These days I’m doing Functional Movement System training 5 days a week and doing 15-20 hours of massage per week. Just had my 62nd birthday, and I’m feeling pretty darn good! Illness, including even seasonal allergies, seems to be avoiding me.

To keep my energy levels high and to feel great, I’m making a green drink each morning. Here’s what I put in it*:

• A small handful of berries. I used blueberries today. They contribute to brain health.
• Another fruit or combination, like apple, banana, or pineapple. I find green drinks most palatable when just mildly sweet. Avocado is good, too.
• Greens. I add a big handful of power greens (chard, kale, mizuna, and arugula), enough to cover a dinner plate well. They add vitamins and minerals and fiber and other healthy benefits.
• A chunk of ginger root the size of the end of my thumb, for digestive health.
• Same size chunk of turmeric root, an anti-inflammatory.
• A bit of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, up to a tablespoon, for alkalinity, nutrients, and to keep candida levels down (if I haven’t already drunk it in a glass of water).
• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil for energy.
• A half scoop of whey powder for protein. (I use a half scoop because I am small.)
• 12-14 ounces of filtered water.

All these are organic if I can find them that way. If not, I soak them in water with distilled white vinegar added for 10-15 minutes and rinse well to remove pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxins.

My additions today included the following super foods I had on hand:

• 1 tablespoon of gelatin, to heal and seal the gut.
• 1 tablespoon of moringa powder for energy and nutrition.
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds for nutrition.
• 1 tablespoon of flax seeds for omega-3s.
• 1 teaspoon of powdered reishi mushrooms for immunity.
• 1 teaspoon of dandelion root for digestive health.
• 1 clove of garlic for immunity, anti-oxidants, and detoxing heavy metals.

*If you look up the health benefits of each of these substances, you will learn that most of them have multiple benefits — protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties; enhancing brain health, liver health, kidney health, lung health, digestive health, skin health, cardiovascular health, etc. That’s what makes them superfoods. I just listed my perception of the biggest benefit above.

For a better omega 3 to 6 ratio, which reduces inflammation, omit the seeds. They, along with nuts, grains, and legumes, contain phytic acid, which is an anti-nutrient, preventing absorption of minerals, unless soaked.

I zap it into liquid in the Vitamix (I hear the Nutribullet works as well and is much smaller and less expensive, and I’ve also heard good things about the Blendtec), pour into a 24-oz. smoothie jar, and finish it before my morning workout.

I don’t get hungry again until about 1 pm! The protein and fat (and taste) are that satisfying. I go through my day knowing I’ve done something really good for myself.

If you’re looking for a way to get lots of nutrients and amazing health benefits in one meal, I invite you to try making your own green drinks!