Rosemary's Baby?

We are well into week one of the high phytochemical, high energy, healing smoothie recipe book. Today's recipe is called the "Healthy Heart Smoothie" featured on page 30 of Jeff Primack's wonderful book Smoothie Formulas. It contains beets, corn, oranges, lemon, goji berries, ginger root, mint and 1 sprig of fresh rosemary.

Rosemary? That's what I said. Who would have ever thought to throw a sprig of rosemary into the Vita Mix to be pulverized into breakfast?

The last time I even thought about rosemary was viewing the classic horror film Rosemary's Baby. For all you film buffs, check out the photo of Mia Farrow drinking the famous drink prepared by her neighbor, Minnie. When Rosemary asks what's in it "Snips and snails and puppy dog's tails" says Minnie. Later, she says it's made of raw egg, gelatin, herbs and tannis root. If she's lying, or if there's more in it than she's saying, we never find out--in the book or the movie. The tannis root is probably bad enough. It turns out to be a fungus called Devil's Pepper.

But no Devil's Pepper in the Healthy Heart Smoothie, I promise. Let's take a look at some of the health benefits of rosemary:

Rosemary improves circulation and blood flow to the head and brain. This remarkable herb has the ability to help prevent cancer and age-related skin damage. It boosts the functioning of the liver and acts as a mild diuretic to help reduce swelling.

Two of the most important ingredients in rosemary, which are thought to be largely responsible for many of these therapeutic actions, are caffeic acid and rosemarinic acid - both are potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

In ancient Greece, students wore wreaths of rosemary in their hair. The herb was said to improve memory.

Rosemary grows wild here in Southern California. Or, you can purchase a rosemary plant like I did at your local nursery.

Now tell me, who looks healthier in the photos, Rosemary or Me? Snips and snails and puppy dog's tails begone!