Hello, Hello!:)
Today is a really special Friday since it's not only Good Friday, but also Day 4 of the Superfood Spotlight Series! Plus, since it's also Fab Finds Friday, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite superfood links from Pinterest this week too:)
So let's get right down to it and get stared, what do ya say?:)
Today's superfood spotlight goes to one I started using 5 years ago after I read the book, "Raw Energy" by Stephanie Tourles, which is to date, one of my favorite books of all time. Honestly, the pages are so worn and most all of them are earmarked. I love the simplicity behind that book, and it is that book that got me interested in raw foods. It's an easy read, SO informative, and filled chock-full of raw recipes. Seriously, check this book out- you will NOT be disappointed
Tourles features many superfoods, but one that especially caught my eye also won my heart as soon as I tried it....
*Acai*
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I'm sure you've all heard of acai berries by now, and their "magical" features. Many people say these berries are just hype, but sorry- I have to argue! (Big shocker there:)
Not only are these berries a "beauty" food, but they're also a mind and body food too!
Get to know acai below, and why it's worth adding this delicious berry into your life!
What is Acai?
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Grown in the Amazon rainforest, acai berries are a true delight! They are small, a bit bigger than blueberries, but smaller than strawberries in size. They sort of resemble a grape in appearance and grow on large palm trees right on the Amazon river.
What Does Acai Taste Like?
Amazing! I truly do love the taste of acai berries. They are not sweet like most berries, which is one reason I enjoy them so much. Acai berries only have 1 gram of sugar per serving, versus most berries that have anywhere from 8-15 grams per serving. Acai berries taste more like a deep, chocolate flavored red wine, and they have a nice depth to them that is delicious!
Why Use Acai?
Acai retains more nutrients than almost every berry that exists. It is richer in the antioxidants known as polyphenols and reservertol than any other berry outside of maqui berries (another superfood). Acai has been linked to higher energy levels, a better mood, reduction in gastrointestinal disorders, along with enhanced eyesight and mental focus. Many people have also said it helps with weight loss, but this may be simply marketing hype, and we can't bank on one berry to be the miracle for weight loss.
I personally suggest using acai for skin, brain, and body benefits the most.
Here are 10 Fast Health Facts About Acai:
1. Contains over 100% of your daily recommended amount of Vitamin B12. Acai berry is known to boost energy and improve brain function for this specific nutritional feature.
2. Acai is higher in omega 3 fatty acids than salmon with 3 grams of omega 3 fatty acids per 1 cup serving of the frozen fresh pulp.
3. Contains 30 times more antioxidants than blueberries, making it excellent for your heart and longevity.
4. Contains three times the amount of anthocyanins (antioxidants) of red wine. Anthocyanins protect your brain, digestive organs, skin, and keep your immune system healthy.
5. Is one of the most anti-inflammatory fruits on the planet, and has been linked to improving and eliminating inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
6. Contains an array of B vitamins necessary for a healthy metabolism which also improve insulin function and ward off diabetes.
7. Improves the skin and can help ward off wrinkles and aging due to the incredible amount of antioxidants it has.
8. Higher in protein than an egg, and its bio-available protein value is nearly identical to that of an egg. For this reason, it is extremely powerful for balancing hormones in the body, due to the high amount of amino acids it contains.
9. Acai berries spend 12 hours almost directly under the sun everyday in the Amazon. Because it has to endure such high heat for such long periods of time, the acai berry contains more nutrients and retains more vitamins from the sunlight directly than any other berry out there, outside of maqui berries.
10. Has been directly linked to better eyesight and even healing cataracts.
*Did you Know?*
The acai berry is so powerful that natives from the Amazon Jungle use acai fruit as one of the main foods to help them survive due to acai's high nutrient content. They are highly energizing and nourishing, which give them their unique survival/longevity factor. These brilliant berries are also one of the number one most coveted food in Brazil and are higher in antioxidants than all American berries are as well.
What Kind of Acai is Best?
Acai berries are sold in three different forms in the United States and Canada: frozen fruit puree packs, juices, and in raw, freeze-dried powdered form.
Just like you should buy other fruits whole, you should also buy acai closest to whole form when you can, which would be in frozen fruit puree packs.
I've used two brands of frozen fruit purees that I love:
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One brand is Sambazon that you can get at your local Whole Foods, and the other brand is one you can buy online from a company known as Amafruits, which is also EXCELLENT. Both are organic, but differ in color and taste for a few reasons (see below).
Nutrition and Taste Differences of Both Brands:
Amafruits brand contains more nutrients than Sambazon technically, since you can actually see the seeds, known as the endocarp, in the fruit puree (which you can't with Sambazon). Amafruits brand is also much darker in color indicating its higher nutritional content. Amafruits brand also has no added soy lecithin like the Sambazon brand does.
Sambazon brand acai pulp is a great acai product to start with, but to me, it just doesn't have as deep of a flavor as Amafruits does. However, both are better than buying acai juice, which is more expensive and void of the natural fruit fiber.
Amafruits also cells other superfruits packs as well, including cupuacu (cacao!) -I can't wait to try those someday! Unfortunately Amafruits acai is not available in all stores across the U.S., but I've had ordered it online in the past and absolutely love this brand and their high quality
Both brands come in sweetened and unsweetened versions. ALWAYS choose the unsweetened varieties for the purest acai, no matter what brand you buy.
Powders:
I am also a big fan of the raw, freeze-dried powder which tastes better to me than the Sambazon fruit packs, especially in a smoothie.
I like two brands very much, but use one the most: Bright Earth Superfoods brand.
