fruit
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Saturday, January 30th, 2010
We’ve all heard of sporks (spoon + fork), but how about spifes?
As Alanis Morissette mourns, “Isn’t it ironic? It’s like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife…”
Not a problem anymore, Alanis! The spife (by Zespri) is a spoon + knife. It’s perfect for eating kiwifruit: the knife slices the fruit in half, and the spoon scoops the flesh for eating.
Plus, how cool is the yellow kiwi above, compared to the more common green?
Apparently kiwis pack more nutrients per bite than the 27 most popular fruits. And, a Rutgers University study concluded that the kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-dense fruits on earth. Kiwis are high in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, and have low glycemic levels.
So now we really don’t have as many excuses for not eating as much kiwifruit as we should.
Thanks to Cynthia and the Zespri team for the samples.
Posted in Ingredients, Products | No Responses »
Tags: Alanis Morissette, cut, fiber, fruit, glycemic levels, green, kiwi, kiwifruit, knife, potassium, spoon, vitamin c, yellow, zespri
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Some fun, fruity, sexy beverages have hit the neighborhood: ME Beverages!
Caffeine-free, low-cal, free of added sugars, all-natural, and in cute slim 10.5 oz cans, how can you help but love ME?
They’re curious, uninhibited, vivacious and unavailable.
No really… they’re:
- Curious: Blueberry-Lime. The curious individual is inquisitive, careful, and eager to know and learn. They are considerate, highly intelligent, understanding, and generally mindful of others.
- Uninhibited: Pink Grapefruit. The uninhibited individual is not constrained by societal norms or peer pressure. They are free spirited, open-minded, and eager to experience the unknown. The uninhibited person carves their own path in life.
- Vivacious: Tangerine Pineapple. The vivacious individual is animated, energetic, and full of life. This person exudes passion and exhilaration, offering a contagious energy that lifts the spirits of everyone around them.
- Unavailable: Dragonfruit Blackberry. The unavailable individual has a strong personality, confident in their position and inner strength. They are a bit intimidating, perceived to be unapproachable, yet they offer a great deal of beauty and insight.
If flavor preferences speak to personality, I guess that means I’m unavailable and uninhibited.
What is your ME horoscope?
Thanks to Camilla for the delicious samples.
Posted in Products | No Responses »
Tags: Beverages, blueberry, dragonfruit, fruit, grapefruit, lime, natural, sparkling
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
There is a generation of us who grew up in the 1980s who happened to be the right age when Yo-J came out and was extremely popular for a brief time. It was like milk and juice mixed together, yet somehow all of the flavors turned out extremely vibrantly hued… hot pink, blueish purple… and we loved it.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we now have an option to enjoy dairy and fruit fusion in a beverage- conveniently available at Whole Foods and Target, but with roots 2,000 years old from the Caucasus Mountains.
Kefir! Lifeway has a delicious line of lowfat kefir which it describes as “cultured fruit smoothies.” They have 10 strains of live probiotic cultures, known to enhance the immune system and aid in nutrient absorption. I sampled the plain, vanilla and strawberry flavors. They have pretty colors, but in comfortingly subdued hues. I enjoyed them particularly mixed with granola and other cereals. They have a sweet but tangy zip (but taste nothing like Miracle Whip, promise).
Thanks to Erin for sending me some to try, and be sure to check out Lifeway Kefir.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »
Tags: cereal, dairy, fruit, granola, healthy, juice, kefir, probiotics, strawberry, Target, vanilla, Whole Foods
Friday, May 1st, 2009
A couple of weeks ago I got Montel Williams’ Living Well HealthMaster, and since then I’ve been making almost everything in it. Salad dressing, soups, sauces, fruit smoothies and vegetable juices all by just pressing the button. It doesn’t leave behind a stringy mess like a blender, yet retains all of the fiber and nutrients instead of discarding the way juicers do.
It comes with several recipe books. That’s where I got this cucumber soup recipe.
Chilled Cucumber Soup
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 seedless cucumber
1/2 red onion, peeled
1/2 garlic clove, peeled
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Add all ingredients into the HealthMaster. Secure the lid. Turn on the speed control to 1 (low). Turn on the machine. Increase the speed to 8 (high) until blended. Serve chilled.
I loved not having to chop the vegetables beforehand. So easy. I served this soup with a sprig of fresh mint and crumbled queso blanco. Refreshing and nutritious!
Posted in Kitchenware | No Responses »
Tags: cucumber, fruit, healthy, juice, nutritious, smoothies, soup, Vegetables
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Everyone always talks about wishing they ate more healthy food, but it seems less common to change certain habits that are dietary pitfalls.
Consider for a moment staff rooms and our workplaces. If someone brings in food to share, or if it’s someone’s birthday, or if you’re celebrating something as a group, what type of food do you have? Cake, cookies, chips, candy or soda, right? I’ve noticed that often this leaves us feeling lethargic and guilty, evolving into a discussion about wanting to eat healthier.
