Shopping for produce, or any food item really, can be a little overwhelming. We are bombarded by terminology like organic, gluten free, Superfood… and the list can go on and on but what the heck do they all mean? Which is the best option? What makes this so super? Which one will help me look 20 years younger? (OK, there is no fountain of youth vegetable so that last question, sadly, we can’t answer, but we will help you understand the rest.)

To be Organic, growers must follow strict guidelines and procedures. The following are guidelines from the USDA website.

Organic is a labeling term for food or other agricultural products that have been produced using cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity in accordance with the USDA organic regulations. This means that organic operations must maintain or enhance soil and water quality, while also conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. Only products that have been certified as meeting the USDA’s requirements for organic production and handling may carry the USDA Organic Seal.*

Gluten, means “glue” in Latin, and is a protein mainly found in wheat, rye and barley. It allows bread and pasta to stick and keep its shape. (Alright, now the glue name makes sense.) For many of us, eating items with gluten, like cereal, bread or cookies is no big deal, but for those with Celiac Disease, who can’t process gluten, it’s a serious issue. It causes major stomach discomfort and pain, plus many other issues, hence the need for Gluten Free labeling.**

So now that we have learned a little about some of these terms, let’s get to the star of today’s show, The Superfood. A Superfood is defined as a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Superfoods contain high levels of much needed vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They can increase energy levels, regulate cholesterol and blood pressure and may help prevent or fight certain diseases and cancer (pretty impressive!) Maybe there is a fountain of youth vegetable, were kidding… or are we?!?

So, what foods are considered super? There are several vegetables that are considered Super, and we grow a few of them here at Gold Coast. Spinach, Broccoli, Kale, Cilantro, Carrots, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts are just a few veggies that will help boost your immune system to super status. Getting all those veggies into your daily diet can be a bit difficult, we get ya, that’s why we have made the perfect solution, Gold Coast’s Superfood Blend! Wait what? Yes, you heard right Superfood Blend! We have tossed together those potent veggies all into one semi magical blend. Our Superfood Blend is a mix of Kale, Red and Green Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Carrots. It comes chopped, washed and ready to use.

Our Superfood Blend can be used in a variety of ways, drizzled with dressing and eaten as a salad, sautéed with some olive oil and garlic and used as the perfect side dish, or it can be transformed into a Super Smoothie, like we’ll be doing in today’s video tutorial. Throwing veggies into a smoothie is the easiest way to get extra, much needed vitamins and minerals, and by the time they’re blended up you wont even taste the greenery! So, throw in some Superfood Blend, you’ll know it’s there, but your taste buds won’t and your immune system will get the Super Boost it needs! Check out the video below, to see one of the ways we get extra greens in daily. Thanks for joining us, we hope you learned something and got some ideas on how to make your next smoothie SUPER!

* USDA Organic Guidelines https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/about-national-organic-program

** What is a Gluten Free Diet http://greatist.com/eat/gluten-free-diet-what-is-it-really

Recipe Here: Superfood Smoothie