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Everywhere you turn there seems to be slim models in scantily clad clothing modeling beside advertisements for the new 1,000 calorie beverage at a popular coffee shop. The contradictions are endless. As a huge “toasted marshmallow mocha latte” fan it was difficult to find balance between my sweet tooth and the nutritional needs of my body.

But news in the diet world has a way of spreading and today I am happy to announce that I am not only 23 pounds down but sworn off the high calorie drinks that are so detrimental to the waistline.

Anyone in the market to shed a few pounds has probably heard about the acai berry. This small purple berry has been featured on well known talk shows as well as become an internet commodity. But that was not enough to convince me that the acai berry would help me get back to a manageable weight and healthy diet routine.

I was always slightly on the “pleasantly” plump side. But after the birth of my daughter in 2007 I could not shed the last 10 pounds of the 70 pounds that I gained during my pregnancy. However, I was not drastically concerned until my family suffered through two tragic deaths.

After this very stressful time in my life I discovered that pistachio ice-cream was my best friend. At my lowest I remember going to the store and purchasing two pints of my favorite nutty treat. Before my husband got home I had finished one whole pint to myself and later in the evening I helped him finish the second one. It was no wonder when I discovered I had put on another twenty pounds.

The extra weight was devastating as well as eye opening. In a moment of self awareness it became clear that food had become an outlet for my sorrow. Not a very healthy one at that. So instead of heading to the kitchen cabinet to fetch a package of delicious butter cookies I reached for my computer instead and began to do some research.

And it turns out I was not alone. Type in “emotional eating” into almost any search engine and you will get more than 600,000 responses. Type in weight loss and you are sure to receive even more. Along with an onslaught of information there is also an even larger onslaught of diet advertising and marketing.

Every add promises the same thing; lose weight in a matter of months, weeks and even days. I did not want a “get skinny quick” scam. I wanted a “get health and stay health” plan. The more that I looked at the growing research surrounding the acai berry the more convinced I was that this super food could help me bring balance into my world of sweet treats and emotional eating.

Acai berries are harvested in the rainforests of Brazil and taste like a combination of berries and pomegranate. It has a sweet and tangy flavor with undertones of bitter dark chocolate. Although most berries have antioxidant properties the Acai berry is packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. The small purplish blue berry has become a popular choice for detoxing and maintaining the pH levels of the body which improves the immune system.

The berries grow on an acai palm tree and they mature to the size of a small grape. There is a large pit inside of the berry which must be processed to separate the pulp and pit. The acai berry is gaining so much popularity because of its nutritional properties which not only purge the body of free radicals which prematurely age the body but this little berry also provides much of the essential vitamins and minerals that the body depends on everyday.

The acai berry packs in plenty of omega fatty acids, amino acids, fiber and iron. When mixed with guarana seed, a well documented energy supplement, consumers can benefit from enhanced nutrition as well as a boost of energy and mental clarity.

Brazilian natives have been eating acai berries for hundreds of years and they revere the fruit for its healing powers. The essential fatty acids found in the acai berry coupled with omega fatty acids are known to lower cholesterol levels. They also combat the free radicals floating around within the body causing premature aging.

As a dietary supplement acai berry works by providing the body with protein, unsaturated lipids and carbohydrates. This is the recipe for energy and muscle building an asset for any diet and exercise regiment. Many Brazilian sports clubs, gyms and beach resorts serve acai berries for this specific reason. It is a health addition to any muscle sculpting and weight loss regiment.

I began an acai berry weight loss program after learning all of the amazing nutritional benefits included in this antioxidant berry. At first I just wanted to detoxify my body and help balance the pH levels of my system. However within two weeks of my acai berry weight loss regiment I began to feel better. I had more energy and fewer cravings for sweets. As my cravings for sweets decreased I began to notice simpler sweet flavors of fruit. Thus I began to see a decrease in weight as well.

As I began to rid my body of the toxins that were prevalent in the processed foods I used to consume I began to see some amazing results. Not only was I slowly losing weight due to an increase in energy and craving less sweets but my skin started to look better.

The first thing I noticed was the dull looking skin around my eyes was beginning to brighten up. The more my skin began to improve in texture and sheen the younger I looked and felt. It has now been almost one year and I am dedicated to better nutrition, more exercise and acai berries. I weigh less; crave fewer sweets and look younger. All of this from a small purple berry; who knew?