
• One of the richest natural sources of antioxidants (a staggering 98,00 ORAC score for raw cacao powder), higher than red wine and green tea. These antioxidants help improve blood vessel dilation and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• 1 to 2% of cacao is Theobromine (an anti-bacterial) which helps to dilate blood vessels resulting in the heart not having to pump as hard.
• An excellent source of magnesium which relaxes blood vessels.
• Ensure 2 Tablespoons a day of raw cacao nibs or raw coconut cacao nibs for benefits, and ensure that raw cacao powder is used instead of the over processed and nutrient deficient Dutch or processed cocoa powder.

Quinoa

• Good source of magnesium – a mineral that helps relax blood vessels.
• Works as a prebiotic, providing the body with healthy bacteria to help fight off damaging free radicals.
• Help to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
• Long term studies indicate that 6 servings of whole grains per week can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis (plaque that narrows blood vessels) and stenosis (narrowing of the diameter of arterial passageways).[3]
• Swap out your gluten rich pastas and high starch white rice dishes for nutrient rich quinoa ones.

Goji Berries

• Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Contain cyperone (an active ingredient), a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure.
• Anthocyanins (the red flavonoid pigment in Goji berries) help to maintain the strength and integrity of coronary arteries.
• Rich source of four polysaccharides can help to reduce blood pressure.
• Can neutralize free radical superoxide by up to 40%.[4]
• Use gojis instead of high sugar low nutrient dried fruits like raisins or apricots. A handful a day keeps CVD away!

White Chia

• Reduces blood sugar swings by up to 40% as it slows down the conversion of carbohydrates to simple sugars – beneficial for diabetics and therefore reducing risk of heart disease.
• Helps to thin blood up to 22% so your heart doesn’t have to pump as hard without affecting coagulation.
• Extremely high Essential Fatty Acid content (3:1 - Omega 3:Omega 6) which supports our cardiovascular system.
• 2-4 Tablespoons of chia a day will have huge heart effects. Simply sprinkle on foods that you use!

Coconut

• A natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial which help to eliminate bacterial/viral lesions on artery walls.
• Can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and reduce insulin levels.
• Regulates blood cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides to help with heart disease prevention.
• Coconut sugar is a low glycemic natural sweetener that will decrease body's insulin levels and keep liver-fat-forming-fructose to a minimum!
• Extremely high fiber in Coconut Flour to help reduce bad LDL and increase the healthy HDL.
• Prevents oxidization of cholesterol, one of the main causes of atherosclerosis.
• Swap out bad flour choices for coconut flour. Use coconut oil in lieu of canola or olive oil when frying and opt for coconut sugar for baking and daily use as a sweetener. Your heart will thank you.

Banana

• Contains oleic acid, a heart healthy monounsaturated fat that can reduce blood pressure.
• High in fiber which helps control blood sugar levels by slowing down the release of sugars from the digestive tract, therefore reducing your risk of heart disease later in life.
• Soluble fiber content helps lower cholesterol levels by promoting the excretion of bile to excrete bad cholesterol from the body.
• Eat a banana a day, or more simply use 1-2  Tablespoons of banana powder in smoothies,  add to  dips, use in salad dressing and in baked goodies.

Visit us at www.mumsoriginal.com to find out more about these amazing super healing superfoods and how to use them with our fabulous recipes!!

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[1] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16407732

[3] http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(04)00507-1/abstract

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=chinese%20study%20on%20goji%20and%20SOD

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Superhero(seed) Chia for scrumptious skin!

A true superhero(seed) for your skin! Packed full of free radical eating antioxidants, these super seeds fight off toxins that speed up the aging process.  Helping save you from wrinkles and fine lines!

Chia seeds contain 3 times more the antioxidant content of blueberries and are so easily incorporated into your diet, to help ward off aging and toxins whether your 16 or 60! It’s never too early or late to start.

Chia can absorb up to 14 times its weight in water – an excellent tool for soaking up those nasty environmental toxins, toxins that speed up the aging process, along with ridding the body gently of free radicals to prevent damage to our supple skin.[1]

The vitamin and mineral content found in Chia is also extremely beneficial for skin health. Its content provides the necessary nutrients needed to sustain natural elasticity in our skin– something we lose when we age and cant produce anymore. By feeding our body with the nutrients needed to maintain skin elasticity through our daily diet– we maintain supple skin and can help ourselves look radiant and youthful even in our later years!

It’s only natural that every now and then we crave some kind of sweet treat. However, did you know that by caving in to these cravings on a regular basis actually will speed up the process of aging, making the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles appear sooner? I think we can speak for everyone here and safely say wrinkles will never be welcomed and thank goodness there is a solution to help delay the appearance of those fine lines! Chia seeds expanding super powers keep you feeling full for longer, helping reduce cravings and therefore helping to slow down the aging process.  By adding in Chia daily, you’re helping fight off aging – take that, wrinkles!

Not only are Chia seeds beneficial for your skin from the inside, they can also be used in homemade beauty products to help smooth out rough patches and maintain healthy, soft skin. Try making a super face mask jam packed full off essential fatty acids by blending some ground Chia in with an avocado. Let this mixture sit for one minute on your skin before washing off in the shower and be sure to concentrate more on rougher areas, for noticeably softer, smoother skin sooner!

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22505880

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Oh-so-Handsome Hemp

Can a tiny seed really help you look your best? Surprisingly, the answer is absolutely! Hemp seeds (or hearts) contain very large concentrated amounts of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) and are a fantastic source of complete protein especially for those that are vegan or vegetarian. People that add in hemp to their daily diets can experience many health benefits, both inside and out.

Super-skin

• Hemp contains an excellent source of EFA’s – Omega 3, 6 and 9, including a fantastic source of GLA’s (gamma-linolenic acid), which isn’t found often in many natural oils. With EFA’s being a very important aspect of our skins well being, all of these components contribute to healthier, well maintained and resilient radiant skin.[1]
• The natural oil found in hemp is very beneficial in treating dry skin conditions and can be found in some daily skin care products. The natural hemp oil helps to bury deep in the skin, helping the skin to regenerate new skin cells, improving its texture and appearance.

Inner harmony

• Due to the high GLA content found in hemp, these little wonder- seeds can really shorten our wait to achieving optimal health. They are an amazing source of anti-imflammatory properties, including the healthy fat ratio or 3:1 omega 6 to omega 3. This can help with health conditions such as asthma, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and even PMS! As we get older, our body’s ability to convert unprocessed omega 6 into its usable GLA form decreases, so consuming it in our daily diet is extremely beneficial.
• Hemp seeds are also jam-packed full of antioxidants that help play a role in a healthy digestive system. By keeping your immune system healthy by consuming these little miracles, you can reduce your risk of dreaded diseases such as breast, colon, and prostate cancers when paired up with a healthy lifestyle.[2]
• Hemps healthy fats help control blood sugar levels by using glucose in the blood and turning it into useful energy, which can in turn be used for sustained energy throughout the busy days we lead, or even towards a good work out.[3] Hemp also contains a high fibre content, helping to regulate healthy bowel movements throughout the day. Why not try adding hemp into your meals also; it will keep you feeling contently full for longer periods of time due to it being a natural appetite suppressant, in turn leading to helping with healthy, natural weight loss. Try it, the only thing you have to lose is pounds!

[1] http://www.atlantichealinghemp.com/hemp-contains-gla.html

[2] http://hemphealer.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/hemp-its-an-excellent-antioxidant/

[3] http://www.healing-source.com/hemp_health_benefits.htm

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