Welcome to Mayesa’s BlogArchive for the ‘General’ CategoryWhy You Should Eat and Drink High-Cacao Dark Chocolate – Part 1November 20, 2013
Finally the experts endorse a food that is so tasty that we feel almost decadent eating it, yet at the same time turns out to be oh-so-good for us. The more studies that are done the more detailed is our understanding of just what amazing things cacao can do for our bodies. Nutritionist and fitness expert Mark Sisson explains it as well as we’ve ever seen, and and we are reprinting his discussion of the health benefits of cacao here. The article will be in two parts so you will get all of his great information: The truth is that you should probably be eating dark chocolate on at least a semi-regular basis because, as it turns out, it is very good for you. Dark chocolate is healthy. Dark chocolate is great – the perfect storm of flavor, flavonoids, and fat. It tastes really good, comes loaded with polyphenols, and cocoa butter is a great source of saturated and monosaturated fat. I am going to explicitly outline the myriad health benefits that cacao offers. 1. Dark chocolate contains healthy fats. Cocoa butter, which is extracted from the cacao bean and incorporated into most reputable dark chocolate bars, is mostly monounsaturated and saturated fat, with very little polyunsaturated fat. And most of that saturated fat is stearic acid, widely known for having neutral effects on LDL (the bad cholesterol). 2. Dark chocolate contains lots of polyphenols, particularly flavanols. When it comes to polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, cacao trounces the “superfruits” acai, pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry. The most studied polyphenol in cacao is epicatechin, a flavanol that is quite potent and healthful. What when the square of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate melts on the tongue, is swallowed, digested, and incorporated into the body? What are the actual health benefits of consuming high-cacao content dark chocolate? Read on – 3. Dark chocolate and blood pressure. Epidemiological studies (the study of the causes and effects of health in specific populations) pretty consistently show that dark chocolate consumption is related to lower blood pressure readings, for example among the Kuna Indians living in Panama, and the elderly Dutch. These findings led to controlled studies by researchers in the medical and nutrition fields. For example, one study found that fifteen days of eating dark chocolate lowered blood pressure (and improved insulin sensitivity) in healthy subjects. Cacao consumption also improved arterial flow in smokers. Another study used flavanol-rich cacao to increase nitric oxide production in healthy humans which dilated the blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure. Still another study found that eating dark chocolate improved circulation directly to the heart.
Source: MarksDailyApple Disclaimer: Neither Mark Sisson nor Mayesa has received remuneration for the publication of this guest blog, nor is there product endorsement.
Categories Dark Chocolate, General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Snacks, Organic Cacao
Cacao as MedicineMay 22, 2013
The Aztecs knew that this delicious bean was famous for healing the nervous system and improving digestion and elimination. Other medicinal properties for which the Aztecs used cacao included alleviating fever, anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue and poor breast milk production. It was also used for respiratory ailments, gout, kidney stones and low virility. In recent years modern science has delved into the secrets of this amazing bean to discover that it’s the Theobromine, antioxidant flavanols, catecins , and many other body and brain enhancing elements contained in the bean that makes it such a powerhouse of medicine. In fact, chocolate has been very recently cited by some top health professionals and researchers to be the single most exciting health food. How is it possible that something that only recently was thought of as an unhealthy indulgence is now being hailed as so remarkably beneficial? Answer – “chocolate” does not necessarily equal “cacao bean.” Most chocolate candy and other chocolate products on the market contain low levels of cacao and high amounts of sugars, milk fat, and artificial flavorings. In addition, the quality and processing of cacao used in these products is often low due to alkalinization, refining, processing and over-roasting of the bean. If you want the true health benefits that cacao can give you, choose only high cacao percentage dark chocolate, with a minimum of 75% cacao and even better, stick to at least 85% cacao. And for true healthy chocolate, look for products that use organic cacao, and are soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Source: BrainFood
Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party – This is the Healthy Chocolate Party Place!April 5, 2013
Let’s Party! Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. We’re joining the party with a giveaway for you! Just follow the instructions below to enter to win a 12-pack of Mayesa healthy chocolate drinks! Mayesa is all about indulging in chocolate – healthy chocolate! Made from organic cacao – one of the healthiest foods on the planet – Mayesa is chocked full of good things for you, including fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D and those great immunity-boosting antioxidants. And a bonus – Mayesa is dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free! What does a delicious Mayesa drink do for you? Besides allowing you to pamper yourself with decadent chocolate, you’ll also find that it energizes you, it replenishes you, it increases clarity, and it suppresses hunger. A healthy chocolate Mayesa drink is great for breakfast, a mid-morning pick-me-up, as a way over the mid-afternoon slump, and is perfect for dessert in the evening. You’ll love giving it to your kids, too – knowing that they can now have a chocolate drink that is actually good for them. It’s so great to have you here to visit. Please feel free to browse around and learn more about healthy cacao. Here’s how to enter our Party giveaway: Want extra entries into the contest? Do the following..!
