Florida is the last place one would think of when thinking about mountain climbing but Florida is just where we found Jimmy Moran. We had the pleasure of being able to meet up with Jimmy for a glimpse into his life and mountaineering career.

Jimmy Moran training for a climb

Q: So Jimmy, what inspired you to become a mountain climber?

A: A good friend of mine Roger Bell introduced me to mountain climbing. At the time I never even considered it since I was born and raised in flat Florida. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to do it. The most important reason I wanted to do it was because I was terrified of heights and I was tired of letting the fear of what could happen in life prevent me from living life. Up to that point I had been existing, and not living. I knew if I could conquer my biggest fear then there was nothing that could ever stand in my way.

Q: What mountains have you climbed so far and what one was the most challenging:

A: I have been lucky enough to experience such mountains as Rainier 2x, Hood, St. Helens, La Malinche, and Orizaba. When people ask me which mountain was the hardest to climb I have a hard time answering that. If it was based on size I would have to say Orizaba by far. But each mountain has its own personality which changes from minute to minute. Climbing is an experience where the stakes are as high as it gets. It is a place where rewards last a lifetime, and mistakes may cost you your life. You learn to respect the mountain. Because ultimately the mountain decides whether it will allow you to reach its summit. If you are to aggressive or arrogant the mountain will remove you. If you are to timid or to weak, then the challenge will over power you.

Q: What do you do to train for your climbs?

A: The most frequent question I get asked is about training for mountaineering in Florida. The answer is, it can be done. Obviously without any elevation it is hard to work on skills associated with alpine style climbing. But with indoor walls at least you can work on your rope skills as much as possible. You have to adapt. In life there’s never a perfect scenario. I am a big mountain bike fan. I ride as much as possible. I think the interval effect that a bike has helps build up your VO2 max. The moments of anaerobic bursts with slowed down active recovery is great for building up endurance. I suffer from alot of hip problems so running is out for me. You will find me religiously in the Treasure Coast CrossFit gym 6x a week. Obviously lighter is better. So carrying alot of extra muscle on the mountain means you have to oxygenate that extra muscle which is a waste. I climb a little heavier than most. I am 6′-1″ 190lbs when I climb. It works for me, but everyone is different.

Q: What does your diet consist of when you climb?

A: Diet is probably one of the hardest things to figure out on the mountain. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Some guys like to dehydrate things. Some are Ramen noodle freaks. Some pack light . Some go heavy. No matter how you pack I think every climber will agree that food at altitude taste horrible. For whatever reason a piece of chocolate cake at 15,000′ tastes like dirt. Every bit of food is forced down it seems. So if weight is an issue, as well as performance and taste then choosing the right diet is critical. I use a combination of things. I use many different Greens+ products in my training and I carry them over to the climbs as well. I like to use the bars along the way. They are light, fast, and effective as well as Chia Seed and Resveratrol. The Chia is a good choice for endurance activities. It’s light and helps with hydration. The Resveratrol seems to really help keep muscle soreness under control. I’m sure no matter what combo you choose you will almost always be running a calorie deficit while climbing. All you can do is experiment and network with other climbers. If you find something you like go with it. Personally I like to pack a few grapes for the way down. Its a nice reward for a climb well done. You can’t imagine how good a grape tastes at altitude plus snacks like that are like money up there. You can barter with other climbers for something they have. No climber with any common sense would ever pass up a trade for some Greens+ Energy Bars!

Q: How has mountain climbing changed your life?

A: Mountain climbing is the most selfish journey you can take. You may climb for a cause or you may climb with a group but ultimately you climb for yourself. Once you have felt the freedom of climbing, the spirit of the moment will never leave you. It’s in your blood. If you close your eyes at night you can still hear the roar of the winds or at the same time the deafening silence of the mountain. It’s a mixture of extreme chaos and calming beauty. Being up there is the ultimate reset button on your life. It is a physical and emotional rush that will last a life time. No drug on this earth will ever capture the feeling you bring back down with you. That feeling is different for each climber. To some it is just another mountain under the belt. To others it is a culmination of years of training and preparation. Or maybe it’s conquering a fear that has held you back from the experience of a life time. The mountain is a symbol of Earth’s power and grace but your mountain might not be a physical creation. Mountains are in all of our lives. Maybe they are in the form of relationships, sickness, finance, or even fear. We are faced with mountains everyday. And it’s how we climb those mountains that defines us, not the mountains themselves.

