Superfoods = Super Body!
By Gabrielle Brick
Many people ask, “What makes a food super?” A superfood is a food that is over the top in vitamins and minerals; a food that offers vitality, sustainable energy, trace minerals and has the ability to balance our entire system; a food that offers optimal immune support and more!
Foods like goji berries, cacao, maca, golden berries and mulberries are just a few of the foods considered to be superfoods. For instance, goji berries are a complete protein source. They contain 18 different amino acids including all 8 essential amino acids. They also contain polysaccharides that fortify the immune system and are considered a top herb in the 5000-year-old medicinal system of China.
Cacao or raw chocolate is one of my absolute favorite superfoods. Cacao contains the alkaloid theobromine. Theobromine is derived from the Greek word, theobroma, which means “food of the gods.” Cacao contains over 300 chemical compounds that support the function of the body. In addition, cacao is a good source of magnesium, which many Americans are deficient in. Magnesium is needed for the heart to function optimally. It is no accident that Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand. The key, however, is to get your hands on RAW chocolate. That is where the magic happens!
Another amazing superfood is maca. Maca is a powerful adaptogen, which means it has the ability to balance and stabilize all of the body’s systems. It provides a sustainable source of energy, balances the hormones (whether you are male or female) and has been known to aid in relief of depression. The synergy of raw maca and cacao are what brought me out of depression. These superfoods literally saved my life!
Superfoods are essential to optimal well-being. They offer what no other foods can offer, no matter how organic or live in being. When you incorporate organic, raw, superfood living into your lifestyle, you are guaranteed an abundance of energy, vitality, happiness and an ease from your dis-ease. Superfoods are the proverbial fountain of youth!
One of my favorite ways to start the day is with a superfood smoothie. It is quick and easy… perfect for those of us on the go! This smoothie will nourish you on a deep level and provide you with all of the energy necessary to begin your day. This smoothie will offer you protein, vitamins, minerals and a sustainable source of energy. It will keep you from those mid-day crashes; it will speed up your metabolism, yet keep those hunger pangs away! This superfood smoothie will literally offer you feelings of bliss as raw cacao stimulates the production of anandamide (“the bliss chemical”). In addition you will be able to stay focused because cacao stimulates our neurotransmitters (needed to keep us alert). The best part is that these foods taste great!
Do you have an important meeting, exam or deadline to meet? This superfood smoothie is your answer! How about just an excuse to sip on something utterly scrumptious that is totally guilt-free? This superfood smoothie is ORGANIC, VEGAN, RAW and LOW GLYCEMIC!
Superfood Smoothie Recipe (all organic ingredients):
-3 cups coconut water, hemp milk, almond milk or oat milk
-1/4 cup raw cacao beans (or nibs)
-3 tbsp maca root powder
-1 handful of goji berries
-1 tbsp coconut oil
-1 pinch of Celtic sea salt or Himalayan crystal salt
-Real Raw Clear Agave Nectar (sweeten to taste)
Place all of the ingredients in your blender or Vita-Mix and blend on high until creamy. Serve and enjoy!
I would like to take this opportunity to speak about agave. There is a big controversy about agave and I can say with great clarity that the Real Raw Clear Agave Nectar is the only agave on the market that is TRULY low glycemic. I have personally tested all of the different grade agaves on the market and this agave is the only one that kept my blood sugar even. I have testimonials from Type 1 diabetics who say they can eat an entire serving of my raw chocolate bar, The ONE Bar ™, and their blood sugar is completely stable without an increase of even one point. Real Raw Clear Agave Nectar is the only agave I know of that is proven to meet the low glycemic standards. In addition, it is the only agave that is free of any and all heat-processing through the use of high-velocity centrifugal straining of juices.
There are no rules, only choices. When we take the opportunity to love ourselves and make the best choice available in every moment, we see remarkable changes! It is in these moments that we become the superhero of our own personal life story. What do you choose?
Gabrielle Brick is an International Educator & Lifestyle Consultant with over 15 years experience and understanding in the art of optimal nutrition. She has studied with world-renowned leaders in Nutrition, Psychology, Linguistics, and Chinese Medicine. Gabrielle guides one to a place of deep understanding in optimal nutrition by tapping us into the nature of self through our choices in food.
17 Comments
thank you for the blog post!
