This summer take your smoothie to the next level by making a conscious effort to count the environmental footprint your creamy, icy cool beverage carries.

Genuine Health believes that everyone deserves a healthy, vibrant life. And part of being a healthy individual is taking care of the environment around you. Their mission: 'To make the name "Genuine Health" not only synonymous with physical and mental well-being but also with environmental awareness and action, as well as the social impact therein. To promote earth-friendly choices and efforts both at home and in the work-place.'

6 Tips for Making Your Smoothie Environmentally Friendly

1. Go Local -- Visit your farmers market often. Since any fruit or vegetable can make a tasty smoothie get to know what grows in your area and when. June is strawberry season in much of Canada so now is the time but get your fill.

• Don't forget to freeze berries in season so you can enjoy in smoothies during the winter months. You'll save lots of money and your exposure to toxic additives. HOW TO PREPARE FRUIT FOR FREEZING: Wash fruit, cut into bite size portions, spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet, freeze for one hour then transfer to a freezer safe re-useable container.

DID YOU KNOW: Some frozen fruits and vegetables are laced with preservatives, sweeteners and additives.

• Need sweetener -- look for local honey. Research shows local honey may help with seasonal allergies, like hay fever. It also shows promise for digestive health, healing wounds and is high in antioxidants. Urban bee keeping is on the rise. Visit your local farmers market to get aquainted with a bee keeper in your neighborhood.

2. Go Organic
These fruits are referred to as part of "the dirty dozen" -- they're the fruits most likely to have residue from pesticides, and they're ranked in order from most to least toxic. This is where buying organic has the most benefit:
apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, grapes, pears

3. Go Waste-free - close to half of all food produced is wasted, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Smoothies are a great way to use up extra ripe fruits and veggies. Look for "reduced" table at the market to save money and waste. Freeze what you don't use.

4. Go Vegetarian -- for one meal a day. Incorporate a vegan protein powder, like vegan proteins+ into your breakfast smoothie.

DID YOU KNOW: Meat production is a major contributor to climate change. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that livestock production is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases.

And it's good for your health:

• Typical animal-based protein sources can be high in calories and saturated fats, additives and preservatives (ie: meat and dairy sources) and a higher intake of plant-based proteins (ie: in Asian nations) has been linked to better health. (The China Study, Campbell, et al).
• Vegan, plant-based protein sources contain essential amino acids and can be easier to digest versus other proteins.
• The body can also develop intolerances to foods eaten repeatedly -- including protein. This is why 'cycling' protein sources (animal and vegan) is recommended by health experts such as Dr. John Berardi.

5. Go Homemade -- It's more economical, extremely nutritious and quick. By creating your own fruit smoothie you control the overall nutrition including calories, sugar and vitamins while creating a personalized flavor.

6. Go Reuseable -- The average American office worker uses about 500 throw away cups a year. Sure, many are for caffeinated beverages but by making your smoothie at home, you save the landfill another cup.

For more information on Genuine Health, to set up an interview and for more smoothie recipes visit www.genuinehealth.com or

Beth Potter
tel: 403-730-9964 email: potter.b@shaw.ca

RECIPES:

Black Tie Carrot Cake Smoothie
1 cup carrot juice
2 scoops Genuine Health proteins+ natural vanilla
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ cup crushed ice (optional)

Directions: add juice and milk to shaker cup. Add dry ingredients and ice. Place lid securely on shaker cup and shake until well blended. 25 grams of protein per serving.

Sassy Chic Strawberry Smoothie
1 scoop Genuine Health Vegan proteins+ natural strawberry
1 cup strawberry soy milk
½ cup crushed ice (optional)

Directions: Add strawberry soy milk to shaker cup. Add Vegan Proteins+ and ice; place lid securely on shaker cup and shake until well blended. 20 grams of protein per serving.

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT
vegan proteins+
NEW Delicious natural strawberry flavor

Just in time for strawberry season, Genuine Health is pleased to announce the latest member of the vegan proteins+ family -- new strawberry.
Whether you like your protein naked (with water) or dressed up (smoothie) Genuine Health's proteins+ line offers:

• great taste
• a superior amino acid profile
• and is the most complete protein on the market.

A formula free from common allergens and easy to digest proteins. Does not contain:
Dairy, Wheat, Artificial colors
Egg, Gluten, Artificial flavors
Animal products, Soy, Preservatives
Corn, Artificial sweeteners

Made from a unique combination of vegan proteins including non-GMO pea, cranberry, organic sprouted brown rice, alfalfa and hemp

• Natural flavors and sweeteners with no chalky aftertaste
• Tastes great simply mixed with water - no blender required
• Can also be added to smoothies, oatmeal, cereal or into baking
• Provides 36g (20g dietary) of protein per serving

The Research
Protein is an essential food source with important health benefits, including:
Promotes a leaner, healthier body: Studies suggest protein can improve lean body mass, enhance satiety and increase thermogenesis. It's also shown to boost immunity and can help prevent natural muscle loss due to aging.

Provides easier weight loss and maintenance: Higher protein diets are associated with increased total weight loss and more specifically increased % fat loss.

A little goes a long way: Even a 3% increase in protein consumption (18% of calories vs 15%) can make a significant difference in weight loss and the prevention of weight-regain after dieting.

The American College of Sports Medicine and American Dietetic Association and Dieticians of Canada joint position statement contends that physically active adults need 50-100% more protein.
Paddon-Jones, et al. Protein, weight management and satiety. Am J Clin Nutr 2008. Fulgoni V. Am J Clin Nutr 2008.

Why include a Vegan-based protein source?
Typical animal-based protein sources can be high in calories and saturated fats, additives and preservatives (ie: meat and dairy sources).

Higher intake of plant-based proteins (ie: in Asian nations) has been linked to better health. (The China Study, Campbell, et al).

Vegan, plant-based protein sources contain essential amino acids and can be easier to digest versus other proteins.

The body can develop intolerances to foods eaten repeatedly -- including protein. This is why 'cycling' protein sources (animal and vegan) is recommended by health experts such as Dr. John Berardi.

Whether you are vegetarian or not, trust Vegan proteins+ and its complete, all-natural formula to help you achieve a healthier, leaner body-- naturally.