What is Maca? How can I incorporate this into my diet?

• Maca is a biennial herbaceous plant cultivated predominantly in the central Andes of Peru (1).
• Traditionally, maca was utilised for its medicinal benefits and as a source for energy, stamina and endurance. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac for post-menopausal issues that some women encounter (2).
• Maca has been shown to possess greater levels of calcium, iron and amino acids than the white potato (2).
• Dehydrated powdered maca root contains (1)
• 8.87–11.6% protein, 
• 1.09–2.2% lipid, 
• 54.6–60.0% carbohydrate
• 8.23–9.08% fibre 
• and an energy content of 663 kJ/100 g

• Here is a great link to Maca studies that have been carried out in the past with specific references to the original studies on PubMed (2).
• http://www.nutrihealers.com/data-base/maca.pdf

Easy recipes: How I incorporate it into my diet (small doses of 1 tsp/day)

• Smoothie
• 1 medium-sized banana
• 200mL almond milk
• 1 tsp maca powder
• Add all ingredients to a blender, blend 'til smooth

• Banana, almond and cinnamon porridge (adapted from Jamie Oliver) (3)
• 2 ripe bananas
• 30 g flaked almonds
• ½ tsp  ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp maca powder
• 1. Peel, then slice the bananas on a chopping board
  
  2. Add the almonds to a small non-stick frying pan over a medium heat (there’s no need for oil) for 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly golden, stirring occasionally. 
  
  3. Stir the cinnamon, poppy seeds through the porridge. 
  
  4. Serve with the bananas and toasted almonds on top and stir all of the maca powder through the porridge.
  

References

1. Wang Y, Wang Y, McNeil B, Harvey LM. Maca: An Andean crop with multi-pharmacological functions. Food Res Intern, 2007;40(7), 783-792.
2. Balick M, Lee R. Maca: from traditional food crop to energy and libido stimulant. Alt therapies in health and med. 2002; 8(2), 96-98.
3. Oliver J. Porridge lots of ways [Internet]. Retrieved on Sept 29, 2015 from http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/porridge-lots-of-ways/#ryUoiVaPpSYwXkz0.97

Three Underrated YouTube Musicians

We've all heard of Boyce Avenue, Christina Grimmie and Sam Tsui | Kurt Hugo Schneider. They're amazing and talented as hell, but I feel like the spotlight should also be dispersed to some other musicians with crazy talent. Here's my top three, and my all-time favourite. Take the time to listen to all of them and maybe have an eargasm or two ;)


GABE BONDOC - The new John Mayer. What can I say? His guitar skills and on-point vocals are out of this world. Just mind-blowing.

Here is his cover of John Mayer's "In Your Atmosphere".

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DANIELA ANDRADE - Every. Song. Gives. Me. The. Chills. Her voice is just indescribably calming, beautiful and wow. Her cover of Cover by Gnarls Barkley was recently featured on the TV series "Suits". But my favourite songs from her so far include her cover of Creep by Radiohead, La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf and also her original - Don't Care.

Here's La Vie En Rose - The HIMYM vibes!

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HANBYUL KANG - The undiscovered Frank Sinatra/Chet Baker hybrid. His voice emulates so many jazz musicians but is so unique and different at the same time.

Here's his cover of Frank Sinatra's "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning":

Review: Cult favourites #1

1. BIODERMA Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution

Verdict: 10/10 aka holy-grail status. Sure it's expensive, but 500mL will last you for months. Maybe even a year if you're a moderate make-up wearer. Put a couple drops on this magical liquid onto a cotton pad and put it over your eye for a few seconds prior to gently wiping it off. If you have sensitive skin and want a non-irritating eye and face make-up remover, this is the solution to all your problems. Being someone with incredibly sensitive stye-prone eyes, this is perfect. 

I've heard that a dupe and cheaper alternative for this is the Garnier Micelle Cleansing Water - which can be purchased online if you're from NZ. And available in Boots if you live in the UK.

Where I purchased this: Escentual for £18.40 ($36.30 NZD) + International shipping £4.95 (~$9.87NZD). They are also available in smaller sizes (100mL and 250mL)

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2. NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm

Verdict: 8/10. Definitely my new favourite lipbalm. This lip-balm has a longer longevity than the other lip balms I've tried (Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm and The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lip Butter), lasting to around 5-8 hours upon application. It has a citrus-like smell to it and is quite thick when applied and does an awesome job at hydrating my lips. This product is ideal for those who have moderately-chapped lips. I have veeeeeeeeery chapped lips and therefore am still in the hunt for a slightly better lip balm that doesn't cost $40, but for now, this does the trick :)

Where I purchased this: Escentual for £9.50 ($18.76 NZD) + International shipping £4.95 (~$9.87NZD). 

Review: Organic Surge Blissful Daily Moisturiser

For the past year, I've been trying to incorporate more natural and organic products into my skincare routine. However, many of these are either too expensive, don't work, smell like horse urine, give me an obscene amount of breakouts or are unattainable from where I live.

Upon stumbling across this product at I.E. Produce in Takapuna, I decided to pick it up and give it a try to see if it replaces my current love for Simple's Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser, and I have to say, I am extremely impressed! This moisturiser is lightly scented without being too overwhelming, lasts all day long and feels light on the skin. With 50mL of product, a little really going a long way and did I mention that it is perfect for travelling too? The glass packaging is a little fragile but gives it that luxurious feel. This product is ideal for those with normal to slightly dry skin. If you have really dry skin, try the "Super-Intensive Daily Moisturiser" also by Organic Surge - it's perfect for those living in dry and colder climates.

The only con of this product is that it takes a bit longer to absorb into your skin but being a product of primarily natural origin, I can understand why (natural products often contain molecules than are larger that those found in synthetic compounds, thereby requiring a longer period of time to absorb into the skin). Also, because it's natural - make sure you store it in a cool and dry environment to prevent it from going off.

This stuff hasn't been animal tested. 99% of the total ingredients are from natural origin and 64% of the ingredients are derived from organic farming.

Verdict: 9/10.

Where you can get it: IE Produce in Takapuna, Auckland for $12.95 or online at NZ Health Food Co.

A Sunny Afternoon

Upgraded my Nikon D3100 to a D5100! Here are some sample shots I took today:

Yours Truly, Ruthie

Review: Wet 'n Wild Comfort Zone Eyeshadow Palette

Forget about the high-end, ridiculously expensive brands of Chanel, Dior and M.A.C. and feast your eyes on this hell of a beauty. If you don't know the list of holy grail must-own beauty products, you're dead to me. Jokes aside, this is one of them.

Wet 'n wild is primarily known for its status as a drugstore make-up brand in the States. Its non-existence here in New Zealand makes it hard to buy it anywhere but online. 

Left to Right:

Browbone: French vanilla

Eyelid: Gold

Crease: Copper

Definer: Dark copper-brown

Left to Right:

Browbone: Silvery-beige white

Eyelid: Light forest-green

Crease: Dark black-green

Definer: Duo-chrome ferrous-burgundy red silver

Look at the pictures with the swatches I made. Need I say more? The high pigmentation levels and buttery-soft and slightly creamy texture is just jaw-droppingly good. It's high staying power extended with the use of an eyeshadow base or primer makes it worth the money. One would definitely compare the texture of these to Dior eyeshadows. That's how good they are.

Run (or rather, open your browser). Click this link ($15 exclusive to NZers - Americans, you can find this at your nearest drugstore or CVS/Walgreens) treat yourself and buy this sweet, sweet palette. NOW. Your wallet will be happy. It's damn affordable for such superb quality eyeshadows. 10/10 stars.

Yours Truly, Ruthie.