The FruitGuys is an awesome company that strives to change this experience across staff lounges, dorm rooms, and kitchens across the country. They work closely with farmers all over the country to ensure that they buy fruit local to the regions that they serve. 70-90% of their fruit mixes are locally grown within the three regions they serve (East Coast, Midwest, West Coast). There is a great variety of fruit offered which makes the box colorful, exciting and likely to please anyone.
What’s more, their boxes are moving from 70% to 100% post recyclable and can be “eaten” by the earth in the same way their fruit is eaten. All of the insulation and padding in the crates are made from cornstarch and can be degraded easily and properly.
Posted in Products | No Responses »
Tags: dorms, fruit, healthy, nutrition, work
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Happy Vegetable Reusable Bags in Red by Seattle-based Wunderthunder are a fabulous idea. It seems Meagan and Sasha have thought of everything:
This is a set of four reusable vegetable bags including a bonus herb bag. Made from preshrunk recycled cotton muslin with an organic cotton drawstring. Drawn and screen-printed at our home with water-based ink on preshrunk and recycled cotton muslin. A great biodegradable alternative to plastic bags! Easy and fun to use! Entertain your local grocer!
Take to the farmer’s market to bag your apples, cabbage, limes, lettuce, snap peas, or radishes without that horrible plastic bag guilt. Perfect for the bulk aisle of the grocery store for lugging home a bunch of bulk cereal, rice, pasta, flour, or even gummy sharks and chocolate bits.
Use the little herb bag to purchase cheap bulk herbs or teas. Take it to your local herbalist store and bring home some medicinal herbs to clean out your liver!
They won’t effect the scale at the grocery store either!
The large bag weighs .75 oz, the medium .45 oz, and the small .25 oz. The largest bag will add .001 lb.
In your set of four you will receive:
Large 10” x 12”
Medium 6” x 10”
Small 6” x 5.5”
Herb 3.5” x 5”
All sizes have a drawstring except for the little one!
Machine washable, tumble dry.
Etsy, $20 for the set of 4 bags (purchase here)
Posted in Cupboard Staples, Kitchenware | No Responses »
Tags: bags, bulk foods, environmentalism, Etsy, fruit, groceries, herbs, independent artists, produce, Vegetables
Monday, March 9th, 2009
Funky Monkey Freeze-Dried Organic Fruit Mixes are my new favorite snack to keep in my desk at work.
There are four flavors and they’re all my favorite:
Bananamon: Freeze-dried organic banana and organic cinnamon
Carnaval Mix: Freeze-dried organic banana, organic pineapple, apple, papaya and raisins
Jivealime: Freeze-dried organic pineapple and organic lime juice
Purple Funk: Freeze-dried organic banana and organic acai
Each of these flavors comes in cute little pouches of 110-120 calories. Extremely flavorful and each variety tastes distinct from the others, yet equally delicious! I appreciate their simple, wholesome ingredients, and the fact that they use no added colors or sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
I’ve found that Funkey Monkey is a nutritious snack when that late afternoon hunger (er.. boredom) kicks in.
Posted in Products, Uncategorized | 4 Responses »
Tags: acai, banana, fruit, Funkey Monkey, organic, pineapple, snack
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
This Picnic by Ascot Hampton Ultimate Picnic Backpack Cooler is now hanging in our closet, thanks to some dear North Carolina friends. Add some wine, cheese, fruit, a frisbee and a park and there you have an afternoon.
Add this to my growing list of Reasons to Anticipate Spring.
Posted in Organization | No Responses »
Tags: backpack, cheese, frisbee, fruit, park, picnic, seasonal, spring, Wine
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
Elizabowl Fruit Bowl can be expanded or shrunk depending on how much fruit you have.
Its designer, Sarah O’Brien, is just out of college and already has an impressive portfolio and several awards.
Watch a You Tube demonstration of this bowl with a peppy soundtrack.
Posted in Kitchenware | 1 Response »
Tags: bowl, design, fruit, kitchen, orange
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
“Top 100 Foods to Improve Your Productivity” on Foodproof.
From the list:
- Top foods for energy include: eggplant, raisins, lima beans
- Top foods for improving digestion and sleep include: black beans, bran cereal, avocado
- Top foods for eyesight include: strawberries, carrots, smoothies
- Top foods for avoiding colds and other illnesses include: orange juice, bell peppers, green tea
I find lists of this nature to be a little silly, but still: I love them.
The general message of always to eat more nutrient-dense foods: fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains.
Putting it into a format like this is more exciting. An instant tonic for our worries and ailments! Or, in the least, a reminder of some super foods to work into our diets.
(via Huffington Post)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »
Tags: energy, eyesight, fruit, health, nutrition, sleep, Vegetables, wellness
