While the vegan diet is not for everyone, I think the primary benefit is the elimination of anything unnatural from your system. If you follow a plant-based diet, you don't have to be concerned with things like the hormones being given to cattle, or the way chicken have been raised on farms. I have also found that, while I never had a strong sweet-tooth, my sugar cravings dropped because I was more sated by vegan-friendly foods, and processed foods become less desirable. Having said that, there are plenty of delicious vegan-friendly treats to be found if you want them and berries are among the healthiest. Berries boast wonderful antioxidants that help protect the membranes of skin cells from harmful free-radicals, like those from sun exposure. If you want a delicious breakfast that will also support a healthy complexion, try my recipe for this refreshing smoothie.
Combine 1 banana, 1 kiwi, 8 blackberries, ¼ cup of almond milk and 1½ cups of crushed ice in a blender. Puree until well blended, and a gorgeous, purple color. Pour two glasses and sip and enjoy with family or friends (or save one for later!) Would you believe this list of what technically qualifies as berries? I bet some will surprise you: Avocado, banana, barberry, blueberry, coffee, cranberry, currant, elderberry, gooseberry, goji, honeysuckle, persimmon, pumpkin, tomato and watermelon!
To enjoy them, you could always go Wimbledon style and have strawberries and cream (they make non-dairy whipped creams too) or try adding them to yogurts, salads, cereals or granola (try Crunch by Body Fuel Nutritionals www.bodyfuelnutritionals.com next time you do that!) At the Standard Grill at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District I had berries in a vanilla simple syrup that were out of this world!
For a beautiful accent to any party, freeze them in a little water with mint in ice cube trays and use them in your white wine or cocktails when entertaining, or even toss some into a glass pitcher of iced water with mint sprigs and slices of lime.
