My favorite things

Alright, so here's another addition to my Favorite Things list!

Before I introduce them, I want to add a slight disclaimer. I do not condone diets consisting of nothing but supplements, shakes, and bars. I am frequently asked about these products and I am also 100% committed to encouraging people to eat regular, thoughtful meals consisting of WHOLE FOODS. As a society, we've cut too many corners and have created a world of problems from mass-produced, corporate-driven, convenient food products.

Having said that, (as I climb off my soap box) I also understand the demands of a busy lifestyle. Whether you are a parent, a New Yorker, an athelete, a frequent traveler, or just juggling a lot on a daily basis, it can be easy to let a meal slip. The irony is, these busy times are when we should be MOST aware of the things we are nourishing our bodies with. In a perfect world, we would all just sit, meditate, take a nap, or eat a good meal and the day's demands would just melt away...

.....did you see that unicorn just run by?

Maybe your day does work out like that, in which case, that is fantastic. For me, it's just not always realistic and so I set aside so good realiable "go-to items", these Greens Plus bars being one of them.

What's great about them: First and foremost, their mission: "To help people live happier, healthier lives." There is a great story behind the formation of the blend which is certainly worth checking out on their website. Their proprietary blend is also quite impressive, which is included in many of their products. Just to take a look at their ingredients:

Organic dates, organic almond butter, organic honey, pea protein, *Greens+ Superfoods, organic brown rice crisps (organic brown rice, organic brown rice syrup, sea salt), organic quinoa sprout powder, natural mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E).*Greens+ Superfoods: Superfood Multivitamin Blend [sunflower lecithin (non-gmo), organic wheatgrass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa grass, Spanish bee pollen, royal jelly, organic vitamin B-complex (guava, holy basil, lemon extracts), organic red beet juice, natural vitamin D3, natural vitamin E], Sea Vegetable MultiMineral Blend [Earthrise Spirulina, AlgaeCal plant calcium, Japanese chlorella, organic fulvic acid, dunaliella salina algae, organic Nova Scotia dulse], High-ORAC Antioxidant Fruit Extracts [organic AppleBoost, camu camu berry juice, full spectrum grape seed and skin, European bilberry], Standardized Herbal Extracts [milk thistle seed, Siberian eleuthero root, astragalus root, licorice root, Japanese green tea].

So what would Chinese Medicine say about this blend? That that is one heck of a Qi and Blood boost! Making it a perfect go-to during an afternoon slump, or during an expecially taxing day. Dates, honey, rice, Siberiean eleuthero root, astragalus root, licorice root are all considered to be "Qi tonics" in the Chinese Materia Medica and often used in herbal formulas designed to regulate someone's energy levels. They boost energy, immunity, digestion and breath. Additionally, this contains an impressive amount of blood support: B-complex, royal jelly, beet juice, Spirulina, plant calcium, chlorella, algae, and dulse. These ingredients all nourish the yin substances of the body, including blood, hair, skin and eyes. The wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa grass are all natural diuretics, which are good for the Heart and circulation, can relieve irritability and even help promote better sleep. The specific B-complex included in this mix will help regulate and promote Liver function. The overall temperature of the majority of these ingredients is cool, but it is mixed with an Almond butter blend, and the thermal property of nuts are usually very warm to hot. This combination, in conjunction with the Qi tonics, makes this product easier to digest, yielding maximum nutrient absorption.

My personal favorite is the Greens Plusbar Energy Natural (the green one), but there are others in the line that I like as well. The ChiaCrisp bars are a little lighter than the almond butter based. Their blog offers more great research as well as links to where to find their products. Typically, they are not hard to find in Whole Foods, Co-ops, and even some deli's around New York City.

As always, different strokes for different folks, but these certainly are a favorite of mine. Try them and let me know what you think!

http://www.greensplus.com