As American as motherhood, the Fourth of July and Cherry Pie …

This patriotic holiday is all about traditions and, with summer in full swing, family and friends come together to enjoy favorite activities.  Doesn’t matter which coast you live on or where you are in between, I hope you’ll have the opportunity to kick back for a few minutes and have some fun.

This year marks the 83rd running of the National Cherry Festival and its full calendar of parades, queen coronation, cherry pit spitting and pie eating contests, concerts, foot races, air shows and more attracts people from around the globe.  With red tart cherries in the spotlight, it’s the perfect time to “salute the fruit” with a Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast harvest special.

The cherry harvest will soon begin and, even though the crop is about two weeks behind schedule due to a cool spring, growers are predicting a bumper crop.
We hope the abundance of fruit will allow us to pass along some cost savings to you, our customers.  Since the federal government regulates the tart cherry industry, only a portion of the crop will be available for sale, but any savings we can negotiate will be reflected in our pricing.

For the month of July, customers can save $1.00 on each quart of Tart Cherry Concentrate.  When you buy 6 or more bottles, you will save $1.50 a quart, and $2.00 a quart when you buy a case of 12 bottles.  This is our once-a-year special on our best selling concentrate, so stock up during July.  It keeps for up to two years in the freezer, so why not take advantage of the savings now.  We have many customers who place a single order with friends so they can take advantage of this offering.  Click here to order.

As we kick off the festivities on July 4th, my family and I will be celebrating not only cherries, but also the fact that we live in the greatest Country in the World, and I hope that you will too!

Seattle, Wash. –  The saying “you are what you eat” gained more support at the 2009 American College of Sports Medicine Convention held recently in Seattle.

Winona State University researchers presented a pilot study abstract with results showing that CherryFlex® softgels, the proprietary Montmorency red tart cherry fruit supplement, significantly altered muscle soreness following strenuous exercise in a double blind study conducted in 2008.

Fourteen healthy college-aged students participated in the study, with half taking CherryFlex fruit softgels, while the other group was given placebo.  The study participants performed five sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor after taking CherryFlex softgels for 16 days prior to and three days following exercise.

Lead researcher, Dr. Gary Kastello, said the pilot study results showed improved muscle recovery for those subjects taking the tart cherry softgel.

“Any athlete in training or everyday individuals subjected to strenuous activity can become sore when muscles swell following exercise,” said Dr. Kastello of Winona State University’s Department of Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences.  “The tart cherry supplement decreased discomfort following exercise and resulted in a shortened recovery time.”

A larger study is currently underway at Winona State, a four year university in Minnesota.  This expanded research is focusing on the effect of cherry supplementation in 45-70 year-old subjects, with results expected this December.   Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast officials say the Winona research is the second of two pilot study abstracts released this year on CherryFlex and supports the company’s mission.

“Brownwood Acres is committed to validating, through scientific research, the anecdotal results that our customers have been reporting for years,” said Brownwood owner Steve de Tar.  “As science continues to unlock the secrets to why dark-skinned fruits offer wonderful health properties, Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast plans to lead the charge in educating consumers on the benefits of daily fruit supplementation.”

Using a proprietary process, US grown Montmorency whole tart cherries, including the skin and pulp, are converted into a paste and marketed in soft gelatin capsules.

“Promoting healthy living continues to be our goal with products that are made from premium whole fruit that’s healthy, tasty, convenient and affordable,” said Cherry Capital Services owner Bob Underwood, who developed the process that remains unmatched in the nutraceutical world and whose company funded the Winona study.  “This, coupled with our philosophy to use nature’s formula without preservatives, fillers, coloring or the use of harsh solvents in our products, is the reason we are the leader in this technology.”

To view the entire Winona State University Cherry Study Abstract, go to http://www.brownwoodacres.com/winonastudy.php

Last fall, my business partner, Steve de Tar, and I traveled to Minnesota to the campus of Winona State University.  Our trip had one purpose: to receive the results from a crossover double blind study the schools research division was conducting with our FruitFast product  - CherryFlex.

The aim was to measure the tart cherry softgel’s effects on muscle soreness and strength recovery following strenuous exercise.  To accomplish this, a team of researchers interview, sign up, schedule and instruct participants.  Then they conduct the trials, measure, sample, record and analyze statistics over a period of time from the two groups: one that takes the study product (CherryFlex) and the other that unknowingly takes placebo.

