To feel healthy, strong, vibrant, and vital each day sets the stage for all the other virtues, hope and interest. We will all eventually pass away sooner or later, but we owe it to ourselves to feel as good as we can each day we are alive. Since I happen to believe that good (non-fanatical) nutrition is the basis of health and well-being, and I’ve made it thus far to a pretty youthful and vibrant three quarters of a century by May of this year, I’d like to think I can discuss a thing or two about preserving wellness in the long haul.

Gratitude

Find something to be thankful for. I actually have a large printed sheet stuck to the ceiling over my bed that says “Gratitude” to remind me of this virtue.

Accentuate the positive

In the morning and at night before bed, take a moment to offer at least the possibility of giving and receiving love and blessings to anyone with whom you may be in conflict. Remember, at some level, we are all just actors on the stage of life. If you keep wanting tragedy and discontent, focus on the negative emotions of jealousy, resentment, hurt, envy, and so forth; if you want joy and happiness, focus on love, light and a joyous heart. This is important, but it need take no more than a conscious minute or two.

Make time to meditate

This could be as little as five minutes in the morning and before bed.  For meditation I have found a wonderful app called Insight Timer. Set any amount of time you wish to meditate to the sound of Tibetan gong bells. It also has a number of excellent guided meditations that you can use. Currently I do anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes each morning, but just taking a moment to tune in and touch the source of all that is ever present at the base of your consciousness each day, once, twice or more often, is arguably the most empowering act you can do for yourself.

Exercise

Perform some simple yogic, tai chi or qi gong stretches – whatever you have time to do. As time permits I may also put in some aerobic activity: a jog of a mile or two, time on the elliptical, a walk, whatever.

Start the day with a dynamite smoothie

Now for the fun and delicious part: my ever-evolving breakfast health smoothie. In the recipe below I’m also sharing the point values for anyone following the Weight Watchers weight management plan.

You will need the following:

• Almond milk, unsweetened or one cup of non-fat milk (1 or 2 points)
• Paradise ORAC Energy Protein and Greens.  “ORAC” stands for “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.” This is, in my unsolicited opinion, the best superfood combination I have found on the market. It combines the antioxidant power of over 24 servings of non-GMO, pesticide-free, certified organic vegetables and fruits, supplying complete amino acids and 22 grams of protein based on green peas per each two scoop serving. (3 points)
• Walnuts, 6 halves (2 points)
• One banana (0 points)
• Berries, any kind, fresh or raw (0 points)
• Chia seeds, 1 tsp (1 point)
• Red Star brewer’s yeast (1 point)
• Local bee pollen (optional)
• Whole milk yogurt, 1 tablespoon (optional)
• ¼ tsp each cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, nutmeg powders: These spices not only add flavor but counteract the cold energy of the other ingredients and assist digestion and assimilation.

Blend these together and enjoy. Take each morning or more often as desired.

For a total of only eight Weight Watchers points and the satisfaction of knowing that you have satisfied your vegetable needs for the day and enough protein and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids from the walnuts and chia seeds to satisfy your daily requirement of that important fat nutrient. It is unlikely that you will be hungry again until at least until the middle of the afternoon and you can snack on some seeds, almond or make another smoothie with different ingredients such as soy milk, pineapple, mixed fruits, peanut, almond or cashew butter.

This is the most high-density protein and nutrient food-drink you can make and either starting the morning with it or using it as a restricted food for a week, will melt pounds off of your body and build health and wellness.

This sure works for me. If you try it, leave a comment and let me know what you think!