Organic breakfast smoothie becomes a way of life for some Danny’s customers

May 19, 2010

By: News-Herald Staff

Michael Allen Blair/MBlair@News-Herald.com Susan Boyce, daytime supervisor, Danny's Organic Marketplace prepares a shot of fresh wheatgrass juice Tuesday in Mentor.

By Janet Podolak
JPodolak@News-Herald.com

Since becoming a fixture at 8900 Mentor Ave. after it opened in 2008, Danny’s Organic Marketplace has acquired a contingent of regulars, many of whom come to drink their breakfast.

“We have a core group of people who come for smoothies after their workouts,” said Bob Schminky, marketing manager.

The smoothies, which combine fruits and vegetables from among more than 100 choices the market keeps on hand, are a twice-a-day habit with some customers.

“They’ll often sit at one of our tables and watch the world go by,” he said.

Once warmer weather arrives for good, some of the tables will be moved out front.

Shots of wheatgrass, prepared from young wheatgrass growing at the market, need a screw-type blender that’s different than the one used for smoothies. But wheatgrass mixed to make a berry applegrass smoothie is one of the most popular.

“It’s a young cereal grass that increases the body’s alkalinity, stimulating the metabolism and lowering blood pressure,” Schminky said. “Its some of the most nutrient-dense food on the planet.”

Some regulars ask for the spent wheatgrass once its been juiced and use it as a poultice or for treating their skin.

He relies on the Florida-based Hippocrates Institute for details about wheat grass, he said.

“It’s chlorophyll and has a similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in our blood,” he said. “It removes heavy metals from the body.”

Advocates claim that regular wheatgrass consumption increases energy, slows the aging process and builds the blood.

Schminky describes the wheatgrass taste as fresh and grassy.

“But even those who say they don’t like the taste come in for it, sometimes twice a day, because of the amazing health benefits,” he said.

Smoothies employing goji berries and raw cocao also have a following.

“Raw cocoa is a huge source of antioxidants,” he said. “It’s extremely high in magnesium, and both help make the body more alkaline.”

Some are especially fond of a smoothie called the alkaline margarita, he said. It combines lemon, lime, celery, cucumber, and fresh ginger root with a pinch of Celtic salt, he said.

There’s a lot of research that claims alkalinity aids the body in fighting disease and maintaining good health, he said.

“Even though Dr. (Mehmet) Oz claims there’s no solid proof, he says if he had cancer he’d adopt a more alkaline diet,” Schminky said, referring to the popular doctor-TV show host.

Each day, Danny’s Organic Marketplace makes fresh banana bread and a variety of sandwiches that are sold at its prepared food counter.

“We make everything at our bakery in Willoughby,” Schminky said.

Everything sold at Danny’s Organic Marketplace is organic, he said. And all it takes is a taste for people to become sold on the products.

“Everything is fresher and more robust-tasting,” Schminky said.

“The shelf life may be slightly diminished because the food is not pumped up with preservatives. But food that’s grown without pesticides is so much better tasting and better for you.”

Organic ingredients for today’s recipe, including the whole wheat couscous, can be found on the shelves at Danny’s Organic Marketplace.

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