Fruit for Life

That picture is mouth watering, isn't it?

Fruit is an amazing food! It is where the 'sweets' world meets the healthy. They are usually vibrant in color and smell fabulous (with the exception of papaya, those who have had it know what I mean). I think many of us have made the statement, "well if it is really good, it must be bad for me." Yet, fruit (and of course all our wonderful recipes, right), proves us wrong.

There are some great fruit guidelines I have appreciated in my life that I'd like to share with you.

First off, fruit is best to eat on an empty stomach or before your meal. Fruit is easily digested in the body and when you have other foods in your intestines beforehand it makes it harder for your fruit to digest and could cause fermentation and indigestion in the body. When eaten alone or before your meal, fruit will easily digest and be used for energy. This is great for those of us who feel bloated or have digestive upset after eating fruit for dessert.

It is great to eat fruit as a snack after exercising. Instead of drinking that protein shake or eating yogurt, fruit will give you added hydration and needed energy from the natural sugars.

Fruit is actually alkaline-forming in the body. Even citrus fruits too! Lemons are my personal favorite. I could probably do a whole post just on lemons.

It is best to eat your fruit whole, unprocessed, and fresh. When heated, the digestive enzymes and nutrients are cooked out. When you eat your fruit with the skin or pulp, unprocessed and fresh you are getting fiber, nutrients and vitamins that the body can utilize and use.

So, eat up and use wisely. I'm going to go eat that fruit right now! Yum.

Herbal Spotlight: Red Raspberry Infusion

This is an herb that has been used for generations upon generations of women and children, and is well worth knowing of. Red Raspberry, where mothers and babies are concerned, has been called an herb made in heaven. It is definately one of my most used and most favorite of herbs, and currently a daily must have in my day because I love how I feel when I use it.

How to Prepare Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
To make a tea, or more appropriately called, an infusion, simply purchase a few ounces of Red Raspberry Leaf from your local health food store or reliable online herb co., (look HERE). If you like you can also purchase a tea ball, or a muslin bag to place your herb in while steeping it, or you can simply strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer when it is finished. To make, I usually make at least a quart a day, so I use a 1 quart canning jar with a lid. I place a generous handful of the dried herb in the jar and pour boiling water over the top. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, with the lid on, although I leave mine as long as overnight depending on preference for strength. Strain or remove tea ball, add honey if you like and enjoy.

Interesting Facts about Red Raspberry
According to the Little Herb Encyclopedia, Red Raspberry,
"builds tissue to the extent that it prevents tearing of the cervix of the uterus during birth. During childbirth, hemorrhaging is prevented, the contraction of the uterine muscles are regulated during delivery and it also reduces false labor pains prior to birth...it enriches colostrom found in mother's milk, it also cleanses and prepares breasts for a pure milk supply...it has been used as an aid in morning sickness, and to ease many menstrual problems...Raspbery strengthens the walls of the uterus and the entire female reproductive system...(and finally but not least of all)...Raspberry leaf is an excellent herb for children for cleansing colds, slowing diarrhea, easing colic and fevers."

I feel great when I drink this tea, and I know countless others who have also enjoyed it's benefits!

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intented to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease.