If you know me, then you know I love red wine and chocolate. So when the acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) containing these very same flavor notes hit the scene I couldn’t have been more excited!

This purple berry, home to the Amazon rainforest, was originally found and eaten by jiu-jitsu fighters and surfers in Brazil. The minute it hit the US market, it seemed like it became the immediate buzz among athletes and health fanatics.

What can Acai do for you?

Many claim that the acai berry is a “superfood”, but it isn’t in the USDA nutritional database, so the verdict is still out on all the powers of this little fruit.

What we do know is it’s an antioxidant powerhouse. Its antioxidants are so grand that the levels found in oil form remain high even after a long shelf life, so it’s now being added to beauty products. If slowing down the aging process is a goal of yours, you might want to check the labels of your cosmetics for acai oil.

Not only does the acai berry contain antioxidants (which help clear up free radicals in your body), but it’s also a great source of Omega-3’s. We all know that Omega-3’s are a healthy fat that have stellar benefits and properties, so hopefully you’re being proactive about making sure your daily diet includes them.

The acai berry also contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, fiber and protein!

Acai berries have been known to give a natural energy boost. And as an added bonus, acai berries are a low sugar fruit, so it works well for those on a low glycemic diet.

Mix it up with an Acai Berry Smoothie!

You can find acai berry purees in the frozen section of most grocery stores. The puree version of the berry (versus the dehydrated or powder form) contains the most nutrients next to the fresh fruit, which isn’t available in most areas.

Since this berry leaves you with a hint of chocolate, I pair it with items you’d normally mix with cocoa powder and enjoy it as dessert. If you’re feeling really saucy, add some cocoa powder to your smoothie. The combo of the cocoa powder (which increases your libido) and the acai (which boosts your energy) is the perfect way to end an evening (wink, wink!)

Acai Banana Berry Smoothie (pictured)

• ¾ cup non-fat milk, soymilk, or almond milk
• 6 oz non-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1 packet frozen acai puree
• 1 banana
• ½ cup blueberries or raspberries

Add all items to blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Rainforest Acai Smoothie

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 packet frozen acai puree
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• Stevia to taste
• ½ avocado (optional to make thicker and more filling)

Add all items to blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

I was born with a love for chocolate. A strong, deep down love. It soothes a part of my soul that is very hard to reach. When I started to change my diet to follow a healthier guideline, I was THRILLED to discover that chocolate can still be incorporated into my day!

Dark Chocolate is approved on most diet plans. I love to end my day with a little nibble of 60% (or more) cocoa dark chocolate. Even though dark chocolate is diet approved, the calorie content can still get a little high, so I started searching for an alternative.

That’s when I discovered just plain old cocoa powder and started adding it to my coffee and smoothies. Or now I’ll end my evening with a good ol’ fashion mug of steamy hot chocolate.

What can Cocoa do for you?

Harvard Researchers have released their analysis from 21 studies where the participants who consumed cocoa regularly showed improved blood vessel health, a decrease in blood pressure and an improvement in cholesterol levels. This is believed to be in thanks to due cocoa’s high content of flavonoids.

Cocoa contains polyphenolic flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are commonly found in fruits, veggies, wine, coffee and tea. Cocoa is so packed with this rich nutrient that researchers at Cornell University have found that 2 tbsp of cocoa powder contains nearly three times more antioxidants then a cup of green tea.

Flavonoids found in cocoa are believed to not only help with heart disease but they also reduce risk factors for diabetes and cancer (especially colon cancer). Research has shown that those who consume cocoa regularly have less than 10% chance of having a stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. PLUS, flavonoids help our skin look good!

Magnesium is another key nutrient in cocoa, which will benefit you in the bathroom. It helps to promote digestion and will keep you regular, avoiding constipation. Ladies, the high magnesium also helps relieve the dreaded pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS). Another benefit of the magnesium is its ability to reduce risks with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cocoa has been found to help reduce inflammation. It’s also found that it helps soothe problems with the trigeminal nerve, which helps with migraines and issues with the temporomandibular joint.

If you’re a nursing mother, cocoa increases your milk supply. It has also been shown to increase libido.