I don’t understand why folks still even deal with agave when pure stevia is a champion choice for sweetening without adding calories, raising glycemic levels or creating the host of problems in the body that taking in a high fructose like agave does.
we use pure stevia leaf powder, it has no additives and no weird side tastes. it is so great for everything from smoothies, to raw food prepping, cooked meal prepping, baking and tea, coffee etc. I am so grateful for it!
I think it is uber important to note that some superfoods like raw cocoa are also stimulants and that people do need to practice moderation and caution with them.
Much Love!
The Hippocrates Institute recommends stevia:
http://planetthrive.com/2009/12/agave-vs-stevia/
I’m going out today to get these smoothie ingredients! Sounds wonderful – one question – are the goji berried dried? And also – ok to substitute So Delicious brand coconut milk?
I like to sweeten my smoothies with a banana or dates.
Gabrielle
I look forward to connecting with you. I would be happy to share ideas and blog articles with you.
I am chief consultant for NBC in integrative medicine.
Where are you located ?
I look forward to hear from you
Dr B
Thanks for this article. I use Maca and 80% chocolate from Fairtrade and organic Kaoka.fr and I had Goji berries from a Hemp company Hanf Natur but all (or a lot) of China’s (Tibet) Berries were recently contaminated so it’s run out. Watch out for problems there. Mine were organic and the company does Hemp seeds (shelled) also! A powerful combo. Maca really works. I just go but I am thin! Too thin but that’s my metabolic speed.
I didn’t know that about the agave (raw) but I must check my local Biocoop (French lincensed supermarket in Lisbon).
Best of health to y’all.
<3 Rui
Thank you for this article. I will try that smoothie. I am super appreciative of the agave information too… I’ve always been confused about that….
Thank you for this article. It is about to be shared with my facebook group
I so enjoyed this informative article. Thank you Gabrielle.. .Blessings, Marina :)
Very interesting about the Clear Agave! To Meenu above – I don’t think we know for sure that Stevia is 100% safe as, to this day, there are still mixed toxicology reports. Just because it’s plant based doesn’t make it safe (or safe for “everyone”). Though granted it’s been used for years and years in other countries.
i am heading out to buy these ingredients…i’m battling renal cancer and can use some energies…thank you…
This is by far one of the easiest smoothie recipes to make and will give some pep to your step throughout the day. For those interested, and brave enough, try putting in a little extra maca, organic bee pollen and/or organic royal jelly. Extra protein and other goodies in there to help with muscle growth and *ahem* stamina :)
Hi everyone! Thank you for your comments!
*You can get the Real Raw Clear Agave from http://www.ultimatesuperfoods.com be sure to tell them I sent you :)
*Stevia is great! I use stevia mostly along with raw organic buckwheat honey and the Real Raw Clear Agave for certain recipes. Everyone wants to enjoy their drink and so there is a choice to make everyone happy :)
The Real Raw Clear Agave is also a PRE-biotic… more on that in our next post ;-)
*Banana’s and dates are SUPER high in sugar and can spin your blood sugar for a loop. While they are yummy… a more balanced choice would be the sweeteners recommended. Raw Organic Honey is at least a whole food full of vitamins and minerals and far from being hybridized.
* @ Barry Tyler, I am bi-coastal spending much time in NY and in LA/SF. I would love to connect!
* @ Hayward… If you need any guidance, I work with clients in healing many issues. All the best to you!
* Thank you again to all! Have a blessed day and I am happy you enjoyed the article!
~ Gabrielle
Do you know where I can find maca powder? I bought some at my natural foods coop and it’s 29.99 a pound. Don’t know if that’s a good deal or not. Also, is extract better, or as good as the powder? Which is more economical? They have both at my coop.
I agree with you..
“Cacao or raw chocolate is one of my absolute favorite superfoods. Cacao contains the alkaloid theobromine. Theobromine is derived from the Greek word, theobroma, which means “food of the gods.” Cacao contains over 300 chemical compounds that support the function of the body. In addition, cacao is a good source of magnesium, which many Americans are deficient in. Magnesium is needed for the heart to function optimally. It is no accident that Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand. The key, however, is to get your hands on RAW chocolate. That is where the magic happens!” —->qoute from what you have said..
cacao chocolates has a lot of benefits in our body system..And it’s one way of making your love life romantic
maca powder make me masturbate
I can’t actually get that brand of agave where I live – I use the Madhava brand because I read that it is a better brand. Do you know anything about this brand? Is it at least better than my alternatives (other sweeteners and Whole Sweeteners brand agave)?
March 29, 2010