2010

GOJI BERRIES - It’s berry season, so I know most of you are sneaking in lots more fruits and berries, and that’s okay as long as you don’t finish off a Costco 4 lb box of blueberries and a four pound carton of cherries in two days (as a patient last week fessed up to, when her Berkeley Labs returned).

Goji Berries are also called wolfberries, and come from an evergreen shrub, Lycium barbarum or Lycium Chinese; a native plant of southeastern Europe and Asia, whose family is Solanaceae, which includes all the nightshade plants, tomato, potato, eggplant, chili peppers, and tobacco!

Goji Berries are classified as a “Super Fruit” and have captured the attention of marketers who trumpet their super powers as nothing short of curative for almost anything you can dream of (Mona vie, is a classic example).  However, underneath all the hype are some really interesting facts that make your consideration of Goji Berries worthwhile.  They have been used in China for over 6,000 years and are reputed to protect the liver, help eyesight, improve sexual function and fertility, strengthen the legs, boost immune function, improve circulation, and promote longevity!  Wow!

Just before the season ends for the Palm Springs Farmers Market, I had the opportunity to sample amazing Avocado Oil from a local Southern California producer.  It’s called Bella Vado, and you can find it at www.bellavado.com. And of course, I had to share information about Avocados and Avocado oil with you!

You probably know that the Avocado is a fruit.  Its other name is Alligator Pear! In fact it is a single seeded berry.  That’s right, a berry!  The word avocado is a derivation of the Aztec word for avocado, ahuacatl, which means “testicle tree” The Spanish conquerors couldn’t pronounce ahuacatl so they called it “aquacate.” Unlike most fruits, a ripe avocado consists primarily of a monounsaturated fat, oleic acid, the same fat that is in olive oil.   For years, people who were trying to maintain their weight avoided avocados; but recent evidence suggests that avocados are one of the greatest health foods there are, consumption of which may actually help you lose weight!

I just had to find the brand of Cacao Nibs that you might actually eat!  This search was prompted by reports from one of my Premier members who felt (correctly) that the Cacao Nibs that I suggested she buy at a health food store in Palm Desert tasted like dirt!  Having tasted and personally consumed a number of Cacao Nibs that did not taste like dirt, I have been on a quest to find one that a neophyte might find enjoyable.  And indeed I have found not one but two!

Although both are great, Navitas is my favorite. Cacao Nibs from Navitas Naturals, is an organic, kosher, vegan, raw product.  You may find them at Whole Foods, or on line at www.Navitasnaturals.com.  My other recommendation is Dagoba Cacao Nibs, available at many health food stores or at www.Dagobachocolate.com. 

You already know that I think extra dark chocolate, greater than 72% cocoa solids, is an important “drug” that you should enjoy almost every day in moderation (approximately 1 oz). In fact, one researcher has suggested that chocolate is the most important “vegetable” you can eat!  Sorry, but chocolate is not a vegetable, but is made from the beans of the cacao plant.   Read on, as I hope to convince you that this bean has such important qualities that you should consider it an integral part of your Restoration Program!