Way back in December, 2009, I wrote a blog entry about the health benefits of the fruit of the kiwi.
Not only are they cute (in a fuzzy kind of way), really attractive in a bouquet (the bright green, white and black make them an outstanding component of a fruit arrangement), and delicious, but we are now learning about additional health benefits.
According to a recent study, done by researchers at South Korea's Seoul National University, kiwi could play a roll in helping some of the 300 million people worldwide who suffer from asthma.
The March Dole Nutrition News described the study, saying that researchers administered kiwifruit extract to mice which were later exposed to allergens, then monitored for roughly three weeks. Compared to a control (placebo) group, the kiwi-fed mice enjoyed a 47% decline in asthmatic symptoms – plus a 48% reduction in white blood cell counts (which marshal in excess among asthmatic and allergy patients). Kiwi’s powerful enzyme – actinidin – may play a role.
If you haven't yet subscribed to the Dole Nutrition News,
http://www.dole.com/NutritionInstituteLanding/NutritionNews/tabid/1060/Default.aspx,
you may want to check out their website. The monthly newsletter is always full of interesting facts, stories and new research on fruit and nutrition.
In the meantime, keep enjoying those cute, fuzzy green kiwifruits!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tropical Flowers and Fresh Fruit Bouquets
What is the most common characteristic of tropical flowers?
Is it their heady fragrance, maybe their prolific nature? I think it is their vibrant colors.
Whether you are looking at a beautiful yellow, orange or red hibiscus or marveling at the outstanding colors of the paper thin bracts of a bougainvillea, there is no doubt that you are looking at a tropical plant. Did you think those beautiful ‘blossoms’ on the bougainvillea were it’s flowers? Actually, the flower is the little white tubular blossom in the center of the colorful bracts. They are small, but big enough for hummingbirds and other pollinators to find them.
Following the lead of tropical flowers, today’s fruit bouquets and arrangements are also composed of colorful flowers made from bright yellow pineapples, vibrant pink watermelon, orange cantaloupes, and the green honeydew. Then when you add purple grapes, bright orange citrus, green and black kiwifruit, bright red strawberries, and blueberries, you have a tropical bouquet that is also edible!
Keeping with the tropical theme, Flowers to Eat has added some vibrant new arrangements to their product line. Take a moment and look at the new Sensational Starburst, packed with color, flavor and creativity! Let us know what you think of this and our other new designs.
Is it their heady fragrance, maybe their prolific nature? I think it is their vibrant colors.
Whether you are looking at a beautiful yellow, orange or red hibiscus or marveling at the outstanding colors of the paper thin bracts of a bougainvillea, there is no doubt that you are looking at a tropical plant. Did you think those beautiful ‘blossoms’ on the bougainvillea were it’s flowers? Actually, the flower is the little white tubular blossom in the center of the colorful bracts. They are small, but big enough for hummingbirds and other pollinators to find them.
Following the lead of tropical flowers, today’s fruit bouquets and arrangements are also composed of colorful flowers made from bright yellow pineapples, vibrant pink watermelon, orange cantaloupes, and the green honeydew. Then when you add purple grapes, bright orange citrus, green and black kiwifruit, bright red strawberries, and blueberries, you have a tropical bouquet that is also edible!
Keeping with the tropical theme, Flowers to Eat has added some vibrant new arrangements to their product line. Take a moment and look at the new Sensational Starburst, packed with color, flavor and creativity! Let us know what you think of this and our other new designs.
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