Fruit Facts + Eating Fruits the Healthy Way

Eating fruits everyday can keep infections away. Fruits are regulatory foods containing carotene, vitamin C and vitamin C complex. They protect the eyesight, keep skin smooth and clean and increase body resistance against infection

Fruit and vegetable juices are the juiciest way of taking vitamin C, so don't store them for long periods once the container is opened.

Aside from the nutritional value of papaya, it has been found out that it has many varied medicinal uses as its young leaves are effective in deworming. They are also good disinfectants for dog bites. Latex from the fruit peeling proves to be effective in getting rid of freckles and other skin problems

A medium papaya contains 200% of your Vitamin C requirement

As much as possible, eat raw fruits and vegetables. Raw, unpeeld fruits and vegetables provide greater benefits than when peeled and/or cooked.

Tomatoes contain both Vitamin C and beta carotene which are powerful antioxidants.

Fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, melons and strawberries are excellent sources of Vitamin C.

Keep fresh fruits from turning brown such as apples, bananas, or pears with acidic fruits like oranges, pineapple, or lemon juice.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and vitamins which neutralize "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable compounds created from the metabolism of fats and/or environmental factors and may be responsible for altering the cell's metabolism resulting in abnormal cellular growth food in cancer. Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day can avoid such chronic diseases.

Tips for Healthy eating

Make most of your choices whole or cut-up fruit rather than juice, for the benefits dietary fiber provides.

Select fruits with more potassium often, such as bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.

When choosing canned fruits, select fruit canned in 100% fruit juice or water rather then syrup.

Fruits differ in nutrient content so vary your fruit choices

Try applesauce as a fat-free substitute for some of the oil when baking cakes.

Try meat dishes that incorporate fruit, such as chicken with apricots or mango chutney.

Frozen juice bars (100% juice) make healthy alternatives to high-fat snacks.

Cut-up fruit makes a great snack as well as dried fruits

Wash fruits before preparing or eating them. Under clean, running water, rub fruits briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. Dry after washing

Choose fruit options, such as sliced apples, mixed fruit cup, or 100% fruit juice that are available in some fast food restaurants

Try raisins or other dried fruits instead of candy.

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Healthy Recipes For Fruit Smoothies - Benefit Your Health With A Great Tasting Fruit Smoothie

Fruit smoothies are as fruit drink which is made by the use of a mixture of fruits. It can be used as a snack or even as a breakfast. Since this beverage drink is made basically of fruits, it means it is made of fibers, many vitamins and minerals this makes it very healthy for everybody that takes it.

Fruit smoothies can be prepared easily; you can make this drink with just the fruits, a liquid and a blender. As simple as this recipe is it can be prepared in lots of different ways turning out into different taste and beautiful sights.

While there are hundreds of ways to make them, with varying tastes and textures, here are the basics of what you need for your wonderful smoothies; first of all you should think about the fruits you want to use like, pineapple, strawberries, bananas, mangoes, oranges, any fruit you want is just ideal for your fruit smoothies so long as it is what you want.

The next thing you should consider as an ingredient is a thickener which can be either ice-cream, low-fat yogurt, fruit juice or honey, the type and quantity of the thickener depends on the thickness you require in your smoothie. The other thing you are considering should be liquid to smoothly mix and blend everything in, for this you will be using flavored water, whole milk, and soy milk or fruit juice. If you are so concerned about dense taste in your smoothie you could add extra flavor or sweetener with either vanilla or cinnamon.

To correctly make your fruit smoothie you need to apply the measurement using a part of the chosen fruits, a part of liquid of choice and two parts of thickener. Although this is a mix me kind of drink you can use exactly the ingredients mix that suits you best.

Now you have gotten your ingredients ready, it is time to make your own recipe. All you have to do is to put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until it all blends out smoothly. And it is ready for immediate serving or cooled in the refrigerator for later serving.

The most commonly made fruit smoothies are banana, strawberries and orange juice. This blend is one of the fruit smoothies that are low calorie because it uses flavored water, with some ice cubes. Also dairy products can be added if you want to add some more nutrients to your fruit smoothie. Your freshly prepared fruit smoothie is what you need after a hectic, busy day especially if it was a sunny one.

It is relieving, refreshing and energizing. If you never had tasted fruit smoothie it is now a good time to make a good start by making the easiest snack that you will enjoy all the way, a different way of eating your fresh fruits and at the same time avoid those calorie packed drinks. If you think of all these things then fruit smoothies is a good choice for you.

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Healthy Purple Fruit

Many experts tell us to eat food that is colorful, meaning having foods that represent all the colors. One of my favorite colors is purple, so I started looking into purple fruit and discovered that there are a variety available to us that keep our immune systems strong and healthy. This is because of their high antioxidant content and rich source of vitamins.

Let's look at an interesting fact. Different areas of the world grow different fruits. But as I check each area I discovered that there is always some type of purple fruit growing in each area. For instance, blueberries (I know the name is 'blue' but the fruit is a dark purple when ripe) are grown in Maine and Michigan to name two states. Elderberries grow well in the Midwest and very well in ditches in Iowa. Huckleberries grow in the mountain states, especially in Wyoming. (but you have to beat the bears to get the huckleberries). Acai berries grow in Central and South America. Purple grapes grow well in many areas. Again we have a very nutritious healthy good for you purple fruits.

My point is that no matter where you live you probably can find a purple fruit to add to your diet. That being said, why you ask?