Best of all, cocoa contains phenylethylamines, which is a mood enhancer. Cocoa is a powerful tool in the battle of depression. It helps reduce stress hormones and lifts spirits.

Make a smoothie with Cocoa today!

Cocoa Crush Smoothie

• 1 cup milk (soymilk or almond milk work too)
• 6 oz non-fat or low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1cup frozen blueberries
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 TBSP Cocoa

Add liquids to blender, followed by the fruits. Blend together and enjoy!

I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes to try with Cocoa. Please leave me a comment below with yours!

Maybe you don’t like the idea of wearing a banana, but because the fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants like potassium and lutein, they have positive effect it has on our skin. After all, skin absorbs a certain amount of what you place on it (depending on skin thickness and how concentrated the substance is, of course).

According to Ara DerMarderosian, Ph.D., who conducts research on various folk remedies, “A banana is going to be soothing because it contains slippery components that are starch-like materials [polysaccharides].”

And the sugar in bananas is slightly anti-microbial, which means it can help fight various infections.

Itch Relief

Bitten by mosquitoes during the barbecue? Stumbled into a nasty patch of poison ivy while hiking? Quickly, peel a banana and apply the cooling skin to your itch. Banana peels can help to stop the inflammation and sooth the itching, giving you sweet relief (or at least a buffer period before you can get your hands on some calamine lotion).

Soothing Facial

Banana facials are praised for their ability to fight dry skin and ward off wrinkles. All the vitamins in the fruit (B6, C, manganese, potassium) are great for your skin, too. Just wash your face, mash up a banana, and smear it on! Add a tablespoon of honey for extra moisturizing powers.

Acne Fighter

Since banana peels have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, try adding them to your arsenal of acne products. After cleansing your face, rub the inside of a banana peel all over your skin. You can even lie down and spread one or two peels across your face like a mask if you’re feeling super motivated. Try this folk remedy at night, unless you want to smell like bananas all day.

Dry Hair Saver

The amino acids in bananas help protect your hair from environmental damage, and their citric acid makes your locks shiny. Blend a banana with a few chunks of cantaloupe and avocado, and a few tablespoons of plain yogurt, and massage through your hair. Leave on for 30 minutes and shampoo out.

It sounds weird, but we promise that your hair will be shiny and conditioned when you emerge from the shower.

No More Warts

Home remedy aficionados swear by the wart-fighting power of the humble banana peel, and if you’ve got a nasty wart, you’re probably willing to try anything to get rid of it. Just tape a small piece of banana peel to the affected area with the inside of the peel pressed against your wart. Leave on overnight, or if you’re doing this during the day, leave on until the peel turns black. We know. Ew. You’ll need to keep this up for several weeks to see results.

Photo attribute: mocoloco.com

Whether your face is looking dull from a long winter under fluorescent lights, or your elbows are scaly from too many wool sweaters, there’s an exfoliating scrub out there that promises to fix it.

But not everybody is ready to drop major bucks on something that will be rinsed down the drain thirty seconds later. Thankfully, there are plenty of cheap, effective options to help you get back your glow. DIY scrubs are incredibly easy to make, and you probably have the ingredients in your kitchen right now.

Hey, Sugar

The sweetest ingredient ever also functions as a luscious, dirt-cheap exfoliating product. To make your own sugar scrub, just mix two parts sugar with one part olive oil or sweet almond oil.

Oily skin? Substitute your favorite facial cleanser for the oil. Sensitive-skinned folks should add a spoonful of moisturizing honey. If you’re a fan of essential oils, add a few drops of your favorite. Tea tree is great for acne; lavender is great for calming and soothing skin. For a dreamy scent, splash in a few drops of vanilla extract. Wash your face with warm water, and exfoliate with gentle, circular motions.

Get Salty

Get rid of dead skin cells with the ultimate Dead Sea mineral: salt. The proportions are exactly the same as the sugar scrub recipe, although you’ll want to make more of this scrub, since you can use this all over your body (just avoid the more sensitive skin of your face). Mix two parts sea salt with one part of your favorite oil. Squeeze in a teaspoon or two of lemon juice if you want to wake up in the shower. Sensitive skin can counteract the acidity of lemon by adding a spoonful of honey.

