Maple Syrup

And no I am not talking about sugar free, FAKE, crap. I am talking about 100% REAL Maple Syrup.
I know what you might be thinking, "But it has calories, and a lot of sugar."

1. Calories are not created equal- as you have heard me say before. Calories from natural, healthy foods do not work the same as calories from crappy processed, fake foods. You ARE what you EAT.
EXAMPLE:
Count your calories: eat 1400 a day of shitty food and I will eat my, hummm....probably close to 2000 (I have no idea) of my natural, un processed, real foods. While you are having a tough time getting the flab off your butt, I will be ready for bikini season in no time!
Now, I am not saying this to be mean, or cocky, or any of that....I am saying this in general, and I am saying this to seriously open your eyes that the saying "You are what you eat" is very, very true!!

BOTTOM LINE: If you eat clean. You will look like it!

2. Its not like you will be drinking cups full of maple syrup- lol. Small amounts and portion control are still important when eating clean ;)

As I was thumbing through an issue of Health magazine, I ran into an article about Maple Syrup that completely excited me! I never find anything useful in these magazines, nothing that supports my beliefs in nutrition, and today I did!! This was a great memory jogger for me so I thought I would share with you all ;) 

Benefits to Maple Syrup that you may not know:

Cancer Fighter: May help flight inflammatory diseases- its loaded with polyphenols which are antioxidants found in plants.

Youth Booster: The antioxidants in maple syrup are also natural anti-agers!  Here is a great natural face mask courtesy of Health Magazine:
Stir together:
1 tbsp warm milk
1 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp final ground oats
Massage gently onto face and leave on for 20 minutes.

Bloat Beater: Swap maple syrup out in recipes instead of sugar, its less likely to cause indigestion, gas and bloating!

Cold Stopper: Maple Syrup contains essential nutrients such as zinc and manganese that help ward off illness.

If you are really trying to loose weight, or save on calories I recommend just topping your PALEO PANCAKES (of course) with blueberries or strawberries. Kick the artificial syrup out the door!!!!
Why you ask???
Well have you ever actually checked out the ingredients?

A lot of them will look like this: A lot of preservatives, coloring, artificial sweeteners that usually just leave you bloated, and some things you probably cannot even pronounce....

Water, Sorbitol, Cellulose Gum, Natural and Artificial Maple Flavor, (sulfites), salt, Sucralose, Caramel Color (sulfites), Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (to preserve freshness), Phosphoric Acid, Acesulfame Potassium, Sorbic Acid, Zinc Lactate, Niacinamide (vitamin B3), D-calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12, Citric Acid.


Here is a great link to check out also: 
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_705.cfm
Read labels, buy things with MINIMAL ingredients- if you cannot pronounce it or do not know what it is, don't eat it! 
A lot of food items at the grocery stores are causing disease in children, and adults...scary!