We know foods impact on the body is huge – inside and out. Since the beginning of the wholefood for the whole body journey, we have proven the brilliance of the avocado, discovered why Extra Virgin Olive Oil is referred to as liquid gold; explored nature’s very own multivitamin – the egg, we’ve found out how to cure-all with chamomile, benefited from ‘the fruit of the Angels’ – papaya, and enjoyed nature’s ultimate energy snack of bananas.

Several weeks ago we asked the question – what wholefood would you like to see featured as our wholefood for the whole body? And at your request, we got spicy with the powerful properties of turmeric, and went nuts with almonds. Next on the list is a food referred to in Tibet as ‘the key to eternal youth’. Traditionally used in both Chinese and Tibetan medicine, the uses of the goji berry are surprisingly broad.

Nourish from within:

Reduce the signs of ageing with the antioxidant properties goji berries are so well-known for.

Promote healthy glowing skin by benefiting from the betacarotine goji berries contain.

Keep a weight-loss program on track by incorporating fat-free, low-calorie, fibre rich goji berries in a healthy diet plan.

How to:

Add them: This week I discovered that you can add goji berries to just about anything! Here is what I made them an addition to:

Rice – adding a handful of berries to my rice gave it a great sweetness.

Trail mix – I added a handful to my usual homemade trail mix; the chewy texture seemed to make it last longer than usual – winner!

Salad – I made a super simple summer salad and threw in the berries to enhance the apple slices in the mix, it worked!

Juice – Throwing a handful in with my usual veggie juice mix was a great way to jazz up the other green ingredients.

Spread them: Jams are delicious, and usually full of refined sugars and other nasties. This recipe from http://gojiberry.com/ keeps it clean without losing any yum factor. Give it a go:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Tibetan Goji berries, soaked, keep and use soak water
• 1/2 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 pitted date or 1 tsp raw honey

Method:

Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until pureed, spread on sprouted bread – perfection.

Roll them: Truffles are usually a decadent treat the health conscious choose to avoid. With this recipe from www.sungodssuperfoods.com.au you can now indulge with a clear conscious.

Makes 16 one inch truffles

Ingredients:

For truffles:

• ¼ cup tahini
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons carob powder
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 tablespoons cacao nibs, ground fine
• 2 tablespoons goji berries, ground fine
• 1 teaspoon maca powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• About ¼ cup pine nuts
• Whole goji berries

Method:

Combine all ingredients , except pine nuts and whole goji berries, in a small bowl. Mixture should be shiny and smooth, pulling away from the sides of the bowl. You can add a little more carob if it seems sticky. You may chill the mixture to firm it up a little before shaping.

Roll into 16 one inch balls

Roll each ball into pine nuts

Press one goji berry into truffle

May be stored covered in fridge for about 1 week or so, if you hide them!

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Treating the outside:

With its proven anti-aging powers, why wouldn’t goji berries be just as good on the outside as they are on the inside? The enzymatic action of these berries is quite intense so a little goes a long way.

How to:

Goji peel.

This was the first time I have used goji’s as a DIY treatment; this is what I did:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup goji berries ground down
• 1 cup almond oil

Method:

Mix the ingredients together, well. Apply liberally to the skin (I used in the shower) using circular motions, rinse well and follow with your usual moisturiser. The result of this experiment was healthy glowing skin.

Final thought: Prior to the request for them to be featured as a wholefood for the whole body, goji berries were something that had been a rare inclusion in my diet. Researching their uses and benefits proved that they are indeed a great addition to a balanced, healthy diet. It also lead me to learn that when eaten in excess, goji berries can have some negative side effects. As with all things, moderation is key.