Mornings can be really tough on me. Sometimes I wake up with shoulder pain, lower back aches and knee pain. Since I’ve not had any injuries, I’m guessing these aches and pains are from localized inflammation and general strain. My dad had knee problems and needed surgery in his lifetime. Since I’m not a fan of bionic joints, I am determined to get to the source of my morning pain and then work to find a long-term solution that won’t require me filling out prescriptions and loading my liver with ibuprofen. Enter my local farmer’s market health-food guru, Colin. I told him about my morning aches and lethargy and he suggested the MSM Morning Mix.

In short, MSM is a form of sulfur that’s good for your hair, nails, muscles and joints. For a full overview of why it’s so good for you, click here.

Here’s Colin, the guy who sold me the stuff.

He recommended taking the mix with water, and honestly, I tried. it was disgusting. I. could. not. So I decided to mix it into a “super shake,” putting in two handfuls of spinach, a handful of raspberries, blueberries and black berries, a packet of protein powder, some flax seed oil, a tablespoon of spirulina, liquid rhodiola, coconut milk powder, green powder, some stevia for sweetness, a carrot, a little water and two handfuls of ice.

I don’t go into detail about Rhodiola in this post because the jury is still out on whether I think it’s working for me or not.

I pretty much get my entire daily requirement of fruits and vegetables in this power shake, and adding the MSM powder and the spirulina for a just over a week has made a HUGE difference in the way I’m feeling in the morning, and improves my flexibility and rage of motion, and provides me with sustained energy throughout the day.

Why the Spirulina?

The benefits

Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food; concentrated nutrient value, easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta carotene is good for healthy eyes and vision. Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots.

Iron is essential to build a strong system, yet is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals, and is easier to absorb than iron supplements.

Spirulina is the highest source of B-12, essential for healthy nerves and tissue, especially for vegetarians.

I started my period the same week I started with this new shake regimen. I have uterine fibroids and bleed…a lot. Blood loss leads to anemia and lethargy. Let’s not talk about the mood swings….

This week I had none of that. I attribute it to the extra iron and B Vitamins I’m getting. Just a little TMI note that spirulina *may* cause your poo to change to a green or blackish color. According to Dr. Mercola, “Spirulina can remove accumulated waste product in your colon, which may cause darker stool. Also, spirulina is high in chlorophyll. This will also turn waste matter green.”

Why Coconut Milk?

Relaxes muscles and nerves because of the high magnesium

Helps in Controlling Weight: because of the high fiber and healthy fats

Decreases the risk of joint inflammation: because of the selenium content, which acts as an antioxidant.

Helps in maintaining healthy immune system: because of the Vitamin C, which came in handy last week because not only was I on my period, I had a head cold, but I was only down a full day. By the next one I was completely over it while The Hubster is still using up all the tissues.

Recipe:

One handful of organic mixed berries

Two handfuls of organic spinach

One small organic carrot

One scoop MSM Morning Mix

One scoop spirulina

One tablespoon flax seed oil

One scoop Amazing Grass

Two tablespoons dried coconut milk

4 oz water + one cup ice

*if you prefer, add one or two packets of stevia or xylitol for sweetness.

Mix in a blender until smooth.

NOTE: You’ll need a very powerful mixer to pulverize the carrot, that’s why I love my vitamix. If you don’t have a blender that strong, leave out the carrot.

You can order the coconut milk powder, spirulina and MSM mix here. The prices are reasonable and it’s fresher and higher quality than what you’ll find in GNC or Vitamin Shop. They make many of their items in their own kitchen in Murrieta, California.