Spotlight: Merlin's Herbal Magic

There are countless "health" supplements & "nutritional" products on the market, but truly powerful, ultimately effective, and consciously created Superfood commodities are few and far between. The first of such products we would like to highlight here in Superfood City is a true gem.. a powerhouse blend of incredible Superfoods and Superherbs that have been meticulously combined to perfection.

Introducing...

The resume on this ingredients label would get Merlin hired at just about any extra dimensional herbal magic mega firm, and consumers of this product have been noted to be ten times more likely to be called to sit at High Council Wizard meetings for freelance consulting work.

Before we give you the rundown of what is contained in this veritable Live Food can of whoop-ass, let's hear what the Wizard himself has to say about what called him to create this magical concoction..

Awesome.

Here we go (Rt = Root):
Maca, Marshmallow Rt, Slippery Elm Bark, Triphala, Ginseng, Nettles, Ashwaganda, Astragalus Rt, Burdock Rt, Dong Quai, Fo-Ti Rt, Kelp Powder, Licorice Rt, Milk Thistle Seed, Pau D' Arco, Sarsparilla, Saw Palmetto Berries, Shizandra Berries, Suma, Wild Yam Rt, Anise Seed, Cinnamon, Ginger, Bilberry Leaf, Catsclaw, Cayenne, Dandelion Rt, Gingko leaf, Gota Kola, Irish Moss, Olive Leaf, Passion Flower Herb, Vanilla Orchid Bean

100% Organic and/or Wildcrafted

This is some for real stuff man. It's effects are noticed immediately as one gets transported into an energetic flux of amazement like never before experienced. With time, one begins to think that perhaps there is more to this whole human potential thing then we were really led to believe.

Since most of the staff here at Superfood City likes to enjoy Merlin's Root's Elixir on a daily basis in our Superfood smoothies, we have settled at a nice half teaspoon dosage a day mixed amongst our other Superfoods. The precautionary note on the label states; "Less is more, go slowly and enjoy!" And it's true, as very little will keep you sustained for a good amount of time. If you are planning an all day hike through the amazon, you may want to up it to a couple teaspoons, and if you don't think you are going to find any food for a few days, you probably wouldn't get hungry (or feel the desire to sleep) if you take a few tablespoons before you venture out into that mysterious land of sorcery. For the everyday nine to fiver, a teaspoon in some warm water with raw honey will do the trick better than coffee could ever hope too - plus, no caffeine!

We may all be Superfoodists, but the intricate herbal knowledge that is required to perfect a blend such as this requires years of study and experimentation. Merlin has succeeded on all fronts and we applaud and Thank him for bringing this truly Magical Elixir into our lives.

Find out more at:
www.MerlinsHerbalMagic.com

Chia Seeds

Not just for growing fur like grass out of ceramic animal statues anymore, the Chia Seed, an ancient Superfood nearly lost to infomercial obscurity, is having a rebirth of stature as one of today's miracle ingesticants.

Yes, Ingesticants™

Two of the world's all time leading Superfood societies, the Aztecs and the Mayans, prized Chia Seeds as a top source of nutritional sustenance, having eaten them as consistently as any other of their top crops such as Maze and Cacao. Powerhouse societies are fueled by powerhouse foods, and the Chia Seed provides no exception.

It totes:

• 18 amino acids - making it a complete protein
• 19 - 23% protein content by weight (vegans rejoice)
• one of the richest sources of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
• 11 grams of dietary fiber per ounce
• a host of minerals including calcium, potassium, & zinc
• a bad-ass tiger striped look
  

Chia seed has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, being acclaimed in China as having rarely paralleled kidney rejuvenation properties, libido enhancing effects, and anti-aging qualities. Central American cultures have used Chia Seeds as a similar form of medicine, and it's inclusion in their daily diet (amongst other things yet to be discussed) allowed them to flourish as one of the most sexually prolific cultures of ancient times.

Sounds good to me.

Ingesting Chia is simply a joy. It can be eaten whole if you enjoy intense mastication (read that correctly folks), ground into a powder and added into recipe's, or can be added to your favorite smoothie.

Keep us posted on your Chia experiences!

Superfoodist: F. Evan

We will continuously be showcasing Superfoodists from around the globe, for what is a Superfood Lifestyle without Superfoodists? We hope everyone can share in the inspiration of the Superfood community and these premier Superfoodists!

F. Evan
Occupation: Actor & Writer

Youth: 29 years

Favorite Superfoods:
Oh wow, there are so many to choose from. I'll often start the day with a high quality Green Powder like Pure-Synergy or Vitamineral Green, Maca, Goji Berries, Hemp Seeds, Raw Chocolate (mmmmm) and some Raw Honey. Blend all those goodies up and Carpe-Diem! Other fav's include Blue-Green Algae and Spirulina (it's effects, not it's taste, yuck).

