VT Taste Test: Dr. Fuhrman's Green Longevity Drink
February 11, 2010
When I interviewed the legendary pop artist, vegan, and animal rights activist Peter Max for the March issue of
Vegetarian Times, he shared that he has been drinking two glasses of Dr. Fuhrman’s Green Longevity Drink every morning for the past 12 years. I thought to myself,
Wow! Every morning for the past 12 years…I’ve got to try this drink!
Realize: this is no ordinary green juice. Rather, it’s a “blended salad”—a combination of raw, leafy greens and other whole foods blended into a creamy consistency. According to its creator, Joel Fuhrman, MD, a board-certified family physician who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutrition, “When we simply chew a salad, about 70 to 90 percent of the [plant] cells are not broken open. As a result, most of the valuable nutrients contained within those cells never enter our bloodstream.” So, while Fuhrman is still a huge fan of “chewed salads,” he thinks blended salads are a “powerful and delicious way to maximize your intake of nutrients.”
To experience the full benefits of this powerful drink loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, Fuhrman suggests drinking two glasses daily. “The prescription is nutrition,” he says.
I was so intrigued by the idea of a blended salad that I had to give it a go. It had been a while since I used my VitaMix for anything other than the cashew- and tofu- based filling for my go-to vegan crème brûlée recipe. I had fallen victim to the expensive but convenient habit of picking up vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies from my local juice bar and was looking forward to revamping my morning ritual.
The ingredients were all available at my local supermarket, except mustard or turnip greens, so I subbed in kale. Oh, and I totally forgot to buy the blueberries. I did have some blueberry sorbet in my freezer that I thought about using, but I decided against it. With so many antioxidant-rich foods already in mix, I figured I could skate by without them.
After I thoroughly bathed all my fruits and veggies and laid them out side-by-side, they were so striking that they looked like they were posing for a still-life painting. Then, one-by-one, I squashed them into my VitaMix until the entire list reduced to a pitcher of blended salad.
One major benefit of blended salads over chopped salads (for the lazy chef, at least) is that there’s a lot less chopping involved since most items can go right into the blender whole if you are using a VitaMix or other high powered blender or food processor. One tip: if it takes you as long as it took me to get all the ingredients into the blender, the smoothie will start to heat up from the friction of the blender. So, either hurry it up, or rather than adding water in step 3 (below), add ice while blending to cool the mixture down.
So, how does the creamy green tonic taste? It’s certainly earthy tasting, yet surprisingly sweet and creamy too! What a way to start your morning, by toasting to health and longevity!
P.S. Fuhrman designed this recipe for Max and others who want to take a “super-healthy longevity drink,” but he says, “I wouldn't expect most people to want to drink something as healthy as that.” Fuhrman’s book
Eat For Health includes other great smoothie recipes (with shorter ingredient lists) that he enjoys regularly that are a little less healthy but a bit more tasty.
Dr. Fuhrman’s Green Longevity Drink
Makes 4 cups
1 large head romaine lettuce
1 1/2 cups spinach
2 sprigs parsley
1 cup broccoli florets
2 leaves mustard greens or turnip greens
3 collard leaves
1/2 cup watercress
1/8 tsp. oregano
1/2 avocado
1 banana, peeled
3 large strawberries
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
1/2 papaya or mango
1 1/2 tsp. flax seeds
1 1/2 tsp. sunflower seeds
1 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds
1. Place 1/2 cup water into blender, adding ingredients, one by one, and blending until liquefied.
2. Pour 1 cup of Dr. Fuhrman’s Green Longevity Drink into glass, adding water and stirring until desired consistency is reached. Store remainder in an airtight container and refrigerate.
—Jolia Sidona Allen, Associate Editor and Web Editor
Comments
Add a comment
Print
I bet Peter Max is a healthy 72 year old after so many years of good nutrition. Maybe I'll work my way up to that drink. For now, I drink OJ, kale, frozen blackberries all blended up in the Vitamix. yum. Thanks for this story.
