Drink Goji Juice for Longevity

This week we got inspired to start a new practice of drinking one shot of Goji berry juice daily. We found out that 1 oz. of Goji berry provides one of the highest concentrated doses of antioxidants available. In fact, Goji Berries are one of the world's most widely used therapeutic plants.

Check out our previous blog post on the benefits of eating goji berries.

image: genesistoday.com

Benefits of Drinking Goji Juice: [genesis today]

• Healthy immune system function
• Healthy mood (Known for thousands of years as "The Happy Berry")
• Healthy libido and sexual performance
• Healthy aging
• Healthy energy levels and resistance to fatigue
• Healthy blood pressure, cholesterol & homocysteine levels (Supporting all around cardiovascular health)
• Healthy endocrine function
• Healthy liver function*
• Healthy eyes
• Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Free Radical Destruction:

ORAC - The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is a standardized test adopted by the USDA to measure total antioxidant potency of food and nutritional supplements. It explains which foods provide the greatest levels of free radical destroying or neutralizing powers. 

Comparison Chart: ORAC units per 100 grams 

Red Bell Pepper - 710

Oranges - 750

Alfalfa Sprouts - 930

Raspberries - 1220

Spinach- 1260

Blueberries - 2400

Raisins - 2830

Goji berry juice - 25,300!!!

We bought our Goji Juice through GenesisToday.com. Their website is full of great information and their products are available at most health food stores. 

Benefits of Green Tea

When we decided to cut back on our coffee intake, we still wanted a warm beverage to start our morning, so we switched to tea. Tea still provides a little bit of a caffeine kick without the more dramatic ups and downs of coffee. Plus, there are numerous health benefits, including boosting the metabolism.

According to healthcastle.com tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water. Whether it is black tea, green tea or red (oolong) tea, they all contain polyphenols that give tea its antioxidant properties.

Since ancient times the Chinese have recognized the benefits of consuming green tea. In the book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, by Nadine Taylor, she states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. It is often used to treat headaches and even depression. Below is a list of the known benefits of drinking green tea daily.

Benefits of Drinking Green Tea:   [green-tea-expert.com]

• Fights against cancer
• Helps stabilize diabetes
• Prevents cardiovascular disease
• Keeps your skin acne-free, making it healthier and prettier
• Assists in weight loss regimen
• Slows the aging process
• Aids in digestion
• Encourages bowel regularity
• Provides a mild stimulating effect without causing sleepless nights or nervousness especially during pregnancy

Why Green Tea? [chinese.about.com]

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

How much green tea should I drink daily?

Various studies offer differing views on the quantity necessary to obtain health benefits, anywhere from 2 cups - 10 cups daily.

The only negative side effect noted is insomnia due to caffeine. However, green tea generally contains half the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee.

 

Check out our favorite source for tea - Teavana.com.

We highly recommend using loose leaf teas and Teavana's Lemon Green is our current standby.

Raw Chocolate

To our delight, we recently learned that raw chocolate, called "cacao" is one of nature's greatest superfoods. Being chocolate lovers, (check out our vegan dessert recipes) we had to give raw chocolate a try. 

Before anyone tries raw cacao thinking it's going to taste like a hershey bar, we have to say that it takes time to get used to it. This is raw, organic chocolate in it's unprocessed form. It is a bit of an acquired taste, but cacao is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and since it hasn't been cooked or processed, this chocolate is actually considered a health food!

 Cacao Nibs

You may have noticed that many stores are now carrying chocolate bars that are 70% cacao or 90% cacao, which is a great place to start. We started our health evolution by giving up Hershey and switching to chocolate bars made with cacao and other organic ingredients.

Endangered Species Chocolate is one of our favorites and can be found in almost every natural food market. Switching to this chocolate made it easier to eventually incorporate 100% raw chocolate into our diet as well. 

What are cacao nibs? [sunfood.com]

Cacao Nibs are pieces of the Cacao Bean. All chocolate is made from Cacao Beans (also known as Cocoa Beans). Cacao is chocolate! All the antioxidant value, mineral benefits, neurotransmitter rejuvenating properties, and overall health-giving qualities of chocolate are found in raw Cacao Nibs! No sugar, no dairy, no chemicals. Just one ingredient: cacao (chocolate!).

What's the best way to eat cacao?

While some people eat the cacao beans or nibs by themselves, we prefer to mix them into dessert recipes, trail mix or smoothies. Later this week we'll be posting a delicious smoothie recipe which is the primary way that we consume raw chocolate. You can also buy raw chocolate bars at natural food markets that are delicious and mixed with seeds, nuts and natural sugars.

This is a great way to get your daily intake of vitamins and minerals.  

If there isn't a health food store in your area that carries this product we'd highly recommend checking out Sunfood Nutrition online. 

Goji Berries

Goji Berries are a recent addition to our diet that we'd encourage everyone to try. They are one of the world's most nutrient-dense fruits and have quickly become a superfood phenomenon as more people learn about their antioxidant powers. Beyond their potent nutrient content, they taste really good too. Some people say they taste like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry, with a little bit of sweetness.

Goji Berry Facts:  [sunfood nutrition]

• Goji Berries have a deep crimson hue, and are about the same size as a raisin. 
• Out of the 8,000 food-herbs in the systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the thousands of years of history that back it, Goji Berries are considered the number one food-herb.
• Goji Berries are a complete protein source. They contain 18 different amino acids and contain all 8 essential amino acids.
• Goji Berries contain up to 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus). 
• Goji Berries also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E. 
• Goji Berries are the only food known to help stimulate the human body to produce more HGH naturally. This factor alone makes the Goji Berry perhaps the world’s greatest anti-aging superfood.

How to use Goji berries:

• Goji berries are typically consumed as a dried fruit. Add the goji berries to a trail mix with raw nuts and seeds or mix in with salad or a smoothie. 
• Another option recommended by Sunfood Nutrition is to soak and rehydrate goji berries in filtered water. "The Goji soak water makes for a wonderfully hydrating beverage. This soak water can also be used for the base “stock” of a soup."
• A reasonable daily intake of Goji Berries is about a quarter cup or a handful. 

Benefits of Consuming Goji Berries [natural news]

Many people who now eat Goji berries on a daily basis have noticed improved eyesight, restoration of hair color, improved libido, mood enhancement, noticeable improvement in energy levels, better sleeping habits and more zest for life.

Where to buy Goji Berries?

Most natural health markets carry organic goji berries.

They can also be purchased online through Sunfood Nutrition or GojiBerries.us.