Brazil's healthful plants

I am always looking for new health foods.  After surviving countless diets, including the pungently aromatic Cabbage Soup Diet, I have my doubts about good tasting healthy foods.  As it is, I spent 30 minutes trying to determine whether to eat a salad for dinner or pasta (in case you're interested, I decided on a ginormous bag of pretzels and some low fat/disgusting chocolate cookies). 

Leave it to Brazil, bastion of the g-string bikini, to bring us healthy plants that actually taste good.  I guess it's important when you're wearing next to nothing on a public beach.

Acai (pronounced asa'i) was trendy last year but we believe some things transcend trends.  Acai is generally considered to be one of the most antioxidant laden plants around and it's native to Central and South America.  It's is a purple drupe, that looks similar to a grape.  According to Switch2Organics.com,

"Not only is the açaí berry an antioxidant, but taken in the organic form unique amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and proteins are present in these berries. The açaí berry is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world, and is nature’s perfect energy fruit." 

It's only a matter of time before we hear people proclaiming the glory of Acai to help them stay up late and study.

image via Switch2Organics

In 2007, several companies began to use acai in various drinks.  Check out Bossa Nova and O.N.E. Amazon Acai for some examples.  But, most interestingly, acai is often eaten as a fruit in Brazil, and even acts as a great flavor additive.  Wikipedia notes:

"The juice and pulp of açaí fruits (Euterpe oleracea) are frequently used in various juice blends, smoothies, sodas, and other beverages. In northern Brazil, açaí (or jussara, which is one of the fruit's common folk names) is traditionally served in gourds called "cuias" with tapioca and, depending on the local preference, can be consumed either salty or sweet (sugar, rapadura and honey are known to be used in the mix). Açaí has become popular in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as acai na tigela ("açaí in the bowl"), mostly mixed with granola - a fad where açai is considered as an energizer. Açaí is also widely consumed in Brazil as an ice cream flavor or juice."

Acai flavored ice cream?  I thought this was supposed to be healthy.  But there are so many uses for this plant, it's only a matter of time before we start seeing acai na tigela in NYC cafes.

 

And it should be noted that because Brastilo uses its own sustainable forests we are helping to protect the rainforest where acai and other rare fruits and berries are found.  We like to do our part wherever we can!

Stay tuned for even more posts on other Brazilian foods that can help you stay healthier...so we can all look good in our g-string bikinis!

This healthful announcement brought to you by your friends at Brastilo. 

Comments

[acai berry diet]

glad I came across this site good read. bookmarked.

[Sandra & Ted]

There is so many benefits to be obtained by taking acai whether it is fresh or any of the other forms it comes in that everyone should be told about it.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealthforyou.com

[acai weight loss]

Glad I came by your site great post and a very interesting read. Bookmarked.

[pure acai berry pro]

awesome read you have here! Great info .. thanks alot =)

[Acai Juice Lover]

Very good post about the Acai berry. bookmarked