Black Grapes

I was in Costco last week and got a carton of black grapes. They were great! Juicy and meaty. After checking them out I realized they had more health benefits than I realized. I know that all the purple foods have the most antioxidants, but I did not realize that eating then in mass quantities could cure ailments. I plan to eat more black grapes because heart disease runs on my fathers side of the family. He actually died in a year after having a pace maker put in. On my mother's side there is cancer. So I truly believe we are what we eat. Eating better is the key to longevity. So for me, more fiber is key!

Used as a supplement or an alternative to medicine, and eaten in a therapeutic dose, raw fresh grapes aid in the treatment and prevention of many disorders:
• Arthritis—eating exclusively 2-3 pounds of black grapes for 1-5 days will provide amazing therapeutic relief, depending on severity of symptoms
• Heart Disease—experimenters in the Soviet Union have shown that eating nothing but 1-3 pounds of black grapes for 5-7 days has a detoxifying effect on the muscles and valves of the heart and also purifies and balances the bloodstream
• Prostrate disorders—exclusively for 1-3 days at 1-3 pounds
• Menstrual disorders—exclusively for 1-5 days at 1-3 pounds
• Cancer—2-4 pounds of grapes a day for a week to a month will help detoxify all tissues and organs in the body, and restore organic integrity to starved cells when used solely for a prolonged period of time

Full article here: Prevention through Nutrition: Black Grapes

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Acai Reserve by Haagen Dazs: Search Over!

After searching high and low, locally, I got a wonderful comment on my blog and several emails from the wonderful people at Haagen Dazs. They understood my urgency to get some of the Brazilian Acai Sorbet, part of the Reserve Series. My hunt came to an end. At first I was communicating with Diane who then put me in touch with a woman named Summer. They were both great! After a few emails back and forth, I got a complimentary shipment of the Brazilian Acai Berry Sorbet. It came in a sleeve of 8 pints and was delivered overnight by Federal Express packed in dry ice. Did I say complimentary? Can we say random acts of kindness? They certainly did not have to do it. The sorbet is not available anywhere near me and it does not look like it will be any time soon. After searching on their flavor locator it seems to be only available in the bigger US cities for now...Atlanta, some of the bigger northern cities..New York and others and them out west in California.

My Brazilian Acai Berry Sorbet arrived in excellent condition. My mom received it as I was at work. I could not wait to get home to try some. When I did, I got out a pint and we all tried some after dinner when I got home. It was just fabulous! Light and full of those acai berries! I have recently come back from a trip to the Amazon jungle in Brazil, where I first discovered the benefits of acai. I was able to try some acai ice cream there and it was wonderful. It was that unusual purple color for ice cream.

I will be presenting a power point presentation/slide show to my ladies group who helped fund my trip to the Amazon on this coming Monday night. The Brazilian Acai Berry Sorbet will be the grand finale to their sights and tastes of the amazon. I am just thrilled this all came together. A big thank you must be given to the wonderful people at Haagen Dazs!

Thank you Haagen Dazs! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Diane and Summer! The chances of them even coming across my blog and my crazy hunt for the acai sorbet seems slim... even now. It must have been mean to happen this way. I will be sure to take some pictures on Monday of us enjoying the sorbet. I told Summer that I would send her one of our group on Monday. Sometimes little prayers can get answered...even when you did not think there was any chance of it ever happening.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Bom Dia Acai Juice

After learning all about the acai berries, I found Bom Dia acai juice at my local Bi-Lo today. Was I thrilled. I bought a small bottle. I have only 1/2 of it left. I do plan to get more. It tastes wonderful. Bom Dia is made by Bolthouse. Now that I have viewed the site, I am not surprised. The sounds of the rainforest is just lively!

When it comes to antioxidants, acai juice is the best source (currently), with approximately 50% more than pomegranate juice, which is the next best source. Bom Dia (which means good morning in Portuguese) has Acai Juices made with a combination of Cacao, Mangosteen or Pomegranate Juice.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Acai Berries

I have just heard about the acai berries and had a chance to try some in ice cream form. It was good. I just did not realize all the benefits. Nor did I know very much about the berrry in general. Here is what I now know.

Acai is a Brazilian berry original from the Amazon Region that is considered to be one of nature's most complete and healthy foods. They are loaded with antioxidants, anthocyanins (approximately 20 times the amount in red wine), amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein. Some recent studies from the University of Florida indicate that Acai may even fight cancer cells.

Research has shown that it works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, contains loads of anti-oxidants, and helps counter the affects of aging. The best thing about this fruit is the taste though. Some describe it as a combination of chocolate and raspberries but even that description fall short of the mark. The acai berrys taste is even more exotic, mysterious, and addictive.

39 Reasons to Drink Acai Juice Every Day

GOOD FOR THE BODY

1. Helps build a strong body by providing protein

2. Cleanses and detoxifies the body

3. May improve muscle contractions and regeneration

4. Increases energy and stamina by supplying high amounts of B vitamins (Anti-stress / water soluble vitamins) needed everyday for greater iron, manganese, potassium, chromium and vanadium absorption

5. Relieves stress

6. Improves sexual health

7. Aids body synergy

8. Serves as a potent anti-aging food

FOR MEN

9. May help prevent prostrate enlargement

FOR WOMEN

10. Helps prevent osteoporosis

11. Can reduce pain and inflammation during menstrual cycles

HEART HEALTH & DIABETES

12. May help prevent causes of heart disease

13. Reduces bad cholesterol

14. Provides sterols which may lower blood pressure (BP)

15. Protects blood vessels

16. May help prevent diabetic related retinopathy and blindness by helping to protect against weak capillaries

17. Offers diabetes relief through its low glycemic index improving glucose and lipid levels

18. Curbs appetites through its low glycemic index helping with weight control

GALVANIXES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

19. Improves resistance to disease

20. Improves function of immune cells

21. Prevents free-radical damage to the immune system

22. Is antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal

23. Acts as an antimutagenic by helping to prevent DNA damage and lowering the risks associated with carcinogens and mutagens

AID FOR THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

24. Improves digestion

25. May help overcome acid-reflux disease (GERD) through it’s ability to suppress acid, reduce acidosis and reflux, protect and repair against lower esophagus damage

26. Heals ulcers

27. Helps relieve symptoms of Crohn's disease

SKIN CARE

28. Improves skin tone

29. Defends against premature wrinkles

DESEASE FIGHTER

31. May thwart cancer by neutralizing free radicals before they can damage cells

32. Reduces arthritis pain through anti-inflammatory properties

33. Relieves symptoms of asthma

34. May reduce risk for Alzheimer's disease by naturally providing increased amounts of vitamins C and E (Archives of Neurology in 2004 and a study published in the April 24, 1997, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, vitamin E can slow the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease by 25%)

OTHER HEALTH ADVANTAGES OF ACAI

35. Aids vision by providing high amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin C

36. Helps maintain healthy teeth and gums through its highly absorbable supply of calcium

37. Improves mental clarity associated with intakes of omega3, 6, 9 found in acai

38. Helps induce better sleep by supplying high amounts of B vitamins (anti-stress vitamins) needed everyday as they are not produced In the body.

39. Promotes overall wellness by providing the highest source of antioxidants available

The good thing about it is that you do not have to go all the way to the Amazon to get it. You can order it and enjoy it in the states. I plan to get some.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~