Spirulina

Spirulina Powder The Superfood

it contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb. It's the highest protein food- over 60% all digestible vegetable protein. It has the highest concentration of beta carotene, vitamin B-12, iron and trace minerals and the rare essential fatty acid GLA. These make spirulina a great whole food alternative to isolated vitamin and minerals.

How much should people take and when should they take it?

Long time consumers and scientific evidence both suggest 2-5 grams a day bring significant health benefits. This is a teaspoon of powder or 6 to 20 tablets

Spirulina may be considered a dietary ""super food"" useful in nutrient boosting diets such as the programs competitive athletes use to enhance performance. It is specifically useful for those on a weight control program and as a mild appetite suppressant that helps control dietary cravings.

typical amounts shown to have helpful properties in animal studies would be equivalent to 34 grams per day or more for a 150-pound human.

Spirulina's' phycocyanin content actually helps to regenerate the kidneys and protect against kidney failure

spirulina contains an unusually high amount of protein, between 55% and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source. It is a complete protein,[citation needed] containing all essential amino acids, though with reduced amounts of methionine, cysteine, and lysine when compared to the proteins of meat, eggs, and milk. It is, however, superior to typical plant protein, such as that from legumes.
Spirulina is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and also provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA).
Spirulina contains vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.
Spirulina is a rich source of potassium, and also contains calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.
Major Benefits for the body:
1. Stimulates and strengthens the immune system
2. Improves cardiovascular health an lowers cholesterol
3. Improves gastrointestinal health
4. Improves digestive health
5. Promotes natural cleansing and detoxification
6. Reduces cancer risk
7. One of the world’s powerful natural anti-oxidant
8. Anti-ageing (slows down ageing)
9. Balances body pH level
10. Proper hormone and enzymes production
11. Regulates blood sugar
12. Fights against fatigue and stress
13. Ideal for athletes and body builders (active lifestyle)
14. Mental alertness
15. Ideal for vegetarians and dieters
16. Also good for pregnant and nursing women
17. Ease PMS
18. Good for malnourished individuals
Spirulina is a perfectly safe natural food which provides quick energy and nourishment. The recommended daily intake is 1-5 grams, but if you feel like consuming more, go ahead.
Spirulina powder can be added to fruit or vegetable juices or to dishes to enhance nutritional content. It is tasty in soups, salads, pasta, or mixed with yoghurt.
Special tip: make a fresh lemon juice (or use lemon syrup), add a teaspoon of spirulina, stir well and drink it straight away.
The vitamin C of the lemon will help with absorbing the nutrients of spirulina.

more foods

agave
amaranth
chaya
chia
cloves
cocoa
flax
nopales
canela
camotes
papitas


 tlacoxoshitl
Tlacoyos
chilacacahuatl
mecaxochitl 


tecuitlatl  - spirulina algae


atolli involved taking eight parts of water, six parts of maize, and lime and cooking them together until the maize softened. This is the standard process of nixtamalization




achiote   Annatto

Pepitas

Pumpkin Seeds

Health Benefits

Pumpkin Seeds May Promote Prostate Health

DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Components in pumpkin seed oil appear able to interrupt this triggering of prostate cell multiplication by testosterone and DHT, although the exact mechanism for this effect is still a matter of discussion

Pumpkin Seed Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol

Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, and when present in the diet in sufficient amounts, are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers.

A Rich Source of Healthful Minerals, Protein and Monounsaturated Fat

 good source of the minerals magnesium, manganese and phosphorus, and a good source of iron, copper, protein, and as previously mentioned, zinc. Snack on a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds and you will receive 46.1% of the daily value for magnesium, 28.7% of the DV for iron, 52.0% of the DV for manganese, 24.0% of the DV for copper, 16.9% of the DV for protein, and 17.1% of the DV for zinc.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits in Arthritis

Protection for Men's Bones

-180   moderately inflammatory

About this Blog

Why did I start this Blog? I was motivated by my health condition* and the health condition of our community.

