Wild Blueberry Bowl
The acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a grapelike fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America. Those in the know claim that acai helps with a variety of health concerns, including arthritis, weight loss, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, skin appearance, detoxification and general health. Research on acai berries is limited, and claims about its health benefits have yet to be proven.
No matter how “super” acai may be, they are pricy berries. You can make your own breakfast bowl using blueberries, for a fraction of the cost and all of the nutritional benefits. For such a little berry, they pack a potent punch. Blueberries rank the highest of any fruit for antioxidants, known as free-radical-fighting powerhouse compounds found only in plants. One cup of blueberries delivers 14 percent of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, all for less than 100 calories per cup. They get the distinct blue hue from high levels of anthocyanins, pigments in fruits and veggies that give them the deep blue and red hues. North America is still the leading producer of blueberries, accounting for up to 90 percent of the world’s supply.
By the way, do you know what the most nutritionally dense food on the planet is? You might think the answer is blueberries, but actually raw leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach take the title. Forget about all the expensive superfood fads, unless you really like them and can afford them, and focus on the local fruits and vegetables like berries and greens that you find in season at your famers market. They will give you all of the health benefits your body needs at a cost you can stomach. Enjoy!
Wild Blueberry Bowl
Serves 1-2
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 banana
1 tablespoon almond milk or water (only if to think)
1 tablespoon almond butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to make
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth, then pour into your breakfast bowl and top with your favorite mix of nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.
Tip: why not add frozen raspberries, strawberries or blackberries to you berry bowl as a base and get the full benefits of mixing your fruit intake.