Mini Microdermabrasion

Don’t have hundreds to drop on spa microdermabrasion treatments? Give yourself an at-home exfoliation with pure baking soda. Mix 1 to 2 tbsp. of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. As always, sensitive or dry skins can add half a teaspoon of honey or extra virgin olive oil. Massage the paste into clean, damp skin with a circular motion; a slight stinging sensation is normal. Rinse carefully and moisturize well.

Photo attribute: preparednesspro.com

Sick of masks, scrubs, spot treatments and serums that promise to cure your acne, yet end up leaving your skin dry, tight and flaky? Focus on improving your skin from the inside out. “I think the nutritional aspect of health is incredibly overlooked,” says Dr. Gary Rogers, director of dermatologic surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine.

The following powerhouse nutrients are big players in the fight for clear skin, especially when they replace high-glycemic (acne-friendly) foods like white flour, sugars, and artificial sweeteners, as well as dairy products (at least three scientific studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne).

Orange you looking good, baby!

Vitamin A is found in abundance in orange-colored vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and orange peppers. It helps to regulate the production of sebum, a natural oil produced by our skin that can lead to clogged pores, and studies have shown an improvement in acne-sufferers who increased their intake of the vitamin.

Better than benzoyl peroxide?

Vitamin E is for excellent!

This one’s another acne-improving vitamin, so make pump up its presence in your diet. Great natural sources of Vitamin E include sunflower seeds, Swiss chard, mustard greens and turnip greens. Fortified breakfast cereals are another easy way to get your fill, as well as whole-grain breads. Avoid cereals and breads made with white flour, which can lead to acne flare-ups in some people.

Good fats keep you looking gorgeous

Skin cells need to be hydrated to stay healthy. Fill your plate with avocados, nuts, seeds and healthy oils, such as sesame, olive, and walnutgood f oils, or top off your morning smoothie with ground flax seeds (check out this post for more alternatives).

These good fats (omega-3s) reduce inflammation, which is one of the key factors in the appearance of acne. They keep skin moisturized from the inside out. Speaking of hydration, don’t forget to chug at least 10-12 glasses of water per day to keep your systems flowing smoothly (did you miss our post on how much water we should really be drinking?)

Pump up the Antioxidants

When your skin lacks antioxidants, production of free radicals can increase, leading to all sorts of skin problems including breakouts. Strengthen your defenses against free radicals by upping your antioxidant intake. Green tea is a simple, quick antioxidant fix – plus, the caffeine will perk you right up. Throw a cup of bright berries into your smoothie, or toss in a handful of spinach or kale (we promise you won’t taste it).

Photo attribute: mvseeds.com

Frigid winds, dry indoor heating, lack of sunlight, and too many hot, buttered rums can leave your immune system weakened and your body feeling blah. Don’t feel like running out into the blizzard to pick up some Nyquil? Calm your sniffles with cheap, all-natural remedies that you can whip together from your own cupboards.

Sweet and Spicy Ginger Tea

To ward off a cold and warm yourself from the inside out, brew a pot of ginger laced, lemon honey tea. Lemon juice is packed with immune-boosting Vitamin C; ginger is anti-inflammatory and works miracles on upset stomachs; honey is antibiotic, anti-viral, and soothes sore throats. Oh—and they’re also delicious together.

Instructions: Peel and grate a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root. Toss the ginger into a teapot, along with the juice of one lemon and honey to taste. Add about six cups of water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Strain, pour, and enjoy, preferably in front of a crackling fire.

Saltwater and Turmeric Gargle

Soothe a scratchy winter throat by gargling with a mixture of warm water, salt, and turmeric. The saline in saltwater draws out excess fluid from the inflammed walls of the throat (gross!) Pair with powerful, anti-inflammatory turmeric for quick, effective relief.

Instructions: Mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of turmeric into a cup of warm water. Mix well, and gargle with the mixture until the glass is empty. Swish some plain water around in your mouth so that the turmeric doesn’t stain your teeth. Now take a nap.

