Health enthusiasts hold these three food items in high esteem, given their obvious nutritional benefits.

Moringa has recently entered the health arena and found its unique pedestal. As a “wonder tree,” its various parts come with nutritional value that exceeds those found in foods that we consume daily.

For example, moringa contains twice as much protein as kale, almost a hundred times more B2, and supersedes kale’s iron content four times. It beats wheatgrass in protein, calcium, and vitamin K content. Moringa also tops turmeric in anti-inflammatory properties.

Most of the plant’s parts have nutritious value: its pods, flowers, leaves, bark, and nuts all have something to offer.

And that’s not all.

The plant is armed with bioactive and antioxidant compounds fit for your physical and mental needs.

What Is Moringa?

Moringa, also known scientifically as Moringa oleifera, is a “power tree” that has been used for centuries to cure headaches, improve immune system function, regulate weight and weight loss, and boost libido.

Moringa belongs to the Moringaceae family and is common in Africa and Asia. It’s been studied and proven to help handle diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, and non-alcoholic liver disease.

Moringa contains a significant amount of bioactive compounds. The extensive combination of vitamins, phenolic acids, and alkaloids are found primarily in the plant’s leaves.

Together, these compounds give moringa its pharmaceutical properties.

In some instances, moringa leaves have been used to treat typhoid, malaria, diabetes, and hypertension in developing countries—mainly in Asia and Africa.

Moringa’s Wonder Nutrients

• Moringa is high in protein and amino acids. These two nutrients account for 30% of its weight. As a result, it rivals milk, which has a protein weight of 35%.

• Fresh moringa leaves have higher beta carotene and vitamin A content than that found in pumpkin and carrot.

• Moringa exceeds oranges in vitamin C content and dairy products in calcium. It also beats spinach and bananas in iron and potassium content, respectively.
  Moringa has been proved to contain roughly 15 times the amount of potassium found in bananas, and seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges.
  Moringa leaves contain 200 mg of vitamin C per 100g of concentration.

• Moringa’s seed oil is commercially known as behen oil. Behen has phytochemicals and a fatty acid content that is healthier than most commercial hydrogenated oils.
  These oils are also chemically referred to as saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA/MUFA).

Moringa’s Nutritional Profile

Moringa’s leaves are rich in various minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.

Other parts of the moringa plant that are edible include the stem, bark, pods, and root. All these are high in carbohydrates, with the leaves having the highest overall concentration of minerals.

Immature flowers and pods are also edible and are famous for their high amount of fatty acids.

The table below breaks down the nutritional composition of moringa’s edible parts for every 100 g of dry weight:

Essential Bioactive Compounds in the Moringa Plant

Moringa’s bioactive components empower it with properties capable of enhancing disease treatment and prevention.

Moringa has been proven to be anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cardioprotective (guards the heart), and hepatoprotective (mitigates liver injury).

These compounds form two main metabolite groups:

• Primary metabolites: These are the compounds involved in physiological functions (body growth and reproduction) and include proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides
  
• Secondary metabolites: These are minor compounds that are needed by the body in only trace amounts. They include phenolic compounds, halogenated compounds, and terpenes. Collectively, these compounds work to fight chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes.

Let’s take a deeper look at some essential moringa compounds that aid in treating and preventing various diseases.

#1: Essential Vitamins

Fresh moringa leaves have an abundance of carotenoids that form vitamin A. Vitamin A is a catalyst of good vision, embryonic growth and development, reproduction, cell differentiation, and immune competence.

Vitamin A also aids in the management of eye problems, like night blindness, and inhibits the development of cataracts (opaqueness of eye lenses).

Moringa leaves are also rich in vitamin E, with nutrient concentrations matching those found in nuts.

#2: Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Moringa’s anti-inflammatory effects can be attributed to components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins.

Moringa reduces inflammation by working against inflammatory proteins and enzymes in the body. Its leaf concentrate plays a significant role in inhibiting inflammation in cells.

#3: Antimicrobial Compounds

Moringa’s leaves contain essential oils which produce an antimicrobial and antifungal effect.

For best results, leaf extracts are typically used in conjunction with alcoholic extracts derived from the plant’s seeds. Moringa’s root, stem, and bark extract also have antimicrobial qualities.

Dry moringa leaves are a powerful source of phenolic acids and flavonoids (collectively called polyphenol compounds). These flavonoids include quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol. The benefits of each category are further broken down as follows:

• Phenolic acids belong to phenolic compounds, which originate from hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, antimutagenic (impede cell mutation), anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

• Flavonoids have been observed to protect against diseases caused by oxidative stress, including certain types of cancer and ailments of cardiovascular origin.

