Smoothie Tuesday

Since October of 2016, Juice Plus has provided the Northern New England affiliate approximately 300 lbs of Vita-Mix powder mix and the powerful blenders used to create healthy protein shakes.

At the Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center (MCRRC) in Belfast, Maine, everyone looks forward to “Smoothie Tuesday” when residents of MCRRC make protein-rich smoothies using the Juice Plus Complete shake mix in the donated Vita-Mix blender.

MCRRC residents work in the kitchen every day helping to cook meals for fellow residents - approximately 30 men. Meals are healthy and nutritious, but having an extra source of protein is much appreciated by men who are making many changes as they prepare for their return to the community. The Reentry Center, serving men who are completing the last 6-12 months of their incarceration, provides them opportunities to turn their lives around – with counseling, education, employment and healthy recreation.

For the past two and half years, hundreds of nutritious drinks high in protein have been whipped up by residents and staff of the Reentry Center. This is a time when Detention Manager Bobbie Walker, who dedicates himself to exercise and fitness, can mix it up with the guys at the Center. He mixes in fruit and vegetables. He shares his knowledge of health and nutrition and the residents appreciate it when Captain Walker becomes Bobbie, the king of smoothies.

Residents learn to take advantage of fruit and vegetables when available (and since they help at a three acre community garden, there’s plenty of veggies). With Vita-mix, residents get the benefit of protein, minerals, and fiber while enhancing the flavor with a food that, in the past, they might not have considered eating. They are increasing their knowledge of healthy eating and being introduced to wider range of fruit and vegetables.

Volunteers of America Northern New England is very grateful to Juice Plus for the donation of the industrial grade blender and Juice Plus Complete shake mix. We have created a nutritional outreach program that is both fun and healthful. Thank you for giving us a great tool for educating our residents and giving them another opportunity to improve their lives. Juice Plus is a great partner.

Corrections Administrator Ray Porter writes:

It is absolutely incredible how the Juice Plus mix and blender has become the “fire” that everyone gathers around each week. This now well-established weekly ritual supports, enhances and solidifies our culture at the reentry center. Residents, staff and stakeholders alike, rooted in the desire for community, share a meaningful moment of togetherness, while enjoying a carefully crafted cup of wellbeing.

Detention Manager Robert Walker writes:

I love the new blender (provided by Juice Plus in March, 2019). This new blender is a better mixer. This blender does not get over loaded and trip out. With the ability to use both blenders it allows us to make two separate smoothies at the same time.Some do not want certain things in their smoothies. Like for good reasons. This allows us to make sure everyone can enjoy the vita mix at the same time.The little blender is used for the weird stuff. “ RAYS Concocation.”We then sample these concoctions before we add them to our normal mix. Some residents don’t hesitate to sample the go green mixtures. I particularly love my blue berry, strawberry, peanut butter, banana, and French vanilla mix. YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM,YUM,YUM,YUM,YUM