Over here at Truly Rich and Blessed, we try to emphasize that one of our “riches” is actually something that is often overlooked (or, in my case, neglected at times!). And that is “Our Self.” I am quite guilty of this actually, so I have been *trying* to take better care of myself, including my health!

This journey actually started a few years ago, when I started consulting some friends of mine who consider themselves as “crunchy moms.” I even declared my One Word to be “Health” that year. I must confess, though, that I (along with the rest of my family) still have a long way to go to be considered 100% healthy and health-conscious as we do sometimes indulge too much in not-so-healthy things.

Having said that, we do try our best to keep healthy. I also discovered one simple but effective way to boost your health (at least it works for me and my family, plus some of my friends, too!). I actually got this tip from Chefs Jon and Raquel Chua, during one of their cooking workshops held at The Parenting Emporium. They mentioned it and I have been doing it ever since.

Can you guess what that one simple way to boost your health is?

Here you go:

Put malunggay powder in your food.

The Chuas actually recommended Mega Malunggay at the time, to be exact. It comes in capsule form but you can easily open the capsules and use the powder. Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera contains more vitamin C than oranges, 3 times the amount of iron in spinach, and 4 times the calcium amount in milk. It also contains essential proteins, helps heal inflamed joints and tendons, and helps normalize blood pressure and sugar level. Furthermore, Mega Malunggay also  contains 100 mg of sodium ascorbate, a non-acidic form of vitamin C.

So I started putting malunggay powder in our food, especially the viands that have sauce and soup. I also sprinkle the powder in the kids’ rice (we eat red or brown rice) and they are already used to it. I also put malunggay powder in omelettes, pasta sauce, chocolate drinks, and even mix it with instant noodles during the rare times the kids are allowed to eat them (read: “emergencies” when Mama has no time to prepare something healthier and more nutritious! Yes, we still let the kids eat food like that sometimes. I know, I know! Huhuhu! We really should lessen those occasions or even eliminate them.)

Actually, if we baked our own bread and other goodies that would require an oven (which we don’t have), I’d probably add malunggay powder to the ingredients as well. That’s how convinced I am about its health-boosting properties!

Of course, it’s already a well-known fact that malunggay also helps boost one’s milk supply if you’re a breastfeeding mom. So adding malunggay powder to your food will also help you provide the best nutrition for your child. (You can also consume the malunggay capsules directly, of course.)

Personally, I am so grateful to God for providing us what we need to be healthy in nature — in this case, in the humble malunggay tree. Having malunggay capsules ready to consume or to be split open (to get the malunggay powder) is an added bonus though, and makes it more convenient for busy people (especially moms!) like me to get a dose of healthy, natural, organic goodness.

Now, I’d like to hear from you: Do you have any tips for boosting one’s health? Or even one’s milk supply? Please feel free to leave a comment below.