Detox, Energize & Boost Immunity with this Superfood and with recipes to make this at home

Find out why I needed my ACAI bowl today and how it was a “cure” for me!

It was so wonderful to spend time with my family over Christmas and eat all of the wonderful food and drinks together, but so many times we can overindulge during this time and feel sluggish . . . . BUT, that is not why I needed this superfood this time! I needed to energize and fast!

Why? I felt my body craving for a delicious acai bowl,  because I got the horrible stomach flu Christmas night and it hit me hard and I did not eat anything for 2 days straight.  Nothing sounded good and I felt like a truck had hit me, and then eventually, a few days later, I started to feel like I could get out of bed. (Thank you to my wonderful husband and kids who helped out around the house!)  I knew that I needed to eat to get my strength and energy back (and yes, I wanted to get back into my workouts) and I listened to my body and it craved something cold (cool things inside my tummy is what I craved) and I also wanted some healthy fruit.  🍇  If you are looking for some very valuable information about superfoods, I have linked an awesome superfoods article explaining the many benefits!

Do you ever think about how our bodies will sometimes crave foods that we ultimately need?🤔  Ok, not all the time, as I don’t think my body needs those chips and salsa or that gelato……….BUT, when we are worn down, I think our bodies will crave the nutrients they are lacking.  So, I did not have the ingredients at home to make an acai smoothie (see recipe below) or acai bowl ( see recipe below) but there are now many great places to go buy acai bowls which are loaded with fruit and filled with nutritious ingredients! And the acai berry is known as the “Beauty Berry” and boy did I need that! 😫  Actually, some studies state that this fruit has so many health benefits, like: heart health, aiding in weight loss, promoting skin health, help with digestion, energy booster, improve cellular health, immune booster & anti-aging benefits.

Now if you are going to order acai or ask for it in the grocery store, you will want to be able to pronounce it (ah-sigh-ee).  You can look for this in the frozen food section in the grocery store or search stores that sell the bowls.  The taste is a cross between a grape and a blueberry with a reddish purple color.  The health benefits of this small yet mighty fruit, is that it is low in sugar, but contains excellent amounts of iron, calcium, fiber, Vitamin A . . . .it’s a strong antioxidant fruit!  They also contain resveratol, which not only gives this fruit it’s beautiful deep colors, but have been shown to help defend the body against harmful free radicals.

The acai bowl that I have pictured above is from Nekter and it was absolutely delicious! 😋 It felt good to finally have something in my stomach and that it was great for my body too!  The ingredients are: acai, strawberry, blueberry, banana, their housemade cashew milk, blended together and topped with hempseed granola, fresh strawberries, blueberries, banana and agave nectar (390 calories).  Also, if you are needing protein, especially after your workouts, I recommend ordering whey protein powder add-on or if making at home into the puree or the smoothie.  So, if you prefer to make your own, here are some recipes for the acai bowl and smoothie.

ACAI BOWL 

1 package frozen unsweetened acai berry pulp (break apart with hands before putting into blender)

1/2 banana

1/2 c. frozen strawberries

1/2 c. frozen blueberries

1/2 c. unsweetened nut milk (almond, cashew, etc)

Servings: 1

Place all ingredients in the blender at a slow speed, stopping to scrape down sides and adding the milk to better blend thoroughly.  After all ingredients have blended completely, blend on high speed for about 20 seconds. Put the puree in a bowl and top with your favorite toppings, here are a few suggestions.

Toppings:

blueberries, bananas, kiwi, strawberries, granola, honey, agave nectar, protein powder (stir in)

ACAI SMOOTHIE

3/4 c. unsweetened almond milk

1/2 c. frozen strawberries

1 frozen banana

1/2 c. frozen blueberries

1/2 acai frozen smoothie pack or acai juice

1 scoop protein powder (optional)

1/2 c. ice

Servings : 1

Place all ingredients in blender until thoroughly mixed.  Add more or less ice depending on your desired consistency.  I absolutely love the Magic Bullet and use it to make all of my smoothies!

ENJOY this great tasting and nutritious fruit and let me know of any great recipes

you make with this fruit!