A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

Organic Living Superfoods started in 2012 by Bruce Namenson (former partner/owner of the Prana Café) and Craig Singer, a former criminal attorney. I met Craig at a Good Ones party and we decided to meet up at Liquid Art House so that he could tell me a bit more about his products. I forewarned him that I generally don’t like putting anything healthy into my body…so I wasn’t sure I was going to like this stuff. That being said, I went in with an open mind. Craig said to me, “just try it, you’ll like it”. While I can’t say that I will ever crave healthy food snacks, these snacks were quite good for what they are (and that’s a glowing recommendation for this gal).

So Craig eases me into the snacks by starting off with the chocolate covered coconut. Manageable. Familiar. The coconut chunks are dehydrated and then covered in dark chocolate, it tastes kind of like a Mounds bar.

The raw, organic, apples n’ cinnamon smell delicious – very cinnamony. The consistency is a little off for me as they are soft and chewy, but not bad at all.

From the website:

“Just Like Apple Pie Without the Crust” Apples benefit your health by carrying a rich amount of pectin which acts as an antioxidant against damage caused by cholesterol in the blood. A flavanoid found only in apples called phloridzin may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis & may increase bone density, Apples may also protect the brain from free radicals that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, they can help lower cholesterol & prevent colon cancer, & are high in fiber. We lightly season our apples with pure cinnamon, a warming spice that has anti-microbial properties & can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Trust us- these apples are addictingly delicious.

Organic raw coconut crusted macadamia nuts don’t really taste very coconut-y to me. I can totally manage these – they taste just  like regular macadamia nuts, just a little fancier!

From the website:

Macadamia nuts are a high energy food and are considered to be the “world’s most delicious nut”. They are rich in the important B-complex vitamins  which are vital for metabolic functions. They also contain small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E, and are excellent sources of minerals . Macadamias are high in healthy monounsaturated fatty acids,  and they help manage cholesterol levels by increasing the production of protective high density lipoproteins (HDL) while suppressing the unhealthy low density lipoproteins (LDL). This makes them helpful with reducing the risks of heart diseases, stroke, and anti-inflammatory diseases. The nuts themselves also contain no cholesterol either.  Macadamia nuts are good source of phytonutrients or phytochemicals which help slow down the aging process, promote the growth of new cells and tissues, and help reduce the possibilities of certain types of cancer like breast, cervical, gastrointestinal, lung, stomach and prostate cancer. Furthermore, macadamia nuts help promote healthy bone and teeth formation, regulate the body’s fluid balance, boost the immune system, enhance the nervous system, promotes healthy skin, and can even provide relief for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  Coconut helps to improve heart and brain health with it’s short chain and medium chain fatty acids (which have no negative effect on cholesterol ratios unlike long-chain fatty acids which make up nearly 98% of all fatty acids consumed).  Coconut is also good at reducing sweet cravings due to this fiber and its healthy fats. In addition, coconut helps to improve digestion (and reduce inflammation and other symptoms of digestive issues) by supporting the proper absorption of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Organic raw dried rambutan taste like extra sweet raisins – or raisins and honey. The texture isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Check out what these fruits look like before they are dehydrated!

Rambutan has the flavor alchemy of a pear and a grape but not as sweet and is indigenous to Malaysia. The fruit has been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia for hundreds of years. Rambutan is high in vitamin C, helping to absorb minerals and protecting the body from free radicals. One of the main components of Rambutan is gallic acid which behaves like a free radical scavenger that protects the body from oxidative damage and particularly helpful in fighting cancer. The fruit contains moderate amounts of copper (necessary for the creation of red and white blood cells), manganese (essential to produce active enzymes), phosphorous, iron and calcium. 

Raw organic dried pineapple is surprisingly sweet – sweeter than I would have imagined. Pretty good!

From the website:

  Although thought to have originated in South America, pineapples were first discovered by Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean island now known as Guadalupe. It’s low in calories, yet a great source of several unique health promoting vitamins, minerals, and other compounds essential for optimum health.  They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C (which boosts immunity and neutralizes harmful free radicals) and contain bromelain which is an enzyme that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, anti-cancer, and digestive benefits. In addition, pineapples contain many antioxidants which provide immune support, protection against inflammation and oxidative stress, and have even been show to help protect against macular degeneration.

Raw organic dried mango slices don’t really taste like mangos – they are better. The texture for me was a little…different, but once you get over it, they are really delicious.

From the website:

Our mango slices are dehydrated at low-temperatures to maintain all vitamins and minerals, but not dehydrated to the extent that they’re completely dried. By leaving them a little bit hydrated, the slices stay soft and plenty chewy.  Mangoes are high in antioxidants which protect against cancer (especially colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers) and oxidative stress on the body. Mangoes help lower cholesterol with it’s high levels of dietary fiber, pectin and vitamin C, they help clear the skin, they promote good eye health (good source of vitamin A), they alkalize the entire body, and they boost the immune system (good source of vitamin C). Mangoes also contain 25 different types of carotenoids  which are powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation, enhance the immune system, and help prevent some forms of cancer and heart disease. They even contain enzymes that break down protein, and they also help with digestion and elimination too.

Raw natural dried strawberries are my favorite of the evening. They are like fruit snacks – a hint of sweetness, a good texture and a nice flavor.

From the website:

Strawberries are certifiably a superfood with some of the highest antioxidant values of any fruit. Given their unique combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, they excel in three major categories: cardiovascular support and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, improved regulation of blood sugar with decreased risk of type-2 diabetes, and prevention of certain types of cancers including breast, cervical, colon, and esophageal.  Strawberries are low in calories and fats while being a rich source of health-promoting vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber – all of which are essential for optimal health. With its high levels of vitamin C, strawberries help boost the immune system, counter inflammation, and defend against harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. Strawberries are also rich in B-complex vitamins which help the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Strawberries contain phenols,which gives the strawberry its rich red color and its great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain good amounts of minerals like manganese (helps maintain healthy eyes), potassium (helps with controlling heart rate and blood pressure), iron and copper (required for producing red blood cells), and iodine (important for thyroid function).

Craig has never eaten at Liquid Art House, so I make some suggestions! We sat in the cocktail area on the couches and started with the Lithuanian Farmer’s Cheese Dumplings ($16) with brussels sprout, aged gouda, asian pear, grain mustard. The dumplings are light as air, the asian pear gives a nice sweetness to the dish that compliments the creamy saltiness of the sauce.

German Pretzel sea salt, mustard ($7) is amazing. Simple and yet delicious.

And we have the Flammkuchen ($15) a flat bread with bacon, wild mushroom, onion, rocket. Really nice flavors melding together here and the dish is quite light. Craig also gets the burger that I had been raving about. See my previous review here.

 

So if you’re looking to mix up your snack routine, check out Organic Living Superfoods. They are sold at stores around town but you can get a better deal  if you order them online!
Organic Living Superfoods

http://www.organiclivingsuperfoods.com/

Liquid Art House

100 Arlington Street, Boston, MA

www.liquidarthouse.com

Tags: back bay, casual dining, restaurant