Make sure we have a way to reach you, by leaving your email in the comment. One winner will be chosen at random by using random.org. The contest ends April 15h at 11:59 EDT. We will announce the winner Monday April 17th. And, don’t forget to head over to the Ultimate Blog Party (#UBP13) at the 5 Minutes for Mom web site! It’s a chance to win another 12-pack of delicious healthy chocolate Mayesa drinks! You’ll also discover many other great blog sites, and there are prizes galore! Thanks for learning more about Mayesa – the chocolate drink that’s oh, so delicious – and healthy!
Categories General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Lifestyle, Organic Cacao, Ultimate Blog Party
Healthy Chocolate Mayesa and Athletes – One Runner’s StoryMarch 20, 2013
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, April. April: I was born and raised in a small town in upstate NY, where there were more cows than people and it was a wonderful place for my imagination to grow. I always wanted to be outdoors, so I made my way to San Diego where I work at an outdoor flower shop as a floral artist. “Living the dream” has become a reality for me and I’m very thankful for that every day. Q: What kind of athletic endeavors do you participate in? April: Ultra running is my main game. I have a passion for running; it’s my therapy and really makes me appreciate my surroundings so much more. If everything else goes wrong, I know I can rely on running to make my day more worthwhile. Q: How did you become interested in entering marathons and races? April: I ran track and cross country in high school, and that competitive edge never really goes away. I did my first marathon in 2007, but in 2009 upon completing the Portland Marathon, I felt like I wanted something more. Not concrete and city streets, but trails and more endurance, where we’re really born to run. That’s how I got into ultras. Q: How did you first learn about Mayesa? April: There was a promotion going on in Sprouts Farmers Market and it was love at first sip! The gentleman doing the promotion hooked me up with some coupons, so I stocked up!
April: I feel like I’m always training, preparing for the next race. I’m fortunate to work in the afternoon to evening, so I wake up in the morning and get my run in before I go to my side job, dog walking, and then to work where I’m on my feet for the remainder of the day. Twice a week I go to the gym after work for strength training and once a week I hit up the track for speed work. Some ultra-runners are able to eat whatever they want, but I need to be more conscious of what I put in my body because I’m always recovering from long runs and preparing for the next. I’ve made a habit of having “breakfast salads” as my first meal with some kind of protein and a carb based on how long my next run is. I can’t consume too much dairy or processed sugar so that’s where Mayesa really takes podium. Q: How does Mayesa fits into your training and healthy lifestyle? April: Well, I’m a female, and, naturally, I need chocolate! I used to buy Mayesa just because it was delicious, but then when I learned how good it was for me and how it was helping me recover during training, it was a no brainer. This was the sweet treat that I needed! Q: What would you like to say to other athletes about Mayesa? April: It’s so naturally delicious and good for you that it’s not only refreshing in your mouth, but also in your mind and body.
Valentine’s Day – Love, Hearts, and Healthy ChocolateFebruary 13, 2013
Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, Love, thou art every day my Valentine! -Thomas Hood There’s nothing like a great love poem, and as we all know, love is even sweeter when expressed with chocolate! Especially on Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th all around the world, and is the second most celebrated holiday after New Year’s Day. In many countries it is actually a religious feast day honoring Saint Valentine. The day was first associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages when literary men such as Chaucer promoted the idea of “courtly love” in their writings. By the 1500s both men and women were celebrating their love on Saint Valentine’s Feast Day by exchanging gifts which they called “Valentines.” Handmade cards began to be exchanged by the next century, and continued as the norm until the mid 1800s when Valentine’s Day cards became massed produced, which also allowed the tradition of Valentine’s Day cards to become popular throughout the world. Although beginning as a Christian holiday, today Valentine’s Day is heartily celebrated in many non-Christian countries. And in many of them the tradition continues for the man to present a box of chocolates to the woman. However, in Japan it is the tradition for the woman to give a Valentine’s Day gift to the man of a homemade chocolate confection of some kind. In almost all instances the chocolates are either presented in a heart-shaped box, or are created in the shape of a heart. And now science is telling us every day that dark chocolate – is actually “heart-healthy!” So it looks like you you’ll be on the right track with a Valentine’s Day gift of heart-healthy chocolate! Tuck some cartons of Mayesa in among the bouquet of flowers and give some delicious chocolate on this special holiday of love! Celiac Disease, Gluten-Free and MayesaJanuary 16, 2013
First let’s look at just what exactly is “gluten.” Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat, barley and rye. It is ingested not only from breads and other flour-based foods, but most processed foods as well where it is liberally used as a stabilizer and thickener. Gluten is especially detrimental to anyone who has been diagnosed with celiac disease – a chronic digestive disorder which causes the body to mount an inflammatory immune response to the presence of gluten. (more…)
