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Posts Tagged ‘fruits’

Eat to Your Health

December 11th, 2009

Eat to your health seems like it would be an easy concept to understand, however, many of us have hectic schedules, long work hours and other personal commitments.   If your lifestyle demands that you cut corners at mealtime, you can still take advantage of many convenience foods and eat sensibly.  You just need to know what to look for on the food labels.  Here are some things to watch for to ensure you’re making food choices that are good for your health.

Sodium – Eat to your health

The average person should consume no more than 2,400 milligrams per meal. (It’s especially important to reduce sodium if you have high blood pressure.) Fortunately, many prepared foods are now also available in reduced-sodium varieties. Products marked low sodium, very low sodium or no salt added are your best choices.

Fats – Eat to your health

Fats can be a little confusing, because there are so many different types. And while some can increase your risk of heart disease, others can actually lower it.

Saturated Fats Flat out avoid these, because they raise LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. They’re found in fatty cuts of meat, butter, lard, cream, whole milk and tropical oils (coconut, palm and palm kernel).

Monounsaturated Fats When substituted for saturated and Trans fats, these fats actually help lower LDL. They’re found in olive and canola oils, most nuts, peanut butter, avocados and olives. However, even these types of fasts should be consumed in moderation. < br>

Polyunsaturated Fats When substituted for saturated and Trans fats, these also help lower LDL. You’ll find them in safflower, sunflower, sesame, corn and soybean oils, soybeans, sesame seeds, walnuts, ground flaxseed and fish.

Omega-3 Fats These fats are essential, and have been shown to lower triglycerides at high doses and prevent arrhythmias. Omega-3 fats appear to be particularly beneficial to heart attach patients. They are found in soybeans, walnuts, ground flaxseed and fish.

Trans Fats Not good. Research shows that Trans fats can increase bad cholesterol, decrease good cholesterol, elevate triglycerides and cause “stickier” platelets, which can lead to clogged arteries. Trans fats are found in such foods such as margarine, vegetable shortening, fast food French fries, and most snack foods and baked goods. The good news is that many food manufacturers are beginning to remove Trans fats from their products. Look for packages that say “no trans fats.”

Fiber – Eat to your health

Dietary fiber is a complex carbohydrate that your body can neither digest nor absorb. Even though it’s not considered a nutrient, fiber is still very important to good health. Dietary fiber comes in two forms: insoluble and soluble. Of the two, soluble fiber provides the greater heart benefits, because it helps to reduce cholesterol absorption and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Fiber-rich foods can also help you manage your weight. They’re usually low in calories and fat, they bulk up your stomach and they make you feel fuller after a meal. And because they generally take longer to chew, they help to slow you down so you don’t eat as much.

While health professionals recommend we consume 25 grams of fiber a day, the average person gets only about 14 grams. You can achieve the recommended goal by eating the following foods each day:

  • Four or more servings of vegetables
  • Three or more servings of fruit
  • At least three servings of whole grains
  • Beans, lentils, nuts or seeds

Good Sources of Soluble Fiber

  • Oats and oat-based cereals
  • Dried beans and peas
  • Fruits, such as apples, pears, prunes and citrus fruits
  • Vegetables, including cabbage, sweet potatoes and carrots

SNACK ATTACK
Need a pick-me-up between meals? Here are some healthy options that are just 200 calories or less.

  • 8 oz. nonfat yogurt
  • ½ cup nonfat pudding
  • 1 oz. part-skim mozarella string cheese and 1 medium apple
  • 4 oz. nonfat or 1% fat cottage cheese on 1 slice whole grain bread
  • 8 oz. reduced sodium vegetable juice and 3 to 6 whole wheat crackers
  • 1 cup raw veggies dipped in ¼ cup hummus
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter on 2 celery stalks, topped with 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1 medium serving of most fruits
  • ¼ cup raw or dry-roasted nuts
  • 3 peanut butter-filled wheat crackers with 6 oz. skim milk
  • 3 cups air-popped popcorn
  • 1 packet plain oatmeal with 8 oz. skim milk
  • 1 crunchy granola or chewy trail mix bar
  • 2 oz. canned tuna or chicken on 3 to 6 whole grain crackers
  • 2 oz. smoked salmon with 1 tablespoon nonfat cream cheese on half of a small whole wheat bagel

If you have any suggestions on topics to add to “Eat to Your Health”, please contact antioxidant-fruits.com.

USES OF

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Antioxidant Fruit Juice

December 10th, 2009

Woman Drinking Juice

Of course, there are many antioxidant fruit juices out there. But few have the power of the highest antioxidant juice. As human beings we are one of the few animal species that does not produce our own antioxidants, therefore we must consume them. And hence the reason why our diet depends on them.

