Review: Greens First

This formulation is a lot like many others: fairly robust with a variety of greens (barley grass, spirulina, chlorella), followed by filler (oat betaglucen, apple fiber, brown rice, lecithin), and then antioxidant herbs and fruits (carrot, green tea, blueberry, plum, and other fruits and veggies). The rest is a collection of veggie powders and herbs. This particular formulation is pretty heavy in the fillers with almost 4 grams of it (I look for under 2 grams of filler in a good formulation). This product’s label, like so many others, call their fillers a “Fiber Blend” to give it a purpose in the formulation. And while it’s true that many of these fillers add fiber, I look for a more substantial reason for the filler to call it anything but “filler.” The rest is really nothing special…a few herbs and not enough kelp to even warrant mention (a token amount). At $4.22 per ounce, I think this is a bit pricey for the quality of the blend.

Manufacturer’s Description

Contains 49 super foods, extracts and concentrates including super greens, vegetables, fruits, probiotics, soluble and insoluble fibers, herbs, spices, natural flavonoids, enzymes and lecithin. Eating five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables daily is ideal. However; it isn’t always possible. Now you can ENJOY many of the phytonutrient and antioxidant benefits of a fruit and vegetable rich diet of vibrant colors and dark greens…everyday!

Where to Purchase

Online at manufacturer’s site.

Taste

Sweet. Slightly fruity. Slightly earthy.
Flavored with stevia and natural flavors.

Ingredients & Nutritional Facts

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Pros

A decent formula with a good variety of ingredients that include green superfoods, fruits, and herbs.

Cons

A bit high priced for the quality of the formulation. A bit too much filler.

Recommended Usage

Mix one level scoop (provided in bottle), with 6-8 ounces of water. Stir briskly or shake in a closed container and enjoy one or more times a day.

Certifications & Manufacturing

Some organic ingredients.

Price

9.95 oz = $41.99

Price per oz = $4.22

Green Drink Reviews: Berry Green

This product, while on the expensive side, is almost completely without fillers of any kind. It contains just a bit of brown rice solids, but otherwise, it’s pure functional. It features spinach and other healthy veggie powders (kale, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts), plus fruit powders like blueberry, cranberry, pomegranate and papaya. This explains the price point of the product; it contains high-end ingredients and pure vegetable and fruit powders. Overall, This is an excellent formulation if a bit expensive at $5.51 per ounce.

Compare this toVitamineral Green, which also has no fillers, but uses a different philosophy in formulation — using more grasses and spirulina instead of the veggies and fruits in Berry Green. Both are good formulations.

Manufacturer’s Description

It’s hard to imagine eating 20 different organic greens and fruits every day. Even if you went to the organic market each morning, you might have trouble finding them all, much less finding the time to eat them all. New Chapter makes it easy to get your superfood greens with products like Berry Green. Each nourishing serving contains 20 organic greens and fruits!

Where to Purchase

Natural foods stores and health food stores.

Taste

n/a

Ingredients & Nutritional Facts

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Recommended Usage

Mix one tablespoon — approximately 6 grams — with 8 ounces of water or your favorite juice.

Certifications & Manufacturing

n/a

Price

6.35 oz = $34.97
(Prices vary greatly. Suggested retail price not published.)

Price per oz = $5.51

3 Great Green Drink Recipes

Here’s a quick article to cover some of my favorite green drink recipes. Modify these basic ideas in any way you see fit…and remember that each green drink tastes different. These all work well with neutral-tasting drinks and I’ve made notes for mixing with green drinks that have more “flavor” to them.

Enjoy and send me your ideas!

Chocolate, Peanut Butter Smoothie

Mix 12oz of vanilla almond milk with 2 tablespoons of pure cacao powder, one small ripe banana, and two tablespoons of organic peanut butter. Add your green drink powder (your normal serving size) and honey or unrefined sugar to taste. I also add liquid B complex (half dropper), olive leaf extract (half dropper), mushroom powder (or extract), and dandelion extract (full dropper). If you have some bee pollen, throw a teaspoon in too. This does not work well with green drinks that have a strong fruit flavor.

Fruit Smoothie

Mix 6oz of vanilla almond milk, 6oz of fruit juice (grape, pomegranate, or apple are best) with frozen berries. I prefer a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, but use whatever suits you. Add your green drink powder and a packet of Emergen-C or equivalent, a teaspoon of bee pollen, liquid B complex (half dropper), olive leaf extract (half dropper), and dandelion extract (full dropper). This does not work well with chocolate or mint-flavored powders, but can work well with vanilla-flavored powders.

Healthy Mary

If you like spicy tomato juice, then this mix is for you! Add 12oz of tomato juice (not vegetable juice) and double your normal green drink powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of tumeric, 1 teaspoon of celery root powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, the juice of 1/2 freshly-squeezed lemon or lime and salt to taste. Extras: olive leaf extract, dandelion extract, liquid B complex, and mushroom powder or extract. If it gets too thick, you can add a little water and shake well.