Let's look at grapes for example. They are an excellent source of manganese and vitamins C, B1, B6 and potassium. They contain flavonoids quercetin and resveratol which appear to decrease the risk of heart disease. Plus the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratol may lower cancer risks.

Blueberries are the highest antioxidant besides the Acai berry. They promote urinary tract health, protect against age related eye problems and are good for constipation and digestion.

Plums are an excellent source of vitamin C, which aids in wound healing. They are rich in vitamin B2, fiber and potassium and appear to have a favorable effect on blood sugar.

These are just three of the readily available healthy purple fruits that you can include in your healthy diet. If I've named some nutrients you aren't familiar with, do some research and discover why I've recommended adding purple fruits to your daily diet. The more you know, the better you'll eat and the better you'll feel and the longer you'll be healthy. Take charge of your food choices and add purple fruits to your diet today.

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Healthy Fruit Smoothies

In today's world it's so easy to eat on the run and and not receive all the daily nutrients or body needs. There are many fad diets and so called easy ways to get fit but the best way is to make your on the run snack foods something low calorie,low fat and healthy for you. Why not have something that taste great but still gives you the fuel you need to get through the day? Believe it or not it is a lot easier to obtain this than you may think.

The perfect solution for the on the go person is healthy fruit smoothies. These delicious meals in a glass can be made quickly and easily with your favorite fruit, or even a mixture of two or three. This on the go fuel for the body can up your metabolism and give you the get up and go you need in the mornings or a great energy booster anytime during the day.

Healthy fruit smoothies can be used for snacks, dessert and even a afternoon delight. Smoothies contain protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals from the fruit, milk and ingredients like yogurt and even tofu for some.

Smoothies are blended beverages that are usually mixed with fresh fruit, crushed ice and even frozen fruit or fruit juices. Fruit Smoothies became a fad in the 1960's as an alternative to shakes for those interested in a healthier lifestyle. In today's world smoothies popularity is on the rise and they are offered as a new type of beverage found anywhere there is a restaurant or mall.

Healthy fruit smoothies have also been introduced in the gyms to bring more stamina to the athletes by combining different ingredients that are customized just for them. Weight lifters are known to drink these late at night to gain back the protein they lost during their workout. Drinking smoothies at night in place of a meal can be a healthy and beneficial way to lose weight.

Those who eat well balanced meals and use healthy fruit smoothie as a substitution for a junk food snack during the day find they have more energy and stamina throughout the day. It can be made from fresh fruit that can be found at any grocery store and you can be creative when it comes to your combination according to your particular taste.

A great smoothie health benefit is with the right combination of fruit you can still get all the nutrients your body requires and be keep it fit at the same time. Healthy fruit smoothies are a fantastic way to compliment your lifestyle and still feel you had a well balanced meal.

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Healthy Fruit Juice

Fresh fruit juice is absolutely delicious. Most people, including myself, like fruit juice because it is sweet tasting and highly flavourful.

Fruit juices, and fruits in general, are often referred to as the cleansers of the body. Fruits are referred to as cleansers because their natural acidity helps the body clean itself of unwanted bacteria.

In many cultures you will actually see many people drinking water with some lemon juice added to it. Over the years, these cultures have instinctively realized the benefits of even the slightest amount of fruit juice.

If you are looking for some great healthy fruit juice ideas and recopies, then look no further then the vitamix blender. Using your vitamix blender can be a great addition to your kitchen allowing you a great tool to make healthy fruit juice.

The first thing that is important in creating healthy fruit juice is making sure that you use the whole fruit to juice with. Being able to consume the whole fruit fibre, juice and all is really important in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I usually like to add a variety of colour of fruits to my blender when making healthy fruit juice because this way I am making sure I am getting a variety of anti-oxidants and nutrients to my diet.

When making healthy fruit juices, I always encourage people to use dark leafy green vegetables like Swiss chard or kale to the juice as well. If you want a more fruiter juice then just add more fruit in proportion to the amount of vegetables that you use.

A typical juice that I make in the morning with my vitamix blender as a few leaves of Swiss chard or kale, and apple and a banana and usually a couple of handfuls of fresh berries or frozen berries. I will also add a vegan protein power with some hemp seed, ground flax and any other dissolvable nutrient that you would like to add such as vitamin C etc.

You have a choice as to how thick you would like your juice as if you remember from above making sure we consume the fibre part is really important. If you like a thick juice don't use as much water or add more water if you like it more thinly.

Healthy fruit juice is a real vital component to a healthy diet. In North America we are challenged everyday to get enough nutrients, and concentrated fruits and vegetables in a natural whole food juice is a great way to keep the body balance and healthy.

There really is no right or wrong way to make a healthy fruit juice. All you need to be is open to the possibility of experimenting. Every individual has there own preference or favourite vegetable and fruit so start with that first.

I love combining banana's and dark berries. They give such a great unique taste and I always feel full afterwards.

The great thing with the vitamix blender is that it is easy to clean and the juicing is fast so it is a wonderful way to experiment to find your favourite combinations of fruit and vegetables and a quick natural breakfast.

When it comes to choosing a healthy diet for your body, many people don't realize the important role that beverages play. For example, fruit flavoured drinks and soft drinks are not a substitute for real fruit. Many of these drinks only contain 10% real fruit juice. The very best drinks are made from whole fruit and you can make great fruity healthy drinks at home.

