If you’re looking for a simple & practical way to boost your health and vitality, I strongly recommend a superfood-based shake for breakfast. Though many people prefer juicing, they’re often not able to keep it up on a consistent basis due to time and cost constraints. Some also say it’s too much of a hassle in terms of getting all the vegetables together and then having to clean up afterward. Many are using green smoothies that just don't include enough superfoods!

The superfood-based powders I use come directly from the grower, and I find the health benefits to be on a par with those one experiences from juicing.  The rationale for using these green food powders (also available in capsule form) is quite compelling.  To begin with, a single Green Drink can provide the phytonutrient equivalent of 3-6 servings of high-quality vegetables.

Why the Green Drink Is Essential.  Nutritionists have long said that five servings of fruits and vegetables can satisfy the minimum daily requirement for good health. However, a total of 10-20 servings is probably optimal.  Of course, that amount is out of the question for most of us—we’d either be in the kitchen or on the toilet half the day!   The Green Drink provides a quick-and-easy alternative and also engenders an immediate sense of well-being that you just can’t get from the typical U.S. breakfast.

The Best Green Food Source.  After carefully evaluating the top green food products in the United States, I conclude that Purium Health Products (PHP) offers the best source in terms of quality, composition and cost.  The green foods are all organically grown in a volcanic lakebed that supports robust plant life.  With over 90 feet of mineral-rich topsoil, it’s about the most pristine organic farming source you’ll find anywhere.  In addition, ordering direct from the grower saves money because you avoid the middle man.

The following Green Drink options provide a practical and delicious way to easily obtain superfood-based nutrition first thing in the morning.  These products are USDA certified organic, as well as certified Kosher by Organized Kashrus Laboratories.  They are free of gluten, yeast, soy, corn, maltodextrin, or added sugar.

My personal favorites:  I have four favorites of late:

• Power Shake, either Original or Apple-Berry flavor. For people who are very physically active, it may be helpful to add some protein powder.
  
• Super Meal LOV (chai flavored, which I prefer to combine either with the Organic Kamut or the Organic Barley Greens
• Organic Spirulina with either Organic Green Spectrum or Organic Barley Greens or both. 
• Cracked-Cell Chlorella with either Organic Green Spectrum or Organic Barley Greens or both. 

For extra protein you could add either whey protein, rice protein, hemp protein, or pea protein (1-2 scoops). Use the mixer cup or blender bottle, and add a healthy milk substitute (e.g., organic coconut milk) and some good-quality water, perhaps a dash of fruit juice.

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Super Meal  LOV.  L.O.V. is an acronym for “live organic vegan”. This is my favorite superfood mix because it is very high-quality, balanced and comprehensive in its composition. The mix contains a total of 37 pure premium, natural, and whole food ingredients, including 11 different sprouts, 10 vegetables, 7 green foods, and 7 mushrooms.  A single scoop provides 20 grams of protein, 3.7 grams of omega 3 fatty acid, 9 grams of fiber, and more antioxidants than 10 servings of fruits and vegetables (ORAC score of 5382).  Also prevents an energy crash due to containing Rhodiola, Maca, and Cordyceps.  This can be added to any fresh vegetable-fruit juice blend, or simply used on its own as a complete natural meal replacement.

Suggested use:  2-4 scoops or heaping teaspoons daily, depending on your expected energy demands.  Mix it with a healthy milk (e.g., almond, rice, coconut or hemp milk) or mix with dilute berry juice, apple juice or other non-citrus fruit juice.

Power Shake (either Original or Apple-Berry Flavor). Excellent on days when you’re exercising—especially right after exercise.  The Power Shake was created so that you can easily consume an array of “power foods”( Hawaiian Spirulina, Kamut Wheatgrass juice, Oat grass juice, alfalfa leaf juice, Aktivated Barley, carrot juice and soluble Rice-bran) that can help create long-term sustained energy, endurance, and strength. These foods provide protection from catabolic damage making this all-natural whole food alternative tacitly anabolic.  This product was inspired from the PHP’s fasting protocols and is a convenient cost-effective way to make your shakes while fasting, for working out, dieting or as your nutritional staple.   Suggested use:  Mix 2 slightly rounded scoops (5 tbs.) with 10-20 oz of water. Take on an empty stomach 1-4 times per day. Best mixed with cold water in a shaker cup or bottle. Can be used as a meal replacement or between meals.

Organic Green Spectrum.  This superb green food product has the highest cruciferous concentration (broccoli, cabbage, parsley, kale) of any I’ve seen, and also contains spirulina, chlorella, sea vegetables, dandelion greens, broccoli sprouts, wheat grass and barley grass. It is super concentrated and 100% gluten-free.  Suggested use:  Take 1 rounded teaspoon and mix it with your favorite juice and protein powder such as high-quality whey protein, pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein, or spirulina.  If you’re juicing, you can add this to your blend.

Organic Barley Green Juice. Grown in pristine fields and watered with mineral springs, this 100% gluten-free product (actually a powder) contains easily assimilated chlorophyll, which has many health benefits. Among the documented health benefits are support for healthy cholesterol levels, liver detoxification, and healthy blood sugar levels when taken between meals. Suggested use:  Take 1 heaping teaspoon and mix it with your favorite juice and protein powder (e.g., high-quality whey protein, pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein, or spirulina).