• Quercetin is an antioxidant with therapeutic benefits, which reduces hyperlipidemia (bad cholesterol) and atherosclerosis (building of fats in artery walls), and protects insulin-producing cells.
  

Quercetin also protects the liver from damage while increasing its protein content.

#4: Anticarcinogenic Compounds

Moringa has several compounds in its leaves and seeds that have been proven to be effective against lung, skin, breast, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers.

Tannins are contained in dry moringa leaves and have water-soluble properties. Tannins are anti-cancer in nature. They protect against toxins, inflammation, and coronary heart disease.

#5: Antioxidants

Moringa has a variety of antioxidants in its seeds, leaves, and flowers. These are essentially polyphenols that exhibit a high antioxidant capacity.

Moringa also comes packed with ascorbic acid, which creates insulin secretion. This provides an anti-diabetic effect.

Antioxidants are also responsible for managing inflammation and stress of the brain. Moringa’s antioxidants are neuro-enhancers, and have been used to treat instances of Alzheimer’s disease.

Moringa’s vitamins C and E also improve brain functionality by inhibiting neuronal degradation. At the same time, they help in memory function by normalizing the neurotransmitters’ serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine levels.

Consequently, these antioxidant effects control stress and pleasure stimuli in people, including those suffering from psychosis and depression.

#6: Glycosides and β-sitostero

Moringa has glycosides and β-sitosterol in its leaves and seeds. These two substances collectively lower blood pressure (by regulating the body’s lipid profile) and reduce cholesterol levels.

Moringa leaves package saponins, which inhibit the absorption of plasma cholesterol, consequently moderating the circulation of bile acids.

Moringa Green Tea to Boost Immunity

Most people just boil dry moringa leaves to make tea. In this recipe, we’ll add some spice and also include Organic Pure Moringa Powder.

Recipe

Method

1. Add the cinnamon, ginger, and lemon wedge to a mug.
2. Pour 1 cup of boiled water into the mix. Stir and allow to brew for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Remove the lemon wedge.
4. Add in the Organic Pure Moringa Powder and stir.
5. Add honey to enhance the taste.

Where Can I Purchase Healthy Moringa Products?

Having learned the benefits of moringa for the body and mind, you may want to choose a product for your personal use.

At Kuli Kuli Foods, our online shop offers you natural and high-quality organic moringa products, which include:

• Herbal teas
• Organic powder
• Energy shots
• Energy bars
• Energy shakes

At Kuli Kuli, we’ve partnered with female farmers worldwide to support their self-sustenance and offer education and incentives surrounding moringa’s growth and production.

Our responsibility extends to every step that goes into producing the best moringa products.

We oversee the preparation of quality soil and optimized planting, excellent harvesting methods, hygienic processing, and packaging to ensure only the best products for our customers.

Today, Kuli Kuli supports a population of over 3000 small farmers, who have gone ahead and planted at least 24,000,000 trees, thereby generating over $5.2 million in collective revenue.

Our customers love the products we sell. Two of them gave the following testimonials:

“You get energy from Kuli Kuli moringa powder, it really helps with that. When I don’t drink it, I feel different, a little dragging.“

Kecia

“Kuli Kuli moringa powder is pure and easy to use. It’s the final ingredient I add to my smoothie. It doesn’t matter what my lunch is, my energy never drops throughout the day.“

Jay

Moringa has healthy benefits just for you. Place an order today from our list of nutritious products.

The post Moringa Nutrition: 6 Essential Compounds for a Healthy Body and Mind appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Local farmers and communities should benefit from the foods they send around the world. We should all take notice of climate-friendly foods. We should reward the people and systems that care for the environment during the cultivation and production of food.

And, of course, we must discover and embrace the foods and dishes that truly nourish our bodies.

For conscious eaters around the world, moringa is a special plant that’s beginning to draw attention. Culturally significant, environmentally-friendly, and nutritionally fabulous—moringa is a game-changer.

What Is Moringa?

Moringa is a tree that’s native to India and East Africa. It’s also grown in Asia and South America. As a fast-growing and drought-resistant species, it’s been embraced in many lands by many peoples.

Like any special plant, moringa has earned various names: the drumstick tree, the horseradish tree, the ben oil tree, the tree of life, and even the miracle tree.

What’s so miraculous about moringa?

Well, along with its history of use in traditional medicine, the plant today helps to transform communities in a number of ways: improving nutrition, boosting rural economic strength, and providing a means of sustainable food production and landcare.

Moringa is caffeine-free, but it’s full of all the healthy nutrients that provide clean and natural energy boosts: protein, vitamins, potassium, iron, and more.

Adding Moringa Powder to Foods and Drinks

As a leafy green vegetable, moringa leaves have a lot in common with other superfoods like kale and spinach. However, moringa is in a league of its own nutritionally. Compared to kale, moringa has twice as much protein, three times more calcium, two times more iron, and 1.5 times more fiber. 

To produce Kuli Kuli Moringa Leaf Powder, our leaves are harvested and processed on the same day to preserve the maximum nutritional value they offer. The result is an incredibly dynamic powder that can add vitality to any meal. 

“I mix a teaspoon in hot water and drink it as a warm beverage. I have very high expectations for the things I nourish myself with and Kuli Kuli Moringa Powder passes the test for me. I cannot drink coffee or tea and it’s really nice to finally have a “go to” to replace the warm beverage ritual that’s been missing in my life for so long.

Thank you Kuli Kuli for testing your high quality powder for molds and toxins and for your transparency with the results. It makes all the difference!”

—Jeannette ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Reviewer

For creative cooks and eaters, there’s no limit to the uses of moringa powder. You can add it to any number of foods and beverages as a featured ingredient or a small-serving add-on.

Need some inspiration? Here are a few simple, delicious, and nutritious ways to add moringa powder to your diet.

Moringa Powder Smoothies

Smoothies are probably the most popular way to consume any sort of nutritional powder. It’s a quick way to take in a number of healthy ingredients all at once in a liquid form that’s easy on the tummy.

Pick your favorite smoothie recipe and simply add in one teaspoon to one tablespoon of moringa powder. Swap out an existing powder or green ingredient, or just add it to the mix without making any other changes.

You can’t go wrong by adding moringa to your daily morning or post-workout smoothie. Nutritionally, there’s no downside to a daily dose of this superfood—only lots of benefits.

Moringa Guacamole Dip

Combine the plant-based protein power of avocado with moringa’s superfood qualities. You’ll make a dip that’s oh-so-delicious yet incredibly nourishing.

Part of the appeal of guacamole is, of course, its simplicity. All you really need is a crushed avocado. The most important addition is a bit of salt, followed by lime juice. From there, individual choices take over, with extra seasonings and veggies added as you like.

Moringa slides in effortlessly with the texture and taste of guacamole. Moringa’s flavor will mostly be overshadowed by the rich, salty, and tangy tones that are already there in your guac. If anything, moringa will just add a bit of an earthy bite.

Use a mild ingredients mix if you’d like the moringa taste to be noticeable. Or, be generous with the salt, lime, and add-ons if you’d like the moringa to move into the background.

It’s easy to just add moringa powder to your current guac recipe. Or, try this quick and easy delicious moringa guacamole dip recipe:

Recipe:

Method:

1. Mash the avocados, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Mix in the onion, cilantro, tomatoes, moringa powder, and garlic. Stir in the cayenne pepper if you wish to add it.
3. Refrigerate for one hour for the best flavor or serve immediately if you can’t wait to try it.

Moringa Brownies

Can a leafy green superfood squeeze its way into sweet baked goods like brownies? Of course it can.

Brownies are surprisingly dynamic treats. They’re rich and sweet, but they don’t need to be unhealthy. They can be vegan or made to fit any other dietary restriction. And they’re a perfect template for adding a superfood like moringa.

Clever chefs have conjured up all sorts of creative moringa brownie recipes. Why not try ours? This moringa brownie recipe is decadent and delicious. And it’s also completely vegan and full of moringa and protein-packed almonds and walnuts.

Moringa Soups

Soups are perfect dishes for experimenting with new ingredients. Soup recipes are usually quite flexible—you can boost the amount of some ingredients, introduce new ingredients, and remove ones you don’t like.

Moringa can be added to a soup as a nutrition booster and flavor enhancer. If you like to tinker with recipes, you’ll have no problem adding moringa to your favorite soups. If you’re more of an exact follower of recipes, try out one of these hearty and delicious moringa soups:

• Hearty Moringa Sweet Potato and Kale Soup
• Probiotic Miso Green Moringa Soup

Adding Ethically-Sourced Moringa Powder to Your Diet 

Providing the world with a delicious superfood is no small task.

When it comes to the broad topic we sum up with the word “health,” we believe that we’re all in this together. A person or a nation can’t truly receive nourishment from a food that arrives via unjust labor or environmental destruction.

Sadly, modern commerce is full of imbalances. Wealthy people in wealthy places have a very privileged shopping experience. They don’t need to consider the path that a product has taken to arrive on the shelf.

Fortunately, many consumers choose to consider the connections between the products they purchase, the communities behind them, and the environment.

At Kuli Kuli Foods, our mission is three-pronged and addresses: sustainable livelihoods and women’s empowerment, nutritional security, and agriculture and environment.

Visit our online store to make a selection from our collection of moringa powder products and lots of other superfood-boosted foods and drinks.

To learn more about superfoods and the Kuli Kuli mission, visit our blog.

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The general idea is that a food that truly earns superfood status is absolutely packed with nutrition. A superfood is loaded with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You get maximum nutritional benefit by consuming a minimal number of calories.

No matter how you classify superfoods, there’s one special plant that’s sure to qualify: moringa.

Moringa holds its own against any well-known superfood. It tastes like matcha, but provides caffeine-free energy. It’s anti-inflammatory properties rival turmeric, and it’s a nutritional powerhouse that makes kale blush.

Let’s explore this wonderful plant known as “The Tree of Life”—how we came to know it, its uses, and its wonderful nutritional benefits.

What Part of the World Is Moringa From?

Moringa is native to India and neighboring lands on the Indian subcontinent. Today, it’s grown in this region as well as throughout the global tropics.

There are 13 species of moringa. The most commonly-cultivated variety is moringa oleifera.

Moringa grows wild or in cultivation in many parts of the world where the climate is appropriately warm. These include:

• South Asia
• Southeast Asia
• The Philippines
• Indonesia
• The Caribbean
• Central America
• South America
• Africa 

In most areas where growing conditions are tropical or subtropical, moringa will thrive. It’s a highly adaptable tree, able to grow in a variety of conditions.

Moringa remains important on the Indian subcontinent. It’s also become a fixture in various parts of Africa, including Somalia and Ethiopia. Some moringa species are even indigenous to the African continent.

Moringa and its superfood qualities are warmly welcomed in farms and kitchens around the world. Now, let’s learn a bit more about the history and use of this dynamic and prolific tree.

Moringa’s History of Use

Moringa’s precise point of origin is unknown, but the plant was likely first cultivated within the borders of modern-day India. From there, it spread to neighboring countries.

The “Tree of Life” has long been valued in South Asian nations like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

The modern surge of appreciation for moringa is nothing new. The plant has always been embraced by cultures that have newly discovered it. These include the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

What attributes have contributed to moringa’s popularity through history and around the world? Well, first and foremost, there are the fantastic nutritional benefits which we’ll get into in a moment.

But like many other plants favored by ancient peoples, moringa has also been widely employed in traditional medicine. Traditional medicinal uses have been broad, and include the treatment of pain, asthma, wounds, and numerous other ailments.

Thanks to moringa’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties, its prominence in traditional medicine is no surprise.

Aside from the treatment of illness, moringa has been utilized for various lifestyle products. The ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians all used moringa oil to make perfumes and other wellness products.

Ancient Egyptians used moringa oil to make anti-wrinkle creams. In fact, jars of moringa oil have even been found in Egyptian tombs, suggesting that it had great value.

Moringa shows promise for continued medicinal use. However, the plant’s medicinal benefits are less studied and less documented compared to its nutritional prowess. That’s beginning to change, however, as new research explores moringa’s medicinal potential.

What we know for sure is that moringa grows well in many lands. The moringa tree is hearty, drought-tolerant, and fast-growing. A young tree can gain 18 feet in height in just a six month period.

Better yet, all parts of the tree are edible—the leaves, seeds, roots, and even the bark. And, of course, moringa provides outstanding nutritional value to the communities that grow it as well as the countries that import moringa products.

Moringa’s Incredible Nutritional Benefits

There’s a lot to love about moringa, but it’s the nutritional facts that typically occupy the headlines.

Healthy eaters around the world are always looking for superfoods that are bursting with nutrients. They believe they’ve found a good one in moringa—and they’re absolutely right.

“I recently had the opportunity to try this superfood shake and I LOVE IT. It tastes great, doesn’t have any weird after tastes or anything and isn’t “chalky” like some protein shakes. I’ve had it every day in the morning this week, and have felt energetic and full for most of the morning! I definitely recommend, and will be buying again.”

—Karlie, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Reviewer

There’s no single set of numbers that’s used to sum up moringa’s nutrition facts. Different amounts or forms of the plant (e.g. raw leaf vs. powder form) have been used for nutritional research, so you’ll find some variation.

Here’s what you’ll get from a 100 g portion of raw moringa leaves:

In areas where moringa is grown, the raw leaves and other parts and forms of the plant are consumed. Where moringa production for export occurs, the raw leaves are typically converted into a pure powder form.

Moringa powder is a concentrated and dynamic form of the plant. The powder can be sold directly for consumers to work with, or turned into healthy snacks and drinks like energy bars or teas.

Adding Moringa to Your Diet and Daily Routine

Adding moringa to your diet is easy and gratifying. Leaves of “The Miracle Tree” are used to create a powder, and that powder can be put into all sorts of healthy supplements, drinks, and snacks.

At Kuli Kuli Foods, we’re always finding new and exciting ways to bring moringa’s nutritional superpowers into your daily routine. The table below shows our current set of moringa offerings. 

Moringa’s taste is similar to that of matcha. It’s tough to characterize, but it’s a flavor sometimes described as earthy, grassy, or green. There are a lot of flavors going on, including hints of bitterness, sweetness, and umami.

Some folks quite enjoy the taste of moringa. Others prefer to combine it with stronger and sweeter flavors, allowing the moringa to take on a more complementary role.

We hope you’ll agree that our products are delicious. However, the Kuli Kuli Foods mission is about much more than just taste, or even nutrition.

Kuli Kuli Foods was founded to do good—for customers as well as for the communities and individuals involved in production.

Nourishing Individuals, Communities, and the Planet

The dream behind the founding of Kuli Kuli Foods was to bring the power of a special superfood to the American market, while simultaneously empowering small farmers and female farmers around the world.

Today, our mission is to nourish women and the planet through naturally energizing, nutritious, and sustainable plants.

Moringa absorbs carbon dioxide much quicker than typical vegetation. We’ve planted and preserved over 24 million moringa trees that absorb an estimated 300–900 million kilograms of carbon dioxide each year.

In addition to carbon sequestration, the trees are utilized in numerous land stewardship techniques: wind shielding, soil conservation, and semi-shading for other crops that shouldn’t receive direct sunlight.

While working with these miraculous trees, we’ve supported 3,000 women and family farmers. Our moringa is sourced from rural and remote areas, and only the leaves are harvested. We prioritize our relationships with farmers, their communities, and the ecosystems they support.

“My first order of this was actually through a different vendor. Loved it! So came directly to this site to purchase more. Glad I did! Both my husband and I notice a dramatic change in energy levels. We have energy all day when we start our mornings with moringa! I do the morning moringa dance! Lol! Great stuff! Thanks for providing such a wonderful product.”

—Danielle, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Reviewer

Kuli Kuli Foods products are certified organic and inspected in the US.

Visit our online store to choose from our selection of nutritious, ethically-produced moringa products.

Order online or find our moringa goods at over 11,000 stores across the United States. Find Kuli Kuli Foods products at your local Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Safeway, or Sprouts.

If you’d like to learn more about moringa, its impact on communities, and its fabulous superfood properties, visit our blog.

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The post Moringa Uses, History, and Powerful Health Benefits appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Thank you to Alycia who created a healthy holiday dessert featuring our Pure Moringa Powder and Raspberry Chia SuperBark (it’s even a festive red and green color). Check out the recipe below and follow Alycia on Instagram at @aleafcia for more of her fabulous recipes.

MORINGA RASPBERRY MUG CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup oat flour

2 tsp Pure Moringa Powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 mashed banana

2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk

6-7 fresh raspberries

Raspberry Chia SuperBark

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together
2. Mix the wet ingredients together
3. Then combine the dry and wet ingredients to make a batter
4. Fold raspberries into the batter
5. Then spoon into a mug or bowl
6. Place raspberries and SuperBark on top
7. Bake at 350F for 15-20 min or microwave for ~1min 30sec.

There you have it! Healthy, festive and delicious! What are your favorite healthy holiday treats? Let us know in the comments.

If you make this recipe, don’t forget to tag @kulikulifoods and @aleafcia in any social media posts so we can see your beautiful moringa mug cake!

The post MORINGA RASPBERRY MUG CAKE appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

A Vanilla Oat Moringa Latte is a creamy pick-me-up that tastes similar to matcha, but more nutrient-dense and caffeine-free. Kuli Kuli’s Pure Moringa Powder and Nutpods French Vanilla Oat Creamer are a dream combo creating a rich and refreshing iced or hot latte. In recent months, Naomi Campbell and Martha Stewart called out moringa as a way to stay healthy during COVID-19 and influencers like Minimalist Baker are raving about their “caffeine-free matcha” latte recipe. So let’s get frothing! 

Latte Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Kuli Kuli Organic Pure Moringa Powder
• 1 tbsp Nutpods French Vanilla Oat Creamer 
• 8 oz warm water
• 1 cup ice 
• 1 tsp agave or honey (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Add moringa powder, warm water, and your sweetener of choice (optional) to a glass. 
2. Use a whisk, matcha brush, or frother to mix all ingredients until combined and all clumps have disappeared.
3. Add 1 cup of ice to the glass. 
4. Pour in a splash of Vanilla Oat Creamer until your latte reaches it’s desired creamy-ness!
5. Enjoy  

Pro Tip: You can make this recipe a hot latte by using hot water and not adding ice cubes! 

Show us your Vanilla Oat Moringa Lattes on social media by tagging @nutpods and @kulikulifoods! 

The post Vanilla Oat Moringa Latte appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Plant-based diets are growing in popularity and for good reason! Not only is a plant-based diet good for our bodies, but it’s also good for the environment. By moving away from animal-based products, studies show we could significantly reduce carbon emissions and byproduct waste. That is why this #WorldSustainabilityDay, we’re featuring a delicious plant-powered pasta recipe in partnership with two sustainable friends!

To put the power of plant-based into perspective, one pound of beef requires anywhere from 2,000-8,000 gallons of water to produce, while it only takes 290 gallons of water to produce one pound of unprocessed oats. Talk about a dramatic difference!

Meet Our Super Sustainable Friends

Looking for more sustainable brands to support? Time for you to meet our friends featured below, Sproud and Explore Cuisine.

Sproud is where taste and sustainability come together. This plant-based milk is made with peas, which use way less water and land than other alternative milks. Plus it’s packed with protein + crazy delicious in coffee, smoothies, cereals and all kinds of recipes. It’ll become your new go-to.

Explore Cuisine invented a smarter way to make pasta with the biggest variety of plant-based and organic ingredients out there. From green lentil to chickpeas, Explore Cuisine’s innovative pastas give you the power to explore tastes you’ve never tried before. Through Explore Cuisine’s Food to Thrive foundation, they’ve supported farmers in Thailand by providing modern equipment, buying crops at higher-than-market price, and educational partnerships.

Delicious Deals: Explore Cuisine, Sproud, and Kuli Kuli are all giving a 25% discount on their products when you use code PLANTPOWER25 on each site!

Plant-Power Pasta Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups Original Sproud Drink
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Kuli Kuli Moringa powder
• 2 garlic cloves (grated)
• 1 box Explore Cuisine Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
• ¼ cup scallions (sliced on bias, greens reserved for garnish)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 lemon (zest only)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 4

Prep Time: 00:10 minutes

Cook Time: 00:15 minutes

Directions:

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Sproud, water and Kuli Kuli Moringa powder. Bring to a boil. Add grated garlic, season with salt. Add Explore Cuisine’s Edamame Mung Bean Fettuccine. Cook according to package directions.
2. Then, while cooking, at the 5-minute mark, stir in scallions, 1 cup basil, 1 cup fresh mint and lemon zest. Continue to stir, releasing starches from pasta. Remove from heat, check seasoning. Divide between bowls, garnish with scallion greens, basil leaves, and mint leaves.
3. Enjoy!

Trying out this delicious pasta preparation? Tag us on social media @kulikulifoods! We’d love to see your plant-based creation.

The post The Best Plant-Based Pasta Recipe appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Photo & recipe credit @notyouravgcupofjones

For additional smoothie ideas, check out our post on How to Make the Perfect Moringa Smoothie. For thicker smoothies, consider freezing the banana or chopped mango prior to adding into your smoothie.

Like any recipe, feel free to add your own twists. If you are new to moringa, you can review 10 Reasons to Eat Moringa Everyday. Besides being healthy and delicious, it’s nice when smoothies are a delight to the eye.

This smoothie by @notyouravgcupofjones  certainly caught our attention! However you use moringa in your daily routine, we hope you enjoy the way moringa can uplift your day and become part of your everyday health routine.

Ingredients: Moringa Pineapple Smoothie by @notyouravgcupofjones 1 pineapple, carved 1 mango, chopped 1/2 cup spinach 1 banana 1 avocado 1/2 cup blueberries 1-3 teaspoons moringa* chia seeds & coconut flakes for toppings Instructions: Carve the pineapple first, reserving the fruit for the smoothie itself. There’s entire blogs on this part of carving a pineapple. Check them out! Then, add all of the ingredients (minus the toppings and some chopped mango) to a blender and blend until smooth. Take your time arranging a few bits of the chopped mango for the decoration. Top with coconut flakes and chia seeds for a colorful array that gives the smoothie texture too! *If you consume moringa regularly, you can put 3 teaspoons of pure moringa powder in this! If you’re new to moringa, we recommend starting with 1 teaspoon.

This summer, we hosted several #mymoringasmoothie giveaways, and were so impressed by the variety of smoothies you all showed us. Shout-out to @notyouravgcupofjones for taking the #mymoringasmoothie to the next level!

Be sure to follow @notyouravgcupofjones for colorful and creative posts, recipes, and more.

