There has been a lot of talk in recent years about “super fruits” which are fruits that combine exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality with appealing taste. To date, superfruits have been developed mainly as juices, but began in 2007 to appear as single piece products or as ingredients for functional foods, confectioneries and cosmetics. Current industry development includes applications for creating novel consumer products, such as energy drinks, dietary supplements, and flavors with nutrient qualities, e.g. fortified water.

Commonly mentioned superfruits include açaí, blueberry, cranberry, goji, red grape, guarana, mango, mangosteen, noni, pomegranate and sea-buckthorn. Apples, oranges, tomatoes and common berries, such as strawberries, red raspberries and blackberries used for a large number of consumer products, achieve many of the criteria to be superfruits. They are, however, commonly known in the public and have not attracted interest as novelty ingredients, so are not usually included in industry reports as superfruits.

The mangosteen is commonly known as “The Queen of fruits” in parts of southeast Asia, notably Singapore and Malaysia. It is believed to have “cooling” properties that counteract the “heatiness” of durians, the so-called “King of fruits”. The mangosteen also has been said to have lots of nutrients and antioxidents.

Research indicates that naturally occurring xanthones may help maintain intestinal health, support the immune system, neutralize free radicals, help support cartilage and joint function, and promote a healthy seasonal respiratory system

You can purchase a mangosteen juice product from a company called XanGo. They also have a distribution opportunity if you are interested in starting your own home business.

Personal time is a right of being a person. Each of us has the capacity to nurture others but that type of care takes its toll.

A car is filled with gas to make it run. Eventually the gas runs out and your car won’t move unless the car is replenished with fuel. The same goes for you. Emotional issues can develop when you don’t take the time to take care of your emotional well-being, not to mention the physical results of emotional neglect.

Mom time refuels the tank so that you can give to your family as well as yourself in equal measure. Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. In the springtime, relaxing in a hammock under a tree is the perfect getaway from the pressures of the day. Reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:

1. Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

3. Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

4. Use the Boy Scout motto. Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode. Fix lunches the night before. Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out. The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout.

5. Take exercise breaks. When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications. Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles. Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system. Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids.

6. Laugh at regular intervals. Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site. Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly. It also keeps the abs tight.

Moms, take care of you. Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them. You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle.

Note: please consult with a doctor or physician before starting a new eating plan

You often hear or read about the importance of getting your recommended servings of healthy vegetables each day. Just follow the “ABCs” below and you’ll be on your way to reaching that goal.

Aim for Three Portions Each Day
Aiming for three portions of vegetables throughout the day will help you fill your plate at each meal as well as provide a powerful nutrient punch without weighing you down with unwanted calories. In fact, research shows that those with a higher intake of vegetables are more likely to be at their goal weight.

To increase your vegetable intake, try adding vegetables (like diced tomato and onion) to scrambled eggs or omelets. Focus on filling each meal plate with 50 percent color, munching on raw vegetables with a healthy dip such as hummus, adding frozen vegetables to a casserole or pasta sauce, adding canned vegetables to a soup or stew, and using more vegetable toppings on your next pizza.

Be Brave with Color
To get a healthy variety of veggies, think color. Vegetables are whole foods created by nature and are rich in nutrients including fiber, vitamins and healthy antioxidants. When eating vegetables, get as much color variety as possible to maximize your intake of those healthy nutrients. Why?

Often the color of a vegetable will indicate what health-enhancing nutrient is prevalent in the plant. For example, the orange in sweet potatoes, carrots and squash indicates a high level of beta-carotene, which keeps your skin healthy.

Cook with Care
When vegetables are altered from their raw state via cooking, care needs to be taken to retain their nutritive value. For examples, vegetables lose nutrients (as well as texture and flavor) when they are over-boiled in too much water.
Opt instead for steaming vegetables or cooking in the microwave with only small amounts of water until the veggies are “crisp-tender” as nutrients will be better retained.

Happy eating!

Kimberly Mueller, MS, RD, is a Registered Sports Dietitian who provides nutrition counseling and customized meal planning to active individuals worldwide. More information on Kim’s services can be found at www.Fuel-Factor.com.