There are, in fact, many antioxidant fruit drinks. Some of the more serious forms are those like Pomengranate or the Acai Berry (antioxidant fruit complex antioxidants) and its acai fruit juice. However, you need to watch out for how the juice is manufactured and what is the nutritional value of the ingredients. Because, for example, the Acai Berry looses it’s nutritional value within 24 hours of being harvested and since the Berry only grows in Brazil, it’s hard for someone in the United States to get it fresh without losing the nutritional value. So, it is best to understand what you’re looking for when you look for a fruit juice. You don’t want additives or lots of processed sugar.

Village Winery and Vineyward Beverage and Wine

“All juices are not created equal,” says Princeton University sports dietitian Mandy Clark, R.D. “Are you getting nutrients or are you drinking sugar water?” Yes, some antioxidant fruit drink products only contain 10-15% juice, followed by larger doses of high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose and cane sugar. Be sure to check the labels of a bottle, and if it says “100% Juice” then you are probably right on target.

The Acai Berry, for example, is best when you get it in the flash freeze dried form which acai fruit juice has. Moreover, if you can get all of the fruit, like the nut, the skin, all ground up, those nutrients are much better for you than just the interior of the fruit.

You might be interested in buying Elderberry Beverage Online.

There are companies out there that make powder forms that you mix with water or simple pills that you pop every now and again. However, the best way to get your antioxidants from fruit is eating the actual fruit or drinking the fruit’s juice. Actually, it is well-known that the body absorbs liquids more quickly than solids. When taking dietary supplements, it is very important to have efficient absorption. According to the Physician’s Desk Reference, “only 10 to 20 percent of vitamins and minerals in…pill form are absorbed by the human body.”

Of course, another very effective way of getting your antioxidants in a juice form is to make your own antioxidant fruit juice.

ANTIOXIDANT JUICE

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Acai Recipes

December 10th, 2009

When thinking about acai recipes or when preparing them it is important to remember that the anthocyanins of acai berry are fragile and can change in nutritional value easily. Acai juice must not be cooked, but instead, served as an extra like on top of ice cream, or the integral part of something traditionally cold like smoothies.

Since the nutritional degradation occurs because of heat, you might wish to consider using pulp and not the juice, for the acai pulp is frozen. If you choose this option, keep the pulp in the freezer at 18ºC. Around one hour prior to use, take the frozen pulp out and then leave the pulp at room temperature for mild thawing. When the pulp does melt that juice is now visible, place it into either a cloth or plastic bag. Next, using a hammer, hit it to smash the bar. When having reduced the bar to bran, consider putting the acai bran into a blender. If you have a fabulous acai recipe, please feel free to submit your recipe in the comments section below this post or contact us with your recipe.

Acai-Banana-Strawberry-Lime Sorbet

acai recipe – gluten free, vegan and contains no refined sugar
Recipe from Radish Boy

  • 14 ounces Acai puree, thawed
  • 2 medium bananas, sliced
  • 10 medium strawberries, sliced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup agave syrup (or to taste)

Add the Acai puree, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, lime juice, and agave syrup to your blender. Blend until smooth. Taste, and add more agave or lime juice as necessary.

If you have a sorbet or ice cream maker, follow the instructions on your machine.

Otherwise, pour the puree fruit into a baking pan and place in the freezer. Stir every 20 minutes until set.

Serve immediately, or transfer to a lidded container and store in the freezer.

Traditional Smoothie – Acai Recipes

  • 7 Oz (200 grams) Acai juice
  • ½ Cup Soy Milk or Juice
  • Fruit (one banana, ½ half apple, or 1 cup of other fruit)

Directions: Blend all ingredients together. Top with granola, sliced fruit or whipped cream.

Variants: Add ½ cup yogurt or ½ cup ice. Also, frozen acai pulp may be used in place of the juice.

Energy Bowl – Acai Recipes

  • 8 oz. Açaí puree
  • 8 whole strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup soy milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup granola
  • 1/2 cup fresh berries or seasonal fruit

Directions: In a blender, puree açaí, strawberries, yogurt, soy milk, and vanilla for 1 minute, until smooth. Pour into a bowl and top with granola and fruit. Serve chilled.

Variants: Crumbled cookies may be exchanged for granola. Other fruit (such as bananas or mangoes) may be substituted in like amount for strawberries.

