Boost your immunity and live a bit longer with these 13 super foods! These are some of the foods enjoyed by the world’s longest lived people, as tracked by bluezones.com
Are you worried about getting sick this winter, with the flu, or worse the coronavirus? Boost your immune system with CAMU CAMU, which has the highest vitamin C content in the world. Here are 10 smoothie recipes using this vitamin C powerhouse. Find the links on my little recipe blog…The Purple Almond Wellness Kitchen. (article link below)
The above quote, from the ancient Hindu text the Upanishads, is almost mind boggling in it’s accuracy and relevance to today’s society, as well as food choices. We have access to any type of food…food to heal and make us strong and agile in our old age with sharp focused minds…or we have food that destroys us, making us grow old before our time, lose our minds to depression, mental illness or dementia and die young, from chronic disease. The choice is your’s. What’s it going to be?
Today, as I close out this series on superfoods, I have a video for you from David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe, discussing the vast difference between types of food in our society today and the affect on our health, whether good….or bad.
Also known as the “earth apple”, Yacon is a sweet tasting root, which is grown in the Andes in South America. The texture is similar to an apple, with a flavor similar to a carrot/apple combination. Humans in the Andes have been using this root since 1200 BC. Yacon is related to the Sunflower and Jerusalem Artichoke.
Health Benefits of Yacon (1)
Contains inulin, which is a complex sugar known as a fructooligosaccharide. (FOS). This type of sugar cannot be digested by humans, and there for is not absorbed into the blood stream
Doesn’t spike blood sugar
Low in calories
One of the healthiest sugar alternatives available
Diabetics can enjoy this “sugar” without the sugar spike
The FOS feeds the good bacteria in the large intestines, which in turn aids in digestion and a healthy colon.
Reduce cholesterol
Reduce high blood pressure
Source (1)
How to use it:
It is available as “chips”, as a powder or flour, syrup and capsules. The type you buy, depends on the use. It can be used to sweeten anything from cookies and cakes to tea and smoothies.
Noni is an evergreen plant, originally from Southeast Asia, but now grows in tropical regions around the world, such as Hawaii, India and Central America. It is an egg shaped fruit, approximately the size of a potato. This powerful fruit has been used in Polynesia for more than 2000 years for healing.
Health Benefits of Noni Fruit (1)
Helps fight cancer
Pain killer
builds immunity
anti-bacterial agents
Anti-depressant
Hair and skin
Improved cholesterol
Improved digestive system
Anti-aging
Reduces nausea
Source (1)
How to use it:
Both powdered Noni or liquid juice are widely available. It can be added to smoothies, or consumed in its liquid form as regular juice. Due to high concentrations of potassium, it is recommended that you use noni fruit and powders on a limited basis.
Kelp, part of a group of large brown sea algae, is more commonly known as seaweed. We know that fish are healthy, right? Well, we must remember where these fish get their healthy profile, by eating sea vegetables.
Health Benefits of Kelp (1,2)
One of the highest sources of iodine in the world – up to 2984 mcg/serving
The most powerful food to heal the thyroid gland
Loaded with trace minerals and vitamins
High amounts of protein
Gets the digestive system moving
Blood purifier
Natural diuretic
Encourages weight loss
Helps control blood sugar
Improves immunity
Source (1)
How to use it:
Kelp can be added to soups or smoothies. You’ll find many kelp salad recipes online as well. Another amazing way to use kelp is to chop it up and mix it with rice or other grains.
This week, each morning, we’ll finish up with the final four superfoods from the book, which are:
Incan berries (AKA golden berries
Kelp
Noni fruit
Yacon Root
We’ve covered everything from goji berries to coconuts to bee products to algae and seaweed. To see the articles from the superfoods series, follow THIS LINK. We’ve learned, over the past few just how incredibly healthy, nutritious and healing these superfoods can be.
That’s all well and good, but you have to actually EAT them, to reap the benefits. That’s where this article comes in. I’ve scoured the internet to come up with a list of 20 different recipes, which incorporate the different superfoods. I’ve tried to include each food in at least one recipe.
The article culminates with a very special chocolate drink, SUPER healthy, jam packed with vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties, prepared by David Wolfe. There are three different videos which explain the ingredients in this very special drink, and how to make it.
This week will wrap up our discussion on superfoods. If you have any comments or questions, as always, leave me a comment below! ENJOY!
1 cup cashews
3 droppers Marine Phytoplankton
1 cup water
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 garlic clove
1 stalk green onion
1 Tbsp fresh chopped ginger
½ avocado
1 tsp Sun Is Shining (or other super green powder)
1 tsp nutritional yeast (optional)
½ tsp Mesquite Powder
1/8 tsp Chili Pepper Powder
½ tsp Himalayan Salt
This smoothie/chocolate drink is a powerhouse of superfood nutrients. It will fill you with energy. I recommend using this in place of your morning coffee!
Chocolate vanilla bean dream smoothie video PART I
Chocolate vanilla bean dream smoothie video PART II
Chocolate vanilla bean dream smoothie video PART III
Incan berries, aka golden berries are grown in high altitudes in tropical areas of South America. This fruit, similar to a cape gooseberry, is a glossy yellow-orange color, surrounded by paper like leaves. They are an amazing source of fiber, with 8 grams per 1/4 cup! They are a rich source of potassium, phosphorus and calcium and also high in vitamins A, B, and C.
Health Benefits of Inca Berries (1, 3)
Increase metabolism
Promote digestion (due to the high fiber)
Help control diabetes (again, partially due to the high fiber content)
Clean the blood
Support the prostate gland
Helps improve vision
Helps prevent lung cancer
Boosts immunity
Helps build strong bones
Reduce cholesterol
Source (1)
How to use it:
They are mainly used in a dried form, similar to raisins. They can be used in jams, sauces, puddings and pies. (Or anywhere you’d use raisins!) Throw them in a trail mix or just eat them by the handful!
Yes folks, it’s another green food…yes another algae, this time GREEN. (I just wish they tasted better!) If you remember, it’s cousin, Spirulina, is BLUE-GREEN. It’s a powerhouse of healthy vitamins, minerals and protein.
Photo source: (2)
Health Benefits of Chlorella (1, 2)
Detoxify heavy metals and other pollutants (This is the main one and it’s huge-super important!)
Lowers Cholesterol and blood sugar
Boosts the immune system
Promotes weight loss
Delays signs of aging
Healthy digestion
Natural pH levels (If you’re acidic, it helps you become more alkaline)
Source (1)
How to use it:
We’re talking smoothies again, or you can take tablets.
Camu Camu is grown in the dense Amazon Rainforest. It grows on bushes in mostly flooded areas of Peru. It’s a globe shaped fruit, about the size of a cherry, which tastes like cherry and lemon. So what does this little fruit do for you?
Health Benefits of Camu Camu (1)
Stronger immunity
More energy
Better mood
Healthier gums, eyes and skin
Supports the liver, lungs, lymph and nervous system