Superfoods—that word we hear in the news, read about in magazines, and spend way too much money buying the smallest packages of “superfoods.”  Well superfoods are all around us and quite simple to obtain in your everyday meal!  Powerful Paleo Superfoods written by Heather Connell, a Holistic Nutritionist and mom, offers a simple, fun approach to the topic of super foods!

If you are anything like me, you don’t simply want to be told what to do but you want to understand why its good for you.  Well when it comes to the topic of nutrition and which foods are healthy, we often are just told to eat certain foods while avoiding others.  Since becoming a nutritionist, I have developed an appreciation for the countless benefits, vitamins, and minerals real, quality foods have to offer.  Food truly is the best form of medicine!

Did you know that eating walnuts can actually help you fight stress or that adding fresh basil can help build heathy bones?  Did you know that grass-fed lamb is rich in vitamins and minerals that protect your heart and blood vessels? Or that eating a handful of macadamia nuts can tell your body it is full by promoting satiety.  Well, pick up a copy of this great book and learn more for yourself!

Even if you do not eat Paleo or grain free, but you just want to learn more about the amazing benefits, colors and nutrition found in the foods we eat, Powerful Paleo Superfoods is for you! This book will not only provide you with delicious recipes, but also all the reasons behind why real foods such as grass-fed beef, fresh vegetables, squashes, nuts, cinnamon or even blackberries can be powerful antioxidants and blood sugar stabilizers or even help you fight cancer cells and loose weight!

I love books where delicious recipes are combined with practical nutrition—as you cook these colorful recipes you can learn about the food you are eating, in a fun, simple way of course!  The author Heather, of the blog Multiply Delicious (named after her twin daughters!) did a beautiful job combining nutrition, learning and food in her latest book Powerful Paleo Superfoods.  It was such an interesting read to me, it even qualified as a relaxing beach read 🙂  

Give-a-way!

• Heather has offered to give-a-way one copy of her latest book to one of my lucky readers! 
• {To enter, simply… head over to Instagram to follow both Colorful Eats and Multiply Delicious}
• Leave me a comment at the bottom saying you did!  (Winner will randomly be selected Monday June 6, 2014. US only.)

But for now enjoy this delicious recipe from Powerful Paleo Superfoods!  I decided to make her fig jam—its sticky, sweet and great with my grain-free white rolls.  This jam would be a great side to a charcuterie platter or even with your favorite grilled meats for a fun summer meal!

Fresh Fig Vanilla Honey Compote

A sticky fig jam, slightly sweetened with honey for a Paleo and refined sugar free fruit spread.  Serve with grain free fluffy white rolls or even grilled chicken or meat.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh figs, stems trimmed and cut into quarters
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions

• Place the figs, honey, water, cinnamon and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat.  Stir occasionally and cook for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut oil while the mixture is still warm.
• Using a food processor,* process until the mixture is smooth and has reached a spread-like consistency.
• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

*I don’t actually own a food processor, but I used a mixing bowl and immersion blender and it worked perfectly.