Q: My husband and I are in our early 60s and lead an active lifestyle, working in town and living on a homestead with livestock. My husband spent 25 years in the military and also was a competitive runner, so he has flat feet and hip pain.
Both of us worry about our cardio and brain health (fearing dementia, as do most older Americans). I’m hoping you might advise on the ideal smoothie we can drink daily. I already put in turmeric, black pepper to activate it, yogurt and flaxseed meal with fruits, kale and coconut milk. Should there be other herbs or spices to help with pain and brain health?

A: Your smoothie already sounds packed with good stuff. We like berries in a smoothie, and for brain health, you might consider adding a teaspoon of rosemary. That will influence the flavor, so you may have to experiment a bit.
• article by Joe and Teresa Graedon
• copyright The Seattle Times