NutraChamps Blog

Author: Jenn Choi

Ginseng Comeback
Does anyone else feel like ginseng is making a comeback? I remember back in the early 2000s when suddenly “ginseng” was popping up in everything from Arizona Ice Tea to energy drinks and caffeine shots. It was this mysterious energy booster from the orient that was so trendy to put on labels.

Well, last year I saw a very popular and famous Korean ginseng brand, Cheon Kwan Jang, at Costco and I was like, “Wow, is ginseng coming back???”

As a Korean, I was introduced to Ginseng very early in life, but since it’s such an expensive ingredient, it was mostly reserved for occasions that warranted the special powers of ginseng. When my dad was especially stressed and studying/working hard for his doctorate degree my mom would make sure he took supplements with ginseng in them. And when he had to have lung surgery she got a custom batch of Chinese medicine herb extracts made for his recovery process. At least once or twice a year when the weather was especially cold or there was a round of the flu going around at home Mom would make a big pot of ginseng chicken soup to help us get our strength back and it’s still something I distinctly remember. That bitter root smell wafting through the house was a signal of healing and we couldn’t wait for that hot bowl of hearty soup to grace our dinner table.

While the ginseng experience here in North America is quite different, I do see its increasing popularity, especially with the recent resurgence it’s having in supplements and with well-known ginseng brands being more visible. If you are interested in adding ginseng to your home “pharmacy” then I suggest you take note of a few things to look out for so that you can choose the right products and supplements:
1. Korean (Panax) Ginseng vs. American Ginseng -> First thing’s first, the origin is incredibly important, particularly whether it’s from Korea or America, because American ginseng does not have the same health benefits. Most people seek out ginseng products because of what they know about Korean ginseng: If the ingredient is listed as just “ginseng” and not Korean Ginseng, just know that the 2 have different functions. American ginseng is known for its cooling, relaxing, and immunity-boosting properties while Korean Panax ginseng is a “warming” agent that stimulates and invigorates. So the next time you buy an energy drink or ice tea that claims to have ginseng/ginseng extract take a look at the ingredient list. If it doesn’t specify what type of ginseng you just might be getting duped!
2. Ginsenoside: Ginsenosides are a class of natural steroid that is found exclusively from Panax and this compound is also antimicrobial and antifungal which is why it makes the ginseng root such a coveted natural medicine! 1000mg of Korean red ginseng contains about 5% ginsenosides, so look at the mg when choosing Panax ginseng supplements and products.
3. White Ginseng vs. Red Ginseng: The difference between white ginseng and red ginseng is sort of like tea. White ginseng is harvested at 4 years or younger and is peeled (which prevents decay) and dried. In the spring during ginseng season you can even find the baby roots served as a side dish in Korea or find them in Korean supermarkets, albeit for a pretty steep price! Cooking with ginseng root is common in Korea, and you can find it in traditional chicken soups, marinated in chili paste, or even served raw. In contrast, red ginseng is a root that is harvested after 6 or more years, which means that it has had time to age underground and is more meaty and very fibrous. Red ginseng is not peeled and goes through a steaming and drying process that prevents decay and increases the concentration of ginsenosides, which makes it more potent and more sought after.
Overall, Korean Panax Ginseng continues to be an acclaimed natural medicine known for giving you a smooth burst of energy, enhancing mental clarity and productivity, and providing support and protection to our immune system.

I like taking my Nutrachamps Korean Panax Ginseng in the morning or adding it to my husband’s smoothies and then during the day if I need a pick-me-up I will knock back a pouch of Cheon Kwan Jang Korean red ginseng juice or take a ginseng candy.

You can find Cheon Kwan Jang products at H-mart and other Korean markets, and occasionally Costco carries the ginseng juice pouches! Currently, you can also find a 20pouch box of juiced pouches on iHerb for $20.75.

If you’re interested in the daily Nutrachamps Panax Ginseng supplements I take you can get them through my affiliate link and use my promo code GROWANDGLOW for a 10% discount. I get a small commission off of your purchase, which helps me to continue creating helpful and informational blogs such as this one 🙂

*Check out my review videos and more on YouTube.

*Follow my Instagram for more daily content such as home projects and life in Texas: @_grow.and.glow_

#championyourlife #growandglow #naturalhealth #naturalwellness #happyandhealthy #happyhealth #bemorehappy #ginseng #redginseng #koreanginseng
January 19, 2022
Maca for Dessert?!
Oh, Maca – the mystical superfood you see in many healthy latte and dessert recipes.

But what is it really? Is it like cocoa? Does it taste sweet? Let’s find out!

Here are some interesting facts about the mighty Maca*
- Maca grows exclusively in Peru at very high elevations!
- It is known as “Peruvian Ginseng” because it’s roots are chunky and for it’s function in helping with erectile dysfunction and boosting libido.
- Maca also contains flavanoids which helps to boost mood and may decrease anxiety and depression.
- Maca is known for boosting energy and may even improve memory.
Rather than relying solely on supplements and vitamins in pill form I want to get supplements that can easily be incorporated into recipes.

Maca Powder is one of those things because I see it often incorporated at boutique coffeeshops and in vegan recipes. Since adding Maca to lattes is pretty common, I thought “why not try making it into a healthy treat!” My husband, David loves ice cream so I thought that perhaps a version of it packed with lots of superfood goodies would be a fun experiment!

I used 4 super simple ingredients:
1. Plain Greek Yogurt: High in protein & probiotics
2. Dark Sweet Cherry: Reduce arthritic pain & stiffness
3. Honey: Heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory function
4. Maca Powder: Energy & mood boost
Instructions:

I used about 1.5 cups of greek yogurt and 1.5 cups of frozen chopped dark cherries with 3 tablespoons or honey and 1 tablespoon of Maca. I blended all those ingredients and poured it into a bowl to freeze overnight.

The next day I scooped some into a cup, added some more cherries on top and micro-planed a raspberry dark chocolate bar to create a nicely decadent layer over everything. The result was very yummy!

I wondered if I would be able to taste the maca, and surprisingly it really shone through the other flavors! On it’s own it’s kind of just earthy and mildly reminded me of powdered mushroom, but when blended with other ingredients, it took on this rich nutty flavor with a hint of cocoa lingering on my palate! I can see maca working really well in sauces like a molè.

This recipe is super flexible and can be adjusted to suit your taste. If you want more sweetness add more honey, if you want more creaminess change the ratio to more yogurt over cherries and then add chopped cherries into the mixture after blending.

If you’d like to try this recipe with the organic maca powder I used you can use my promo GROWANDGLOW at Nutrachamps.com and get 10% off!

To watch how I made this delectable treat check out my short recipe reel HERE! Or click here to visit my blog for more yummy recipe ideas.

*I am an affiliate partner with NutraChamps. While this product was gifted to me my review of NutraChamps products are always honest and shared with integrity.

#growandglow #championyourlife #nutrachamps #macapower #superfoodsnack #easysnackrecipe #easyhealthy #easydessert #glowsquad

My name is Jenn Choi, content creator, and positive mindset coach! My husband and I are parents to 2 cuddly and goofy Pitbulls and are recent transplants to Fort Worth, Texas. I share positive & intentional mindset shifts around life, relationships, and business on my website as well as sharing fun foods, recipes, clean and affordable beauty products & home items, and tricks to consume more wisely, save money, and find joy in what you already have!
August 2, 2021
Supplement Haul For My Husband!
One of my main love languages as a wife is definitely “acts of service” and one way that I demonstrate that at home is to make sure I am taking care of my husband and doggies. A big part of that has become maintaining their health and wellness 🌟

I saw that NutraChamps had a bunch of interesting supplements that are new to me or seemed unique, so I thought I would give them a try! Our lives have been a whirlwind since moving to Texas over the holidays and our health and wellness haven’t been enough of a priority so I chose items that would mainly be helpful for my husband’s bone strength, sleep, focus, and digestion. These are good baseline health precautions to set a solid foundation!
1. 5-HTP: I had never even heard of 5-HTP before, but it’s an amino acid that your body naturally produces that your body then uses to produce serotonin. Serotonin is a key hormone that our brain uses to regulate mood, appetite & even sleep (Source: Healthline)! Different from many 5-HTP products out there, NutraChamps 5-HTP has added vitamin C &B6 so that your body can better absorb and convert the 5-HTP for increased levels of serotonin.
- (120 capsules -> 60 days worth)
2. BONE STRENGTH: This supplement uses a multi-mineral bone formula (13 bone-strengthening ingredients) including strontium to slow bone breakdown. Not only does this supplement target bone strength, but it also doubles up as a great prenatal multi-vitamin and triples up for heart & muscle support!
- (120 capsules -> 30 days worth)
3. TART CHERRY: This superfruit extract has tons of antioxidants and is known for helping with inflammation, joint health, and even insomnia! In researching the benefits of tart cherry, the one thing I realized is that because it is SO TART most tart cherry juices you buy at the store add TONS of sugar to make it more palatable. A big motivator for me getting this product is because there is no added sugar! It’s literally 3 natural ingredients – that’s it.
- (60 capsules -> 30 days worth)
4. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR GUMMIES with Mother: Spoiler Alert -> These are the best-tasting apple cider gummies I’ve tried! As we know, this ACV is popular for aiding digestion and helping with weight loss, but it’s also high in antioxidants and is an anti-microbial that helps kill harmful bacteria in our body (source: Healthline). Even with 5g of sugar per serving, I love these gummies so much that I already got us a 2nd bottle! Ingredients also include ginger & spirulina extract, maple syrup, and chili peppers.
- (60 gummies -> 30 days worth)
Click my affiliate link here to check out more healthy, quality health supplements and use my Promo Code: GROWANDGLOW for a 10% discount on your whole order. You can also watch my haul video on YouTube for some more details on each of the items I got and why I support NutraChamps as a wellness brand.

For more content on living intentionally and being more happy check out my website at: www.growwithjenn.com

For daily happy content follow on Instagram at @_grow.and.glow_

#championyourlife #vegansupplement #vegangummies #menshealth #nutrachamps #happywellness #healthyhabits #livewell #behappy #intentionalliving #glowup #glowsquad

My name is Jenn Choi, content creator, and positive mindset coach! My husband and I are parents to 2 cuddly and goofy Pitbulls and are recent transplants to Fort Worth, Texas. I share positive & intentional mindset shifts around life, relationships, and business on my website as well as sharing fun foods, recipes, clean and affordable beauty products & home items, and tricks to consume more wisely, save money, and find joy in what you already have!
July 22, 2021
Quick & Easy Papaya Guava Chia Granita

Papaya Guava Chia Granita… sounds delicious, right?

Spring is officially here and all I can think about are the HOT and SUNNY summer days approaching.

Ever since David and I just moved from the Pacific Northwest to Texas I wanted to come up with a healthy and refreshing snack/dessert for when I crave sweets while dealing with this southern heat.

It’s as simple as this…

I blended up a small bag of frozen papaya (about 21 oz) with chia seeds (1-2 tablespoons) and guava nectar (to taste) and got THIS tropical sunshine in a cup.

That’s right. Just 3 ingredients and you’re ready to chill in the warmer temperatures. It can’t get simpler than that!

Having worked with tea for many years I have a propensity for looking up health benefits of different ingredients, so here are some really great benefits you can get from papayas:

◊ Aids kidney health

◊ Packed with Vitamin A for healthy eyes

◊ Great for Heart-health

◊ Protects against skin damage

◊ Loaded with antioxidants

All these things are super important to me! Also, papayas are said to improve digestion because it contains the papain enzyme, which can make protein easier to digest.

Let’s not forget chia seeds, which are a great source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, fiber & protein.

WINNING!!

Dragon Fruit is so 2020, let’s make Papaya the hero of 2021!

This quick, easy, yummy, and healthy recipe was brought to you by ME for a happy weekend! Have as a small refresher like me or as use it as the base of a smoothie bowl. I know you’ll thank me later!

For more content on intentional living to “be more happy” check out my website at Growwithjenn.com.

For daily happy content follow me on Instagram @ _grow.and.glow_

If you’re interested in trying out a NutraChamps product, here’s a 10% off code you can use for your next purchase! Simply enter GROWANDGLOW at checkout.

#freshfood #eatyourvitamins #eatwithme #veganrecipe #easydessert #healthydessert #smoothierecipes #plantbasedrecipes #tropicalvibes #foodblogger #foodielife #yum #eatwithme #beautyfood #mykitchenstories #healthyliving #intentionalliving #growandglow #glowup

My name is Jenn Choi, content creator and positive mindset coach! My husband and I are parents to 2 cuddly and goofy Pitbulls and are recent transplants to Fort Worth, Texas. I share positive & intentional mindset shifts around life, relationships, and business on my website as well as sharing fun foods, recipes, clean and affordable beauty products & home items, and tricks to consume more wisely, save money, and find joy in what you already have!

April 27, 2021
“Self-Care” With Intention
“Are you living a life you constantly want to escape from?”

I was asked this question a while ago when I reposted a quote on my Social Media… This was my response.

One of my favorite at-home self-care routines involves tea, a bath, and nice scented candles! But I don’t do this to numb myself from my feelings or problems.

As a growth-oriented person, I don’t see current circumstances as weights that should hold me underwater, and furthermore, I do my best to not get trapped in the mindset of never being able to improve my circumstances.

I don’t want to downplay those of us who are in extremely difficult circumstances or living through toxic cycles. I understand that many of us work in high-stress jobs or are living through high-anxiety life challenges and a bath or box of chocolates every couple of days is all we have to keep our sanity intact.

However, I also wholeheartedly believe that self-indulgence is a very temporary way of feeling good and turning it into a coping mechanism. It can turn something innocently good into a snowball effect of bad habits and lifestyle choices.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed fancy baths and cake for dinner to transport me to a momentary fantasy world, but that never means my problems go away. And I am sure that for many, once that moment of indulgence is over the stressors come back even harder and more daunting. So you resort to more baths and more “treats” and before you know it, you’re always waiting for that next escape. You can see how that one innocent and thoughtless habit becomes a toxic cycle.

It takes discipline to see beyond the ditch you feel you’re in right now, but you can’t pull yourself out by wallowing in an unhappy state indefinitely.

Here are my 3 healthy self-care practices that help me when I am feeling anxious, need to relax, or find my center of gravity
1. 1. Go for a drive/walk/sit: Oftentimes, my commute to work was my best time for deep thought and reflection. When work was just a few minutes away from home I would drive myself to a waterfront or into the city, even if it was late at night, and just sit or walk around with a cup of coffee or tea and just breathe in the view and think. Whatever was weighing on my heart or clouding my mind, I would use those quiet moments to deal with them. It’s in these moments that I’ve done a lot of venting, crying, praying, or even just savoring life’s small victories. So whichever brings you peace – cityscapes or nature views – take yourself to your “sanctuary” and really examine what’s going on with you.
    
    Throw on a positive playlist: “You are what you consume” has long been a mantra I stand by. When you’re feeling angry or down-in-the-dumps it’s so easy to go to some angsty music or watch some real trashy TV because misery loves company. I believe that these moments actually call for the consumption of healthy and positive content. Motivational or learning podcasts and music with a positive & hopeful message direct my mindset away from worry and despair. Instead of dwelling on my failure or heartache, it gives me courage and strength.
    
    Take myself out on a date: This can mean a staycation, a day trip, or a nice meal (I used to splurge a couple times a year on a fancy restaurant experience just for me). My favorite thing to do is go out and explore! I love to drive, I love discovering new neighborhoods, I love trendy city cafes and I love a good view. I actually found an old self-care day vlog from a couple years back that pretty well sums up a typical self-care day for me when I was single that you can watch for some ideas.
My two cents

Don’t get hung up on the notion that going out on your own is weird.

Take yourself to a movie, go to dinner, go to that art exhibit! Up until I got married I even had a tradition of taking myself away for a couple days for my birthday: a road trip to Portland, a staycation in the city during restaurant week, and a quiet retreat in a cabin.

Get comfortable being with yourself.

When you’re constantly with others you can’t help but put on your “social face” and it can be really hard to rest your mind and spirit.

Giving myself the gift of mental peace has been my ultimate form of self-care.

I also believe that seeking out company from a trusted and safe person is extremely valuable but in this blog, I wanted to share ways that I take care of my mental state on my own because many times crisis mode is like a bubble that BURSTS after a period of build-up and it’s not planned or scheduled. It’s super important to have a safe person to talk to when going through stress and anxiety, but they might not always be available right at that moment, so these are practices that have been really great for me to maintain an even keel on a regular basis.

Self-care in the form of temporary pleasure is a relief, but self-care in the form of discipline and intentional habits is the real safety net.

For more content on intentional living to “be more happy” check out my website at www.growwithjenn.com

For daily happy content follow me on Instagram @ _grow.and.glow_

#mindsetmatters #growandglow #designyourlife #visionary #mindsetreset #mindsetcoach #selfcaretips #selfcare #intentionalhabits #intentionalliving #purposedrivenlife #dontgiveup #strongerthanyesterday #teatime #livingjoy #bemorehappy #growthmindset #growtogether #bathtime #babessupportingbabes #womensupportingwomen

My name is Jenn Choi, content creator and positive mindset coach! My husband and I are parents to 2 cuddly and goofy Pitbulls and are recent transplants to Fort Worth, Texas. I share positive & intentional mindset shifts around life, relationships, and business on my website as well as sharing fun foods, recipes, clean and affordable beauty products & home items, and tricks to consume more wisely, save money, and find joy in what you already have!
April 1, 2021