I served in the US Navy for over 35 years.  During my last tour of duty in the Washington DC area, I would make a smoothie to be consumed as “breakfast” during my 35-40 minute daily commute to the Navy Yard in Washington DC.  During those days, my smoothies consisted of frozen strawberries, blueberries, protein powder, dried apricots, 100% cranberry-pomegranate juice, sometimes yogurt, the good oils (extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, & sesame seed oil), etc.  I would blend it, and put a “Big Gulp” go cup of it in the car and drink it on the way to my workout before going to the office. With about four to five cups of green tea during the day, I rarely caught a cold, or had my vitals exceed their limits.

After I retired, two seminal events happened.  One of my Naval ROTC college classmates and fellow Naval officer suddenly developed pancreatic cancer in his late 50’s.  He was a great leader and the president of the student government at our alma mater, Prairie View A&M Univ. My classmates and I were devastated.  I started looking for antioxidant smoothie ingredients for him.  Unfortunately, his cancer had spread & he passed on.  So, I vowed to continue my research since my college major was Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  In the meantime, I noticed that the elderly people in my life who lived alone (my 80+ year old mother at the time – she’s now 99 years old – and a favorite teacher) were not necessarily eating properly, & did not have the energy or the wherewithal to fix three complete meals a day.  But they would drink a smoothie everyday!  I knew I had to step it up a notch.  So, I started to research the best “complete meal” smoothies with the highest concentration of antioxidants, nutrients/phytonutrients, heart healthy ingredients, etc.  First stop was the Eat To Live author, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, who made a chocolate smoothie with pure non-alkalized cocoa powder, dried dates for sweetness, soy milk, ice, flaxseed, blueberries, banana & lots of spinach!  Ugh!! I said that had to be nasty with the spinach.  But I was wrong.  It tasted great to this choco-holic!

       OUR SMOOTHIE MEALS HAVE EVOLVED!!

So, with that inspiration I continued to research and have added numerous ingredients (30+), targeting both women and men. Some of these ingredients are not common in the U.S. diet, e.g., purple sweet potatoes, broccoli sprouts, Camu Camu, turmeric golden paste, etc. My research has led me to fixing complete smoothie meals and Phyto (plant-based) nutrient soups. I attribute these smoothie ingredients to the overall good health of my now 99-year old mother.  She drinks 16 ounces daily. Her favorite is our Berry Smoothie Meal for Women.  With these smoothie meals and Phyto-nutrient soups, you can be assured that you’re getting all of the requisite nutrients you need on a daily basis. They are heart and brain healthy, and contain numerous anti-oxidants that research has documented prevent and, in come cases, fight cancer.    Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you.  We make smoothie meals & soups once-a-week, freeze them, and thaw them in the refrigerator the night before for consumption the next morning/day.

Bottom-line, a predominantly plant-based diet is the staple of the longest living people in the world.  We highlight some of these findings in our recipes.  So, start blending and enjoy a healthier life!!