Ingredients

1 acai berry pulp package
1 slice of pineapple
1 bag frozen blackberries
1 green apple
1 banana
Water from a young coconut or 2 cups of water
1 lime fresh or frozen, peeled
1 handful of kale
5 dates
1/4 cup local honey
3 fresh mint sprigs

Acai berry has been touted for their anti-aging and weight loss abilities as well as their anti-cancer and cardiovascular health benefits. These berries are packed with antioxidants, anthocyanins, amino acids, and heathy fatty acids and can address inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.

Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and the inability to detox are the leading causes of aging and cancer. These berries address the first two of these issues and may help with detoxication as well since they may improve your digestion by removing inflammation. More research needs to be done to determine all the benefits of these berries. The jury is still out on weight loss benefits but if it decreases the bloating in your digestive system, you will feel thinner and better.

Our friend from Brazil told me Acai is correctly pronounced “Ah-sigh-e”. Acai berries are grown in South America and look like large blueberries. She used to have fresh berries in her smoothies every day back home. She believes they helped her feel better; she has so much energy and looks fabulous for her age.

Since the acai berry pulp is unsweetened, you may want to add a 1/4 cup of local honey and 4 or 5 dates. The local honey helps with your allergies and the dates help you build muscle.

I recommend using coconut water to replenish your electrolytes. Scrape the coconut meat out using a spoon to get more nutrients and flavor. It does not taste like the coconut flakes you normally have on cakes and treats; the water has a slight nutty flavor and is so refreshing. You may use water, lemonade, limeade, or apple juice if you do not have coconut water.

Directions:

1) Cut the top off the coconut and remove the layer of white coconut meat. Pour into your Vitamix or blender. Cut a green apple into slices and remove the seeds. Keep the skin on since most of the vitamins are in the skin. Puree the apple with the coconut water. Green apples wake you up in the morning so you may not need that cup of coffee. Dates also help wake you up by giving you energy within a half hour of eating them.

2) Remove the skin from the lime and add the fruit to the apple juice. Add a handful of kale, bag of frozen blackberries, 1 slice of pineapple peeled, handful of mint leaves, 5 dates, 1/4 cut of local honey, and a packet of acai berries. You can soften the frozen berry packet by running some warm water over it.

4) Blend until smooth. Garnish with some blackberries and fresh mint. Fill the blender with the fruits for refills; your family will want more. Toddlers love this too. Use a spill free cup or bottle since this smoothie will stain your rugs.