Legacy. This big, bold word is aptly used in connection with Father Joseph Martin, co-founder of Ashley Addiction Treatment. And what a legacy this man has left. At Ashley Addiction Treatment we honor Fr. Martin throughout the year, but particularly during the month of March, as his memorial date, March 9^th, approaches.

Fr. Martin used his personal experience with alcoholism to initiate a lifelong mission to help others overcome the insidious disease. Inspired in 1958 by those he met through his own stint in treatment, such as Austin Ripley, the founder of Guest House in Michigan and Dr. Walter Green, Fr. Martin returned to Baltimore on a heartfelt mission. His Blackboard Talks, the precursor to his “Chalk Talks”, a series of powerful lectures on alcoholism that he delivered at multiple venues in the early 60s, led to an intersection of fate when he met Mae Ashley Abraham, who was in attendance one night in 1964.

“It is time we start doing even more to take care of the person who has difficulty maintaining sobriety” ~Fr. Joseph Martin

Together, Fr. Martin and Mae, along with Leonard Dahl, a Presbyterian minister, joined forces to eventually open a recovery center in Havre de Grace, Maryland in 1983, first called Father Martin’s Ashley. Ashley Addiction Treatment Center has since provided preeminent addiction treatment for 45,000 patients and 100,000 family members. Fr. Martin’s lasting legacy is defined by his unlimited love for his fellow mankind, and the belief in the innate dignity of each and every human being.

“We love the addict. We respect the addict. We believe an addict, like every human being on this earth, is worth something” ~Fr. Joseph Martin

While honoring the memory of Fr. Martin, we cannot help but whip up some delicious smoothies—of which he was such an avid fan. Toast sobriety with a fresh strawberry-banana smoothie, an excellent midday snack that is packed with nutrients. This yummy confection is a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, and fiber. Go ahead and raise a glass to Fr. Joseph Martin.

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

Who can deny the appeal of a freshly blended fruit smoothie? Whip up this hearty strawberry-banana version and enjoy its many health benefits.

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1 banana, sliced

• ½ cup pineapple or orange juice

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

Optional: mint leaves, ginger

Instructions:

Place 1 cup of juice with strawberries and banana into blender, adding juice to thin during blending if desired. Garnish with a fresh strawberry or mint sprig.

Prep time: 5 minutes               Cook time: 0

The Health Benefits of the Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

As satisfying as this smoothie recipe is, it is equally nutritious. Consider these facts:

• Strawberries are an abundant source of antioxidants. Strawberries are comprised mostly of water, so they are lower in sugars and carbohydrates compared to many other fruits. Antioxidants play a significant role in the prevention or reduction of cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. This is possible due to the protection they provide from free radicals, which can travel through the body and damage tissues. The antioxidants will attach themselves to the free radicals and neutralize them, diminishing their damaging effects on the body.
• Strawberries are also a source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important nutrient in addiction recovery, as it promotes the production of neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, the one most negatively impacted by repeated substance use. Vitamin C helps to restore levels of serotonin in the brain, which relieves withdrawal symptoms and the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
• Bananas are rich in potassium. Potassium is one of the necessary salts needed in the body for muscle contraction and nerve cell function.
• Both strawberries and bananas are sources of fiber. Dietary fiber promotes gut health, reduces heart disease, reduces risk of type 2 diabetes, reduces risk of colon cancer, and aids in weight loss.
• Greek yogurt is preferable to regular yogurt because of its lower sugar content and higher protein content. For example, regular vanilla yogurt has 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar. Greek yogurt has 23 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar. In addition, the denser texture of Greek yogurt lends itself to a thicker, creamier smoothie.

As the team at Ashley Addiction Treatment Center honors the memory of our amazing co-founder, Fr. Joseph Martin, we wish to express the deepest gratitude for his leadership and passion in the development of a truly effective recovery model that has helped so many overcome substance use disorders.