The more whole fruits and vegetables that you eat the healthier you will become. Having a healthy fruit juice everyday is a great easy way to make sure that happens.

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Easy and Healthy Chocolate and Fruit Parfait

It is hard to control one's hunger pangs while on a weight loss mission. It is even harder to control one's sugar cravings, if you are a sweet- tooth on a weight loss program. It is the worst kind of tortures for people having a sweet tooth to refrain from desserts. Well, if you are one such person, here is a healthy dessert recipe to satisfy your sugar cravings, which you can dish up in just five minutes.

Serves- 2 parfaits (2 shot glasses, or 2 small dessert bowls)

Preparation time- 5 minutes

Ingredients-

Nonfat vanilla/ flavored yogurt- 8 oz (1 cup)

Fresh bananas, thinly sliced- 1 cup

Fresh strawberries/ raspberries, halved- 1 cup

Chocolate Syrup/ semisweet chocolate chips, melted- 2 tablespoons

Granola topping- 2 tablespoons

Preparation-

Divide the yogurt into 2 shot glasses or dessert bowls. Add the granola topping over it into a thick layer. Now place the sliced bananas over the granola topping. Put the fresh strawberries over the bananas. Complete by drizzling the chocolate syrup (or melted chocolate chips) over the dessert. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Replacements-

- You can replace the yogurt with low- fat ice cream or low- fat condensed milk.

- You can replace the bananas and strawberries with fruits of your choice. Pineapples also work well in this recipe.

- You can also choose toppings of your choice in place of chocolate syrup and granola.

This is a yummy treat for you and your family, which does not take more than five minutes to dish up. Enjoy the delicious taste without worrying about the calories. You can try different variations in this recipe, to suit your own taste. There is a lot of room for creativity here. It is one of the best treats to satisfy your dessert cravings without adding on calories.

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Citrus Trees - Tips for Planting and Growing Healthy Fruit

Citrus trees or shrubs are available in many different varieties and growing them in your yard will provide you with juicy, healthy and delicious fruits. These trees have evergreen leaves and will add beauty to your surroundings. If you take proper care of them, some trees can grow up to 25 or 30 feet tall.

You can get smaller plants as well like dwarf or semi-dwarf trees and these can be grown in containers. You can plant grapefruit, lemon, orange and even more types depending upon your available space. Citrus trees can be relatively easy to grow; of course it helps if your climate is warm enough. Even if your conditions are not ideal, there may still be a citrus tree for you.

Appropriate Temperature

These plants do not grow well in areas where the temperature goes below or near freezing. The protection that you provide them from any frost is very important and most citrus will suffer freeze damage if the fruit temperature should drop below about 28 degrees F. Citrus varieties will always grow their best in regions that are generally frost-free, sunny and humid.

Type of Soil

Citrus will grow well in different types of soil, anything from sandy to clay based soils providing it has good drainage. They prefer acidic soil that is fertile and loose. If you are using a sandy soil they will need to be fertilized and watered more often. It is also a good idea to use compost to improve the water and nutrient retaining attributes of the soil.

The Where, When and How of Planting Time

Try to find a location in your yard that is warm and sunny. Normally a western or southern exposure will benefit your citrus tree also. Don't forget to think about shelter if cold is a concern. A wall or a fence can provide a little extra warmth and shelter.

When planting your outdoor trees it is best to do it in the spring as this will provide more time for them to become resistant to the colder weather of winter. If cold is not an issue in your area you can plant them as late as the autumn just as well.

Once you have decided upon the location, dig a hole that is about 3 feet in diameter and deep enough to hold the contents of the container. It is always best to make sure you do not bury the root crown and also plant your new tree several inches higher than the soil around the base of the tree. This will allow for some settling of the soil. Most citrus trees will have a graft union. This is where the small tree was grafted together and there will be a slight, but obvious, bend. This union or bend should be at least 2 or 3 inches above the soil which will help in preventing any rot or even fungus from occurring to your tree.

Now that your tree is properly in the ground, don't forget about using mulch. Apply your mulch to the depth of 3 to 4 inches over the root area, this will help by keeping the water in and even the weeds out.

Taking Care of Citrus Trees

These plants do not require a lot of water but you need to deeply water the plants at least weekly until it is well established. The roots of citrus plants are shallow and can spread quite far from the trunk. A mature and healthy tree should be able to deal with some drought, if so this will influence the fruit production. Mulch is more than just attractive in your yard; it will help keep the moisture in.

The citrus flower buds should begin to develop in early winter and throughout the later part of winter and into spring. The flower from these buds will be fragrant but not all of your flowers will result in fruit. Moisture and temperature have a lot to do with the actual fruit production at this time. When your tree does flower a sufficient supply of water is very important.

Fertilizing and Pruning

Fall and winter is the best time to fertilize citrus trees in normal regions. You should also fertilize during early to late summer. Using a fertilizer that is formulated for citrus will be beneficial as it will contain the nutrients the tree needs. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label and spread evenly as this will assure you avoid burning the roots.

Citrus trees do not require a lot of pruning. You should only prune once in a while to remove any shoots that happen to grow beyond the shape you desire.

Insects and Diseases

Insects may occasionally be a bother to your citrus but as the plants mature and are healthy this should be less of a problem for you. You can help control disease by making sure that the soil is allowed to dry out between watering. You can help keep insects and diseases to a minimum just by providing good care to your tree.

