fiber

Quinoa, pronounced “keen-wah”, originated in the area of Chile and Peru and flourishes in altitudes from 12,000 to 15,000 feet. It is a fruit of the family Chenopodium and is an annual herb with seeds growing in clusters at the top of the stalk, much like millet. The native peoples used the seeds for cereal, in cakes and brewed into a beer; the leaves were eaten much like spinach. It was the second most cultivated crop in the native cultures and highly valued for its protein and high nutritional content.  

The pomegranate is native to Iran and grows wild there today. It was first cultivated approximately 6,000 years ago. Because it is a hearty fruit that is easily transported, it soon became known in regions where it could not be grown. It was recorded in the Bible and Greek writings, was popular in ancient Egypt and has been prized in India since the 1^st century. The fruit was used medicinally in ancient times and early practitioners divided the fruit into three juice types: sweet, winey and acid.

Tomatoes not only have great taste, but they add a vibrant red color to food in a way that few other fruits can. They taste great fresh, stewed, minced, or grilled. But just as tomatoes are useful in a combination of ways, they provide multiple health benefits to us. Beautiful tomatoes are good to the eyes, delicious to the palate, and good on the heart – in more ways than one.

Keeps Your Lovely Eyes Sharp

Let's talk sea vegetables. There are many out there who are skeptical when it comes to eating weeds -- let alone weeds out of the ocean. And yet, any sushi lover plops the stuff in their mouth like popcorn, no questions asked. Seaweed may not look appealing to most in its natural form, but the benefits highly outweigh any reservations one may have about consumption.

We have all heard of the juice cleanse, green juice, juiceries and so on. Juicing is so mainstream now that one can find pressed, organic juices readily available in any major chain grocery. In fact, there are a plentiful number of businesses that only sell juice and they are doing well in the marketplace. This commercial success usually means a quelling of the buzz amongst the more dedicated “health nuts.” So, I feel that it is finally safe for me to come out as a (gasp) “Smoothier.”