Rest in Peace, Hélio Gracie 1913 - 2009

Written by Travis Baumgardner, Sustainability Officer

Hélio Gracie passed away today peacefully in his home in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro at the full age of 95. He leaves behind his wife and 9 sons.

He was a living martial arts legend who pioneered together with his brother Carlson, the special Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu. He gained worldwide fame and recognition for developing a unique fighting style which allowed him to defeat opponents almost twice his size with relative ease, despite being mostly vegetarian and only weighing around 140 lbs during his professional fighting career.

Hélio also spent his entire life dedicated to promoting his family’s healthy lifestyle through sport and the Gracie diet, which had açaí as one its main superfood staples. The diet is based on three concepts, not poisoning the body, taking care of the body and respecting in one meal the adequate chemical combinations of different types of food. Food is viewed instead as a remedy that can nourish and cure the body.

Though many know very well Helio’s Jiu-Jitsu legacy, many do not know that Hélio was a native Amazonian, a “Paraense”, raised in the heart of the world’s açaí epicenter. His cultural upbringing consisted of eating açaí every day together with rice, beans and fish.

Many credit the brothers Helio and Carlos for bringing açaí outside of the Amazon to southern metropolitan regions of Brasil like Rio de Janeiro. At fourteen his family moved to Rio de Janeiro and subsequently created the açaí bowl and diffused the healthy eating habit throughout the Jiu-Jitsu community. The Gracie family’s Açaí Bowl is the same thick smoothie like frozen mixture made of açaí puree, Guarana Syrup, Banana and Granola that we all have come to love today and which first became popular in juice bars of Rio de Janeiro.

God bless you Hélio for bringing us açaí and inspiring us to live better and healthier lifestyles!

Sambazon keeping me on the go

My name is Tom Rezvan and I am a sponsored Sambazon surfer from Huntington Beach, CA. I was first introduced to Sambazon Açaí a few years back when visiting a Brazilian friend of mine living in South Beach Miami. I have always cared about my health and have been eating raw live foods that contain high alkaline for years. Up until being introduced to Sambazon Açaí I had been juicing wheatgrass every morning for energy, which can leave a uncomfortable taste in your mouth. But once I tasted Sambazon Açaí for the first time I was I instantly hooked! It is one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world with a great taste! I now blend a shake every morning with Sambazon Pure Açaí packs combined with a banana, soy milk, and whey protein powder. This gives me enough energy to surf for hours! If I am in a hurry and the waves are really good and I don't have time to make a shake... I will grab a bottle of Sambazon and drink it in my car on the way to surf. Either making a shake or drinking a bottle of Sambazon... I know I am getting the proper nutrients to give me the energy for my surf sessions.

Thanks to everyone at Sambazon for bringing this Super Food to the U.S. and keeping everyone healthy.

- Tom

Sambazon Gets a Whole Lot of Love at Sundance

Aubrey O’Day gives us a great açaí smile














Ryan Cabrara picks up a Sambazon Strawberry Açaí smoothie











Nick Cannon tries something different – his first Açaí bowl













Denise Richards tells us that she already loves Sambazon












Funny man Chris Kattan shows us how he cracks open a Trinity Juice











Jane Lynch from Best in Show gets caught mid bite












Jordan Belfi from Entourage tells us he eats açaí everyday












Christina Milian opts for the Antioxidant Trinity












Brittany Snow learns that she loves açaí











Matt Sorum, drummer from the Velvet Revolver and Guns N’ Roses, gives us the best look of the day

Why I like Sambazon

Written by Forrest Shearer

Sambazon is about inspiring Artists, Athletes, and Activists that all share a unique love for Mother Nature. Our planet is at a crucial stage, things must change for the better.

Snow is the raddest thing ever, it brings me closer to the mountains and all things connected. I'm just a snowboarder, this is my only area of influence. When you think about it , who's better suited to look after our mountains than snowboarders? Be yourself think outside the box, in snowboarding there are no rules! Happy Boarding!

Consciousness starts within, Drink Sambazon!