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Dry Fruit As a Healthy Baking Additive

If you had trouble thinking of uses for dried fruit, look no further! Dried fruit can be a great additive to your baking needs and can give a little moisture and texture to your favorite bread recipes. Not to mention, these kinds of fruits will usually bring a little extra hint of sugar as the natural sugars of the fruit have been concentrated in the drying process. Also, it has a longer shelf life than regular fruits and make it easy to take and go without worrying about spoilage. On that note, in the wintertime when your favorite fruits are not available you can always opt for baking with dry fruit.

There are many health benefits to baking with dried fruits. Most fruits that have been dehydrated are linked to promoting good digestive, bone and oral health. They are also an important part of a healthy diet, as they still can count as servings of fruit. For dieters, it is important to note that dried fruit has little to no fat and their calorie content provides an efficient and healthy source of energy.

The following are some dry fruits that are commonly used in baking and the health benefits of adding them to your dessert or bread:

Cranberries- source of vitamin A and vitamin C

Apricots- beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C

Blueberries, Raspberries- vitamin C

Apples- carbohydrates and fiber

Cherries- antioxidant-rich

Bananas- potassium and vitamin B6

Pears- antioxidants and vitamin C

Baking with dried fruits is also a great way to make a recipe just a little healthier. Since these fruits are not processed, so they still maintain the nutrients and minerals that they are associated with, and when you bake with them it gives you an opportunity to have those benefits in your baked goods. Baking may actually be easier with dried fruits since you will not have to worry about spoilage of your final product. This will make it easier to make a dessert and pack it for a road trip or an outdoor picnic.

Some of the ways in which you can add dried fruit to your recipes include:

Folding dried fruits into your quick bread recipes

Mix dried fruits in with a dessert or energy bar

Mixtures of fruits and nuts to create fruit compote

Smaller dried fruit pieces (like cranberries) can be mixed into cookie batter

Include them in your holiday fruit cakes

These are just a few of the ways in which you can incorporate these fruits into your next baking project. After you work with these various fruits you will understand which ones are best suited to different desserts and breads, and which ones you don't care for. Experiment with your family recipes or favorite recipes and various fruits to see which can freshen up a classic recipe. You will feel good knowing that a small addition to your baking can make you just a bit healthier than you were before you baked. Feel free to indulge a little and go for seconds.

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Fresh Fruit Salad - A Fast Healthy Breakfast and Dessert Idea

Looking for a simple, healthy and fast breakfast or dessert idea? A fresh fruit salad is the perfect choice. This simple fruit salad with just a few ingredients is easy to prepare and delicious every time. With some simple ingredient exchanges and serving ideas it can be one of the most versatile recipes around.

This fruit recipe serves two to three people but can easily be doubled to serve more.

For this fresh fruit salad recipe you will need:

One large red delicious apple - cored and thinly sliced

One large navel orange - peeled, sectioned and cut into chunks

1 cup green or red seedless grapes - cut each grape in half

1/2 cup of sliced almonds

1 to 1 1/2 cups of lemon yogurt - to desired moistness

ground nutmeg - to taste

In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. This salad can be prepared the night before, so in the morning the salad is ready to go. It's a healthy and quick breakfast any day of the week.

With these easy ingredient exchanges, this fresh fruit salad will always be new and flavorful. As the seasons change you can use whatever is available. Some fruit combinations you could try are:

- Spring fruit combination: bananas, blueberries, kiwi

- Summer fruit combination: grapes, pineapple, peaches

- Fall fruit combination: apples, pears, dates

- Winter fruit combination: mango, avocado, oranges

Swap out the almonds with toasted or raw coconut, toasted sunflower seeds, walnut pieces, pecan pieces, or dried cranberries. Instead of the lemon yogurt, try strawberry, peach, blueberry, or plain Greek style yogurt and instead of the nutmeg, use cinnamon, or a nutmeg and cinnamon combination, or honey. You are only limited by your imagination.

For a simple dessert, try serving this salad in mini graham cracker tart shells or you could try preparing the fruit salad without the yogurt and instead layer the fruit and the yogurt in alternating layers in parfait glasses.

Another simple presentation is to serve the fruit salad over a bed of sliced strawberries or salad greens with warm rolls on the side for a light and quick meal.

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How to Make a Healthy Fruit Salad - Free Raw Recipe

If you're wondering how to make a healthy fruit salad and something that is quick and easy, this raw food recipe is so simple it'll only take minutes to prepare. You can make it just prior to serving or make in advance and refrigerate.

There are many fruit salad recipes but not all of them are healthy. This raw fruit salad recipe is healthy and contains only fruits. It's versatile. If you leave something out it won't make a difference. You can add other fruits to it or substitute other fruits. It's one of my favorite healthy raw food recipes. All the kids and adults love it and ooh and ahh over it.

If possible, it's best to serve it first before the meal and enjoy the fast digestive benefits. Fruits usually digest within 15 minutes and digest better when not combined with fats and proteins. This saves the body's energy for other digestive processes and other work. Also, more is likely to be eaten before the meal rather than after when everyone is full. Or just serve it with the meal and let everyone help themselves.

Here's how to make a healthy fruit salad recipe:

Choose the fruits you like. You can leave any of these out, except one orange for mixing and bananas, but you may reduce the amount of bananas. The ingredients are:

1 cup of seedless grapes, cut in half

1 orange peeled and sliced in thin slices

1 orange - reserve for top

1-2 oranges for mixing

1 sweet apple like a Gala or tart apple if you like, cubed. Actually, any type of apple you have on hand is good.

