Resolve to evolve.

When it comes to food, it’s with this mindset that I dodge the idea of “diet” or limitation. Bleh, boring. Instead, I like to look at health and all of its edible backdrop as an exciting collection of ways to make my body feel, perform, and look its best … and like most people, I’m constantly adding to my healthy “collection.”

So to start things right off this year — and add to YOUR healthy collection — I’d like to announce and invite you to participate in a fun new project with me: the Smoothment. Head up by the superfood masterminds at Navitas Naturals, the Smoothment is a healthy movement that aims at improving personal well-being through the simple step of including one healthy smoothie a day. As I’ve mentioned on more than a few occasions, I think smoothies are a tremendously remedial answer for those who wish to make their health a priority, but also lead a busy (aka modern!) life. Now, with the Smoothment, you can join a growing army of like-minded people who are making the pledge to make 2012 a vibrant year, with a smoothie-a-day commitment. By joining the Smoothment (as mentioned, it’s totally free), for the first week you and I will meet in the kitchen via a series of quick recipe videos. In each video I’ll show you a new “60 Second Smoothie” recipe, so by the end of the week you’ll have a whole new library of frothy magic at your fingertips. You’ll also have access to all the written recipes, smoothie building tips, daily superfood prizes, and even a special coupon code for 30% off all smoothie ingredients at Navitas.

Personally, I can’t wait to make 2012 absolutely deliciously awesome. Will you join me?

Prize: One superfood goodie bag full of amazing superfood bounty! Inside this incredible package is essentially a free ticket to vitality: A bag of delicious and anti-aging Navitas Naturals Mulberries; antioxidant and energy-giving Cacao Powder; immunity-boosting, vitamin C powerhouse Camu Berry Powder; and a shiny new copy of my hardbound, photo-rich cookbook Superfood Cuisine — that contains over 100 superfood recipes! Whoever wins this is going to be SET UP superfood-style. This is so much fun!

To enter: You can earn up to 4 entries by leaving a separate comment for each task you’ve done below:

1) Follow me on twitter @greenjules (Already follow? You can leave a comment telling me so and still earn an entry.)

2) Tweet: Just entered @greenjules Flash Superfood Giveaway – http://www.juliemorris.net/2011/12/16/flash-superfood-giveaway/

3) Tag the “Superfood Cuisine with Julie Morris” Facebook Page in a status update motivating your friends and family to celebrate a healthy new year. (Ex: “Looking forward to making one recipe a week from Superfood Cuisine with Julie Morris starting January 1 … who wants to come over to share?”)

4) Tell me in a comment below, how are you giving the gift of health this holiday to others? Are you bringing a healthy dessert to work? Stuffing a stocking with a bag of sweet cacao nibs? Giving someone a beautiful copy of Superfood Cuisine for recipe inspiration? (You can purchase signed copies here on this site until 12/18 at midnight, or buy on Amazon.) Tell me what you’ve done to “share the health” this holiday.

Contest closes Sunday, December 18 at 9:00 AM PST sharp. Winning comment will be drawn at random the same day. Open to North American residents only. Good luck!

UPDATE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

When they’re fresh, you can use goldenberries in desserts, like jams and pies … just like a berry. But to me, this is one fruit that really benefits from being dried, as the sugars condense and the complex flavor becomes much more intense. I’ll usually look to acquire double the amount that I need for a recipe, as my first step is to eat half of my dried goldenberry bounty obsessively. So that’s one way to enjoy them, I suppose. In recipes, however, a great way to use them is with winter squash, just like cranberries. I like to take dried goldenberries and some juice, briefly simmer them together into a reduction (a fun process to watch as the goldenberries plump up like they’re excited), then toss the resulting glaze over roasted winter squash and toasted pecans. Hello holiday side dish.

Goldenberry Glazed Acorn Squash with Pecans

1 cup raw pecans
4 acorn squash, halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed, then cut into rounds
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
¾ cup dried goldenberries, coarsely chopped
4 cups apple juice
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 sprig fresh rosemary (whole)
sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, spread the pecans into an even layer. Toast until fragrant, about 6 minutes, and let cool. Chop coarsely.

Spread the squash rounds onto a couple of baking sheets in a single layer and brush cut sides of the squash with the coconut oil. Season with salt and black pepper, and bake until tender and lightly browned, about 35 minutes, flipping once, after about 25 minutes.

While the squash is baking, combine the goldenberries, apple juice, maple syrup, rosemary, and a pinch of sea salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has reduced to about a third and the goldenberries appear rounded, about 15-20 minutes. Keep warm to prevent the contents from solidifying.

