SUPERFOOD GLOSSARY
A superfood is any food that is particularly nutrient dense and is more beneficial for your brain and bod than the average chicken nugget. Common superfoods include blueberries, kale and even dark chocolate. Below are some less common superfoods that you might see in Misfit Wellness Recipes, but more easily available superfoods like salmon and avocado are excellent choices too. If a superfood, any superfood, passes your lips even a few times a week, you're doing fab. And if you can get one or two in daily? You're on you're KILLIN' IT.
ACAI
What the MF is it? From the acai palm tree found in Central and South America, the acai berry is a superfood most commonly found in the form of juice and puree. As long as you steer clear of additives, acai is a perfect whole food source of antioxidants, fiber and heart-healthy fats.
Why should you care? Because acai has even more antioxidants than those famous ol' blueberries AND we love antioxidants because they fight harmful free radicals in our bodies (lil bastards that attach to our cells and do them harm.) Antioxidants also keep our skin healthy and ward off signs of aging.
Where to use it: Smoothies and acai bowls.
Where to buy: Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, local health food stores, I've even seen it in some Safeways!
AVOCADO
What the MF is it? Have you been living under a rock? It's a creamy, dreamy pear-shaped fruit with a rough outer skin and big ol' stone (aka pit) in the middle.
Why should you care? Because avocados are packed with vitamins, minerals and healthy fats that are great for your brain, body and gut. Plus they keep you fuller longer, which is always a win!
Where to use it: We all know avocados are yummy in salads and tacos and make amazing guacamole, but did you know they are also wonderful in soups, puddings, smoothies and even ice cream? The fiber and fat content create a wonderful silky texture and add creaminess to almost anything you can imagine!
Where to buy: Anywhere and everywhere.
CACAO (RAW)
What the MF is it? Cacao powder or nibs come from raw, unprocessed cocoa beans. The taste is stronger and more bitter than processed (aka dutch or alkalized) cocoa powder but it is a wonderful, rich, complex flavor nonetheless.
Why should you care? Because raw cacao packs a whole lot more nutritional punch than your Hershey's bar. The antioxidants and flavanoids that make chocolate beneficial to our health remain in tact in raw cacao thanks to skipping the processing that strips them otherwise. So swap raw cacao for cocoa powder and raw chocolate for that Snickers and you're getting as much as FOUR TIMES more of the anti-aging and disease-fighting power.
Where to use it: Anywhere you would use cocoa powder or processed chocolate. Combine it with a natural sweetener and milk of choice for nutrient dense hot cocoa, add it to smoothies for energy and chocolatey flavor, or make an avocado pudding with it (and dates)!
Where to buy: Whole Foods bulk bins, Trader Joe's, Amazon or Vitacost, your local health food store and even some regular grocery stores now. This chocolate-loving country is catchin' on quick.
COLLAGEN
What the MF is it? Collagen (peptides), or hydrolyzed collagen, is a highly bio-available, digestible and cold-water soluble source of protein. Best part? It's gluten, dairy, and soy-free which means its easy to work into modified diets and cleanses.
Why should you care? Because it strengthens bones and joints; helps repair your gut walls and connective tissue; firms skin, hair and nails; reduces the appearance of cellulite...need I say more?
Where to use it: Because its tasteless, odorless and has no texture once dissolved in liquid, you can mix it into water, tea, soups, smoothies, broth or even bake with it. It can pretty much be incorporated into anything!
Where to buy: Use code MISFITWELLNESS10 to purchase my current fave, Further Food collagen here
CHIA SEEDS
What the MF are they? These sticky little suckers come from a flowering plant in the mint family and are most famous for being an excellent source of fiber and omega-3 fats (they also contain calcium, manganese, and phosphorus).
Why should you care? Because that means they keep you fuller longer, help stabilize blood sugar, and in addition to helping the ol' ticker along, they make your hair, nails and skin lovelier!
Where to use them: their viscous, sticky properties make them an eggsellent (see what I did there?) egg replacer in vegan recipes, a great base for puddings, and a nice thickener in smoothies.
Where to buy: Find them at Trader Joe's, in the bulk bins at Whole Foods, or on Vitacost and Amazon. They're pretty much everywhere by now!
HEMP HEARTS
What the MF are they? Soft, nutty nuggets aka shelled seeds from the cannabis plant. No they won't give you the munchies or make you paranoid :) They're high in things like omega-6, omega-3 and GLA which we love...
Why should you care? See chia for why we love omegas and as for GLA? It decreases inflammation and is often used to treat skin conditions such as eczema at psoriasis. GLA has even been shown to help ease pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
Where to use them: They're great as toppers on smoothies and smoothie bowls, cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, all the breakfast things! Also, after being soaked and blended, they make an incredible creamy milk alternative that you don't have to strain through a nut bag (bonus!).
Where to buy: Whole Foods bulk bins, Trader Joe's, Amazon or Vitacost, your local health food store. These babies are gettin' around.
MACA POWDER (GELATENIZED)
What the MF is it? Maca is a Peruvian plant that's part of the ginseng family and is classified as an adaptogen. It's a great source of natural energy, is loaded with fiber AND has a little plant protein in there to boot.
Why should you care? Because as an adaptogen, maca supports our adrenal system, which means it supports hormone health. Adaptogens support a healthier stress response in our bodies, which lord knows is a good idea these days. Overstimulated much? Yup, we all are!
Where to use it: I add it to my morning matcha (along with collagen), mix it into smoothies and sometimes even into my avocado pudding! It has a unique, nutty flavor that goes REALLY well with raw chocolate too.
Where to buy: Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Amazon or Vitacost, or your local health food store. Adaptogens are becoming increasingly popular, so I'll be we'll be seeing maca and its buddies all over the place.
MESQUITE POWDER
What the MF is it? A nutrient dense, low glycemic, superfood made from pods of the mesquite tree (part of the legume family). This lightly sweet powder is high in fiber and contains potassium, magnesium and zinc. It also has a wonderful malty flavor that lends depth to smoothies, chocolate, baked goods and more.
Why should you care? Because it's an excellent natural substitute for sugar that actually has nutrients and health benefits. Since it's low-glycemic, some say it's safe for diabetics (please check with your doctor if you're diabetic!).
Where to use it: I add 1/2 tablespoon to lots of smoothies in place of other added sugar, or just to give them a nice nutty, rich flavor! Its also great incorporated into granolas, snack/nut mixes or homemade chocolate.
Where to buy: I usually order mine on Amazon and love this brand
TURMERIC
What the MF is it? A member of the ginger family, turmeric is a brightly colored, boldly flavored spice (watch out, it stains like a MF) native to Southeast Asia. Beyond giving Indian curry blends their distinctive color and taste, it has been used for ages in ayurvedic and holistic medicine as a supplement.
Why should you care? Because it is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory and a great source of antioxidants (see "acai" for why we love antioxidants).
Where to use it: Turmeric is most commonly found in curries, teas and hip beverages like golden milk.
Where to buy: It's widely available in the spice section of grocery stores and online, or if you prefer to get your turmeric in supplement form, find it at your pharmacy, health food store or online. If you plan to incorporate turmeric powder daily, I suggest loading up in the bulk spice section of Vitacost.com