Organic Spirulina. Superb source of vegan protein, can be used in place of whey or pea protein.  Spirulina, a form of blue-green algae, is a rich source of protein and chlorophyll, and also provides B-complex vitamins, minerals, gamma-linolenic acid, trace elements, beta-carotene, vitamin E and other antioxidants.  According to a report in the October 2008 issue of Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, spirulina enhances immune system functioning and also has anti-bacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-diabetic activities.  Suggested use:  Take 1 rounded teaspoon and mix it with your favorite juice and protein powder (e.g., high-quality whey protein, pea protein, rice protein, or hemp protein).  Some people like to add a squirt of liquid Stevia for sweetness.

Power of 10 Veggie. Excellent as an addition to the green drink if you have a high-stress day.  This is a delicious, synergistic combination of green foods and “adaptogen” herbs that have been used for centuries to fight the signs of stress and aging.   By providing the antioxidant power of ten servings of fruits & vegetables, this product will help protect against cellular oxidative stress.  It will also increase energy and vigor, and support healthy cardiovascular function as well as healthy immune system functioning. Suggested use:  Take 1 rounded teaspoon and mix it with your favorite juice and protein powder (e.g., high-quality whey protein, pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein, or spirulina).

Organic Kamut Blend.  Excellent for cleansing—for anyone with a toxic past!  This very fine powder or “green superfood concentrate” consists of pure organically grown kamut (wheat grass), organic oat grass, and organic alfalfa leaf.  Purium’s Kamut® is a superior non-GMO, non-crossbred, nutrient-dense heirloom-seed Egyptian wheatgrass grown in nutrient-rich, organic soil, watered with mineral springs, and harvested at the peak of nutrition.  The Organic Kamut Blend can support natural detoxification, healthy immune function, and healthy digestive function.  It also boosts energy and naturally alkalizes and oxygenates the body.   Suggested use:   For cleansing purposes, take one 1 tsp mixed in water, aloe, apple, carrot, or other vegetable juice, two times a day on an empty stomach.  NOTE:  It is highly recommended that you combine this with PHP’s Organic Spirulina.

More Greens . Can be used in place of the Best of Greens.  This 100% gluten-free superfood blend contains a smaller amount of the cruciferous vegetable blend found in the Best of Greens, but also contains organically grown spirulina, oatgrass juice powder, alfalfa whole leaf powder, Kamut® (Egyptian wheat grass), barley grass juice powder, wheat whole leaf powder, arabinogalactin, rice bran solubles, inulin – FOS, carrot juice powder, bee pollen, pineapple natural flavor, American ginseng, Chlorozyme™, cracked cell chlorella, kelp, broccoli sprouts , Lo Han Guo, and shelf-life-stable probiotic blend.

Cracked Cell Chlorella. Excellent for cleansing—and especially for removing heavy metals.  The cracked-cell chlorella is cultivated in a controlled outdoor environment in ponds filled with pristine mineral-rich water.  Chlorella contains substantial amounts of beneficial fatty acids, protein, chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and unique pigments, as well as potent probiotic compounds that enhance health and immunity.  Chlorella also binds up toxic metals (e.g., mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic) and aids in their elimination from the body.  Suggested use:  Take 1 rounded teaspoon and mix it with your favorite juice and protein powder (e.g., high-quality whey protein, pea protein, rice protein, or hemp protein).

Scoop of Greens. Excellent for people with blood sugar challenges.  Purium’s Scoop of Greens™ has all the benefits of cereal grasses and has been given the Diabetes Resource Center’s Seal of Approval because it is a valuable aid for anyone looking to stabilize and lower blood sugar safely. Scoop of Greens™ can also help reduce cravings, improve digestion, support a healthy immune system, an may help increase circulation. For people who are overweight, it is recommended that you combine this product with PHP’s Control™, which can further help stabilize blood sugar and reduce the cravings for sweet foods. Ingredients include organic Activated Barley, rice bran solubles, Kamut grass juice powder (Triticum teranicum turgidum), organic barley grass juice powder (Hordeum vulgare), apple flavoring, Lo Han Guo, and Alpha Lipoic Acid.  Suggested use: Mix one scoop with 6 to 8 oz of water. For improved blood sugar control, the company recommends 2 to 3 servings per day on an empty stomach.

Key Practical Points.   Different combinations of green foods can be tried depending on your specific need.  You may mix any one or combination of the above with your favorite fruit juice (preferably diluted 50/50 with water) such as berry juice, grape juice, apple juice, mango juice or other fruit juice.  Other options include rice milk, coconut milk, or coconut kefir.  You can also use a blender or VitaMix and blend up fruits and vegetables to mix in with the PHP green superfoods.

For additional nutrition, you may add a high-quality algae oil or fish oil, as well as a fiber like PHP’s Daily Fiber Blend (to enhance regularity).   Some people also may elect to add a multivitamin such as Ortho Liquid Multi-Iron Free (by Protocol).

Please wait 10-15 minutes before eating solid foods if you plan on eating breakfast.   Note: If you’ve been consuming coffee, wait 30 minutes after consuming the Green Drink before having your coffee.  Contact me if you have any withdrawal symptoms, but also notice how great you feel if you try avoiding coffee for about 3 days while having the Green Drink instead.

TO ORDER:  You can order directly through the Purium Health Products website: https://ishoppurium.com

Go to "Quick Shop" and find your item. Use our code, GREENS, for the $50 gift card discount on the first order!

The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Any products mentioned above are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.