What a sterling ingredient list..I'm going to try it!
Like anything, if you want to succeed in anything worthwhile, you've got to be faithful to every step and be organized. Methodical healthy habits lead to happy spontaneous living...
How long does it last for in the refrigerator?
This is great! I just finished reading this article in the latest VT, and then happened to hear that VT has a blog. I was super happy to hear Peter Max mention Swami Satchidananda, and was instantly intrigued as to what went into this drink he's been drinking for 12 years...12 years!! I do a lot of green smoothies (the VitaMix is practically a must), but rarely do I utilize as many greens as this recipe calls for. I've also never tried avocado or broccoli in my smoothies either. Looks like an interesting recipe!
http://foodfitnessfreshair.wordpress.com
I love green smoothies and regularly make a simple spinach-banana or kale-banana smoothie. The banana is really the key to making it taste delicious.
You can also freeze the bananas, strawberries, or mango to help cool down the smoothie
I read somewhere that the saliva in our mouths, that goes down with the food as we chew and swallow, is an important ingredient needed for digestion. And by just drinking these 'chewables' can hamper the whole process. Any comments on that? Otherwise a liquid salad appears a good way to get lots of nutrition in a few gulps!
I've tried a few of Dr. Fuhrman's simpler green smoothies from his Eat for Health companion cookbook. The ingredient list makes me wonder what is the significance of each item--some of them I know but why the different greens? Why not pick the most nutritious greens? For instance I know that Kale or mustard greens are more nutrient packed than spinach (according to Dr. F's andi list. Is is the nutritional content or taste? Or some of both?? I definetely know why the banana. To me no smoothie tastes good without a frozen and a fresh banana for taste and consistency.
My green smoothie does have this many ingredients but I have no doubt it's a nutritional powerhouse.
I put spinach (or kale, or swiss chard) frozen mangos, a banana, juice from half a lemon, a slice or ginger, and a tablespoon of flax seed oil.
I make a quart every morning and drink (chew actually) the whole thing for breakfast. It's satisfying, tastes great, and I get the most amazing clean energy from it.
Vegan Diaries
http://vegandiaries.com
This has convinced me, I must get a Vitamix! Peter Max rocks! And so does VT...thanks VT for always making me feel so good about being vegan and for shining the light on the goodness and joy of eating consciously. Ahimsa (non-harming) to all beings. ( Om Shanti Om, in memory of Sri Satchidananda)
I tried this for the first time last night, left out the oregano and it's the best drink ever. Just tastes like a banana with hint of strawberry but it's super dark green. Luscious!
I have been making a variation of this recipe since I read this article a week ago. Really easy to make in my regular blender. I've been using Kale, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, edemame, spinach, mixed greens, celery, flaxseed, blueberries, apple and banana and avocado. I put in cold water and a few ice cubes. This makes about two large glasses. One for breakfast and one before dinner. I have lost 4 lbs. all ready!
Thanks VT for sharing this amazingly healthy smoothie recipe. I have tried other green smoothies from Eat for Health and they are delicious. I can't wait to try this one!
I use a BlendTec blender and love it. I don't need to push the foods down as it does it for me. I also love my green smoothies in the morning. I too use ice and use very cold water in mine. Taste great with one banana for two people as I don't want it too sweet and add blueberries and the greens of course. I also have a question, are the seeds pre-soaked?
Thanks for the recipe.
http://myfeelingsandfindingstoday.blogspot.com/
This is a great drink! I have drank green drinks for breakfast for over a year now and I think they are the best! I do however add aloe vera juice, almond milk, and a lot of lime juice! Get all of your veggies in one glass and feel great too!
I love Peter Max! And love the Green Drink too. Very tasty :P
why not cut down on using so many veggies and fruits at one time. Why not use three or four each time you juice for variety so that you would'nt be using the same ingredients each time.