If you would like to find out more about Jimmy or have any questions for him,

please visit him on his Facebook page here

We all know that Dole foods has wonderful products and amazingly fresh fruits and vegetables and now they have gone a step above and beyond to offer consumers a fun, interactive and informational website. The site is filled with fun facts on fruits, vegetables and superfoods and even features our Greens+ Omega 3 Chia seeds.

Have kids? Check out their Super Kids section with fun games and cute comics!

For more information on Greens+ Omega 3 Chia click here.

Unsure of how to best consume your new Greens+ Amazon Chocolate powder? Try this amazing and decadent recipe that was sent to us from one of our dynamite sales representatives, Brenda Bailey.

Cherry Chocolate Bliss Superfood Protein Smoothie

8 oz. -Almond Milk

1 -22 Days Nutrition Cherry Chocolate Bliss Bar (see 22 Days Nutrition)

1 scoop of Greens+ Amazon Chocolate Superfood

1/4 cup of frozen berries

1 scoop of Greens+ Wild Berry Burst Whey Protein

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy! Delicious and a complete meal!

Not only does this shake taste amazing, it is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and is enzymatically alive! It has everything a person needs for a complete nutrient dense meal-as a dessert!

We are proud to introduce GREENS Plus Organics, available in two delicious flavors: ORGANIC Superfood and AMAZON Chocolate.

ORGANIC Superfood is a blend of Green Foods, Superfruits, Sea Vegetables, and Probiotic Cultures that delivers more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants than five servings of fruit and vegetables while supplying every color in the Dietary Food Spectrum!

AMAZON Chocolate contains the same delicious blend Plus certified organic Amazonia Cocoa Beans to enhance mood and stimulate those ‘feel-good’ brain chemicals.

GREENS Plus Organics are distinct from the Original Greens Plus powders by the presence of only 100% certified organic ingredients, and the absence of Soy Lecithin, Bee products and Standardized Herbal extracts found in the ORIGINAL Superfood, WILD BERRY Burst and ORANGE Greensicle powders.

These distinctions allow us to retail GREENS Plus Organics for $29.95 for a 30 serving bottle of powder.

GREENS Plus Organics are 100% vegan, soy-, gluten- and dairy-free, certified organic by Quality Certification Services, and bear the USDA Organic seal in accordance with National Organic Program standards.

Take advantage of our introductory special of $7.50 off!! Click here

Greens Plus and world renowned Exercise Physiologist, Marco Borges, author of Power Moves, one of 2010’s most recommended diet and fitness books, have partnered to create a line of unique Energy Bars, Protein Bars and Protein Smoothies loaded with raw, certified organic, antioxidant-rich Superfoods called 22 Days. The basis for 22 Days is that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, with 22 Days you found the way!

We believe that foods made with best ingredients should satisfy not only the body but also the spirit. That is why we created 22 Days nutrition products, a smart alternative to many of the well-known nutrition products on the market. These gluten and soy-free, vegan products are specially formulated using raw and organic superfoods, and provide the exceptional benefits of hemp and rice protein. As part of an overall healthy diet, 22 Days nutrition products are lightly sweetened with organic ingredients and do not contain high fructose corn syrup. Additionally, these delicious bars and smoothies are free of trans fats, cholesterol and low in sodium. Whether the goal is to improve overall health and fitness levels, or train for a triathlon, 22 Days nutrition products inspire through taste, attitude, and a global conscience, replacing hunger with a healthy habit.

The bars that are available now are: 

Cherry Chocolate Bliss

Goji Maté Firecracker

Daily Mocha Mantra and

Enlightened Pumpkinseed.

