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If you’ve heard of acai, you may have dismissed it as another diet fad. I’m hear to say, with seriousness and gravity, don’t.

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries come from the acai palm and are native to Trinidad and northern parts of South America. The name is a Portuguese variation of the Tupian word meaning “fruit that cries or expels water” – and it’s appropriately named, considering its popularity in juicing, smoothies and acai bowls. The berry looks similar to a grape and is a deep purple color. The food makes up a large portion of the diet in local tribes around the Amazon, and has made its way north to the US.

Acai grew to popularity in the States due to its use as a dietary supplement. While its true weight loss properties are up for debate, its antioxidants are extremely beneficial. Antioxidants work to rid your body of toxins that can cause sickness and are an excellent addition to your diet if you’re travelling, feeling sick, or just health conscious. It has also been hailed as a sustainable crop due to its abundance in nature without the use of traditional cultivation techniques – meaning that it thrives in natural conditions without the need for clear-cutting in the rainforest for farming. Plus, it just plain tastes good.

You can find acai juice in almost any supermarket, but our favorite at SurfBerry  is the Amafruits line of acai. Amafruit is dedicated to organic fruits and responsible farming. Their products are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Certified, Fair Trade approved, vegan, and gluten free. They also contain no soy lecithin filler so there is as much as 30% acai in each pack. We’re proud to offer Amafruit at SurfBerry!

One of my favorite ways to eat the berries is in an acai bowl. Popularized in Brazil, it’s a treat that’s basically a vitamin disguised as a dessert. We take frozen acai puree and blend it with juice almond milk or coconut water, fruit, and practically anything you want to make an amazing treat. It tastes and looks just like a very thick sorbet – but with incredible health benefits that will leave you full and happy without a sugar crash. I like to start my day off with a acai bowl topped with granola, bananas, honey and coconut (the WB Bowl) – come by SurfBerry to try it out, or tell us what you want in your own original creation! Whatever you do, get on board with acai; your body, and the environment, will thank you.

When you think of Wrightsville Beach, the first thing that comes to mind (besides the college nearby in Wilmington – go Seahawks!) is that gorgeous beach. Our beach has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, just to name a couple, and is the location of quite a few vacation homes for the rich and famous – rumored celebrities include Robert Downey, Jr. and Quentin Tarantino. Needless to say, we’re pretty lucky to call Wrightsville our home.

But when you come to visit, how do you best maximize your time and hang out like a local?

The answer is simple: Do anything and everything outdoors. Wrightsville’s locals are an active healthy group. From surfing to biking to playing on the beach, we never take it for granted that we have a virtual playground right in our backyard. SurfBerry has everything you need to live like a local. In addition to beach equipment like umbrellas and chairs, we also rent paddleboards, surfboards, kayaks, boogie boards…you name it, we’ve got it in stock.

As for that traffic, beat the wait by renting one of the bicycles. Wrightsville, like its sister city Wilmington, is incredibly bike-friendly. Not only is it eco-friendly, it’s much easier to navigate the road to and from where you’re staying to any of the amazing restaurants and bars.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, be sure to take one of our kayak or paddleboard tours of the surrounding waterways; my personal favorite is the trek to Masonboro, a favorite local hangout just off Wrightsville’s shores. Take advantage of the ocean by signing up for a fishing charter.

So when you come to visit, you can find me going for an early morning run around the loop and then grabbing a smoothie at SurfBerry before heading out to the beach where I’ll be paddleboarding. Come join us and live like a local!