One of the early pioneers of the raw food lifestyle is David Wolfe. His area of expertise is the research, education and promotion of SUPERFOODS. “Superfoods are both a food and a medicine; they have elements of both. They are a class of the most potent, super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the plant. They are the optimum choice for improving overall health.” I am currently studying his new book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. All quoted material in this article is from this book.
Each week I will be offering a synopsis of his content on one of the 10 Superfoods he identifies. Most of these I have tried and LOVE, some I have not.
Perhaps the easiest and tastiest place to start with superfoods is Goji Berries! They are available at the Natural Food and Garden Store, online or any other health food store. When buying, look for bright reddish orange berries, organic, with no signs of mold. They are a dried fruit, about the size of a stretched-out raisin. According to Mr. Wolfe, here is why we should eat them:
1. “They are an adaptogen, which means they produce a combination of therapeutic effects.”
2. “They are the most nutritionally rich berry on the planet, offering 19 different amino acids, 21 trace minerals, B vitamins and Vitamin E.”
3. “They are one of the few foods to actually increase production of Human Growth Hormone.”
4. They enhance libido, eye health (cataracts, macular degeneration), boost the immune system, hydrate, support brain and neurological health, support cardiovascular health, keep vital organs healthy and are a potent antioxidant.
What do they taste like? A little tart, a little sweet - sort of like a dried cherry who married a dried cranberry. They’re chewy.
How do you use them?
Eat them plain. Soak overnight in water and put in your morning smoothie along with a banana. Use them in a raw fudge recipe – lots of recipes online for this. There are varying ideas of how many to eat; I can’t be bothered with so much “precise” information crowding in on my day. So, I grab a BIG handful which I’m guessing is about 1/3 c. Just eat them, Don’t obsess over how many.
Here is a recipe link to explore: http://www.gojiberriesblog.com/2007/03/03/goji-berry-recipes-2/
MAKE YOUR OWN NUTMILK
For those who do not drink dairy, constantly buying Almond Milk or Rice Milk can become VERY pricey! I’ve experimented with this ALWAYS with the conclusion that it was more trouble than it was worth: Cheesecloth, mess, drips = yuck! NOT ANY MORE because I found an awesome product called “The Amazing Nut Milk Bag.” It is re-usable, keeps mess to a minimum, and makes squeezing the liquid out of the nuts really EASY and FAST! Plus, you will not believe the absolutely rich, creamy and delicious nut milk you will get! I’ve made luxurious milk from Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Almonds and Hazelnuts. Here’s the basic how-to:
Soak 1 cup nuts overnight. Rinse. Put in Blender with 4 c water, little sugar, or soaked dates, vanilla or some raw cacao powder if you wish. Blend. Pour into nut milk bag, squeeze into a pitcher. Done. Since this is really fresh milk, with NO preservatives, plan on using it in 3-4 days.
I can’t stand to throw good food away, so I usually make a raw cookie from the nut pulp left in the bag. I melt some coconut oil and/or almond butter, add some sugar or soaked dates, maybe some grated lemon or orange rind, some goji berries, shredded coconut, the nut pulp, mix it all together, roll into balls and refrigerate.
Here are two sources for this great product:
Amazon – search for The Amazing Nut Milk Bag
Purejoyplanet.com – this is the developer, and she also has a video showing you how to use this.
AMAZING vinegars are to be found at A Taste of Olive in West Chester (you can order online, link to follow.) Summer is coming when we all naturally eat more salads. This place has an unbelievable vinegar and olive oil selection. I get my olive oils locally, but these flavored vinegars are delicious: strawberry, pineapple, coconut ginger, lime, herb, orange, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peach, vanilla, lavender, espresso – to name a few. For example, I combine tarragon olive oil with lavender white balsamic vinegar, drizzle espresso balsamic over shrimp just off the grill, or orange flavored balsamic vinegar plus olive oil over a tuna and fresh herb salad. I no longer even make salad dressings – just a quick drizzle of one of these vinegars and some high quality olive oil, and the taste is well… amazing. Less fuss, less time, MORE HAPPY TASTE BUDS!
http://www.atasteofolive.com/
As always, thank you for reading! If you have questions or topics you would enjoy exploring, please feel free to contact me via FB or email. I am ngiuntini@dejazzd.com.
