| Today's topic is going to be about berries and | | | | noon and it tastes marvelous. This berry has one the |
| chocolate, yes, chocolate. Chocolate is really a bean | | | | highest antioxidant power ratings of any fruit and it is |
| (cocoa bean), however, I thought it fit really well in this | | | | said that the sugars that make this berry sweet |
| category and also I love talking about and eating | | | | actually helps reduce insulin resistance. Goji berries |
| chocolate so thought that would be a fun thing to do | | | | have been used for medicinal food in Tibet for over |
| this gorgeous sunny Sunday morning. | | | | 1,700 years. Another healthy snack that would be |
| Chocolate: Healthy chocolate is not a mars or snickers | | | | readily available for car snacks and/or put in a healthy |
| candy bar, they are not created equal just like the | | | | trail mix to have in the car for quick snacks. There |
| different kinds of fat, there is the good and the not so | | | | really is so much available to us for healthy snacks, we |
| good. First off the chocolate needs to be dark | | | | just get them purchases and have them available for |
| chocolate and preferably organic and then it needs to | | | | quick taking with us. |
| be at least 70% cocoa, preferably 75% or higher and | | | | Acai Berries: Acai berries have twice the disease |
| with no more than 5% sugar grams. So you see this is | | | | fighting antioxidants of blueberries, and we all know |
| not a soft sugar laden candy treat, but you will find that | | | | how the blueberry has been taunted for its healthy |
| it takes care of that chocolate urge many of us have | | | | benefits. These berries come in all forms for |
| and with that it is actually very healthy for you. The | | | | consuming; tea, juice, powder, combination tonics and |
| health store I shop at has a nice variety of chocolate | | | | supplements. One of the big benefits of acai berries is |
| bars that fall within these guidelines, so they are out | | | | the added energy you will have, increased mental |
| there readily available for us the general public. | | | | focus, regulates cholesterol levels, also contains |
| Some of the benefits of chocolate, other than many | | | | omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, improve |
| of really crave it, is that chocolate increases dopamine | | | | circulation, helps to naturally resist colds, flu and other |
| release and provides flavonoids, which keep our | | | | diseases. |
| arteries young. It is also known to help reduce high | | | | Blueberries: This has been the most popular with the |
| blood pressure; which of course then helps with heart | | | | anti-aging communities for a very long time and still |
| disease, diabetes and cancer. It is said that chocolate | | | | holds a high recommendation, with eating blueberries |
| has twice the antioxidants then that of red wine and | | | | comes the benefits of improving heart function, boosts |
| three times the amount of antioxidants then that of | | | | immunity, is a brain stimulant and a cancer fighter. It is |
| green tea. It is important to remember that a little goes | | | | sometimes called the "brain berry"; they are also rich in |
| a long way and that it must be dark chocolate, as the | | | | fiber and can boost cardiovascular health, it is good to |
| processing of the other chocolates removes these | | | | eat at least 1 cup fresh, ½ cup frozen per day |
| valuable nutrients from the chocolate. So if you are | | | | and the good news is that blueberries maintain most of |
| going to eat chocolate, it may as well be chock full of | | | | their nutritional power in dried or frozen form. |
| powerful nutrients and be good for our bodies. Also, | | | | Be sure and take proper care of fresh berries, they |
| teach children early to enjoy the taste of this healthy | | | | should be stored in the fridge, if they are in an open |
| candy and they will forever be attracted to it and | | | | container put a paper towel over them, if they are in a |
| enjoy it, and it will create healthy, happy children. | | | | sealed plastic container, just leave them in the |
| Goji Berries: These little berries are about the size and | | | | container, and do not wash the berries until you are |
| shape of a raisin and are a medium burgundy color, | | | | ready to use them. Blueberries will keep about a week |
| and have a chewy texture with the taste of between | | | | and raspberries and strawberries just a few days. |
| a cranberry and a cherry. I put them in my morning | | | | Thought for the Day: "The ability to simplify means to |
| smoothie along with acai powder and blueberries, this | | | | eliminate the unnecessary to that the necessary may |
| powerhouse smoothie keeps me going strong until | | | | speak. |