1 pear cored, peeled and cubed

5-6 ripe, not green, bananas, sliced

1 handful to 1 cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks

1/2 cup dried fruit, any combination chopped - figs, dates, raisins and/or cranberries, optional

1-2 cups strawberries, sliced, reserve 5-6 whole strawberries for top

1-2 kiwifruit, sliced thin, reserve for top, optional

Slice the bananas into a big bowl. Add any of the other fruits you like. Slowly and carefully fold them in, being careful not to bruise the fruit. Squeeze one orange, slowly add to the fruit and gently mix in. You may need two oranges if you have a lot of fruit. Lay some thin kiwi and strawberry slices around the edges, alternating or use your creativity. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

That's it. It's really simple and so sweet and healthy. Nothing cooked. No gluten and no dairy either. That's how to make a healthy fruit salad - a great raw food recipe you'll love to serve often

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Decorating Your Cake With Fruit or Other Healthy Toppings

Everyone loves cake on their lips...but not on their hips. Candies and chocolate and icings are full of sugar and fat. Not everyone in attendance at your party will want to indulge on such a treat. You could be stuck with miles of cake or cupcakes that might go to waste because your guests are watching their waist. There are ways to have your cake and actually eat it too when you decorate your cake with fruit or other healthy toppings.

Fruit

Fruit is not only a healthier option than candy cake toppings, it's also colorful and provides various shapes and textures to your cake. Depending on the theme of your party and the colors that are dominant in your decorations, you can dress up any cake with fresh or dried fruit. Slice strawberries long ways, use wedges of star fruit, sprinkle blueberries or raspberries, or section oranges or mandarins for bright, vivid additions. If you decide to use fruits in a decorative manner on your cake, be aware that fresh fruit will moisten the cake and help it spoil quicker. You'll also want to make sure that the fruit flavors don't clash with each other, the cake itself, or any icing you choose to put on it. Stay away from fruits that oxidize too quickly (apples, pears, bananas) as no one wants to eat a cake with wilting brown fruit on top.

Fruit Jams

Have you ever wondered how your bakery gets those fruit-covered tarts to look so shiny and wet with flavor? The secret is...fruit jam. It's nature's paint. If you take apricot or raspberry jams, or any other flavors, and heat them in the microwave for a minute or so, it will form this vibrant and delicious glaze that you can dabble over fresh fruit or over a bare cake itself. Get a new paint brush ad become the DiVinci of your kitchen as you slather the sweetness over a pound or angel food cake. Try sugar-free jams to reduce calories even more.

Whipped Toppings

Instead of plopping gobs of fat-laden, sugary-sweet icing on top of a cake, you can use a simple ingredient fresh from your grocer's freezer: whipped topping. Cool Whip or generic store brands provide a sweety, yet less fattening icing to cupcakes, cookies, and cakes. Replace the heavier frostings with a layer of fat-free or reduced calorie whipped topping. You'll have to serve the dessert immediately after "icing" to ensure freshness. You won't miss out on any taste, even though you may save your waist.

Nuts

Nuts provide extra protein for us, so why not toss a handful of chopped favorites onto your next cake. German chocolate cakes slather on walnuts to the icing, but you can do it without the chocolate. Add coconut slivers, almonds, ground peanuts, roasted macadamia, or chopped pecans with your other decorations. Be careful, though, to inform your guests of the nut toppings as some people are allergic to tree nuts and ground nuts. Put a sign out next to your cake as an FYI.

No matter what kind of party you're hosting, you can find healthy alternatives to top your cake instead of the lardy icing.

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Healthy Fruit Smoothies - Unique Ways to Mix Up Your Smoothie Recipes

Do you ever tire of blending up the same healthy fruit smoothies every day? There is no reason to be stuck in a certain smoothie blending rut. You have hundreds of flavorful types of fruit to combine into thousands of different smoothie masterpieces.

As easy as it is to get stuck on your favorite smoothie recipe, try to mix it up. You might just find a new flavor favorite. Also, by using different fruits and/or greens, you will receive a larger variety of nutrients to fuel your body. What blueberries may lack in vitamins, mangoes or oranges may fill that nutrient void. And vise versa.

To mix things up a bit... try using fruit not typically in smoothies, like cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, pears, or lemons.

Cantaloupe Smoothies

Cantaloupe gives a subtle sweetness to any smoothie. It blends very well with citrus fruits. Don't stop there. Cantaloupe can mix deliciously with a variety of fruits.

A trick with using cantaloupe is to use ripe, juicy melons in order to use as little water as possible. This will create a smoothie bursting with flavor.

Orange Cantaloupe Smoothie

1/4 cantaloupe, large and ripe

1 orange, peeled and seeded

1 banana, frozen

5 ice cubes

1/2 teaspoon stevia

Place all of the fresh ingredients closest to the blade with the frozen ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2

Lemon Smoothies

Another interesting fruit to use in your healthy fruit smoothies is a lemon. You can add a little zing to any smoothie recipe by using a half or whole peeled and seeded lemon. You can even use part of the peeling for a super strong lemon smoothie.

But brace yourself. The peeling makes a powerful smoothie! The lemon flavor might blast you over.

Lemon-Head Smoothie

1 lemon, peeled and seede

1 banana, frozen

1 tsp stevia

1/2 cup water

3 ice cubes

Blend the lemon with the water. Add the banana, stevia, and ice and blend again. Serves 1

Don't have time to peel and slice up melons and lemons for your healthy fruit smoothies?