Each week I will be offering a synopsis of his content on one of the 10 Superfoods he identifies. Most of these I have tried and LOVE, some I have not.
Perhaps the easiest and tastiest place to start with superfoods is Goji Berries! They are available at the Natural Food and Garden Store, online or any other health food store. When buying, look for bright reddish orange berries, organic, with no signs of mold. They are a dried fruit, about the size of a stretched-out raisin. According to Mr. Wolfe, here is why we should eat them:
1. “They are an adaptogen, which means they produce a combination of therapeutic effects.”
2. “They are the most nutritionally rich berry on the planet, offering 19 different amino acids, 21 trace minerals, B vitamins and Vitamin E.”
3. “They are one of the few foods to actually increase production of Human Growth Hormone.”
4. They enhance libido, eye health (cataracts, macular degeneration), boost the immune system, hydrate, support brain and neurological health, support cardiovascular health, keep vital organs healthy and are a potent antioxidant.
What do they taste like? A little tart, a little sweet - sort of like a dried cherry who married a dried cranberry. They’re chewy.
How do you use them?
Eat them plain. Soak overnight in water and put in your morning smoothie along with a banana. Use them in a raw fudge recipe – lots of recipes online for this. There are varying ideas of how many to eat; I can’t be bothered with so much “precise” information crowding in on my day. So, I grab a BIG handful which I’m guessing is about 1/3 c. Just eat them, Don’t obsess over how many.
Here is a recipe link to explore: http://www.gojiberriesblog.com/2007/03/03/goji-berry-recipes-2/
MAKE YOUR OWN NUTMILK
For those who do not drink dairy, constantly buying Almond Milk or Rice Milk can become VERY pricey! I’ve experimented with this ALWAYS with the conclusion that it was more trouble than it was worth: Cheesecloth, mess, drips = yuck! NOT ANY MORE because I found an awesome product called “The Amazing Nut Milk Bag.” It is re-usable, keeps mess to a minimum, and makes squeezing the liquid out of the nuts really EASY and FAST! Plus, you will not believe the absolutely rich, creamy and delicious nut milk you will get! I’ve made luxurious milk from Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Almonds and Hazelnuts. Here’s the basic how-to:
Soak 1 cup nuts overnight. Rinse. Put in Blender with 4 c water, little sugar, or soaked dates, vanilla or some raw cacao powder if you wish. Blend. Pour into nut milk bag, squeeze into a pitcher. Done. Since this is really fresh milk, with NO preservatives, plan on using it in 3-4 days.
I can’t stand to throw good food away, so I usually make a raw cookie from the nut pulp left in the bag. I melt some coconut oil and/or almond butter, add some sugar or soaked dates, maybe some grated lemon or orange rind, some goji berries, shredded coconut, the nut pulp, mix it all together, roll into balls and refrigerate.
Here are two sources for this great product:
Amazon – search for The Amazing Nut Milk Bag
Purejoyplanet.com – this is the developer, and she also has a video showing you how to use this.
AMAZING vinegars are to be found at A Taste of Olive in West Chester (you can order online, link to follow.) Summer is coming when we all naturally eat more salads. This place has an unbelievable vinegar and olive oil selection. I get my olive oils locally, but these flavored vinegars are delicious: strawberry, pineapple, coconut ginger, lime, herb, orange, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peach, vanilla, lavender, espresso – to name a few. For example, I combine tarragon olive oil with lavender white balsamic vinegar, drizzle espresso balsamic over shrimp just off the grill, or orange flavored balsamic vinegar plus olive oil over a tuna and fresh herb salad. I no longer even make salad dressings – just a quick drizzle of one of these vinegars and some high quality olive oil, and the taste is well… amazing. Less fuss, less time, MORE HAPPY TASTE BUDS!
http://www.atasteofolive.com/
As always, thank you for reading! If you have questions or topics you would enjoy exploring, please feel free to contact me via FB or email. I am ngiuntini@dejazzd.com.