What’s your go-to moringa smoothie recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow us @kulikulifoods so we can see some of your favorite ways to add this energizing superfood to your daily routine.

The post DIY: Moringa Pineapple Smoothie Recipe appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

We hope to offer three, quick lunches that can deliver packed nutrients to students, and do not take too much prep time. Enjoy the “moringa lunches” below! We also offered a bonus moringa snack towards the end of the post.

3 Easy “Back-to-School” Lunches for Kids

For more highlights, please watch our webinar on Eating for Energy and Immunity. There are lots of tips on how to stay healthy during this uncertain time.

Let us know in the comments if you have any quick nutrient-dense lunches that have helped you and your family stay nourished too!

1) Moringa Grilled Cheese and Quesadillas 

Adding moringa to a classic recipe like grilled cheese or quesadillas is a great way to offer a nutritious meal. We recommend adding 1 teaspoon of organic moringa powder at first, per serving. You can add the moringa powder to the cheese or veggies in between the bread for the grilled cheese, or on the tortilla for the quesadilla.

Because moringa is high in vitamins and fiber, it can move through the body quickly and help with bowel movements; one teaspoon is a great “starter” amount! Many people increase their daily moringa serving to one tablespoon. If you are wondering, How Often I Should Eat Moringa, and we offer a separate article digging into that.

If you’re feeling fancy, you can always try a spin on the recipe, such as making Blueberry Basil Moringa Grilled Cheese.

2) Yogurt Smoothie Bowl with Granola

“Mommy and Me” Smoothie Bowl

Lots of kids love “breakfast for lunch” and “breakfast for dinner” occasions. There are so many ways to enjoy a smoothie bowl, and kids often love putting their own spin on smoothies too.

Our Mommy and Me: Smoothie and Smoothie Bowl is a quick and easy favorite. If you find yourself overthinking the smoothie bowl idea, we recommend you just choose a flavor and go for it. Nut butters are great, filling additions to consider.

Check out our blog post on 4 Tips to Make a Healthy Moringa Smoothie for more ideas too.

3) Moringa Pasta Dishes

Pasta requires a little bit more prep, but the good news is that you can make a big batch of pasta and save the leftovers for a quick reheat later in the week.

Healthy Macaroni Recipe with Moringa

Moringa blends beautifully into marinara and pesto sauce, making it a great way to get veggies into dishes like lasagna. Our Moringa Macaroni and Cheese recipe also utilizes moringa to make these cheesy comfort food rich in vitamins.

For any “moringa lunch” recipe where moringa is being cooked, we recommend adding the moringa towards the end of the recipe. This superfood does lose some of its nutritional content at a high temperature.

For example, if you’re heating up marinara sauce to toss into spaghetti, add the organic moringa powder during the last minute or so, with just enough time to stir the powder so the sauce absorbs it.

Bonus snack: Moringa Hummus 

If you make your own hummus, then you’re set to go with this recipe. Add 1 teaspoon of moringa next time to it! Maybe offer Moringa, Hummus, and Cucumber Toast for the more adventurous eaters in your family.

Need more ideas on how to make moringa part of your children’s meals? Earlier this year, we dug into 10 Ways to Moringafy Recipes for Children. The result is a fun collection of easy twists on recipes, by adding anywhere from 1 tsp – 1 tbsp of moringa.

Adding moringa to your family dishes provides an effective way to boost nutrition and energy for the family without sacrificing taste.

We’d love to hear from you. What are you cooking these days for at-home school lunches? Any moringa lunches?

Follow us @kulikulifoods so we can see some of your favorite ways to add this energizing superfood to your children’s daily routine.

The post 3 Easy “Back to School” Lunches for Kids appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Thank you to Chef Bendicto, a Filipino chef based in New York City, for this fabulous recipe. You can read Chef Benedicto’s full bio below, and check out his cookbook The Malian Kitchen.

Edamame, Carrot & Moringa Soup

This recipe is vegan as is. Like all recipes featured on our blog, feel free to add your own twists! For this recipe, Chef Benedicto adds that “it is all up to you to decide on the texture. I personally do not like to use the blender, or this soup would have been called silky soup.”

How might you make this soup? Chunky or silky or somewhere in between?

There you have it! All the tips and tricks to make a delicious moringa soup. e. What’s your perfect smoothie recipe? How do you incorporate moringa into it? Let us know in the comments!

Chef Bendicto Edamame Soup

Don’t forget to tag @kulikulifoods in any social media posts you share so we can see your beautiful creations!

