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.

As part of the Great Greens+ Experiment, the newest blogger to try Wild Berry Burst has posted her review of the drink and a photo album of making the drink from the powder.

The author of Green Dog Wine was inspired by earlier Experiment participant, Aimee, who tried out several products.

The verdict: “This stuff was really good!!! It tasted nice and fruity, with a slightly, barely noticeable earthy undertone.  And I felt ‘healthy’ drinking it – which is always a bonus!”

Meanwhile, the author of the Lilveggiepatch blog told us about a creative way of mixing the original Greens+ powder — with seltzer! “It has a very strong taste, but I like it… I just need a bigger glass!,” she wrote in her post.

And Lynn and Christy of the Actor’s Diet blog tried our Chia while enjoying the open spaces of South Dakota. Be sure to check out the picture of their room.

A little while ago, we sent blogger “Lil Runner“  some of our  products to try out. It was part of our Great Greens+ Experiment that people all over the country are participating in

The results of her taste tests are in. Visit her post to learn how she, her husband and and others liked our WildBerryBurst, Energy and Protein Bars and Orange Creamsicle powder sticks.

If you would like to participate in the Great Greens+ Experiment, please leave a comment below.

Clinical trials are currently being conducted on an ingredient in red wine called resvertrol to see if it will slow the aging process. Past studies conducted have shown that a reduction of caloric intake by 30% can increase life expectancy by 30-40% in mice. The gene that prolongs life in mice called sir-2 is equivalent to the human gene called sirt. This gene produces sirtuins which can help to improve longevity. Resveratrol found in the seed and skin of grapes can activate sirtuin, which can in turn possibly help to increase the duration of life.

For decades scientists have studied the lifestyles of people living in the wine producing regions of France. The French have a remarkably low risk of both heart disease and cancer, in spite of excessive smoking, drinking and high fat dietary habits.

In 1992, researchers isolated a unique bioflavoniod called resveratrol, the secret agent responsible for the French Paradox and the health enhancing benefits of red grapes.

Studies conducted at the University of Illinois demonstrate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and its ability to inhibit all three phases of the cancer process: initian, promotion and progression.

So how does one get the amazing benefits grape seeds and skin without the alcohol?  Pro-Relief+ is a full spectrum grape seed and skin extract with buffered vitamin C and MSM. Four capsules provide a whopping 200 mg of grape seed and skin.

From left to right, Ryan Deauville, Gary Mastro, Chris Daniels, Marco Borges, Tyler Huntley, Diane Kingsley, and Dawn Garvey Redman

Yesterday the Greens+ family had the wonderful pleasure of Marco Borges stopping by the corporate office! Marco is a world-renowned Exercise Physiologist and the author of the best selling book, Power Moves. His dedication and passion for fitness and health is truly inspirational. To read more about Marco, please visit www.marcoborges.com and don’t forget to check out his blog filled with reviews on innovative products, inspirational quotes,  and informative health tips.

More people who are concerned about healthy living and diet have joined our Great Greens+ Experiment. Here are some of the newest bloggers who are describing their experience with our Omega-3 Chia:

Lee of Atlanta, who authors “In My Tummy.” Lee writes on her “About Me” page that she has battled with weight issues and diet since she was  in junior high. At one point, she lost 35 pounds and then decided she was overly concerned with what she was eating. Lee backed off and regained 15 pounds. In late 2006, she began blogging while training for long-distance running. Please see her first post about Chia.

A mom in the Northeast, who authors “Lil Runner“. She completed the Boston Marathon just 10 weeks after giving birth to her son.  She writes because, as she says in her “About Me” page, “I also have an interest in food blogs and while I am staying home with my baby, I have taken more time to buy and make healthy foods. You will see some food posts here and random musings as I go about my life, transitioning through different phases of life.” Check out her first post about Chia.

Emily, who describes herself as a “a 26-year-old newlywed who recently gained too much weight after getting married.” She writes in “Homecookedem” about finding the right balance of healthy foods, proper weight and personal happiness. “Please join me as I highlight unique homecookedem meals, reflect on thoughts I have, and give thanks for all that I have,” she writes on her “About Me” page. Please see Emily’s first post on our Chia.

Meanwhile, blogger Heather updated her experiences with Chia in a Hangry Pants post. And triathlete Stacy wrote about her weekend exercise, aided by a Greens+ Protein Bar, in her Eating to Live Love Laugh Tri post.

Chia and muesli

Brandi is the latest person to join our fast-growing list of people who are enjoying Greens+ products. We encourage you to visit her blog, “Bran Appetit!” to learn more about Brandi and her approach to healthy living.

Brandi is a young, married woman who enjoys running with her husband and preparing and eating balanced meals. As she writes in her blog,  “I don’t always eat the healthiest things, but I try to do my best.” She says her blog is “a place for people to share ideas, tips, recipes, and anything else that will help us all keep a balanced and healthy life while enjoying every single thing we eat.”

Part of that experience includes participating in the Great Greens+ Experiment. Here is a recipe for Greens+ Omega 3 Chia that Brandi recently posted:

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup water
• cinnamon
• vanilla

Visit the blog to see learn what else Brandi added to the mix.

The newest participant in the Great Greens+ Experiment is HangryPants, aka Heather, who maintains a healthy living blog. We shared our Omega 3 Chia with her and she is writing about her experiences with the product. Please see her blog and learn how Chia and a bowl of oats can make for a nutritious, delicious meal.

Aimee

Welcome to the Great Greens+ Experiment #2. Just as triathlete Stacey Lane completed the inaugural experiment on her blog, attorney Aimee in Pittsburgh signed up for her own challenge. For the next month or so Aimee will be writing occasionally about our products on her blog, The Healthy Lawyer.  We will follow her progress on this blog. Here is how Aimee began the experiment:

A few months ago, I picked up some Greens+ bars from Whole Foods, because they looked like a good item to take on vacation with me, in case I wasn’t getting my usual amount of fresh produce. One serving of Greens Plus delivers the equivalent of 4 to 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. I was pleasantly surprised by the bar and emailed Greens+ to compliment them on their product.

My plan is to challenge myself for 1 month to try to have some form of Greens+ at least once a day and see if I feel like I have more energy and glowing skin. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m using Greens+ and what I think of the Orange Greensicle, because I haven’t tried it yet.

We look forward to Aimee’s updates on her experiences with Greens+. Here is a picture that she has posted on her blog.

And here is a photo of Aimee in New York with actor Seth Rogen. Cool!