THE ROOT OF THE MACA ROOT CRAZE
WHY ARE PEOPLE TRYING THIS POPULAR SUPPLEMENT?
What are the benefits and risks? Preliminary research shows a host of potential benefits. For starters, the plant is highly nutritious, providing high levels of vitamin C, copper, iron, and potassium. There are signs that maca can improve energy levels, mood, learning, and memory. Some reports state that maca can reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, as well as reduce blood pressure. There’s even evidence that maca root can block harmful UV rays when applied directly to the skin. Maca root is considered safe and should not have noticeable side effects with moderate use. However, it has been shown to affect hormone
levels, so it’s best to avoid maca if you have thyroid issues or are undergoing any type of hormone treatment. As with any new supplement, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before using. How do you use it? The optimal dose for medicinal use has not been established, but most studies have tested doses ranging from 1.5–5 grams per day. If you want to incorporate maca into your diet, it’s easy to do through smoothies, oatmeals, and baked goods. You can try some today by picking up powdered maca root at health food stores, online retailers, and some supermarkets.
The popularity of maca root has exploded in recent years, but many people in the U.S. are still unfamiliar with the supplement and its potential benefits. Whether you’ve heard of maca root before in passing or this is your first time, here’s what you need to know. What is maca? Maca is grown in the Andes Mountains in Peru and is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng. Maca has an earthy or even nutty flavor and is a common ingredient in Peruvian cuisine. It’s a cruciferous vegetable — like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower — with an edible root but is most commonly dried and consumed in powder form.
Blend Until Smooth Despite the heartache and grief that can come with it, there are a number of benefits to a divorce. Among the many benefits, expanding your family can be one of the most exciting! While fairy tales may make stepfamilies seem “wicked,” stepsiblings and stepparents can become great additions to your life. To start off on the right path, consider this go-to guide for a smoothly blended family. Include your co-parent. Your ex shouldn’t be involved in the relationships your children build with their new stepsiblings and a potential stepparent. However, creating an open co-parenting space is vital to proper communication and civility between you and your ex. When you’re ready to introduce your partner to your children, notify your ex. Decide prior to this meeting how co-parenting will work with a new partner in the picture and set those boundaries with your partner. This will eliminate any miscommunication. You also need to ensure that you are in compliance with any provisions of any court-ordered parenting plans that may contain provisions regarding introduction of your children to new romantic partners. Start slowly. Your children may still be grieving the divorce, and you and your partner may have two very different lives you are now tasked with combining. So, don’t rush this process! Start your new stepfamily relationship in a neutral space — like a movie theater or pizza place — and just introduce your children, your partner, and their children to one another. Be upfront with the plans your partner and you have and let relationships naturally begin before responding. 3 TIPS FOR CREATING A HEALTHY STEPFAMILY
Don’t forget your old ways. Blending two families together is about compromise, but you shouldn’t give up on the lifestyle you and your children have created. If you have Friday movie nights, continue that tradition! Make special “date days,” where just you and your children spend time together. Or, consider combining a few traditions together. Who says you can’t have lasagna and ham on Christmas? Each family will be bringing their own habits, so create a space that’s open for all ideas, and you just might create new traditions! Starting your next chapter after a divorce is fraught with obstacles, but it doesn’t have to be treacherous. Our team can help you navigate this time through our family law expertise. For more details on this and our other legal services, please visit DouglassRunger.com.
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