 After listening to a talk by  Claudia Serrato on "Indigenous Veganism" http://www.decolonialfoodforthought.com/

 this coincided with what I wanted to learn regarding the health condition of our community so I put the two together and came up with Aztec Food Blog. I feel that most of our health problems are a result of what we are told to eat,i.e., junk food, comfort food, and the condition of our health industry - doctors, nutritionists, and so on.
I intend to focus on the solution to our community's habit of eating food that is making us sick.

*After my doctors gave me bad news about my health condition I was motivated to do more research into healthy food choices. I also didn't want others to go through what I am going through. So i starting this blog to help our community get healthy.
(this is work in progress)

Names of Aztec food in Nahuatl English Spanish

Nahuatl English Spanish

Nahuatl        (Nahuatl)        na- wat

elotl             (corn, elote)

etl                 (bean)

xilotl             (tender ear of com, jilote)

Exotl             (green bean, ejote)

xitomatl        (tomato, jitomate)

xicamatl       (jicama)

camohtli       (yam, camote)

nohpalli        (cactus, nopal) = no pal-li

tamalli          (tamale, tamal) =ta ma - li                        

tlaxcalli        (tortilla)                        

atolli            (gruel, corn beverage, atole)

pinolli          (ground corn,pinole)                        

mexcalli       (cooked maguey, mezcal)

pozolli         (stew, pozole)

azcatl         (ant)                        

zolin           (quail)                        

izquitl         (Roasted corn, esquite)

mizquitl      (mesquite)

iztatl          (salt)

mazatl       (deer, animal)

chapulin    (grasshopper) = cha- pul- in

xonacatl    (onion)

ahuacatl    (avocado, aguacate)

huexolotl    (turkey, guajolote)

chilli           (chili, chile) = chil - li

molli           (sauce, mole) = mó - li

tlaolli           (corn)

comalli        ( griddle, comal)

tzilacayohtli (a bluish-green squash, chilacayote)

cintli            (ear of dried corn)

centli           (same as cintli)

Quinoa

huautli        (amaranto, Amaranth )      

Aguamiel

Agave

Comal

Aztecs cooked on a clay disc on three stones over a fire and stored food in clay pots

Traditional Comal

The traditional comal native of Mexico is basically a disk or oval medium-sized plane (about 30 cm ) made ​​of ceramic fired, placed on three or four stones (called Tenamaxtlán ), which serve to provide support and to turn fire and coals just below the pan.

Agave

Agave is rich in vitamin B, C, D, E, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and chromium.
Medicinally, agave has been used as a blood purifier, to improve digestion, and as an anti-inflammatory.

aguamiel

(aguamiel) of the agave salmiana. It is harvested from live plants in the high desert region of Central Mexico, where a wealth of the plants grow wild. It is gathered by hand by Hnahnu Indian peoples native to this area, from plants on their land.

Mature agave plants produce a flower stalk. By removing the flower, a bowl shaped cavity is formed- a container into which the aquamiel is secreted. The plant produces this liquid for 6-8 months, during which up to 8 quarts are removed twice daily. A hollowed out gourd is used to siphon the aguamiel from the plant and transfer it to a container.

Once the aquamiel is collected, it is immediately taken to the production facility

Amaranth

Amaranth is a grain that is extremely high in protein and contains an important amino acid, Lysine. Amaranth has the highest Lysine content out of any grain. Amaranth has one of the highest fiber contents among grains.

quinoa seed

The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. It is exceptionally high in lysine, cystine and methionine-amino acids typically low in other grains. It is a good complement for legumes, which are often low in methionine and cystine. The protein in quinoa is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids.


The quality of this protein is what makes quinoa so exciting. All essential amino acids are present and are considered to be in perfect balance. Quinoa is high in lysine, an essential amino acid that is scarce in the plant kingdom. It is also high in essential sulfur-bearing amino acids, methionine and cystine. Quinoa is an excellent source of phosphorus, vitamin E, several B complex vitamins and iron. Its low gluten content is a disadvantage when trying to make bread.