Coconut Oil for Sore Noses

Coconut oil is a solid, white oil that you can buy for less than $10 at the grocery store. When warmed, the oil liquifies and becomes clear. It’s antimicrobial and incredibly moisturizing, which is everything you need for winter skin that’s been mercilessly battered by the elements.

Is your nose chapped from too many tissues? Smooth coconut oil around your nostrils and over your upper lip. Knuckles cracking because you forgot to wear gloves? Coat your hands in coconut oil before bed, and sleep with socks (or gloves) over them. They’ll feel a lot better in the morning.

The weather outside is frightful, and your skin couldn’t agree more. Noses are red and chapped, cheeks are flaking, and foreheads feel tighter than post-Christmas budgets. Luminous, glowing skin might feel more elusive than spring flowers, but with dietary tweaks and obsessive moisturizing, even the dead of winter won’t stop your glow.

Chow Down

Glowing skin is healthy skin. Healthy skin starts with a healthy diet. Gobble up nuts, seeds, salmon, sardines, and healthy oils like sesame, walnut, and flax to get your daily dose of super-moisturizing Omega-3s. Increase your intake of vitamin A, vital for healthy skin cells, with yogurt, sweet potatoes, carrots, and kale. If you can find any good berries in the dead of winter, they’re a great source of antioxidants, destroyers of free radicals that prey on your skin.

Pump it Up

By increasing your heart rate, exercise gets blood flowing all around your body and gives you that distinctive workout flush. Take a hot yoga class for a gorgeous afterglow. Don’t want to step outside? Try yoga on your living room carpet, or do a simple routine (jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, squats) in front of the TV to get your blood pumping and your face glowing.

Slough it Off

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing fresh, glowing skin beneath. Mix equal parts sugar and olive oil and gently massage into your skin, avoiding your eyes, then rinse. The sugar helps to flake off dry, dead skin cells, while the oil gives your skin some much-needed moisture.

Pile It On

Even if you’re not a fan of moisturizing, you might change your mind when those minus four degree winter winds start ravaging your face. Your before-bed moisturizing routine is your chance to go all out, since no one is there to see you if your face turns into an oil slick (and if they see you then, they probably love you anyway!)

Wash your face with a gentle, creamy cleanser, then massage a super-moisturizing oil like jojoba, sweet almond, or olive, all over your face, neck, and chest. These oils won’t clog pores, but will provide your skin with extreme hydration. You’ll wake up glowing.

You have probably seen beauty shelves full of skintastic serums at your local skincare haunt, and maybe you’ve experienced a little sticker shock while browsing the ingredient lists full of unpronounceable names. If you’re trying to avoid chemicals while saving a few bucks, it’s easy to whip up your own all-natural vitamin C-filled facial serum.

This powerful vitamin improves the appearance of skin by stimulating collagen production and protecting the skin from harmful free radicals, while at the same time decreasing moisture loss and sun pigmentation. Use the powdered form as the active ingredient in your own skinmixology.

Snag your ingredients

You’ll need three ingredients to whip up your own serum:

• Powdered vitamin C (otherwise known as L-ascorbic acid – find it at most drug or health stores)
• Pure vegetable glycerin (also available at health stores or online)
• A dark glass bottle (blue or brown) for storage

Make the serum

Dissolve ¼ tsp powdered vitamin C in 1 tsp distilled water, and whisk it around with a spoon (or blender) until it’s no longer clumpy. Gently stir in 1 tsp of the glycerin.

Play around with the recipe. If your skin is sensitive, cut the vitamin C in half. For drier skin, add a few extra drops of glycerin. If you’re looking for an all-natural fragrance, try swapping a tsp of rosewater for the distilled water.

Now, you’ll want to pour the serum into your dark glass bottle. The shaded glass keeps the vitamin C from oxidizing; once it oxidizes, it’s ineffective. To further prevent oxidization, store your serum in the refrigerator, and only whip up a few days worth at a time.

Using the serum

After you’ve washed your face and hands, smooth a few drops of the serum all over your face and neck. You might experience a little tingling, which is normal. If the tingling increases, use less serum next time.

Please note: Vitamin C leaves your skin sensitive to light, so either apply it at night or follow with a healthy application of sunscreen.