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"
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
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~Dalai Lama
Last month I wrote about the work I was doing with my husband to get our urban garden up and running. Truth of the matter is, time got completely away from us both and we did not make much progress. I share this with you all because it is important for us to not let time pass us by but to actively participate in every day. Sometimes we need to pause and re-focus our energy, which is exactly what I have done.
So my plans this weekend are to get moving on getting my garden in shape so I can be enjoying fresh, homegrown veggies all summer long. I hope you all got a start on your garden and would love to hear what veggies you will be growing!
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Best in Health!
~Amy Crews~
Natural Health
Expert
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Featured Story
Best Way to Eat Fruit?
When thinking about eating fruit, most of us don't give much thought to when we eat it. An interesting finding and personal test has lead me to provide tips for the best way to consume fruits. As it turns out, you not only need to eat fruit for your well being, but also at the proper time.
- Do not eat fruit after a meal. Fruit should be enjoyed on an empty stomach. The reason for this is because fruit, when eaten, is meant to move straight through your stomach into your intestines. Having eaten food beforehand, this process gets interrupted and you therefore likely experience burping and stomach bloating. When fruit mixes with other food in your system it produces gas and in turn bloating and discomfort.
- Drink fresh fruit juice only and avoid concentrated juice from cans or any juice that has been heated.
- Similarly, you should only eat fresh fruit in its natural state. Cooking fruit destroys the majority of vitamins and nutrients; and of course eating the whole fruit vs. drinking fruit juice is also the best way to get all the goodness in your body.
A few fruits to highlight:
- APPLE: Has antioxidants and flavonoids, which enhances the activity of vitamin C, which can therefore help to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.
- GUAVA & PAPAYA: Both are rich in vitamin C, while Guava is also rich in fiber, and Papaya is rich in beta-carotene to help keep your vision strong.
- KIWI: Great source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber.
- STRAWBERRY: Excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamins C and K. Also contains high level of antioxidants, which can decrease risk of chronic disease.
- WATERMELON: Composed of 92% water, good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene.
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Recipe of the Month:
Fresh Fruit Salad
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
Directions
- Wash all fruit in a colander and chop up the strawberries and kiwi.
- Combine in a large bowl and toss together.
- The colors of this berry salad are beautiful and look great when presented in a glass bowl.
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In the News...
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Beginning last Friday, in honor of Earth Day, O.N.E. Coconut Water launched a new fundraising campaign to help children around the world live healthier, more sustainable lives. This is one of the easiest ways you can help a cause – become a fan of theirs on Facebook.
By becoming a fan of O.N.E. Coconut Water on Facebook now through June 1st, O.N.E. will donate $1.00 to Healthy Child Healthy World. They hope to raise $25,000 over the next six weeks. Visit their Facebook page here and like them to get a dollar donated!
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Giving Back
American Forest Organization is the nation's oldest nonprofit conservation organization. American Forests has been an influential voice for conservation and the environment since its founding in 1875. Their mission allows them to work on many different fronts to grow a healthier world, with each of their many programs addressing an area of forest conservation, from planting trees, to educating future generations about their benefits.
Every dollar you give to a tree-planting project, plants one tree in the right place for the right reason. Please find your dollar bills and let's get some trees planted!
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Action Items
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- Fruit of all kind is coming into season. Load your grocery cart with fresh fruit and eat it in its natural state.
- Get moving! Go for a walk after dinner, and change up your commute to include more walking. Add movement to everyday!
- Check out the DietsinReview.com blog for the latest in health and fitness.
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Weekly Articles
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Forward to a friend
It's such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.
Also, if there is something you are interested in learning more about or would like me to feature in an upcoming newsletter please contact me.
Eat, Live Laugh newsletters are intended for overall general wellness. If you have condition specific concerns please feel free to contact me.
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