Categories General, Gluten-Free, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Lifestyle, News and Information, Nutrition
Vending Machines With Healthy Snacks? True!July 19, 2012
The push within the past several years to encourage Americans to make more healthy choices when it comes to meals and snacks has given rise to a seemingly unique concept – vending machines with healthy foods, instead of the ubiquitous candy bars, chips and sugary sodas. A San Diego company, Fresh Healthy Vending Cafe, is on a mission – to provide people with those healthy food and beverage options. In its vending machines, you’ll find a variety of healthier drinks that are either low in sugar or naturally sugar-free. Fresh Healthy Vending Café is the latest exclusive launch of Fresh Healthy Vending, a company that started in 2010 and is revolutionizing vending machines by filling them with healthy, natural and organic foods and beverages. Dubbed the “future of vending” Fresh Healthy Vending Cafe is already the largest Healthy Vending company in North America. Fresh Healthy Vending Café offers franchised high-tech vending machines that are located in such places as workout facilities, hospitals, military bases, schools, and office buildings. Besides such healthy alternatives to high sugar sodas as coconut milk, purified water, and herbal teas, you’ll find Mayesa. A healthy chocolate drink, Mayesa adds to the credibility of this new vending machine concept by showing that vending machines can carry snacks and drinks that are not only nutritious and healthy for you, but delicious and enjoyable as well. Great Changes in School Lunches for Healthy KidsJune 19, 2012  Michelle Obama is seen here joining students at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, VA, for a healthy lunch of turkey tacos, black bean and corn salad, and fresh fruit, prepared by celebrity chef Rachael Ray The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2012 was signed by President Obama as a major step forward in America’s effort to provide all children with healthy foods in their schools. Since then USDA guidelines are implementing important provisions of the legislation, which includes significant improvements that will help provide children with healthier and more nutritious food options, educate children about making healthy food choices, and teach children healthy habits that can last a lifetime, says a White House statement.
Categories General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Family Eating, Kids Eating Right, News and Information, Nutrition, Organic Cacao, Raw Cacao
5 Tips for Healthy Family EatingMay 22, 2012
The American Dietetic Association wants to help your entire family stay on track and has launched its Kids Eat Right campaign. Here are 4 top tips from Kids Eat Right to make healthy family eating easy this summer, and we’ve added a tip of our own to round the list to 5: 1. Take your children shopping with you, and let them pick out the healthy foods they enjoy, especially fresh fruits and vegetables that are so plentiful during summer months. 2. Make healthy eating fun by planning a trip around the world. Designate one night a week as “World Night,” and prepare a meal from another country. Many cultures feature healthy foods in their ethnic cooking. For example: Italy has gnocchi which are dumplings made with vegetables such as spinach mixed in; Greece has Tzatziki sauce, made with creamy yogurt, garlic and cucumber, perfect for pita sandwiches or a veggi dip; and Mexico has gazpacho, a cold tomato-based raw vegetable soup, delicious and especially refreshing on a hot day. 3. Invite kids to help in the kitchen when preparing meals, letting the older kids chop and cook foods and the younger kids mix ingredients and set the table. 4. Sit down as a family and eat together. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, eating together as a family during adolescence is associated with lasting positive effects on nutritional quality in young adulthood. 5. And we’ll add to this list our tip – when the kids want to snack, give them a healthy chocolate snack – Mayesa drinks. Mayesa is made from organic cacao, and so is chocked full of cacao’s healthy qualities including antioxidants, omega 3s, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. In addition, Mayesa energizes, replenishes, and even suppresses hunger leading to less nibbling on unhealthy foods. Do your kids a favor this summer – keep them on track with healthy chocolate Mayesa. Image Credit: macombcountymi.gov
Categories American Dietetic Association, General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Family Eating, Kids Eating Right, Nutrition, Organic Cacao
Natural Products Expo West – Mayesa Will Be There!March 6, 2012
And what does that mean for you? We’ll be talking with representatives from many different types of businesses who sell healthy products just like Mayesa. These businesses include conventional supermarket and grocery stores, gourmet specialty retailers, natural product chains, health practitioners, and natural food restaurants. It’s amazing that just 30 years ago, natural and organic products were sold mostly by independent and co-op retailers, and the size of the industry was estimated at $2.4 billion. Today, natural and organic products are sold in almost every retail channel, and the industry is worth nearly $68 billion, according to Natural Foods Merchandiser’s “2009 Market Overview.” We’re excited to be attending the largest natural, organic and healthy product trade show in the country! This will bring our wonderful healthy chocolate Mayesa drinks to the attention of thousands of industry professionals. Expo West will see our debut of three new flavors, and our brand-new packaging! And soon you’ll have many more options of where to buy your favorite Mayesa drinks!
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