Buy your melons and lemons in bulk to get great deals. Then peel, seed, slice, and freeze for future delicious smoothies. Below are some ideas for freezing to save you money and time.

Melons

Cut up your melon into chunks and freeze on a cookie sheet. When frozen, place the melon chunks into a freezer bag.

Lemons

Peel and seed your lemons and blend in the blender until smooth. Pour the blended lemons into an ice cube tray. When frozen, dump the lemon ice cubes into a bag for future smoothies.

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Organic Dried Fruit - The Perfect Healthy Snack?

Is organic dried fruit the perfect healthy snack? It may well be. If you are trying to lose weight, feel better, eat more foods that are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants, fruit is one of the keys. There are several reasons why eating dried fruit is a great idea.

One thing many people don't pay enough attention to is their snacking habits. What you consume in between meals can be just as important as your main meals. It's all too easy to get in the habit of munching on fattening and unhealthy 'foods" like chips, pretzels, candy bars and donuts during the day. These snacks are usually very easy to find, whether from stores or vending machines at your place of work. These snacks are usually high in sugar, sodium, artificial ingredients and unhealthy fats.

Fruit makes an excellent substitute for such non-nutritious snacks. They are high in natural sugar, as well as antioxidants, which have been shown to be good for overall health and the prevention of many diseases. While fresh fruit is nutritious and refreshing, it's not always practical. Your favorite fruits are not always in season. Fruit can be either under or overripe. If you like bananas, for example, you've probably had the experience of a forgotten banana turning mushy and leaking into your car seat, pocketbook, backpack or carrying case!

Dried fruit is always in season and is convenient to carry. If you are going to start eating more dried fruit, it's good to look for the organic variety. Regular dried fruit often has added sugar, which you really don't need and counteracts the health benefits of natural fruit. Non-organic dried fruits may also contain chemicals and artificial ingredients.

You can find almost any variety of dried fruit. You may want to look for a mix that also contains nuts, which are a great source of protein and healthy fats. Or you can buy your favorite dried nuts and fruits separately and create your own mix. These can be conveniently carried to work, school or in the car, train, bus or plane.

Children can also learn to love dried fruit, though if they are accustomed to candy it may take some reconditioning! If you have kids, this may be a project worth getting started on, however. Too much sugar has been linked to many problems with children, such as hyperactivity and difficulty in concentration. If your kids are hooked on sugar, don't try to get them to quit cold turkey. Introduce healthier snacks into their diet and gradually get them to think of sweeter things like candy bars as special treats rather than something they eat throughout the day.

Introducing something like organic dried fruit into your diet may seem like a small step, but it's something that can make a real difference in your health and well being. For you are not only getting the many benefits of fruit in your diet, you are losing the many unhealthy substances that you can cut back on as you make this healthy switch.

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Kid Healthy Dessert - Fruit Crisp

Fruit crisps are thought to be a dessert that originated in the Southern States. Whether old or new, the recipe is a favorite with children. The fresh fruit makes a healthy snack for kids as well as an elegant dessert.

The recipes taste best is made with fresh fruits but frozen fruits are convenient and taste fresh with modern day packaging. A fruit crisp is easy to make. There is no crust required. These desserts can be served warm right out of the oven and topped with ice cream or real whipped cream.

You can create some healthy fruit crisps desserts for kids' snacks. Fruit crisp recipes are simple and quick to prepare. You can use almost any kind of fruit to create these scrumptious but healthy desserts. This recipe is a simple and quick way to prepare dessert without using refined sugar or even honey.

You can substitute fruit concentrates, date sugar or brown-rice syrup for white refined sugar. These alternative ingredients are usually available at your health food store.

Cherry Fruit Crisps are a delicious and a healthy way to consume vitamin C. Cherries are abundant with naturally occurring chemicals are called anthocyanins. Cherries also have anti-inflammatory properties useful in treating arthritis and may help fight colon cancer. Cherries are good for the entire family.

Cherry Crisps

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen, thawed, and drained dark sweet cherries

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons tapioca

½-1/2 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice concentrate (Minute Maid)

2 tablespoons of water

Double oat topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spray a 9x9 by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.

3. In large bowl mix together all the ingredients with the exception of the topping

4. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.

5. Let sit for 10 minutes.

6. Add topping.

7. Bake 50 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

8. Remove from oven.

9. Place on a wire rack to cool

10. Serve warm or refrigerate

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5 Simple Healthy Fruit Dessert Recipes

You will be happy to know that not all desserts are going to do a lot of damage to your body. In fact it is not a bad thing to come back for seconds without feeling guilty. Using fruits in desserts is a great idea because not only do the natural sugars add to the sweetening of the dish, but they provide antioxidants necessary to combat fatal diseases such as cancer and diabetes that are not welcome in our lives. We especially love easy healthy desserts recipes. Life is complicated enough as it is without having to worry about how to make the dessert.

Here are 5 simple healthy dessert recipes that you will probably enjoy and are good for you at the same time

Strawberries with Balsamic

Using balsamic with the sweetness of the strawberries makes for an excellent combination. Topping them with a meringue and a little sweetened yoghurt will be an even bigger treat. Just use natural sugar when you are making the meringues.