I'm such a huge fan of this company's high quality standards, and this acai has an incredibly rich, berry chocolate flavor. It contains only raw, organic, freeze-dried acai powder.
Bright Earth Superfoods Acai
Navitas Naturals also makes a great acai product too, and I'd suggest both of them to anyone. They each work great in a smoothie and both have around the same servings per bag.
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When you choose a freeze-dried powder, be sure to buy one that states the acai powder contains organic acai and that it is freeze-dried directly after harvesting.
Acai berry is also found in Bright Earth Superfoods Rainbow Superfood Smoothie Mix, that I absolutely love as you know. I seriously can not get enough of this stuff!
Juices:
I've tried a few acai juice brands. Monavie is a popular one that is very good and of high quality, but is under a large marketing umbrella and very expensive. This means you probably want to avoid it if you're on a budget and don't want to get sucked into the marketing ring. It does taste awesome though, and is the best quality juice I've ever tried.
I would avoid buying all brands of juice from local health food stores, even those from popular organic companies. They are overpriced, and you would be much better off buying the powder and whole frozen fruit forms -not only for the cost, but also the serving size per container. Acai juices ARE NOT cheap, and in my opinion, are the least nutritional of all powders, purees, and juices.
How I Use Acai:
Like most other superfoods, I use acai in smoothies the most. I usually only use 1/2 of a frozen pack, to make them last longer, or 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of the freeze-dried powder.
I also love using the fruit purees to make an acai bowl mixed with organic plain Greek yogurt for a low-GI snack, and will use the whole pack when I make an acai bowl.
Acai bowls are extremely popular and they are nothing more than acai frozen fruit puree packs or freeze-dried raw powder that have fun add-ins such as cacao nibs, other berries, bananas, yogurt, other superfoods, and even almond milk added to them.
Once pureed, they are like a smoothie in a bowl!
How to Use Acai in My Favorite Recipes:
From the amount of acai recipes I have on this blog, it's obvious how much I love it, but here are my top favorites below:) I also have a NEW RECIPE with acai for you!
Acai Cocoa Maca Truffles with Hemp ( a favorite energy-boosting snack!)
Chocolate Acai Protein Shake- Superfood Infused- (reader favorite!)
New Year Mind and Body Smoothie (a go-to for me)
AND a brand new smoothie bowl recipe!:)
* I made this delightful smoothie bowl in my Blendtec blender and used the Twister Jar, which purees the fruit into ice cream. You can also use the blender and use the *ice cream/frozen dessert* setting.
*Blendtec Free shipping here*
Acai Superberry Bowl- (banana-free, low in sugar, high in protein)
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 pack of pure, unsweeetend frozen acai puree (I used Sambazon brand that I got at Whole Foods since I couldn't order the Amafruits brand right now, but you can also sub in the powder and use extra amounts of other berries.)
1/2 cup mixed berries ( I used Cascadian Farms organic mixed harvest berry blend)
1 (5 ounce) container of organic Greek yogurt, nonfat- I used Wallaby brand
2 drops of liquid stevia ( I used NuNaturals plain alcohol-free)
1 tablespoon Bright Earth Superfoods Rainbow Superfood Smoothie Mix
1/4 cup your choice milk such as unsweetened almond milk
optional- raw cacao nibs ( I like Bright Earth Superfoods raw cacao) and cinnamon
Directions:
-Prep - Either let your acai frozen puree pack sit out on the counter 5 minutes to soften, or run the pack under warm water before opening to soften.
1. If using a household blender, put all your ingredients into your blender and add your choice milk, such as unsweetened almond. Most household blenders will need additional liquid to get everything blended so adjust as needed here.
*If using a high-speed blender such as the Blendtec, Nutribullet or Vitamix, simply put the ingredients in the order listed into your blender.
2. Blend on low, then slowly adjust high if using a household blender, about 30 seconds. If using a Blendtec, put all the ingredients into the large container, or the Twister jar and use the standard lid. Blend on the frozen dessert/ice cream setting for 20 seconds. If you use a Vitamix, you will need to use the tamper here
3. Scrape the contents out into a bowl with a spatula, serve and top with any additional toppings that you like.
*Notes*
You could easily sub in frozen banana for the berries, or even avocado for the yogurt if you're vegan. You could also sub in coconut yogurt for the Greek yogurt and coconut milk for the almond milk. Get creative and see how you can use acai in your next superfood bowl:)
Other Acai Resources You May Like:
Amafruits website ( a wealth of information)
Dr. Oz on Acai
Favorite Superfood Links
Lastly, for Fab Finds Friday, here are my favorite links from Pinterest for the week featuring different superfoods. These are from some of my favorite blogs and websites, so check them out for inspiration:)
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Paleo Oatmeal with Coconut (featuring coconut)
White Tara Breakfast Bowl (featuring cacao and chia)
30 Superfood Recipes You've Never Tried Before - (multiple superfoods0
Dirt Cake With Chia Seed Pudding(gluten-free) (featuring chia )
Nutty Dragon Bowl - featuring Dragonfruit,)-I'll be sharing more about this superfood with you soon!
Blueberrylicious Smoothie (multiple superfoods)
Blue Raspberry Muffins (featuring chia)
11 Best Smoothie Ingredients (multiple superfoods)
5 New Superfood Breakfasts (multiple superfoods)
Superfood Chocolate Bark -(featuring cacao, goji)
And that's a superfood wrap everybody!:)
I hope you all have an excellent Easter weekend! I will be posting all weekend since this is a special series, but I hope you all have an incredible, blessed weekend with your friends and family:)
Like this post? Share it below with someone you think might enjoy it!:) Thank you!