22 Days Protein Smoothies coming soon!

Interested in finding out more about 22 Days Nutrition? Visit www.22daysnutrition.com

Our favorite frugal chef, Charles Mattocks aka The Poor Chef had a guest spot on the Dr. Oz show recently.  Charles’ belief is that meals do not have to be expensive to taste great and be healthy for you. His book, Eat Cheap, but Eat Well is filled with a smorgusbord of awesome, tasty recipes that can all be made for under $7! There are recipes like ginger chicken with avocado, pecan-crusted tilapia with mango-salsa salad and Mom’s Jamaican curry with dumplings-yummy!

Click here to watch The Poor Chef on Dr. Oz

One of my favorite recipes of Charles’ is his Blueberry Chia pancakes that contains our very own Omega 3 Chia seeds!

Keep up the great work Charles!

15 years ago, I came across an article written about Lani Deauville. I have never been so inspired and enamoured by what I read. Lani was in a diving accident at the age of 17 and and became paralized from the neck down. She refused to accept her fate.

Over the next few years, Deauville earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida, graduating with honors. She didn’t stop there. Following stints as a rehabilitation psychologist and then as a coordinator in the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services, Deauville helped write universal-access legislation for disabled people that became law in 1974 in Florida and was adopted in part by the federal government.

In 1976, Lani and her husband Jude were invited to the White House by President Ford, who honored her as “Disabled Employee of the Year.”

In 1980, Deauville became the first female and disabled person to direct the Florida State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency – the very agency that was responsible with her own rehabilitation years before.

But the recurring illnesses that tend to plague quadriplegics were attacking with increasing frequency, exacerbated by the fact that a very busy Deauville wasn’t’t eating healthy food or getting enough exercise. In 1987, after retirement, she broke a hip and suffered from several infections. “Each hospitalization saw me ending up worse off than before,” she remembers.

Everything changed in the late 80s. Her brother-in-law – Sam Graci, a Canadian biochemist – had been developing a highly nutritious “green drink” made up of superfoods that he thought might help improve Deauville’s health. “Sam used me as his favorite guinea pig,” says Deauville.

He continued to refine the powder into a supplement – mixable with juice or water – that became known as Greens+®. “I’ve been supplementing my food intake with this formula for 19 years,” says Deauville, “and it has totally transformed my life and health. After suffering numerous hospitalizations for more than 30 years, I can say that I’ve not had a major illness in years, and I am healthier today than I’ve ever been.”

Greens+ is a whole food supplement consisting of 29 enzymatically alive foods. Each serving of Greens+ is equal to five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. It helps to support the immune system, provide increased natural energy, strengthens mental acuity and cleanses and detoxifies the body.

In 1991, Deauville and her husband began distributing Greens+ to their family and friends, and – eventually – to health-food and healthcare professionals in 19 countries worldwide.

Given up for dead 50 years ago, Deauville has managed to beat the odds. In the process, she’s lived a fulfilling life that has included improving opportunities for other disabled. Lani was just recently inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest living quadriplegic in the world. At 69, she credits her longevity to healthy eating, Greens Plus supplements and exercise (she lifts weights twice a week and swims regularly).

“In retrospect, I wouldn’t exchange five minutes of my life with anyone. I am living a wonderfully blessed life.”

 To read more about Lani’s story, visit: http://greensplus.com/index.php/cPath/90_97

The Greens+ Chocolate Energy Bar has been Kid Kritics Approved!

What is Kids Kritics, you say?

Kid Kritics – Healthier Foods Kids Like to Eat

When kids do not like the taste of foods and drinks, buying them is a waste of money. Cooking them is a waste precious time. Parents and kids trust that products identified with the Kid Kritics Approved seal are Better Food Choices that taste good!  They know the odds are their kids will eat them too, making them a Smart Buy!

Meet the Kid Kritics

• Growing group of boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 14
• Thousands have tasted hundreds of products
• Gender split is almost even
• Reasonable ethnic mix

About the Kid Kritics Taste-Tests

Kids love to taste-test foods and they gladly give us their unadulterated, honest, and candid opinion. These are blind taste-tests; the products and recipes are not identified before or during the tasting. However, kids are asked to identify their allergies or food sensitivities before the tasting begins. The foods, beverages, supplements and recipes at each tasting are lined up in a sensible order to avoid taste conflicts. Kids are asked to drink a sip of water between each product tasted in order to clean their palate.

