Clean Goji Berry Recipe and Benefits
Goji Berries are a pleasant new addition to my diet. I had been seeing them included in recipes, read many articles and seen a few documentaries that mentioned that goji berries are considered a superfood and that they are highly beneficial for multiple reasons. Being that I am constantly on the hunt to expand the selection of clean natural foods in my pantry I decided to pick some up at my local health food store. Goji berries are about the size of a raison and, as seen in the above photograph, are a beautiful rich reddish-orange color. When eaten on their own they are sweet with a slight bitter quality. I have been experimenting with them over the past few weeks sprinkling them on smoothie bowls, salads, adding them to trail mixes and most recently I modified my Raw Chocolate Energy Bar recipe to include goji berries. I have enjoyed them every way I have tried though I do prefer them as and addition to other foods rather then on their own. Here are just some of the suggested benefits of adding goji berries to your daily diet.
"A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.
A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.
The fatty acid content in Goji berries resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging."
For more detailed information on goji berry benefits visit this site: http://www.gojiberrieshealthbenefits.com
And now for the recipe:
Ingredients
12 pitted organic Dates
2 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal
1 Tbsp Goji Berries
4 tsp organica Cacao Powder (+ additional 2 tsp for topping)
3 tsp Maca Powder
2 tsp Carob Chips or Cacao Nibs
2 tsp raw organic Honey
2 tsp organic Coconut oil
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor. Roll a full tablespoon of dough into a ball. Sprinkle 2 tsp cacao powder on cutting board and roll balls until fully coated. (this last step is optional but I it is a great way to add more superfood qualities and helps the balls to not be so sticky when storing and holding them) Store in refrigerator for up to a week and Enjoy!!
No comments:
Post a Comment