Those with a “sweet tooth” know they are drawn to candy & ice cream. But, research shows that they are also drawn to fruits – a fact that could be used to their advantage! If you are a sweet lover, replace a few sweet snacks with fruit -full of nutrients rather than processed sugar and calories. A study at the Cornell University found that fruit lovers ate sweet snacks over 15 times a week, while veggie lovers ate sweets only 11 times a week. Now that you know… what will you do with your sweet tooth? Will you stick with sweets or choose to improve your eating habits and your overall health?

In studies in the US, Japan and India, tocotrienols have been demonstrated to promote T-cell development and thus enhance the immune system.

A well-balanced diet keeps you healthy in two ways: by maintaining a healthy immune system and by helping you effectively fight disease. Your body houses a resident army of cells that have one purpose: to keep you healthy. Bacteria and viruses are found everywhere in everyday life: on door handles, in food, in the air, on skin, etc. When these illness-causing germs enter the body, they can attack healthy cells and tissue and make you sick. Your immune system is there to prevent these germs from ever gaining a foothold, killing those that are strong enough to cause illness before trouble even starts. Excessive amounts of fat, processed sugar and alcohol weaken the immune system drastically, yet a majority of people consume too much of all three, making themselves especially susceptible to disease. Comparatively, a healthy diet improves immune effectiveness and produces more white blood cells.

A healthy diet is one of the strongest weapons you can give your body, and there are several foods that are particularly good to have in your arsenal. Fruits and vegetables offer vitamins like A, C, and E, which are potent disease fighters. VITAMIN C promotes white blood cell production and increases levels of interferon, an antibody that protects your body from viruses by coating cells, making them harder to penetrate and infect. VITAMIN E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, which patrol the body killing germs and cancer cells. VITAMIN A, in the form of beta carotene found in orange and yellow produce, stimulates immune cells that specifically target cancer and also helps produce more natural killer cells.

"The antioxidant nutrients found in plant foods (vitamin C, carotene, vitamin E, and the mineral selenium) are presently of great interest to scientists and the public because of their potentially beneficial role in reducing the risk of cancer and certain other chronic diseases."
~The 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. government

Cooking Increases Antioxidant Powers in Carrots!

High temperatures are not usually the best thing for veggies. However, new research indicates that for carrots, heat can increase their goodness because the heat changes compounds found in raw carrots into other related compounds. Carrots are one of the best sources of carotene and phenolic compounds, which are both strong antioxidants. Researchers studied the effects of heat on antioxidant properties of carrots. The carrots were sliced, blanched, cooked and then stored for 4 weeks. The antioxidant power of the heated carrots was about 34% greater than raw carrots. In the end, the processed carrots had more oxidative power than the raw carrots.

EAT YOUR TOPS… they’re highly nutritious-rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. Carrot tops are loaded with potassium, which can make them bitter, so be creative! Try a Carrot- Top Pesto Vinaigrette-hide the bitterness under tangy vinegar, and sweeten it slightly with honey. Sautee chopped carrot tops lightly in olive oil with garlic and onion. Then add other veggies: the carrots themselves, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc. Fold the entire garden mish-mash inside a whole wheat tortilla. Brown it, and call it a quesadilla. Mix some in a salad or use them for garnish.

Add them to anything simmering on your stove!