What effects are Superfoods having on your life?
I used to feel tired throughout the day and unmotivated. It took sometime to realize it was the junky food I was eating. I would feel sweaty and lethargic. When I switched over to eating living greens and things instead of potato chips it was revelatory. REVELATORY! I also attribute the cleansing nature of it to eliminating my want for cigarettes. It took sometime but all of a sudden one day the need was gone. Without work. Some people say you put down the cig and pick up the fork. Well if you're eating tons of fresh, earthly goodness then so be it, right?

Personal Heroes:
Jean-Luc Godard, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Thom Yorke.

Favorite places to acquire Superfoods:
NaturalZing.com, Whole Foods, Hopefully my own garden one day.

Favorite Websites:
All things Google, NY Times.

F. Evan's Websites:
myspace.com/andevaporate
A Deep Cleansing Breath

Favorite Quote:
"I'm not young enough to know everything"
- Oscar Wilde

The Brain In Your Gut

"I've got a gut feeling about this."

"I went with my gut reaction."

We have all said these phrases in one variation or another, and have experienced the sensations that they represent, but is there any grounding for this popular notion? Is there a biological understanding that can bridge the cleft of this ever present folkloric expression that we all know so well? Would an enhanced knowledge of such information aid us in further exploring and developing the skill of interpreting and following our "gut feelings"?

Enter: The Enteric Nervous System
aka: "The Brain In Your Gut"

This aspect of your nervous system runs the entire length of your digestive tract and consists of over 100 million neurons. A neuron mind you, is the same type of cell that composes the makeup of your brain tissue. The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) contains motor neurons which are responsible for receiving signals from the central nervous system, as well as sensory neurons, which are responsible for sending signals back to the central nervous system.

Thus, a two way communication portal is open in which the workings of your stomach and intestines can interact with the workings of your brain.

This being understood, wouldn't it make perfect sense that our gut feelings are an extremely important aspect of our overall emotional and mental landscape?

Perhaps this is an understatement. Our digestive system is far more expansive then our brain mass alone. Yet on a whole, we are conditioned to ignore our gut feelings, or at least analyze them to death. We rationalize our way out of our instincts, all too often leading to poor decisions.

So why all the confusion? Why don't we trust our gut's anymore?

Because our guts have way to much to think about!

Let's run through the work day of the average American's guts shall we?

Today Jim frequented his local fast food establishment before his big important meeting with his big important client. He had a burger, fries, and soft drink el popular. Before the 100 million neurons in his digestive system could help him make his important decisions, they first had to attempt to decode the following jabberwobble of ingredients:

Enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, high fructose corn syrup, yeast, soybean oil, canola oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sesame seed, salt, wheat gluten, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, monocalcium phosphate, ammonium chloride, calcium carbonate, baking soda, soy flour, dough conditioners distilled monoglycerides, DATEM, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, enzymes, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, guar gum, mono-and diglycerides, calcium peroxide, calcium propionate & sodium propionate, soy lecithin, beef, hormones, antibiotics, parasites, pesticides, diced pickles, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, vinegar, corn syrup, salt, calcium chloride, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate (preservative), spice extractives, polysorbate 80], distilled vinegar, water, egg yolks, high fructose corn syrup, onion powder, mustard seed, salt, spices, propylene glycol alginate, sodium benzoate (preservative), mustard bran, sugar, garlic powder, vegetable protein (hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat), caramel color, extractives of paprika, soy lecithin, turmeric (color), calcium disodium EDTA, pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, milkfat, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, salt, sorbic acid (preservative), acetic acid, artificial color, soy lecithin and/or corn starch, Potatoes, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor (wheat and milk derivatives)*, citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent)), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent), carbonated water, caramel coloring, high fructose corn syrup, potassium carbonate, artificial flavor.

Sooo.. is it a stomach or a scientist!? Needless to say, Jim performed poorly at the meeting and did not close the deal.

In times of yore, when the Human Being was an indistinguishable portion of the Earth's landscape, he/she relied on the signals from his/her gut above all other senses in interpreting the appropriate course of action. Our gut is literally the center of our being. To become more centered, we must pay attention to it. In order to pay better attention to it we must become more grounded. To become more grounded we must eat that which springs forth directly from the ground.

Superfood City looks forward to helping you facilitate the use of The Brain In Your Gut. Stay tuned to our daily updates, as there shall be no stone left unturned in examining how we can become more at one with our lifelong friend Mrs. Digestive System, and all of our other friends that are down there partying with her.

They request that we invite only the coolest guests.