I am 53, and this past year started drinking my "purple shake". I was having age related problems with my eyes, and after drinking it for about 6 months, went back and was told that the tissue behind my eyes was extremely healthy! I have to wonder if there is a correlation. I am in the process of getting my trainer's license, and while studying, changed my eating habits this past year. My daughter is a trainer and says to stay as close to the pyramid as possible (ratio-wise) and as close to natural as you can. For instance, peanut butter toast that you have to make as compared to a Pop Tart you open from a package. The Poptart is so full of sugar and refined white flour is isn't even funny. A good rule of thumb is to take the time to make something. You CAN make the time. I start my coffee, put all my ingredients in my blender, go wash my hair, and when I return to the kitchen, I drink it and have an egg, or later in the morning have a bowl of oatmeal. Mindful eating is the key. Olive oil instead of Crisco, stuff like that. I'll post my shake in the next section.

GREEN AND PURPLE BREAKFAST (and snack) SHAKES

BASIC GREEN SHAKE
1 cup of kale (bag or fresh)
½- ¾ cup of spinach (bag or fresh)
1 cup of frozen fruit – I use the one called tropical fruit (mango, strawberries, pineapple)
2 BANANAS
To make it a PURPLE SHAKE (it’s sweeter - I prefer this one)
Same, but add up to 1 CUP of mixed berries (bag) – it has blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
ADD FROM ½ CUP TO A CUP OF WATER AS YOU BLEND. The green goes on the bottom, then add frozen fruit and banana. Start with ½ cup of water. Blend. Stop. Push everything down, and then blend again until purple.
· DON’T FORGET THE BANANAS – THEY KEEP THE CONSISTENCY SMOOTH

It will look gross initially, but once you push the ingredients down, it will begin to turn purple.

You can modify the green part by adding cucumbers and celery for a different taste – I’ve even added extra fresh pineapple and coconut to make it really tropical. Try apples, peaches, pears or any natural fruit to taste.
WHERE TO FIND INGREDIENTS: Greens are found in produce section of any grocery store. The green part provides your greens for the day - about a cup of kale and a 1/3 cup of spinach. I promise, when blended, will be SWEET and you will NOT taste the kale or spinach. Kale and spinach are high in crucial vitamins (A, C) and trace minerals you might not get in other foods; also high in needed antioxidants and fiber. These shakes are better for you because they have no fat and the only sugars are naturally occurring in the fruits involved. DO NOT use anything but either fresh or frozen-otherwise, anything from a can or prepared may add high fructose corn syrup – a NO NO. In addition to your shake, if having it for breakfast, you can add on the side a bowl of oatmeal and an egg for protein and fiber to start your metabolism the right way first thing in the morning. It's hard to cheat on a diet after having a breakfast like this. I make these shakes while waiting on my coffee to brew. It takes that little time. Put your blender in the fridge and have the rest as a snack when you get home. All in all – about 300 calories for the blender and makes 2-3 servings altogether!

I started this because the "salads" that I was eating for lunch really weren't providing much in the way of vitamins. Plus, I like Bleu cheese for dressing which defeats the whole purpose of a salad. With this shake, I've had my supply of green veggies and fruit from the get-go. Keeps me from messing up my diet at lunch. The rest of the day is spent looking for fiber and other things I need for daily health.
I believe people err in their diets by looking at calories alone. It's WHAT calories, not just the number. That's why diets fail. Your body will adjust and crave what you put into it. I started drinking more water too. My body literally craves natrual fruit and water now, and my metabolism is revved up at the beginning of the day. Not sure yet how to stop craving those SB cafe mocha's though....lol

Great ideas, Tammy. These foods are more designed for specific "graceful aging" issues over 50. And though chocolate isn't on the "women's" list, it doesn't really say it's bad for us, either, right?

Well, then, this Maureen person is an imposter! Must be a man with a pseudo-name. How could a woman post such lies! lolol Men are less likely to indulge in dark chocolate than us, so I don't even see how it made the list (they'd be so much calmer, wouldn't they?)
Dark chocolate is an anti-oxidant, so of course it's good for us. Problem is, we women tend to mix it with white sugar which has been known to be responsible for wrinkles...lol

Ah! But then we have the wine thing going for us - and based on this, I'm thinking chocolate covered strawberries with a nice Cab might JUST be the perfect meal!

Yeah, I should look into wine outside of cooking with it. I've never been much of a wine drinker, and not a drinker per se (once or twice a year when I have a really bad headache). But maybe this year, instead of Mike's Hard Lemonade, I could sip a wine or two. lol

Well personally I'm adding collard greens (yes cooked with pork) & black eye peas to my "Men's List". LOL, at least to ring in the new year. Since July of this year I've decided to change my eating habits. For me, it's all about portion control. I've cut back on the azmount of food I eat at each meal. I've never been one for between meal snacks so that's not a problem. But eating less when I sit down has helped me lose 25 lbs since July od this year. Eating fresher & less processed has helped too. BUT, there are some things I refuse to give up. Sugar in my coffee, real butter when I cook, and 1-2 Cokes/day. My Dr says I'm going good. My blood pressure is well under control & my cholesterol is lower than it's ever been. So, my solution is all things in moderation.

Well, I almost 50, 48 actually, and my new way of life is true Mediterranean Diet. The food consists mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables, with an emphasis on poultry and seafood, rice, cereals, legumes and noodles. Grilling is the predominant method of cooking, with olive oil, the grease or most common oil used in the preparation of salads, prickling brine, vegetables, poultry and seafood. Try this: http://goo.gl/2AZkH