When the squash is ready, transfer to a mixing bowl and add the pecans. Remove and discard the rosemary from the glaze and immediately drizzle the goldenberry mixture on top of the squash. Toss gently, and transfer to a serving bowl, drizzling any glaze at the bottom of the bowl on top of the finished dish. May be served hot or cold. Serves 8

©2011 www.JulieMorris.net

Whenever I’m chatting with someone new and say “I’m in the natural foods industry,” I usually receive that kind of vacant nodding response followed by an ambiguous “Ohhhh.” It’s the same response that I, in turn, likely offer when someone tells me they’re in the field of, say, “computer science.” (I still really have no idea what that means – my apologies.) But for every blank stare I provoke, I wish I could arrange for an immediate tour of a Natural Products Expo. These 3 day events never fail as a huge, tangible reminder of the real “natural food business,” complete with the newest cool projects underway, as well as all the amazing people behind the scenes (and sometimes leading the scene!) that are making the healthy and green choices in our grocery stores, well, happen.

There are 2 major expos in the US each year — one on the west coast, one on the east coast. This year, the eastern expo was held in Baltimore, which I went to of course. I completely forgot to take pictures, but it’s probably a good thing considering the overwhelming humidity and my hair’s magnimous response (ever the reliable barometer).  Frizzy lioness look-alike aside, I was able to gather some good info on a collection of healthy stuff  — just a sampling of what to keep an eye out for.

New Products & Trends

Truly, there are new products being launched right and left at these sorts of events, including the fantastic new superfood Navitas Power Snacks that I essentially lived off of for 3 days straight (unintentional, but frankly quite successful!). I was also thrilled to watch the unveiling of Vega Sport, an extensive new line of natural products for active lifestyles – including an electrolyte formula that won Best New Product! The ready-made raw food snack category is continuing to grow, and though I would much rather make my own, I did try some tasty kale chips.

One new “trendy” ingredient that kept coming up over and over again was coconut. Between coconut water, coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut sugar (which is the same thing as palm sugar), coconut snacks and SO much more, coconut seemed to be on every company’s mind/tongue!  I’m happy to see manufacturers looking to coconuts as a good source of healthy and natural fats, a healthier sugar option, or even as a way of getting nature-made electrolytes. But I’m wary of the escalating hype of coconut being a cure-all food. It’s a great natural food with some bona fide benefits, it’s sustainable to grow, and it also tastes delicious. End of story.

New People & Projects

Sure it’s fun to taste every product you could dream of finding at Whole Foods, but what’s even more fun is meeting all the people behind the products and information. Though I spent most of my time with the wonderful folks at the Navitas Naturals booth (that’s me with Navitas’ president, Wes Crain, in the photo above), it was inevitable to run into some natural food rockstars. One highlight was engaging with Chris Kilham, aka the Medicine Hunter, who is overflowing with worldly expertise about superfoods and medicinal plants, and can back that knowledge with hands-on stories about the cultures that grow them. The amazing people from one of New York’s favorite sustainable restaurants Candle 79 were also on hand, bubbling with excitement about their beautiful new cookbook due out in November. The one and only chef Jason Wrobel was also a treat to chat with, whose DVD and classes on vegan/raw foods are action-packed with awesome. And I also ran into the lovely Mimi Clark, aka the Veggie Gourmet, whose superb vegan cooking classes are practically a vegetarian household name.

Additionally, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with one of my favorite people, Gena Hamshaw, who is the founder of the highly acclaimed website Choosing Raw (and who coincidentally also helped to proof my book, Superfood Cuisine!). And I even got a bonus the day after the expo was over: after attending Brendan Brazier’s talk in the area, the good conversation was a-flowin’ with an old friend, vegan bodybuilder and author Robert Cheeke, as well as new friend, Matt Frazier of No Meat Athlete.

Maybe I’ll see you there next year?

Lastly, THANK YOU to everyone who entered the Thrive Giveaway! I loved reading all your comments! Congratulations to the randomly selected* winner Katrina (comment 17) who will receive a signed copy of Thrive Foods! Didn’t win? Chin up — I may just have another giveaway soon…

*Winner randomly generated by random.org

She’s also a mom of two, and from the looks of things, her kidlets are sprouting into little superheroes of their own. In fact, her five year old son, Bryce (see picture above), has taken a particular interest in his nutrition. After babbling about “antioxidants” since he was a toddler, Bryce has recently crowned himself with the honorable title of “The Grand Chia Master.” (I believe this position of power is a “forever” kind of deal, in case you were wondering.) GC Master looks forward to the event of making homemade superfood smoothies (aka a “science experiment”), adding in colorful powders, vivid fruits, leafy greens, and chia seeds (of course!) before creating the most awesomely delicious kid-friendly sludge.

Did I mention he’s five?

Kids may be picky, but it’s not the nutrients in food they’re picky about; many times it’s the way nutritious food is offered in the first place. When presented with tasty healthy options — and given the opportunity to make their own choices — the beneficial foods children gravitate toward is often genuinely inspiring.