Caramelized Bananas

This is a really simple dessert. All you have to do is slice the banana in half. Add a small square of margerine to a pan and leave the banana in the pan for 1 minute on either side with a drizzle of honey.

Berry Frozen Yoghurt

This is a simple thing to do. Just mix everything together the night before and freeze it. The next day you have a fabulous dessert.

Lemon Granita

This is an old Italian favourite. Just add lemon, natural sugar and water together and place it in the freezer. Every hour take it out and then break the ice crystals up with a fork until they are fully formed. You can use different fruits here.

Baked Apple

People like having an apple baked in the oven for breakfast and others as a dessert. It tastes great stuffed with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins.

Healthy Dessert Recipes

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Add More Fruits to Your Everyday Meals With Five-A-Day Rule - Avocado As a Healthy Fruit Choice

What is the best way to make your diet healthier but keep it flavorful? Incorporate fruits in your everyday meals. This is the reason behind five-a-day rule. In this article, I will provide a delicious way to add a fruit in your everyday meals. Furthermore, let this information reveal why avocado is one of the healthiest choices for you.

To meet your daily requirement of nutrients, phytonutrients, and antioxidants, the five-a-day rule states that you need to eat 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruits. And because not everybody eats vegetables, fruits are the best way to meet these requirements.

One of the favorites among health experts is the nature's butter or avocado. Although they contain 30 percent fat, this is monounsaturated fat or the good fat. This type of fat can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. This alone is a good motivation to include it in your everyday meals.

Per half a fruit, avocados contain only 138 calories. This is quite surprising for a fatty fruit. It also contains beta-carotene, a nutrient that can be converted to vitamin A, protein, vitamins C and E, and vitamin B-complex particularly thiamine and riboflavin.

To enjoy avocados, you can have the well-known dish guacamole. With one ripe avocado, mash it with 5 teaspoon salsa, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and a dash of salt. Mash it until the mixture is smooth. Add diced ripe tomatoes. This is great as an ingredient in taco or a dip for tortilla chips.

Avocado may be seasonal, so enjoy it when it is abundant during its peak season. You can also include other fruits in your everyday meals like berries like raspberries and blueberries, apples, mangoes, and melons.

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Apple - Good Fruit for Healthy People

Apple is a very good fruit. It is healthy and it is great food for people, who want to stay in shape or lose weight. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." - It is very famous phrase and it is truth. Apples have a lot of vitamins and minerals. Just look at the table, it is amazing!

Energy 218 kJ (52 kcal)

Carbohydrates 13.81 g

Sugars 10.39 g

Dietary fiber 2.4 g

Fat 0.17 g

Protein 0.26 g

Water 85.56 g

Vitamin A equiv. 3 μg (0%)

Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0.017 mg (1%)

Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.026 mg (2%)

Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.091 mg (1%)

Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.061 mg (1%)

Vitamin B6 0.041 mg (3%)

Folate (Vit. B9) 3 μg (1%)

Vitamin C 4.6 mg (8%)

Calcium 6 mg (1%)

Iron 0.12 mg (1%)

Magnesium 5 mg (1%)

Phosphorus 11 mg (2%)

Potassium 107 mg (2%)

Zinc 0.04 mg (0%)

Research suggests that apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. Compared to many other fruits and vegetables, apples contain relatively low amounts of vitamin C, but are a rich source of other antioxidant compounds. The fiber content, while less than in most other fruits, helps regulate bowel movements and may thus reduce the risk of colon cancer. They may also help with heart disease, weight loss, and controlling cholesterol, as they do not have any cholesterol, have fiber, which reduces cholesterol by preventing re-absorption, and (like most fruits and vegetables) are bulky for their caloric content.

We recommend you eat apples every day or you can drink apple juice.

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The Health Benefits of Eating Fruit

Besides being very delicious there are a number of health benefits to be gained from eating fruit. There are many people that avoid eating foods that are considered to be healthy. Oftentimes, sometimes people feel as if they cannot eat certain foods simply because they are healthy and they have presumed that they won't like them. Such is the case with fruit. Even though fruit is available in a variety of selections for even the pickiest of eaters, there are those naysayers that prefer not to consume fruit at all. People should note that there are so many benefits that are derived from eating fruit. Not only is fruit delicious and full of vitamins and minerals it is also naturally low in fat making it an excellent snacking choice. Anyone that is interested in improving the quality of their healthy should consider consuming more fruit on a regular basis.

One of the biggest benefits that can be gained from eating fruit regularly is a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that can be caused by a number of factors. However, the consumption of sweets is one of the more prominent factors. Consuming too many sugary sweet items such as candies and pastries can lead to blood sugar irregularities. A great way to combat sweet tooth cravings is with fruit. Fruit is a naturally sweet option for anyone that would like to eliminate the unhealthy sweet snacks and replace them with nutritious healthy fruit. By eating more fruit as opposed to unhealthy sweet snacks people are more likely to lower their risk of diabetes.

Another benefit of eating fruit is weight management. People that eat fruit are more likely to lose weight and maintain their weight loss as opposed to other individuals. This is because fruit is naturally low in fat. Eating a couple of pieces of fruit will provide energy to keep the body functioning properly and supplies necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Eating more fruit also helps to fill the stomach which results in eating less food and contributes to weight loss. Furthermore, fruit is naturally low in sodium which means that individuals are less likely to gain water weight as a result of eating fruit. This helps people to maintain the appearance of weight loss. There are a variety of different fruits that people can consume in order to take the edge off their hunger and maintain their weight loss.