The post Edamame, Carrot & Moringa Soup appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

How to Make the Perfect Moringa Smoothie

Let’s first start with the equipment. You need a blender to make a smoothie. Investing in a powerful blender is key. I personally use a Vitamix. Though the upfront cost may be daunting, it will make all the difference, and it can also be used for other kitchen related endeavors, like nut milk. Think of a high quality blender as an investment in your health.

I typically break down a smoothie into 4 parts: fruit, greens, liquid (sometimes referred to as your base), and nutrient dense powder. By selecting one, or more, items from each category, the end result is a satisfying and nutritious smoothie.

Part one: Fruit

Fruit is what gives the smoothie its sweetness, while also adding vital vitamins to your smoothie. I always include banana as a staple in my smoothies. It’s light in flavor, high in potassium, and helps thicken the smoothie.

Frozen fruit for smoothie

For even thicker smoothies, consider freezing the banana prior to adding into your smoothie, or you can add ice for a thicker consistency. Other fruits to include are blueberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, acai, and pitaya (pink dragon fruit).

I typically buy frozen fruit, as it’s more cost effective and will last longer, and simply is much easier. For your smoothie, pick 2-3 fruits to add in if you’d like.

Part two: Greens

There are many great greens to choose from that will add extra nutrients, and help balance out the sweetness of the smoothie. The following are greens I’ve found work best: kale, spinach, collard greens, and chard.

I suggest adding in a small handful of one green into your smoothie. You can always adjust with time.

Part three: Liquid

Nowadays, there are so many milk alternatives to choose from. To keep things extra clean, I chose to make my own nut milks. My favorite is almond, but macadamia and cashew also taste great.

To make your own nut milk, simply take 1 cup of nuts and soak them for 2-4 hours (depending on the hardness of the nut). Then rinse them with clean water, and add them to the blender with 4 1/2 cups of water and blend until smooth.

Strain the milk through a nut milk cloth, and voila, your own nut milk! It’s best to use it up within 3-5 days of making it. Other liquids to use can be coconut milk, dairy milk, fresh juice, and even water will do.

Part four: Nutrient dense powder

Moringa Gram per Gram Profile

This step is where your smoothies can really pack a punch. My go-to powder is Kuli Kuli Pure Moringa Powder powder. It’s nutrient-dense, and also supports sustainable moringa farming!

Moringa has 2 times the amount of protein as yogurt, 4 times the vitamin A of carrots, and 4 times more calcium than milk. By purchasing moringa powder from Kuli Kuli, you are also supporting farmers and moringa suppliers like Pamela Soroti and Teddy Ruge, who help grow moringa sustainably in rural communities. It’s a win win!

Making Your Moringa Smoothie

Once you have chosen which ingredients to include from the sections above, it’s time to make your smoothie. We’ll make it easy as one step, at this point:

1. Add all ingredients into the blender, and blend until a smooth consistency is achieved. If you like it on the thicker side, then keep an eye on it and blend it a bit less so you have some small pieces of fruit left. You can experiment to see what you like best!

If you like to get creative in the kitchen, this part is for you. I love the process of plating food and presenting it in an aesthetically pleasing way.

I typically start with a canning jar as the vessel for holding my smoothie, but whatever vessel you fancy will do. Once I pour the contents of my delectable creation into the jar, I then decide on which toppings to use for garnish. My favorite things to decorate my smoothie with are dates, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, and chia seeds.

Blu-nana Smoothie with Dates  Blu-nana Smoothie: 1 banana 1/2 cup FROZEN blueberries Handful of spinach 1 cup of RAW almond milk 1 teaspoon of Moringa Powder *For all or these recipes, add all ingredients into the blender. Then, blend until a smooth consistency is achieved. If you like it on the thicker side, blend it a bit less!

Hot Pink Punch Smoothie: Hot Pink Punch Smoothie 1 banana 1 pack FROZEN Pitaya Plus 1/2 cup FROZEN strawberries 1 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon moringa powder *For all or these recipes, add all ingredients into the blender. Then, blend until a smooth consistency is achieved. If you like it on the thicker side, blend it a bit less!

We hope this explanation was helpful to you, and that you are on your way to creating fabulous smoothies. Have fun with the process and get creative! Besides being healthy and delicious, it’s nice when smoothies are a delight to the eye.

This summer 2020, we also have a moringa smoothie giveaway happening! Here’s a quick reminder of how to enter. We can’t wait to see your creations!

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1. Post a photo of your delicious Moringa Smoothie
2. Tag @kulikulifoods
3. Use the hashtag #MyMoringaSmoothie
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We would love to hear from you as well. What combinations have you found work well together? Please share your recipes and suggestions with us!

Follow us @KuliKuliFoods and use the #mymoringasmoothie to show us your creations!

The post How to Make the Perfect Moringa Smoothie appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.