Diana’s Moment
May 3, 2012 | 
Author
Most of us are looking for ways to get our kids to eat better these days. One of the biggest problems in America, and to some extent in other parts of the world, is obesity. Children everywhere are becoming terribly overweight as they snack constantly on goodies that do nothing but harm to them. So many companies today market specifically to little kids. They know that they can easily get young people addicted to some sort of junk food. Kids don’t think about their health and many of them do not know that eating certain things is bad for them. They don’t know that just another cheeseburger could mean serious problems for them down the line. How can you as a concerned parent fight these huge corporations to protect your children’s health? Obviously you cannot afford the time or the energy to try to change things legally, and companies do have the right to market their products.
The real solution to the problem is to introduce your kids to some snacks that are genuinely healthy.
You also need to find something that can be made quickly and easily. You need to find something that you do not need to make yourself and that your kids can make safely. But what food will kids like that is actually good for them? Can you get them past the fast food generation?
There are only a few things that I have found that my kids really love instead of hamburgers. The best stuff you can get them to eat is fruit. Fruit contains many of the vitamins and minerals that kids need and it does not have the types of saturated fats and preservatives in so much of our junk food. Here are five fruity snacks that kids love:
1. Exotic fruit mix. Cut up strawberries and kiwis.
Mix them together and put them into a bowl. You don’t need to add anything else to get kids to come. These fruits are already naturally so sweet that they will taste like candy. They are also so fresh that they provide a nice break from much of the processed and frozen food in the average diet.
2. Apples. You will be surprised to find that kids love apple slices. Sometimes if you give them a little cheese to eat with the apple bits you will find that they especially love it. Use either reds or greens and try different varieties. You will find that kids are less likely to eat sharp tasting fruits, such as crisp red delicious.
3. Oranges. These are great because they provide lots of minerals needed by growing young bodies. You will find that young people love a few little orange slices here and there. You can get them most of the citrus they need.
4. Pineapple. I recommend a bowl of pineapple now and then. This is partly because it is so unusual. Pineapple does not taste like anything else which is largely why kids like it.
5. Berries. Although not something you should probably allow your kids to eat too much of, berries can make for a great little hand held snack like candy.
These are just the sorts of snacks that your kids will start to expect to have when you introduce them to them. You will be surprised to see just how much they like having fruit. They will forget about all that nasty fast food fairly quickly. You will also see a general improvement in their health and weight. A few fruity snacks everyday definitely keeps the doctor away.
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Article by Robert Steers
The Cherry is derived from a limited number of species, especially species of wild cherry, Prunus avium. Small cherry fruits are members of the subgenus Cerasus, and is native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.The majority of eating cherries are either derived from Prunus avium, wild cherry (sometimes called the sweet cherries) or Prunus cerasus, sour cherry. Cherries are highly perishable, and they rarely ripen after harvest. Cherries are very versatile fruit and can become a part of a meal or a dessert to be. From breakfast to soups and salads, finds its way into any food item easily!
Red cherries are high in melatonin and high in antioxidants that help to cancer and heart disease. The cherry fruit is low in cholesterol, fat and sodium. They are also a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Tart cherries and tart cherry juice is known to decrease urate levels in the body, which cause gout. Sweet and sour cherries can be used for marmalade.
The native range of wild cherry extends through most of Europe, West Asia and parts of North Africa, and the fruit through its range of use since ancient times. A cultivated cherry recorded as brought to Rome by Lucius Licinius Lucullus in northeastern Anatolia, modern Turkey, also known as the Pontus region in 72 BC.
Cherries contain anthocyanins, the red pigment in berries. Cherry anthocyanins have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in rats, anthocyanins are potent antioxidants under active research for a wide range of potential health benefits. According to a study funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute presented at Experimental Biology 2008-meeting in San Diego, rats that received whole tart cherry powder mixed into a high-fat diet do not get as much weight or build up as much body fat and blood are much lower levels of inflammation indicators for heart disease and diabetes are linked. Moreover, they have significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than the other rats.