Nopales

Nopales, raw

1 cup             

Nopales are very rich in insoluble and especially soluble dietary fiber. They are also rich in vitamins (especially vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, but also riboflavin and vitamin B6) and minerals (especially magnesium, potassium, and manganese, but also iron and copper). Nopales have a high calcium content, but the nutrient is not biologically available because it is present as calcium oxalate, which is neither highly soluble nor easily absorbed through the intestinal wall.^[3] Addition of nopales also reduces the glycemic effect of a mixed meal.^[4] Nopales are low carbohydrate and may help in the treatment of diabetes.^[5]

Recetas Aztecas

 Guacamole

Mole poblano
Tamales
amaranth-for-breakfast :
Bowl of huautli with Cinnamon,agave, shredded coconut, cacahuatl (cacao beans)

1. Mix the water and huautli/amaranth in a saucepan and heat to boiling.

2 Turn heat to low, and let simmer for 20-25 minute Most of the water should be absorbed.

3. Then add 1/4 tsp Cinnamon,2 tbsp agave, 1/4 cap shredded coconut, 1/4 cup cacahuatl (cacao beans) and stir into  huautli while hot. 

Nopales with black beans

Nopales

 Chaya

Aztec cooking utensil

Comalli
Cazuela
Ollas
Metate y Metlapil
Molcajete y Tejolote 
Molinillo

Chia

Each 15 gram (1/2 oz) serving of Omega 3 Chia contains:

	Omega 3 fatty acids-equal to 250 grams (9 oz) of salmon
	Antioxidants-equal to 15 grams of blueberries
	Fiber-equal to 17 grams of bran
	Protein-equal to 44 grams of kidney beans
	Calcium-equal to 3 oz whole milk
	Magnesium-equal to 73 grams of spinich
	Iron-equal to 103 grams of spinich

Chaya

Chaya leaves were found to contain substantially greater amounts of nutrients than the spinach leaves. The chaya leaf is especially high in protein (5.7%), crude fiber (1.9%), calcium (199.4 mg/100 g), potassium (217.2 mg/100 g), iron (11.4 mg/100 g), vitamin C (164.7 mg/100 g), and carotene (0.085 mg/100 g). The levels of chaya leaf nutrients,  

A study conducted by the Mexican National Institute of Nutrition concludes that Chaya will not only combat diabetes but is also effective in treating arthritis. Another study conducted by Texas A&M University confirmed the anti-diabetic properties of Chaya. 

Cacao Bean

Cacao Bean

Raw cacao beans are a highly complex super food packed with more than 300 components, many of which are destroyed or neutralized when the beans are processed into chocolate. They contain vitamins that are needed by the body on a daily basis (vitamin C, beta-carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin ); they are particularly rich in essential minerals (magnesium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, calcium); and they contain important amino acids, neurotransmitters, natural fruit sugars, fiber, protein, and other nutrients. 

Yams

Camote - camohtli - Yams

Camote tops have the highest content of total polyphenolics among other commercial vegetables studied. Contain protein, dietary fiber, lipid, and essential minerals and nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, aluminum and boron

Important sources of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid.”Excellent sources of antioxidative compounds, mainly polyphenolics, which may protect the human body from oxidative stress that is associated with many diseases including cancer and cardiovascular diseases

"chilli pepper"

chilli- chile- "chilli pepper"

Red chilis contain high amounts of vitamin C and carotene (provitamin A). Yellow and especially green chilis (which are essentially unripe fruit) contain a considerably lower amount of both substances. In addition, peppers are a good source of most B vitamins, and vitamin B₆ in particular. They are very high inpotassium, magnesium, and iron. Their high vitamin C content can also substantially increase the uptake of non-heme iron from other ingredients in a meal, 

Tomatoes

Xitomatl -Tomatoes -Jitomate

tomato is great for your health.  It can reduce your risk of heart disease and keep you looking young.  It’s rich in potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and lycopene.  Lycopene is why a tomato is red. It’s also found in watermelon and pink grapefruit as well.