A while back, I read about a fascinating study done on sugary cereal. The goal was to test how much sugar made a child happy enough to eat his or her breakfast. In the study, two separate groups of young children were allowed to help themselves to cereal, fruit, sugar packets, milk and juice for breakfast. The only difference between the two groups was that while one group was offered sugary cereal like Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes, the other group was given low-sugar cereal like Rice Krispies. The children were instructed to simply prepare breakfast for themselves.

Although both groups ate almost the same amount of calories, the calories derived from sugar in the sugar-cereal group were almost double compared to the low sugar cereal group — even though many children in the low-sugar group added sugar packets to their bowl. Additionally, “more than half of kids given low-sugar options added fruit to their bowls, versus 8 percent of those eating sugary cereal.” Can you imagine the results if they included a third group, with a make-your-own smoothie option?

Children eat profoundly instinctively — very much on a “want” basis — and although taste (and presentation) is a defining factor too, sometimes it’s just about presenting a child with a choice (such as the choice to include sugar in cereal as opposed to a pre-sweetened variety). Including abundant nutrient-dense superfoods like yum-worthy seeds, berries, and even hidden greens, can be excellent ways to keep children happy, stocked with healthy nutrition, and inevitably too full/satisfied to crave refined or sugary foods. This method is known as the “crowding out” theory.

In fact, the crowding out theory works with adults too. Which, if I’m not mistaken, means the Grand Chia Master indeed has a lesson to share with us all.

Bryce’s Grand Chia Master Superfood Smoothie Recipe

frozen mango chunks, to taste

frozen mixed berries, to taste

1 frozen acai smoothie pack

1 banana

18 drops Chloroxygen (liquid chlorophyll drops)

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons ground flax powder

2 tablespoons hemp seeds

2 tablespoons cacao nibs

2 cups arugula

1 scoop Macro Greens powder

2 cups coconut water

Blend until awesome, and serve.

The new best friends of beauty don’t come from a tube (or a pill, or an infomercial, or the, er, “special doctor”). The beauty boost you’ve been looking for comes straight from the kitchen! A radiant exterior starts with a well-nourished body, and while there are many foods that offer beautifying benefits, nutrient-dense superfoods are ideal for getting that long-term glow. Add these 5 extraordinary foods to your diet for the healthiest (and most delicious!) beauty upgrade ever:

Hemp Seeds
Among their many benefits, hemp seeds are an exceptionally rich source of essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs serve as a crucial element in the development of new cells by helping to compose the cell membrane itself. Because the cells that compose our body’s exterior have an especially high turnover rate, eating foods with quality EFAs influences an increase in renewed and vibrant skin, hair, nails, etc. Hemp seeds also supply a good source of Vitamin E, the famous beauty nutrient known for its natural moisturizing and anti-aging qualities.
Try them in: Hemp Hummus

Wheatgrass Juice or Powder
Being a potent natural source of chlorophyll (the green “blood” of plants), wheatgrass is profoundly alkaline. This quality means wheatgrass assists in increasing circulation, promotes detoxification of impurities, neutralizes acids and toxins, and at the same time replenishes cells with essential minerals. While all this beneficial activity builds a clean body internally, these perks also translate to vibrant, lustrous skin and bright, clear eyes.
Try it in: Green Energy Bars

Berries
Nutrient-dense berries such as strawberries, blackberries, goji berries, or acai berries share a common benefit: concentrated antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, thus providing defense against cellular oxidation (disease and aging). Consistent consumption of high antioxidant foods can delay signs of aging by keeping the body’s cell structure strong on both the inside and out. Eating these “superberries” can be especially helpful in preventing the acceleration of skin damage (like wrinkles!), as well as delaying (even reversing, according to some reports) graying hair.
Try them in: Indigo Granita Dessert

Camu Camu
As the world’s highest known source of Vitamin C, camu berries are a standout superfood in a beautifying diet. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in beauty because in addition to contributing to tissue growth, this nutrient is also essential for the formation of collagen – a protein responsible for giving skin its elastic quality (among many other things!). Plus, being an antioxidant in and of itself, Vitamin C is another premium tool in the anti-aging arsenal. Consuming vitamin C in a natural, whole food form like camu (as opposed to a synthetic vitamin pill) ensures this helpful nutrient is digested and assimilated by the body to the fullest extent.
Try it in: Camu Berry Lemonade, from Superfood Cuisine: Cooking With Nature’s Most Amazing Foods

Coconut Oil
Granted, coconut oil may not be a superfood per se, but its incredible benefits earn it a paramount position in the natural beauty regimen. When enjoyed as a food, coconut oil makes a nutritious cooking oil full of energy-giving medium chain fatty acids that are easily (and deliciously) used in place of harmful fats. Used externally, coconut oil serves as nature’s premier moisturizing lotion – an ideal remedy for dry or wrinkled skin. Rubbed on the body or face, the smooth oil is easily absorbed, softens the skin, and provides an instant radiance.
Try it in: Heavenly Baked Delecata Squash

These foods can be sourced at natural food stores, through various web-based retailers, or through my online shop.