A final health benefit of eating fruit is that fruit is full of antioxidants. Nearly everyone is aware of the many health benefits of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to keep free radicals from attacking the healthy cells of the body. When free radicals attack the healthy cells of the body this can lead to a number of health problems such as cancer. The antioxidants that are found in fruit are can also help slow the aging process. Thus, eating at least five servings of fruit each day will supply the body with antioxidants which can aid in reducing the deterioration of the body and the development of disease.

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5 Healthy and Simple Ways to Make Fruit Salad Recipes

Salads made of fruit are undoubtedly the most delicious that can be prepared. In addition to being delightful in both appearance and flavor, they afford another means of introducing fruit into the diet. As fruit is decidedly beneficial for all persons with a normal digestion, every opportunity to include it in the diet should be grasped. Some fruit salads are comparatively bland in flavor while others are much more acid, but the mild ones are neither so appetizing nor so beneficial as those which are somewhat tart.

Here are 5 types of simple to prepare healthy fruit salads to start off in a week.

1) Mixed Fruit Salad

The combination of fruits given in the accompanying recipe makes a very good salad, but it need not be adhered to strictly. If one or more of the fruits is not in supply, it may be omitted and some other used. In case canned pineapple is used for the salad, the juice from the fruit may be utilized in making a fruit salad dressing.

1 grapefruit

2 oranges

1 banana

2 apples

2 slices pineapple

Salad dressing

Lettuce

Prepare the grapefruit and oranges according to the directions previously given. Slice the banana crosswise into 1/4-inch slices and cut each slice into four sections. Dice the apples and cut the pineapple in narrow wedge-shaped pieces. Mix the fruit just before serving. Add the salad dressing, which may be fruit-salad dressing, French dressing, or some other desirable salad dressing, by mixing it with the fruit or merely pouring it over the top. Serve on salad plates garnished with lettuce leaves. Place a maraschino cherry on top and this is sufficient to serve for six person.

2) Fruit and Nut Salad

Slice two bananas, two oranges and mix them with one-half cup of English walnuts and the juice of one-half lemon with French dressing. Serve on lettuce leaves.

3) Hungarian Fruit Salad

Mix together equal parts of banana, orange, pineapple, grapefruit and one-half cup of chopped nuts. Marinate with French dressing. Fill apple or orange skins with mixture. Arrange on a bed of watercress or lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with paprika.

4) Russian Fruit Salad

Peel and pit some peaches, cut in slices and add as much sliced pineapple, some apricots, strawberries

and raspberries, put these in a dish. Prepare a syrup of juice of two lemons, two oranges, one cup of water and one pound sugar, a half teaspoon of powdered cinnamon, grated rind of lemon, add one cup red wine and a half glass of rum. Boil this syrup for five minutes, then pour over the fruit, tossing the fruit from time to time until cool. Place on ice and serve cold.

5) Summer Mix Fruit Salad

Any agreeable combination of fruits which may be obtained during the same season will be suitable for summer mix salad. The combination given in the accompanying recipe includes strawberries, pineapple, and cherries. However, pineapple and cherries may be used alone, or strawberries and pineapple may be used without the cherries, or red raspberries may be used to garnish such a salad.

3/4 c. strawberries, cut into halves

3/4 c. pineapple, cut into dice

3/4 c. sweet cherries, seeded

Lettuce

Fruit-salad dressing

Prepare the fruits just before serving. Put them together, place on salad plates garnished with lettuce, and serve with the fruit-salad dressing.

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Healthy Fruit Juice Checklist - How to Choose a Bottled Fruit Juice

Not every bottled, canned, or boxed fruit beverage is a healthy fruit juice. Here is a checklist for evaluating juices to get the most health for your money.

Look for the words "100% fruit juice" on the label. This exact wording means that the beverage contains only fruit juice, flavors, and additives. Other wordings without the term "100%," such as "orange juice drink" or "fruit juice cocktail," mean that as little as 1% of the beverage might be fruit juice: the rest will typically be corn syrup.

Avoid flavors and additives as much as possible. Read the ingredients list in the fine print to see the number and names of additives.

"Pulp" or "puree" in the ingredients list indicates extra fiber, taste, and nutrition from the crushed flesh of the fruit.

On the label, look for the words "not from concentrate." This means that the juice was bottled when it was pressed. In contrast, "from concentrate" means that the juice was first dehydrated and then later reconstituted by mixing with water. The additional processing of making the concentrate harms the quality of the juice.

Look for the words "USDA organic" for the extra taste and nutrition of organic fruit. Organic fruit is grown without synthetic pesticides, which can concentrate in the juice. "100% organic" indicates entirely organic ingredients; "organic" indicates 95% organic ingredients. "Made with organic ingredients" means that only some of the ingredients are organic. The word "natural" means nothing at all!

Make sure that you get the fruit that you think you are buying. The ingredients are listed in the order of volume: the largest ingredient first and the smallest last.

Look for juice made from high-antioxidant fruits. Antioxidants are healthful nutrients that help maintain the body against the ravages of age, metabolism, and toxins. Fortunately, some antioxidants in fruits survive the bottling process! High-antioxidant fruit juices include bilberry, blueberry, cherry, concord grape, cranberry, and pomegranate.

Low-quality juices and corn syrup waste your money; whereas the highest quality juices enhance your health. This checklist will help you get the most from your juice purchases.

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