Not surprisingly, we learned that the scientific findings from the cherry supplementation study were positive.  Results showed a decrease in discomfort and faster recovery time from muscle soreness for study subjects taking the regular regimen of CherryFlex.   (click here to view abstract)

Dr. Gary Kastello of the University’s Department of Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences gave us a tour of the research facility – a comprehensive program and curriculum housed in an impressive new building in the center of the 8,000 student campus.  We met with the University president, research staff and students - a professional and dedicated group committed to science education and discovery.

It ended up being a trip that was enlightening in a number of ways.  I saw firsthand the concentration and integrity exhibited by the scientific community.  And was amazed by their intelligence and deductive reasoning skills.  Their efforts resulted in having the cherry supplementation scientific abstract reviewed, accepted and presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting in Seattle this past May.

It seemed longer than it actually was.  But for a few weeks last month, Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast call center staffers had the unpleasant task of informing customers,  “Sorry, but we are currently sold out of our Mixed Berry Bars” and listen to their audible disappointed sighs.

That is no longer the case.

Supplies of the popular Mixed Berry Fruit Supplement Bars and Mixed Berry with Dark Chocolate Bars have been replenished and it is again easy to order these popular 40g bars that are USDA developed and patented.

Packed with premium grade berries for a nutritious between meals treat, each bar has only 260 calories and conveniently fits in pockets, purses and beach bags.  Although they are great tasting, the dark-skinned berries provide antioxidants and phytonutrients for a healthful pick-me-up anytime of day.  You’ll enjoy one apple plus premium grade red and black raspberries, wild blueberries and strawberries in every bar.

So spread the word.   Mixed Berry is back and available in just the right quantity for you and your family.

Information from a new source oftentimes gets our attention and gets a reaction.  We can hear parents, relatives, friends and neighbors counsel us on a variety of subjects and offer advice repeatedly.   But do we listen?  Not always…

Noted nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden may just be one of those “voices” we do end up listening to and heeding.  He was recently quoted on Forbes.com about his latest book, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy, and he named cherries and blueberries to his list of 10 very healthy foods we don’t eat enough of on a daily or even weekly basis.

But wait…we have been saying that all along at Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast!  It’s important to eat multiple servings of fruit daily, in fact, and most Americans don’t eat even three servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  It means your body is not getting the correct fuel to function well.

In that healthy spirit, we are welcoming the month of June with an invitation to order online from Brownwood Acres/ Fruit Fast and enjoy a 5 percent savings on everything you purchase.  Any order placed now until the end of June will receive the 5% discount…but there is a slight catch.

Shoppers need to enter the code SAVEFIVE into the coupon code section of the shopping cart.  The discount cannot be given if you forget to enter the SAVEFIVE code in the appropriate box.  Even our helpful phone staff will not be able to go in and add the code, so be sure you enter it when placing your order.

Between now and June 30, you can order and take advantage of this across-the-board savings.  Click here – and remember to enter the SAVEFIVE code.

If you forget, be sure to order one of our FruitFast Wild Blueberry products to pep up your brain power!

When it comes to giving your dog natural dog products, where better to turn to than a trusted, family owned company?  Brownwood Acres has been delivering premium Montmorency Tart Cherry products for over 60 years, so when it comes to man’s best friend and a name you can trust, it’s Brownwood Acres hands down.

Our newest product is called CherryFlex® For Dogs  and although it’s new to our product line, it contains the exact same CherryFlex® paste that thousands of you have already come to rely on.

You see, this all started when our customers began contacting us a few years ago saying that they’ve been giving our CherryFlex® gelcaps to their senior or otherwise injured dogs.  This feedback was so positive, that it started owners Bob Underwood and Steve deTar  thinking.  The calls kept coming, their wheels kept turning and the next thing I knew, we had an enteric coated CherryFlex® gelcap that is perfectly suited for dogs.

So the next time you’re searching for natural dog products for your best friend, order a satisfaction guaranteed bottle of CherryFlex® for Dogs from the world’s most potent fruit capsule manufacturer.  We guarantee you’ll like what you see!

For additional information regarding this or any other product from Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast®, simply give us a call toll free at 1-877-591-3101 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday - Friday EST.  You’ll always get a friendly voice that will help get your order out immediately.  You may also email your questions to mary@brownwoodacres.com or to myself at Ken@fruitfast.com and we will gladly reply promptly.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Ken

Life is all about choices.  And among the most important ones are those that “follow you” through life, day in and day out.

As a vegetarian, I choose to not eat meat, chicken or fish and limit my diet to one that is high in unprocessed high grains, protein and fiber.  Whether you choose the vegetarian path, a vegan diet or prefer to eat meat and poultry, a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables should be the goal.

Trendy diets, fasting and consuming just one food for a period of time are techniques and fads that can be convincing and confusing.  Just what is good nutrition?  And what simple reminders can I follow for myself and my family?

