By: Joe Wells

Most New Year’s resolutions include broad goals like “lose 20 pounds” or “go to the gym.” These are great goals, but I am going to suggest something a little bit different.

The average life expectancy has almost doubled over the past 100 years. Most of this can be attributed to medical advances, which are nothing short of miraculous. Every day we find ways to help Americans live longer.

The goal of living longer is of great importance, but I would suggest that the quality of your life is more important. After all, who wants to live an extra 20 years with limited quality of life?

Enter the all-natural antioxidants. Most of you have heard of them and know they have a positive health effect. Here is a brief and simple explanation of what they are and what they do.

Antioxidants are nutrients in our foods and supplements that can prevent or slow the negative effects of oxidation to our body. Our bodies need oxygen and when we breathe and function daily, the oxygen produces free radicals, which can cause cell damage. Antioxidants are free-radical scavengers and prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer are all contributed to oxidative damage. Antioxidants have also been shown to enhance immune defense and lower the risk of disease and infection.

With that said, I believe that every person age 40 and older should drink a powerful antioxidant protein shake daily. Let's give our bodies a fighting chance, by fueling up with a delicious antioxidant shake.

Here is an excellent recipe that tastes awesome and will give you a blast of antioxidants, protein and vitamins every morning. My wife and I drink these shakes every morning and we love them. Please make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in this recipe.

ANTIOXIDANT POWER SHAKE RECIPE
8-10 oz. water or juice (light juice blends or ½ water and ½ juice adds flavor and controls calories)
½ cup – 1 cup of frozen or fresh dark berries (frozen fruit makes it nice and cold, if using fresh fruit add ½ to 1 cup of ice)
½ to 1 serving of Max Muscle’s Max Vit-Acell Antioxidant liquid vitamins
1 serving of Max Muscle Essential Omega (provides essential fats from fish oil in two delicious flavors: lemon zest and peach mango).
1 serving MaxPro Protein (provides 30g of high quality protein in awesome flavors, such as Mango Tango, Pina-Colada or Natural Vanilla)

Put it all in a blender for 30 seconds and enjoy! This shake will contain between 250 and 350 calories,  depending on whether you use water, juice and ½ cup of fruit or 1 full cup. I use 1 cup of frozen berries because they are very low in calories and really enhance the flavor. I love the MaxPro Mango Tango or Pina Colada flavors with berries as well. Be creative!
So get your year off to a great start by drinking a Max Muscle Antioxidant Shake every day. MS&F