VP Health & Fitness

Last week the Today Show aired a special segment titled “5 Things You’ve Never Heard of . . . Foods That Could Change Your Life” with special guest Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern who did extensive research and sought out the five powerful foods that could change your life on your path to health.

Here’s the link to the clip:

Five life-changing foods

The ones that he mentioned were:

• Alligator

• Laver Bread

• Açaí Berries

• Yerba Maté

• Cupuaçu

Now, the reason I found this interesting is because I know of a fairly new functional health beverage called FRUTA VIDA that combines three of these five superfoods that were mentioned! And let me tell you that it’s delicious!!!!!!!!

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#1 - Açai (ah-sigh-EE) “The Wine of the Amazon”

This berry is harvested naturally from the depths of the rain forests of Brazil, by the people who have been using it for thousands of years. Açai is the only super food on the market that has everything you need naturally from only the berry itself. It is packed with Vitamin B1, B2, B3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Fiber, Proteins, good fatty acids such as Omega 6 and Omega 9. Research on Açai has shown that these anti-oxidants are known to fight and regulate cholesterol levels in the body.

As an added benefit, Açai gives you the highest level of anti-oxidants on the market, with studies showing up to 33 times the anti-oxidant level as in red wine grapes. Besides being considered one of the “richest foods in Iron” the Açai fruit is also rich in fiber which makes it strongly recommended for the elderly and/or for people with digestive problems. For its microbiological characteristics, Açai is considered one of the most nutritive foods in the Amazon, and perhaps in the world.

The Açai fruit has a great berry flavor with the aroma of chocolate. In Brazil, they make a popular slurpie-like drink from it, and now it’s the new favorite energy drink in trendy cafes and spas in New York and California!

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#2 - Cupuaçu (coo pwAH soo) “The Taste of the Amazon”

When foreigners visit the rainforest, native Amazonians will often offer them Cupuaçu – the “taste of the Amazon”. But this delicious fruit happens to be a potent health resource, as well. Cupuaçu is a member of the chocolate family. The indigenous Indians have used the fruit as a primary food source for years. It contains unique antioxidant phytonutrients called polyphenols. You may be familiar with polyphenols from other common medicinal plants, notably green tea and grape seeds. Cupuaçu also contains at least nine other known antioxidants including Vitamin C and Vitamin A, making it a well-rounded antioxidant “cocktail”.

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#3 - Yerba Mate’ (yerba mah TAY) “The Green Tea of South America”

Unlike Açai and Cupuaçu, which are fruits, Yerba Mate’ is in the evergreen family and the leaves and stems of the tree are used to produce a tea.

In fact, this tea has been called “the green tea of South America” since it is the national drink of Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Consumed in moderation, maté is recognized as one of the most healthful natural beverages on earth!

Often called “nature’s most perfect beverage” and “the beverage of the gods“, South American Indians have been consuming mate’ for centuries and today millions of South Americans drink Yerba Mate’ as a healthful alternative to coffee. Users report that although it gives the energizing property of caffeine in coffee, it does not result in sleeplessness and nervousness of coffee drinkers!

Safe, effective energy is not the only benefit of Yerba Mate’. Packed also with powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols, the drink has earned it’s name “The Green Tea of South America”. And, it has been shown to aid in weight loss!

** Source: Dr. Jeffrey Klein, Ph.D., “Nature’s Medicine Chest -The Anti-Aging Secrets of the Amazon Rainforest”, NGX Media, 2004. Get your copy of “Nature’s Medicine Chest” here. ( www.RainforestTools.com )

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So…. check out the video, then check out Fruta Vida to get the goods and a mountain of health benefits info.

To your health!

~ Vilma

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Now, ya’ll remember what your mama told you….

Mijita, you need to eat your fruits & veggies because they are good for you!

Of course, I, being the obedient child that I was listened quite well & I LOVE fruits and most veggies.  But many people I know struggle to get the recommended 5 servings of fruits & veggies a day. 

Now, I realize that we are almost 3 weeks into the month but I still have to share this… Sparkpeople just released their September Calendar titled “30 Days to More Fruit & Veggies” which gives daily tips and tricks to increase your intake of these nutritious and delicious foods — while enjoying every single bite! 

Drop by and check it out!!!  30 Ways to Eat More Fruits & Veggies

And… if you’re anything like me and don’t have time to prepare and cut up delicious fruits & veggies, I highly recommend some kind of good quality greens or super/whole foods supplement.  They are very convinient & with 1 or 2 servings you can you get your daily allowance plus added nutrients.

Here are some good ones to check out:

THE FEAST

THE FEAST Super Charged

Beyond Berries

Greens +

Greens + berries

Fruta Vida

Also Check out http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

for more tips, trick, recipes & FREE resources.

~ Vilma  

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