I have recently become a fan of wheatgrass shots. After running the lincoln marathon on May 3rd I decided to take a different approach to my normal race recovery and transition period. Normally you would find me grazing on lemon cake and scotharoo treats (which my Mom made for us on Mother's Day) however, this year I found myself belly up to the bar at Fresh Cafe and Market in West Des Moines ordering up a detox beet salad and a wheatgrass shot washed down with spirulina, kale, pepper and tomato juice. My friend (and Fresh owner) Kerry Rush will tell you all about the benefits of wheatgrass and eating simple, clean and whole upon your special visit.

I invite you to stop in and try one of the many sandwich wraps made with farm fresh avocado, turkey and hummus or a spinach salad topped with wild rice and roasted sweet potato. A few of my favorites include: "The Jenny Wrap", Sweet Potato Wild Rice Salad, Berry smoothie, Nut butter cookies, Asparagus soup and Green Lemonade.

Anyway, I've had about 7 wheatgrass shots since the marathon and my body is feeling great and blisters are healing nicely. There isn't any medical evidence based research yet on the benefits of this superfood however, it doesn't hurt to buy a little insurance when risks are high. Below is the website for Fresh Cafe as well as an excerpt from , The Wheatgrass Book by Ann Wigmore. Enjoy!

 http://www.freshcafeandmarket.com/Site/Welcome.html

Wheatgrass contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don't cook it.

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.