The cultivated forms are of the species wild cherry (P. avium) to which most cherry cultivars belong, and the sour cherry (P. cerasus), which is used mainly for cooking. Both species originate in Europe and western Asia; they do not cross-pollinate. Some other species, although having edible fruit, are not grown extensively for consumption, except in northern regions where the two main species will not grow. Irrigation, spraying, labor and their propensity to damage from rain and hail make cherries relatively expensive. Nonetheless, there is high demand for the fruit. Cherry is harvested by using shaker in commercial production.Cherries have a very short growing season and can grow in most temperate latitudes. The peak season for cherries is in the summer. In Australia, they are usually at their peak in late December, in southern Europe in June, in North America in June, in south British Columbia (Canada) in July to mid August, and in the UK in mid July. In many parts of North America, they are among the first tree fruits to ripen. In Orange, NSW – A cool climate cherry region, the season begins in mid November and finishes towards the end of January. ‘Kordia’ is an early variety which ripens during the beginning of December, ‘Lapins peak’ near the end of December, and ‘Sweethearts’ appear slightly later.
Today Sunnycrest Orchards proudly grows a variety of Australian produce – including apples, apricots, hazelnuts, and of course,
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Tags: Cherries, Cooking, low-cholesterol, low-fat, low-sodium, Using | 
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Article by Sean Paul
It is a well known fact that vibrantly colored berries offer a range of health benefits to their consumer. Strawberries and blueberries top the list of fitness fruits.
Strawberries are rich in nutrients that help strengthen the immune system, such as Vitamins B5, B6, C, K and flavonoids. Their other nutrients include manganese, riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid and copper. These wonder fruits are known to boost protection against rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration.
Blueberries are rich in vitamins, anthocyanin, copper, selenium, zinc and iron. They protect the consumer from bacterial and viral illnesses. They neutralize free radicals, slowing down the aging process as well as age-related visual loss. They are also known to combat ocular problems like cataract and hypermetropia. Blueberries dissolve harmful cholesterol with their high fiber, and as a result are desirable in the diets of obese and cardiac patients. They aid weight loss by reducing abdominal fat and preventing enlargement of the liver as well.
They are also known to maintain healthy urinary tracts to help prevent and treat neurotic disorders. Studies indicate that these fruits sharpen the memory and boost learning capacity. Research is being carried out on their effectiveness as natural anti-depressants.
Purchase
strawberries are highly perishable fruits, so they must be purchased only a couple of days prior to consumption. Medium-size, firm and plump berries with shiny red skin and green caps are usually the sweetest. Avoid those with dull, patchy skin or mold. As for blueberries, avoid soft or moist ones as they are probably damaged. Those clumped together due to a thaw-and-refreeze process indicate a lack of freshness.
Storage
Berries should be stored in a refrigerator for a maximum of two days before they become spoiled. To freeze them, gently wash and pat dry and then pack them in a plastic bag. Add a few drops of lemon juice to retain their color. Packing too many in a single container may cause them to get crushed or go soft, which can reduce flavor.
Berry Recipes
Berries may be added to enhance the nutrition value and flavor of any meal. They may be eaten whole as a snack or tossed in a salad. Slice them up for your toast or cereal during breakfast or blend them into juices, yoghurts or milkshakes. Berry recipes include a range of low-calorie, high-taste desserts to boost the health of those with a sweet tooth. If fresh berries are not easily available, use frozen ones to power up your meals.
Berries at Driscoll’s – We grow some of the finest strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & blackberries. Also, we have a huge variety of berry recipes for you because there is just so much one can do with berries. Our recipe index gives you options for appetizers, beverages, main courses, etc. Check out our entire recipe index here. If you would like to speak to a Driscoll’s representative, please call our 24 hour toll free number at 1-800-871-3333.
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