The Forest:

2 packs Sambazon Açaí Original
1 cup soy milk
1 banana
2 scoops frozen blueberries
1 avocado
1 scoop protein
Coconut sprinkled on top

Amazon Energy Going Big

Written by Jeremy Black, VP Marketing


Well it’s been almost 1 year since we launched our organic Amazon Energy drink and the feedback from our friends and athletes is that it’s the best energy drink on the planet. Not only does it taste great, but it also delivers a real deal energy boost without all the jitters and artificial stuff you’ll get from other energy drinks. That’s because it’s made from all organic fruit juices and stimulating botanicals, and although it’s only being sold in select locations like Whole Foods Markets and other select fine retailers, it’s creating quite a buzz out there as a great pre-workout energizer, afternoon pick me up or cocktail mixer.


Here’s a few highlights from the last year:



Zdeno Chara, Captain of the top rated Boston Bruins showing us what get’s him amped up for a game.






Sambazon Ambassador Pro Skateboarder Bob Burnquist went huge and won the gold medal at ESPN’s X games fueled by Amazon Energy.










The possibilities are endless when it comes to making cocktails with AE.




Look for giant end cap displays like this one from Whole Foods in NYC ----Amazon Energy is on a special deal now through February 3rd 2 cans for $3!!!!!

We’re going to spread the love by adding some new flavors this year so look for news on those soon.



- Jeremy

Real Deal Açaí Blog Series: Part 3 – The Rio Diet

Get with the Rio Diet ™

Rio de Janiero... A land of beautiful beaches and even more beautiful bodies. What makes the people of Rio so attractive? Their passion for life and rich culture for sure! However, spend enough time in Rio and you’ll begin to understand that the Rio glow is a result of more than just positive attitude... Their diet consists of light, energizing and inspiring foods that help sustain an active, healthy lifestyle.

The Rio Diet™ has several simple but key components. Each one reinforces the other. First, eat fresh, nutrient dense foods like organic fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains - avoiding refined sugars, processed foods and artificial additives. Secondly, eat light. When you’re eating nutrient dense foods a little goes a long way. Third, find a source of exercise you truly love and play daily.

It’s no wonder Açaí is Rio’s #1 superfood and a daily staple in their diet thanks to it’s dense nutrients (antioxidants, healthy omegas) and it’s super easy to digest (doesn’t weigh you down). You’ll find people eating an açaí bowl or drinking an açaí smoothie for breakfast, after a workout or as a healthy snack. An Açaí lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle.

Following the lead of our friends in Rio will certainly help you look and feel your best.

Here’s a Rio Diet™ inspired superfoood smoothie for ya. Keep your eyes peeled for more Rio Diet™ related tips and recipes – coming soon!

10oz Coconut Water
1 Pack Sambazon Pure Acai
1 Organic Banana
3/4 cup frozen, Organic Mango
Manitoba Harvest brand Hemp Protein Powder


Your Friend,

-skanda

Bethany, Fueled by Açaí

Hi everyone! This is my first blog and I am happy to share with you my love for açaí and how it helps me as a health conscious pro surfer. In late September through mid October, I took a trip for 2 competitions to the home of açaí - Brazil! I always love going there and eating the local Açaí Bowls, but honestly, they're hardly ever better than my home-made Sambazon Açaí bowls & smoothies! After Brazil, I came home and headed to Oahu to start training for the Triple Crown competitions. I eat Sambazon Açaí pretty much everyday I can! It's great for when I'm training cause it gives me that extra boost of energy I need to push myself as an athlete. Açaí is known for its high level of antioxidants; and, since I'm in the sun so much, I think its very important to get antioxidants internally to help against all the exposure to the sun’s UVB and UVA rays that I get! Sadly, at the Haleiwa WQS event, I didn't make it far enough to qualify for the WCT in 2009. But that doesn't change my motivation and drive to go for it again next year! Thanks for checking this out, I hope you get to enjoy açaí as much as I do!

aloha,
Bethany

Active Smoothie Recipe

1 Sambazon Pure or Original Açaí Smoothie pack (depending on how sweet you want it)
1 frozen Banana
3tbs Spirulina
4tbs Manitoba Harvest hemp protein
1 or more cup of juice or rice milk (whatever you like is fine)

..Really just make it as unique as you want!