My Foodie Call

Have you heard the term “Superfood” when referencing a food’s nutrition benefits? “Superfoods” are as trendy as “fat-free” foods were back in the 90’s. It seems like the word “fat-free” was slapped on everything it could be…everything short of an apple. But we all know where the fat-free craze got us…. Excess sugar in our goods.

Yes, Sugar overload. Anyhow, back to the labeling of “Superfoods.” On your health journey, you will most certainly come across the term “Superfood”. Really it is a marketing term to try to get you to buy and consume whatever Superfood is being touted as the next big thing. Marketing. And it works.  I am guilty. However…what is important to note is that no one particular food can equate to perfect health. The key to great health is keeping a variety of whole, unprocessed foods in your life. Not focus on any one particular “Superfood.” Yes, kale is pretty much king, but make sure you do not ignore collards, spinach, romaine or any other powerful green. Again, I am guilty. I buy and consume these marketed “Superfoods.” I even have some on auto delivery from Amazon. See below 🙂

Gogi Berries. A packaged Superfood. Sweet.

These are the guys I am talking about. Good stuff. In a bag. Long shelf life. No worrying about buying in season.

The reason I will promote this “Superfood” is because they do have pretty awesome health properties. Similar to berries, but no fuss or worrying about them rotting or going bad. No refrigerating required. Here is the deal. Before gogi berries are packaged, they are dried out almost completely and left with about 10% moisture. This gives them their chewy consistency. And although gogi berries look like little red raisins, they are not quite as sweet. But with Vitamin A, C, and Iron? Who cares. Way healthier than a raisin.

My gogi berry and rolled oat cookies from a while back. See those red guys?? These are gogi berries.

According to the Navitas Naturals website this is what they say about their gogi berries and their nutritional content: “Ounce-for-ounce, goji berries contain more vitamin C than oranges, more beta-carotene than carrots, and more iron than soybeans and spinach.”  That’s quite a nutritional claim. I’m on board with that. What to do with these babies?

• Keep them in your purse in place of those almonds you have been carting around for a week. Mix it up a bit.
• Add them to your salad.
• Top your oatmeal with them.
• Add them to granola.
• Blend them into smoothies.
• Add them to your cookie recipes?? See above picture :).

Although I am certain they sell them at Whole Foods Market, here is the Amazon link if you would like to order some from the comfort of your couch. http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Organic-Berries-16-Ounce/dp/B000FFLHSY