Tomatoes Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, flavonoids and other phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic properties Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (the vitamin C is most concentrated in the jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds) They also contain vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, potassium and phosphorus

avocado

Ahuacatl        -avocado -aguacate

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

There are 13 vitamins that the body absolutely needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). Avocados naturally contain many of these vitamins.

• MONOUNSATURATED FATS (3g per serving) – Helps to lower blood cholesterol if used in place of saturated fats.
• VITAMIN K (6.3 mcg/8% DV per serving) – Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting. It is known as the clotting vitamin, because without it blood would not clot. Some studies indicate that it helps in maintaining strong bones in the elderly.
• FOLATE (27 mcg/8% DV per serving) – Promotes healthy cell and tissue development.  This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy.  Folate is also essential for metabolism of homocysteine and helps maintain normal levels of this amino acid.
• POTASSIUM (140 mg/4% DV per serving) – In the body, potassium is classified as an electrolyte.  Potassium is a very important mineral to the human body.  It has various roles in metabolism and body functions and is essential for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs:  It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance; assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism; and, it is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth.
• VITAMIN E (1.2 IU/4% DV per serving) – A fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant that protects the body tissue from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals.  Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs.  They are believed to play a role in certain conditions associated with aging.  Vitamin E is important in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.  At lower levels, vitamin E may help protect the heart.  Vitamin E also plays a role in healthy skin and hair.
• LUTEIN (81.3 mcg) – A carotenoid (a natural pigment) that may be associated with a lower risk of eye diseases. Lutein is an important antioxidant that may help your eyes stay healthy while maintaining the health of your skin. It provides nutritional support to your eyes and skin and has been linked to promoting healthy eyes through reducing the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years of age and older.
• MAGNESIUM (8.7 mg/2% DV per serving) –An essential mineral for human nutrition.  Magnesium in the body serves several important functions:  Contraction and relaxation of muscles; Function of certain enzymes in the body; Production and transport of energy; and Production of Protein.
• VITAMIN C (2.4 mg/4% DV per serving) –A water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development.  Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants.  Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy. Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.  It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.
• VITAMIN B6 (0.080 mg/4% DV per serving) –A water-soluble vitamin.  Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water.  The body cannot store them.  That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.  Vitamin B6 helps the immune system produce antibodies.  Antibodies are needed to fight many diseases.  Vitamin B6 helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells.  The body uses it to help break down proteins.  The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.

Corn

Elotl- Corn -elote)

Nutrition Facts and Information about Corn: Corn is rich in phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and selenium. It also has small amounts of potassium.

Vitamin Content: Corn has Vitamin B (Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folate). It has traces of Vitamin A and Vitamin E.

In the U.S., corn production measures more than 2 times that of any other crop.

green bean

exotl (green bean, ejote)

• Fresh green beans are very low in calories (31 kcal per 100 g of raw beans) and contain no saturated fat; but are very good source of vitamins, minerals and plant derived micro-nutrients.
• They are very rich source of dietary fiber (9% per100g RDA) which acts as bulk laxative that helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. Dietary fiber has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol binding bile acids in the colon.
• Green beans contain excellent levels of vitamin A, and many health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene in good amounts. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.
• Zea xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid in the beans, selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. Therefore, it is helpful in preventing age related macular disease (ARMD) of the eyes in old age.
• Fresh snap beans are good source of folates. Folates diet during preconception periods and during pregnancy helps prevent from neural-tube defects in the  offsprings.
• It is also contain good amounts of vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), vitamin-C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen free radicals.
• They also contain good amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium which are very essential for body metabolism. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger. Potassium is important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.