The Rio Bowl (Traditional Acai Recipe)

Directions: Slice two-thirds of a large banana into a blender, and then add 2 packs of Original Acai Blend and 3-4 oz of apple juice or plain soy milk. Blend thick and pour into a bowl. Top with organic granola and the remaining banana, sliced.

Açai Berry and Orange Smoothie

Add 100g Açai Berry Pulp, 150ml orange juice, 2 teaspoons of honey, and a half a banana.

Açai Berry and Tigela

Add 100g Açai Berry Pulp, 100ml orange juice, 2 teaspoons of honey, and half a banana.

Açai Berry and Apple Smoothie

Add 100g Açai Berry pulp, 100ml apple Juice, 2 teaspoons of honey, and half a banana.

Acai Berry and Blueberry

Add a handful of blueberries, 100g Acai Berry pulp, 100ml orange juice, and 2 tablespoons of yogurt.

Acai Berry and Mango

Add 50g Acai Berry pulp, 50g mango, 150g apple juice, and 2 strawberries.

Acai Berry and Mango Bowl

Add 100g Acai Berry Pulp, 100g mango, 150ml apple juice, 1/2 banana, and dollop of honey.

Acai Mixed Berry Smoothie

Add 100g Acai Berry pulp, 150ml apple juice, 2 strawberries, 5 raspberries, and 5 blueberries.

Acai Berry and Yogurt Smoothie

Add 100g Acai Berry pulp, 100ml natural yogurt, 1 small Banana, 50ml water, and dollop of honey.

Acai Berry Bowl w/ Orange

Add 200g Acai Fruit Pulp, 100 ml orange juice, 2 spoons of honey, and 2 slices of banana.

Acai Berry and Tigela w/ Berries and Apples

Add 200g Acai Fruit Pulp, 200ml apple juice, 2 Strawberries, and a handful of raspberries.

Acai Berry, Pomegranate and Blueberry

Add 100g Acai Fruit Pulp, 150ml pomegranate juice, and a handful of blueberries.

Acai Berry Bread

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/8 cup Shortening
  • 3/4 cup Orange juice
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup cup of açaí berry juice
  • 1 cup Nuts

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In blender, combine egg, shortening, orange juice, and sugar. Add açaí berry juice & nuts and chop briefly. Empty into flour mixture. Mix by hand until moistened. Bake in a greased 9×5 pan at 350F for 50 to 60 minutes.

Learn more about the Acai Berry and its benefits:

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Acai Fruit

December 10th, 2009

Chances are you hadn’t heard the Acai Fruit until it made the “Top Ten List of Super Foods” compiled by dermatologist and author Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

As Oprah mentioned, “This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores.” Oprah recently featured the berry again on her February 5th airing of “Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Anti-Aging Checklist”.  Dr. Oz commented on the show, “It has twice the antioxidant content as a blueberry, so it’s a wonderful alternative,” Dr. Oz says. “Look at the food label and make sure they don’t have too many carbohydrates in there. It’s available in all major stores now. It’s just sort of breaking through.”

Acai Berry
Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is the fruit of a palm tree that grows in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. The acai fruit is a small, round, blackish purple berry about 1 inch in diameter.  Two or three crops of fruit are produced each year.  The harvesting of this little berry, allows for the trees to stay where they are.  In other words, the famous heart of palm, becomes less valuable because the tree has to be cut down for it and obviously one only gets one rendering of the product by cutting down the tree.  Whereas, with the production of the berry, the tree has at least two uses every year.  <br>

So the recent popularity of Antioxidant Açaí is not only helping humans in many ways, but also preventing deforestation of the Amazon.

The Acai Fruit is loaded with antioxidants that protect your health and give you energy. In fact, it delivers 33 times more antioxidant power than both red grapes and red wine. The Acai Fruit also contains amino acids, important vitamins and trace minerals. 

In summary, Acai is rich in the following beneficial nutrients:

  • antioxidants
  • phytonutrients
  • essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, & 9)
  • vitamins and minerals
  • complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber
  • amino acids, trace minerals

Since açaí loses it’s nutritional value rapidly after harvesting, outside the growing region, popular forms of açaí are frozen, dried or freeze-dried.  Several companies now manufacture juices, health drinks, and sorbets with these little berries (often times with other berries and fruits included with it).

Harvesting of the berry deep begins in the Brazilian Amazon—removing only the berries and leaving the tree for future harvesting and safeguarding the rainforest.  Since the açaí berry is a delicate fruit, much of its vitamins and nutrients can be lost within 24 hours after harvesting.  Some companies take special care to freeze the berry, and then reduce the berry into a fine freeze dried powder.  It is through this patent pending technique that certain companies are able to capture the amazing benefits that only the fresh açaí berry can offer.  For bottling, the best technique is flash pasteurization rather than kettle pasteurization; therefore capturing the fresh flavors, vibrant colors and dense nutrient content of the berry.

