The Benefits of the Acai Berry

If you are not familiar with the acai berry, it is known to increase energy, stamina, vitality and promote overall well being. It also is high in antioxidants and helps fight premature aging.
It contains fatty acids and omegas, which helps lowers harmful cholesterol and sterols that helps in the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol. The acai berry is also an excellant source of dietary fiber.

I had posted a three part series about this berry and it's benefits on my blog: Mind,Body & Soul back in March.
The Benefits of the Acai Berry-Part 1
26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice-Part 2
26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice-Part 3

The acai berry grows on palm trees in the amazon rain forest. They are considered to be the most nutritious and edible berry on the planet. The berries are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry with a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a large seed.

I found that at The Total Health Shop, they provide not only the best price, but their unique blend of juice provides the best benefits. In their acai berry juice, you will also find additional ingredients.
See below:

Pomegranate Juice Concentrate
~ Helps maintain a healthy heart
~ Has naturally occurring high levels of ellagic acid
~ Helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels
~ Helps to maintain healthy blood pressure
~ Helps to alleviate symptoms commonly associated with menopause
~ Pomegranate is a natural astrigent and is high in both Vitamin C and Iron

Raspberry Juice Concentrate
~ Helps to rid the body of phlegm
~ Strengthens and vitalizes blood circulation
~ Natural source of ellagic acid which can help protect against cell damage
~ Raspberries are rich in antioxidants; both phytonutrients and vitamin compounds

Blueberry Juice Concentrate
~ Helps maintain eye and vision health
~ Contains powerful, active antioxidant compounds which combat free radicals and help protect against cell damage
~Helps maintain Heart Health
~Helps maintain healthy Kidney and Urinary Tract function
~ Blueberries can help to prevent premature aging
~ Blueberries have anti-inflammatory properties

Essential Vitamins and Minerals: B1, B2, B3, C & E, Calcium and Potassium.

Essential Fatty Acids: (Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9). These polyunsaturated essential fatty acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol). This unique ratio resembles the same combination as olive oil. Omega fatty acids can increase healthy cell development. Omega fatty acids are essential for healthy nervous system development and regeneration. They help rapidly repair and rejuvenate muscles after intense exercise. Essential fatty acids (Omega-3 in particular) help the brain to run smoothly.

You can visit the Total Health Shop if you want to purchase or just learn more about acai berry.

Food for Thought

There aren't many foods I don't like, but I am not a fan of mushrooms. If they are hidden within a sauce, I can manage eating them, but otherwise, I'd rather not.

BUT, I know that researchers have said that mushrooms are a source for powerful new health products.

In Asia, they use the mushroom to fight disease. They have been used against cancers of the stomach, esophagus and lungs. Medical research shows mushrooms help with tumors and heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol. Also, I read that they help the immune system and can prevent the common cold, flu and some infections.

A physician in a northern California clinical practice, Dr. Isaac Eliaz is using mushrooms to help build his patients' immunity. He uses MycoPhyto Plus Complex which contains six medicinal mushrooms grown on immune-enhancing herbs.

The experts say there are over 140,000 types of mushrooms on Earth, but only 10 percent are studied and known.

Well, I guess I may try pizza with mushrooms or Chicken Marsala to reap the benefits of mushrooms.

Here's a great recipe from Rachel Ray:
Chicken Marvalasala and Papardelle with Rosemary Gravy Serves 4

This meal lives up to it's name – it's simply marvelous (and it tastes like it must have come from a fancy restaurant)! Rachel Ray

It Can Happen to You....

I have a pretty big family...aunts/uncles, cousins and then more cousins. The younger family members are now getting older, marrying and having kids of their own.


Being at a wedding last night, our family had a chance to be all together, share memories, catch up with the goings on in our lives. We mostly heard good and happy things, but one young, college aged cousin shared something that was scary and upsetting. Although there is a happy ending, I wanted to remind people of the importance of seeking medical attention when you notice any suspicious skin markings and/or any changes in the way your skin looks.

This "bump"on my cousin's back turned out to be cancer. Two surgeries later, he is clear, but will constantly need to have x-rays of his lungs to make sure.

Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.

Many teens have a feeling of immortality, as do adults...that bad things only happen to other people. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in this country. About one million Americans develop skin cancer each year.

Better Safe, than Sorry....Do a self Exam
The best time to do a self exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a room with plenty of light. You should use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and other marks are and their usual look and feel. By checking your skin regularly, you will learn what is normal for you.

Check for anything new:
New mole (that looks different from your other moles)
New red or darker color flaky patch that may be a little raised
New flesh-colored firm bump
Change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole
Sore that does not heal
Check yourself from head to toe.

Support

Skin cancer has a better prognosis, or outcome, than most other types of cancer. Still, learning you have any type of cancer can be upsetting. Information Specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER and at LiveHelp (http://cis.nci.nih.gov/) can help you locate programs, services, and publications.