Mud for Breakfast

Morning Protein Acai shake

OK, I realize this looks like mud...but it sure tastes good.

Clients often ask me what I have for breakfast, and here it is one of my favorites.

Water

1-2 scoops protein powder

1 pack frozen Sambazon acai 

1/2 cup coconut milk

topped with handful of slivered almonds

I got turned on to acai years ago when spending time with my wife in Brazil.   In Brazil, acai is most often eaten in a bowl, kind of like a sherbet, and topped with fruit and granola.  It's super refreshing on a hot and humid day.

Here in the U.S. you can get frozen acai at Whole Foods.

I've written on acai before, and the importance of not falling for acai related products that try to scam you into believing that acai is some super fat loss berry.  Enjoy it for what it is.  A healthy part of a balanced life.

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Acai Breakfast Shake

Acai Breakfast Shake
Originally uploaded by Stephen Cooper Training.com

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Two of My Favorites, Acai and Yerba Mate

As you know by now I'm a big fan of both Acai and Yerba Mate.  I've posted videos way back here on how I create my morning Acai shake.  I drink it for the taste, plus all of the health benefits.

Those of you in my boot camp classes often see me sipping my yerba mate.  It provides me a gentle "pick up" for those early morning classes without the "crash" that coffee sometimes causes.

More on Acai

I posted here about the acai scam with the supposed fat loss benefits.

Well today I found that Emergen-C now offers a version with acai.  I read the package, but can't find how much.  Just food for thought.

Don't Fall for The Acai Fat Loss Scam

You may have seen some supposed "blogs" or ads that say "Hi I'm Amy and I lost 50 pounds using acai."  I wrote about this back in 2005, but the scam has returned.  In creating this post I also saw a scam that says "acai is a scam, so buy my hoodia".  How do you like that?  One scammer bashing another.

First of all you should know that if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.  Think about it.  Does it sound realistic that you would lose weight by drinking berry juice?

Image courtesy:www.belavista-rio.com

Ever since I tried acai in Rio many years ago, I really liked it.  It has a strange, almost chocolatey taste, plus I believe that there may be some antioxdants in the acai berry that are helpful too.

I have an acai shake almost every weekday.  You can see the video that I made of me making my acai shake.

I usually buy my frozen acai at Whole Foods.  If you are trying to stay lean I'd suggest that you get the acai that comes in the purple package...as it has no added sugar.

So enjoy your acai, but know that you are drinking it for good health...and not fat loss miracles.

If you'd like to receive email updates about scams like this, sign up here.  You'll receive tips and strategies that really work, unlike lot's of the B.S. that floats around the internet.

What does a Personal Trainer Eat for Breakfast?

Quite often I'm asked what do I as a personal trainer eat for breakfast.  You'll see in the video below that many times I make a shake for breakfast.  The funny thing is that when I first taped this at 4:30am, when I normally get up...it was too dark.  Hummm maybe I wake up to early, ya think?

The breakfast shake contains:

1 cup ice water 

1 frozen packet of Sambazon Acai

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

2T ground flax seeds

2T plain low-fat yogurt

1T sliced almonds

1 cup green tea

2T oatmeal   

Is The Acai Berry What Gives Brazilian Women Their Great Bodies?

I read this recently in the Conde Nast Traveler..."the most remarkable local secret for almost all beauty needs is the pulp of the acai berry".

I know that some women are going to read this and be tempted to think that they to will have gorgeous bodies thanks to the acai berry.  I don't think so.

Having been lucky enough to be married to a Brazilian woman, and spending quite a bit of time in Brazil, there is a lot more to great bodies than this little berry. 

Don't get me wrong, I think that there are a lot of benefits from consuming the acai berry, beneficial fats, lots of antioxidants, etc.  I drink an acai smoothie about 4-5 days a week.  I use the powder form from Sambazon. 

In contrast to most American women, most Brazilian women walk a lot more.  They walk from their house to the bus, then walk to work.  Those who live near the beach are often jogging, biking, playing on the beach, or working out in one of the many gyms.

Here in Los Angeles where I live, people drive everywhere.  They walk from their door 8 steps to their car, pass by Starbucks another 20 steps, back into the car, get to work, park as close as possible, walk 20 steps, and sit down at the desk. 

So what's the answer?  If your body isn't that of a Brazilian beach beauty that you desire...get moving.  Train harder, eat smarter, and enjoy life more.  Maybe dancing a little Samba might help too!