Maca – “You’re Maca-ing Me Crazy!”

September 5, 2014 By 1 Comment

Note: I try to use “maca” a couple times throughout this post (prime example: the title) and it really doesnt work or make sense but just go with it…

About 4 months ago, if you would have asked me what maca was, I would have probably said, “What the maca are you talking about?!”… Now, I have it in my smoothie every morning before my workout.  I love it!

Maca is an energizing superfood that is considered to be “The Fountain of Youth” amongst Peruvian natives for centuries.

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It gives you a boost of energy and an increase in mental focus!  It supplies iron and helps to restore red blood cells.  Maca keeps your bones and teeth healthy, and can help to keep your skin clear!  It can also relieve menstrual cramps and help with menopause.  It is rich in Vitamin C, B and E.  These are just a few of its many benefits!

So, I am bringing you a quick smoothie recipe inspired by a smoothie from my smoothie place that’s around the corner from me… where I first discovered maca.  So I bring to you, the “Wake Me Up Before You Go – Go Smoothie”!

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 Ingredients: 1 cup Almond Milk, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 tsp Maca, 2 Dates (pitted), 1 Shot of Espresso

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Maj Side Note: I am ALSO obsessed with dates.  I have them in my smoothie every morning too.  I am currently having a little bit of a panic attack because my date lady at the Farmers Market won’t be back until the new harvest in October.  Which means I am DATE – less… DATELESS… no not like that… that’s a whole other story… I mean I am DATELESS for the dates that I can’t live without… my Extra Fancy Medjool Dates!!  (Oh gosh, wow, I am so LA right now.  I kinda feel sick about it.)

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Be sure you pit the dates before adding them to the blender!

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Brew a shot of espresso and then let cool before pouring into blender.  You can do the “MACArena” while you are waiting… Heeeeeyyy, MACArena!

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Blend away!!  Add ice or more frozen banana if you like a thicker consistency.

I just added ice cubes at the end to make it cold!  Kinda like an iced coffee!

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Enjoy!

NOTE: Some people react differently to Maca.  My friend at the gym is very sensitive to it!  Be sure to test it out and read about the side effects.  Don’t eat if you are pregnant.

NOTE:  It is named “Wake Me Up Before You Go – Go” because the espresso and the maca together will make you do just that!

Filed Under: Allison 1 Comment

Happy Labor Day!

September 1, 2014 By 3 Comments

I hope everyone is having a lovely Labor Day weekend!  Today is a day you get to celebrate all your productive/hard work you’ve done so far this year!  Kick up those feet, pour yourselves a glass of wine and toast to you!

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I feel like this is also a time to reflect.  To acknowledge all the ups and downs of the first half of the year and realize that you get to change whatever it is you don’t like!  Isn’t that amazing??  (Or if you can’t… you can always change your PERSPECTIVE!!  WHAT?  I know, I’m talking crazy.)

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 ^This made me laugh :)

Today also marks the beginning of Season 2 of 2014!  And I believe it to be the most wonderful time of the year!  I truly feel like all is right in the world, once again, with the start of the football season (Bizzare, I know, but oddly true for me.).  Season 2 is also the season of bouquets of newly sharpened pencils (which no one actually ever does with the exception of my dear friend Martha), pumpkin spice lattes (but can’t drink those because everyone ruined all the fun with the articles on how bad they are for you and how there isn’t even pumpkin in the ingredients), the crisp Fall air (that rarely makes an appearance in LA), cozy sweater and scarf weather (which I never get to wear because I live in LA)… I have a lot to look forward to!! ;)

I am really excited because there is a sense of movement in the industry that slows down over the summer and I feel it picking up.  The town is reenergized from the summer and the creative juices are flowing!  I really have a good feeling about the path I am on!  So I am going to toast to that… to following your bliss!

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open up doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell – AMEN!

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I actually just came across another quote that I think is truly important and is rare for people (I am talking about myself) to own… so here’s a toast…. Know the power of your words.  Know the power of your body.  Know the power of your mind.

Oh and I love this…

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I am in a very inspired/get inspired mood!  Happy Monday!

Filed Under: Allison, Life 3 Comments

Baby, let’s cruise… to this new playlist!

August 29, 2014 By 1 Comment

Caroline, get ready! I have a new playlist for us.  We were in major need of a new playlist (we have been driving all over LA these past two weeks which obviously means we have overplayed our last playlist) so I decided to whip another one for this weekend!  New hits and some throwbacks! I haven’t listened to it in it’s entirety yet… so I might have to come back and edit.  Hope you all have an amazing Labor Day weekend! XO

*Within two minutes of posting this… Patty frantically texted me… “What about Shake It Off?!?!?!?”  I would like you all to know that it is not available on Spotify, as of right now.  I will add it as soon as it’s added! :)

*I almost made a whole playlist about booties.  There are SO many new songs about big booties… everyone is singing about them!  JLo, Nicki, our Nantucket native, Meghan…and I’m just representing!

Filed Under: Allison, Hot Tracks 1 Comment