1. Does it look good?
2. Does it smell good 
3. Does it taste good?
4. Should your family buy, serve or make it?

RATINGS: Each food or drink is given a rating from 1 to 3, three being the best.
 

Approval Requirements

The results must be at least 70 percent positive. By the time the answers are evaluated, it becomes clear whether they liked it or not. The foods given the Kid Kritics seal of approval are clear winners. Those that fall into a borderline rating are not included. Neither are the obvious rejections. Consequently, the odds of kids liking foods and drinks given the Kid Kritics seal of approval are excellent.

Hundreds of food, beverage and supplement products, plus recipes, have been taste-tested. This is an ongoing brand awareness program.

So, what was the Kids Kritics verdict for the Greens+ Chocolate Energy Bar? 

Approved!

Go to: http://www.kidkritics.com/ for more information on  Kids Kritics.

What’s green on the inside and chocolate on the outside? Ask  Nobel4Lit, who just wrote a post about our Chocolate Energy Bar on her blog, “A Case of the Runs.”

By that title, the self-described 24-year-old Asian-American female means that she competes in marathons and other races. The Southern California resident says her training consists of running 3 to 7 miles three to five times each week.

The blogger offered up this quick review of the bar:

…imagine a chocolate outside with a green inside! The texture was chewy, and no, there was no taste of veggies in there at all. It mostly had a subtle sweetness. It reminded me a lot of other protein bars (the chewy part of it, anyway), and there was no spirulina, whey, or other weird aftertaste.”

Thank you, Nobel4Lit. We look forward to your impressions of our Omega-3 Chia as part of the Great Greens+ Experiment.

Fears about the safety of nutritional supplements continue to make the news. The Wall Street Journal is the latest national publication to raise questions about ingredients and manufacturing processes. Let us set the record straight; Greens+ puts quality above all else. And in our 20 years of operation, we have never recalled a product.

The Journal article asks in its headline, “What’s Really in Supplements?” and adds a scary second headline: “Regulators and Physicians Raise Alarms About Dangerous Ingredients in Many Herbal Remedies.”

The article reads, in part, “But dietary supplements have long raised safety worries, with high-profile examples including ephedra, the herbal weight-loss treatment pulled from the U.S. market in 2004 after it was tied to heart problems and strokes. Some doctors continue to be concerned about evidence of side effects from such herbal ingredients, including research highlighting possible concerns about kava and comfrey. And the issue is drawing new attention after recent reports from the Food and Drug Administration about allegedly natural supplements illegally containing performance-enhancing drugs and undeclared pharmaceuticals.”

Whether you agree or not with that assessment, here is what you should know about Greens+ products:

• They are 100% natural. That means no artificial ingredients, no lab-cooked products. Some steroids used by athletes are formulated in labs. You will not find those ingredients in Greens+ products.
• They contain organic ingredients when possible. We favor organic sources over all others; they are better for you and the environment.
• They are certified hormone-free and antibiotic-free. No engineered drugs are added to our food sources.

The quality of manufacturing process is just as important to us as the ingredients. That why our production facilities are:

• FDA-GMP compliant. That’s shorthand for the fact that manufacturing plants meet the good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements as determined by the Food & Drug Administration. The FDA is tough on rule-breakers; so are we.
• NPA-GMP certified. The Natural Products Association is a trade group with a code of ethics and its own set of standards for good manufacturing practices. They include independent inspections of suppliers and comprehensive audits of their GMP programs in areas ranging from sanitation to equipment to distribution and personnel.  “This program ensures that all elements of the manufacturing process are reviewed to provide reasonable assurance that processes are sufficiently controlled so that products meet their purported quality,” the NPA says.
• Detailed on our Web site. You cannot take a plant tour, but you can learn how we make our products on a special Web page.

Are you worried about the safety of your supplements? Post a question or comment here. We would be glad to address your concerns.