Acai berry complex protects the body’s cells from pathogens, antigens and carinogens.  The body recognized these nutrients and adapts them to protect and strengthen the immune system.  The berry allows blood/brain barrier transmission while strengthening cell membranes.  All cell membranes need to protect against the unwanted entrance of pathogens.  The berry strengthens the nervous system.  From the brain to the smallest nerve ending, this physiological (electrical) process needs energy for proper synaptic responses that quality food delivers.  The berry provides essential oils.  Oils are an array of incredibly small particles that bind with other nutrients and transport them through membranes.  Our bodies would not work without them.  They not only transport, but contain phytochemicals themselves.

Have you tried the acai berry?  Please let us know what you think about it by leaving a comment below.

Learn more about the Acai Berry and its benefits:

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Acai Berry

December 10th, 2009

Acai Berry  – An Extraordinary Antioxidant-Rich Fruit from the Amazon Rain Forest

The Acai Berry (also known as the Acai Fruit or confused as the Acai Cherry) which is commonly pronounced ah-sigh-ee, is a rather small, round, and dark-looking purple berry. It resembles a blueberry, but is yet smaller and darker. This berry has a large seed and minimum amount of pulp. The acai fruit berry is now broadly used in energy juices, ice cream, certain energy bars with granola.

Acai has been used for many generations by the natives of Brazil. Acai boasts 10 times the antioxidant benefits of grapes and twice that of blueberries.

The Main Health Benefits of the Acai are:

  • An extremely powerful free radical fighter
  • Acai has very high levels of fibers
  • Cleanses and detoxifies the body of infectious toxins
  • Strengthens your immune system
  • Enhances sexual desire and performance
  • Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels
  • Helps maintain healthy heart function
  • Minimizes inflammation
  • Improves circulation
  • Prevents atherosclerosis
  • Enhances visual acuity
  • Fights cancer cells
  • Slows down the aging process
  • Boosts energy levels
  • Improves digestive function (and regularity!)
  • Improves mental clarity/focus
  • Promotes sound sleep
  • Provides all vital vitamins
  • Contains several important minerals
  • Promotes healthier and younger-looking skin
  • Alleviates diabetes
  • Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels
  • Helps maintain healthy heart function
  • Minimizes inflammation
  • Improves circulation
  • Prevents arthrosclerosis
  • Enhances visual acuity

People Have Reported the Following Health Benefits:

  • Helps stabilize normal blood sugar levels
  • Helps improve patients suffering from leukemia
  • Fights general depression
  • Supports weight loss
  • Improves upon your overall physical strength
  • Relieves arthritis pain
  • Helps to clear skin of warts
  • Reduces the occurrence of seizures
  • Helps to reduce physical injuries & speed up recovery 

Top Products Containing the Acai Fruit:

MORE INFORMATION ON THE ACAI BERRY:

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Acai Berry and Sex

December 10th, 2009

Lady Bugs Having Sex

Acai Berry and Sex: As we know, the acai berry is mostly from Brazil and other parts of the Amazonian Rain Forrest. Brazilians believe acai gives you strength, energy and better sex.

Pronounced ah-sah-yee, acai is drunk more commonly than milk in Brazil; a magic fruit potion that fuels the hedonistic energy. In fact, doctors in brazil recommend drinking a lot of acai when couples are having trouble getting pregnant!

Want to increase your sex drive and help your health in many ways at the same time?  We have found the following products to be helpful and quite successful in providing this.  Of course, this is a natural attempt at sex drive, so it may not happen for a couple of weeks or a couple of months, depending on your body.  But, the acai and sex drive sometimes go hand in hand with some individuals.

Acai Berries

There are a couple of great articles about the acai berry and better sex that the British have published.  Please find links to them below:

Learn more about the Acai Berry and its benefits:

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Acai Berry and Cancer

December 10th, 2009

Acai Berry Can Help Fight Cancer – Especially Leukemia Cells

Acai Berry

Acai Berry and Cancer: In January 2006, the University of Florida in Gainesville found some very exciting news that the acai berry was able to kill 86% of leukemia cells tested.

“Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants,” Stephen Talcott, assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, said. “This study was an important step toward learning what people may gain from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products made with the berries.”

Other fruits, including grapes, contain antioxidants shown to kill cancer cells in similar studies.  Brazilian berry destroys cancer cells in lab, UF study shows.

Learn more about the Acai Berry and its benefits:

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