Photo Credit:Renegade Health

'Being from California, smoothies were “in” back in the 60s and early 70s, but only among health nuts, as we were called then. Most of us “nuts” were very young, radical in our dress and political beliefs, extreme vegetarians, meditators and surfers, and hippies.

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But not all health-minded Californians were in their twenties. Many of the original health food pioneers—like Paul Bragg and his daughter Patricia Bragg, Dr. Bernard Jensen, Gerald Benesh, Jack Lalanne, and Edmund Szekely of Essene Gospel fame and founder of Rancho La Puerta health spa and retreat—were still around. Their followers owned or worked in the first health food stores and juice shops. Vegetarian restaurants popped up, and in our kitchens we made and sold fresh almond milk, granola and health bars.'


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'In the valleys of Tibet and Mongolia the Goji (pronounced Go-Jee) berry has been highly cherished for centuries by locals for its medicinal properties and is honored in celebrations lasting two weeks each year. Historically, Goji foragers have collected the berries by shaking the vines, allowing the berries to fall onto mats, where the berries dry naturally and retain their nutrient content. Many producers still practice this collection method. 

Tibetans claim the most commonly cited side effect of eating too many Goji berries is that they may cause you to laugh more; and a handful in the morning will make you happy all day. Folklore or not, the extensive health properties were enough to entice me. I've been grinning from ear to ear since including this tasty little berry in my trail mix. I'm mad about their not-too-sweet, semi-tart flavor. It's something of a cross between a dried cherry and a raisin.' 

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