Here are some of my personal suggestions;
• Eat five or more servings of fruit a day – preferably dark-skinned fruit for their antioxidant content
• Eat a wide variety of vegetables – locally grown when possible
• Avoid processed foods with refined sugars, preservatives and chemicals
• Stay away from fast food
• Don’t skip meals
• Remember the importance of drinking water
• To help reduce that craving for a late night, sweet snack, drink FruitFast Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate after dinner

Good eating and a balanced diet equals healthy living.  It’s what we are all about at Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast with the quality products we offer.  Add regular exercise and good sleep habits and it’s a formula that, over time, can make you look and feel better from the inside out.

Sensible living translates into eating well the majority of time, watching your intake and your output with exercise and using simple common sense choices.

Good news is always fun to share and we have plenty to pass along about shipping costs for our customers.

With the introduction of Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast’s newly redesigned website, we now offer a choice of shipping options: United Parcel Service (UPS) or United States Postal Service (US Mail).

In many instances, even with postal rates rising on May 11, 2009, shipping costs through US Mail are almost 50% cheaper than using UPS when sending to certain locations.

Here’s a quick example:

Amy lives in Topeka, Kansas.  She is a regular customer purchasing three bottles of CherryFlex four times a year and additional products more frequently when we have a monthly special - like our fruit supplement bars in May.  But the UPS shipping expense cost Amy $7.22. Her price went down to $4.09 when we switched her shipping to US Mail. Most Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast customers can expect a savings of $3.50 to $5 per softgel shipment when ordering up to six bottles.  Delivery time is generally 2 to 5 days and is very reliable.

If you are ordering on a Thursday or Friday, delivery time is actually faster since US mail moves all weekend.

We are anxious to find the very best shipping option for you, no matter where you live – including Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.  For example, we can ship one bottle of softgels for only $5.00, 2 for $8.00, 3 for $10.00 and 4 for $12.00 (USD).  If you don’t see the country you wish to send to listed on the Brownwood Acres website, please send us an e-mail.  You may also visit our International shipping page by clicking here. We use US mail flat rate boxes for our heavier items like concentrates, which can also reduce the shipping charges for you.
Have a friend or serviceman in another country?  Call or email us and we will be happy to compute the shipping costs overseas, which are consistently much more economical through the postal service.

We are happy to calculate the charges to ship our 100% natural and all-fruit products right to your door. Call us toll free at 1-877-591-3101 or send me an email at mary@brownwoodacres.com.

Thanks for helping us spread the good news to family and friends…

The last piles of snow have finally melted, the hillsides are greening and farmers in our neck of the woods are predicting that the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom by May 10.  Spring brings welcome sights and smells after a very long and snowy winter here in the northern Great Lakes region.

At Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast®, we share the sense of renewal, feel the urge to celebrate the season’s change, and enjoy the out-of-doors again.

That’s why the May Special we are offering is perfect timing.  A  Mother’s Day gift that’s sure to delight…

For just the month of May, the MixedBerry and MixedBerry with Dark Chocolate fruit supplement bars are half off:  A 50% savings off the regular price.  Order a 16-pack of either flavor or a split pack of 8 bars each for just $12.47.  You’ll pay only 78 cents per bar.

If you have not tried FruitFast Bars, you are definitely in for a delicious and healthy treat.  You’ll find a robust berry taste that is perfect for in-between meals.  And since they are 100% fruit without preservatives, no refined sugars and only 100 calories a bar, you’ll find the benefits of antioxidants in this USDA developed and patented fruit bar.

Visit our new, redesigned website to take advantage of the MixedBerry Bar special – then take them with you wherever you go to celebrate the arrival of Spring.  You can call us toll free, too, at 1-877-591-3101.

If it is worth doing, then it’s worth doing right – no matter the wait.

That could be my new credo following the protracted schedule for our new Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast website.   As with any renovation project, this one had a schedule all its own and ended up taking longer to finish than originally planned.

We know the wait was worth it, however.  The new site has a clean, fresh look and feel to it and better reflects our company and products.  Our goal was to make the new FruitFast website friendly and informative while easy to navigate.

The ordering process has been streamlined, and products are now much easier to find, research and purchase.  Our customers can locate product information quickly, including the products’ Certificates of Analysis for content reference, along with specials and shipping discounts.

More than anything, we want new and returning guests to the site to feel confident that we are an established and reliable company with exemplary fruit supplements.

Your input is important to us, so we invite you to comment on our new look and our new products.  Jot me a note at steve@fruitfast.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.