Review by Catherine’s Cabinet
I’m about to say two things that completely contradict each other. Although I have recently stopped drinking alcohol altogether, I LOVE WINE. Like looooooove wine. The way it tastes, how it pairs beautifully with a great meal, having a calming glass by the fire in the winter or a refreshing glass in the summer, there’s no going wrong for me here folks. Who am I kidding? A glass? I meant a bottle.
Reasons for quitting the consumption of alcohol always vary and the decision is ultimately your own, but for myself it was just a matter of personal choice. It’s as simple as that. Now, what I can’t say is that it was strictly for health reasons because there are some benefits to enjoying a glass of wine every now and then. But I recently found out that I don’t have to drink any wine at all to obtain said benefits.
When wine is being made, what happens to all of the poor little squashed grapes and grape skins that are left behind? Do we just throw them away? Or do they go to fruit heaven? (Cue epic but sad music here) Okay, okay, I’m being a little bit dramatic. Well, someone was thinking probably the EXACT same thing at Southbrook Vineyards when they decided to create Bioflavia™ Organic Red Wine Grape Skin Powder (okay, minus the idea of grapes actually having legit feelings).
Southbrook is located on a 150-acre vineyard in the stunning Niagara, Ontario Wine Region. Year after year they earn recognition for their production of organic and biodynamic wines. They were the first wine estate in Canada to earn this certification for it’s vineyard and winery. They’re committed to sustainable viticulture and to the encouragement of education on biodynamic and organic methods of practice. So it only makes sense that they would find a way to use the process of wine making to create a profitable, environmentally friendly and beneficial health supplement.
Bioflavia™ is created with organic red wine grape skins that have been put through a comprehensive drying and separating process and then milled into a fine and flavourful powder form. Okay, so what’s the deal with grape skins anyways? Well, the short answer is that they’re loaded with beneficial antioxidants (there’s that word again eh).
Did you know that a single 10g scoop of Bioflavia™ provides 11,000 ORAC Units? No, I didn’t make up this acronym to look all fancy, it’s a real thing. It stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity Units (ORAC) and is used to measure the antioxidant capacity within a food and it’s ability to neutralize oxidation and cell damage, caused by free radicals (as my mother says, not to be confused with 90’s rock band, the New Radicals).
The antioxidant found in grape skin is called Resveratrol (say that three times fast). This compound has been scientifically tested time and time again for it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. The benefits are thought to aid in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases such as cancer and to help combat the signs of aging as a result of it’s protecting properties.
The fact that the grapes are organic is absolutely key. Have you ever heard of the “Dirty Dozen”? In the health industry, these are the top 12 items of produce that are an absolute MUST to buy organic as they have the highest amounts of pesticide usage and/or residues. Guess what’s on this list? Yep, grapes. Obviously it’s ideal that all items consumed be organic, but this just isn’t always a realistic or financially viable scenario for everyone out there, hence why the “dirty dozen” and “clean fifteen” lists were created to help consumers.
Bioflavia™ can be used in smoothies, juices, sprinkled over cereals, yogurts, even salads! They even suggest using it in baking. I love the indulgent idea of having wine for breakfast, so I’ve created my very own recipe using this fantastic supplement as the perfect start to your day!
Bioflavia™ Breakfast Bowl
5 TBSP Raw Organic Oats
2 TBSP Chia Seeds
Pinch sea salt
Pinch cinnamon
1 scoop (10g or approx 2 TSP) Bioflavia™ Organic Red Wine Grape Skin Powder
1/2 TSP Organic vanilla extract
3/4 C Almond Milk (or milk of choice)
Mix all dry ingredients together. Add Almond milk and vanilla and stir well. Let sit for about 30 minutes until liquid is absorbed or overnight in the fridge for best results. Serve topped with a dollop of organic plain yogurt and fruit or nuts and enjoy!
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Above and beyond anything else, Southbrook Vineyards has taken sustainability to the next level once again by delivering a superior product using strict biodynamic green practices. I would go on record any day to state that they are by far my favourite vineyard and the added bonus of producing the ever so genius Bioflavia™ just solidified this for me even more. Oh, by the way, their actual wine is pretty fantastic too… although I’m not sure I would recommend that for breakfast.