How much time does the typical homemaker spend in the kitchen during the Holidays?

For many, the traditions of family gatherings, entertaining friends, and reaching out to the less fortunate this time of year is an annual exercise reflecting what the season represents: cooking, baking and creating homemade goodies for those we care about.

All that culinary preparation can be a joy … or a burden.

“The hustle and bustle during the holidays can be rewarding or stressful,” says Debbie Colaianni, FruitFast’s gourmet cooking expert. “The deciding factor may well be in the planning. I have found that waiting until the last minute to bake those cookies, plan the party menu and then rush to get the shopping done is a recipe for distress.”

The solution is planning ahead.

Looking for a unique and flavorful stuffing recipe, a new dessert or crowd-pleasing side dish that will have revelers coming back for seconds? See how a professional handles the stress and multi-tasks with ease. Debbie’s healthy Holiday ideas and hints are all on the Recipe page of our website. These tried-and-true recipes often feature FruitFast products – another delectable way to prepare healthy dishes using dried fruits and our delicious liquids.

So perhaps it isn’t a matter of how much time you spend in the kitchen over the Holidays, but how much enjoyment it brings to you and those you care about.

With a blanket of white out our window, it’s no problem transitioning from Fall and turning our attention and thoughts to the Holidays.  Deer season is continuing through the end of November, so this layer of snow is a welcome sight and area ski resorts are opening early by several weeks – something that has not happened in northwest Michigan for a number of seasons.

A lot of things seem to be on an accelerated schedule.  Christmas decorations have been up in these parts in retail shops for several weeks now, anticipating getting a jump on sales in our topsy-turvy economy.

Here at Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast, we are looking forward to the Holidays and will celebrate with special offerings on our premium line of fruit supplements as a way of giving back to our faithful customers and extending quality products to newcomers.

We’ll be announcing those specials shortly that are sure to bring you some Holiday cheer – the healthy kind!

Thanksgiving 2008 may be remembered in the annals for its uncertainty as our country faces innumerable challenges.   As we gather with family and friends this week, we hope you will reflect on the need to support and reach out to others, to share your bounty with those less fortunate.  Most of all, we encourage you to be positive in attitude and strong in belief that together we will create brighter days ahead.

Each year, as the presents pile up under the tree, the snow banks pile up on the roadside, people notice something else piling up… additional pounds. According to CNN, over 70 percent of the U.S. population will gain weight over the holiday season. It’s hard to resist all the tempting treats constantly offered – the cookies and candy that seem to always be an arm’s reach away, a second (or third) helping of Aunt Mary’s special casserole at the family’s holiday dinner, and maybe another “small” slice of pie.We rationalize these indulgences by telling ourselves that it only happens once a year… but getting that weight off seems to take a good portion of the next year.

Was it worth it?

It is possible to enjoy holiday meals without necessarily carrying that meal around with you for the next few months. Many people incorporate FruitFast’s dried fruit into their favorite traditional holiday meals to make the meals healthier, as well as adding extra flavor. FruitFast offers three Premium Dried Fruits: Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries, Balaton Dried Tart Cherries, and Dried Wild Blueberries. FruitFast’s dried fruits are quality analyzed, unlike many others on the market.

Over the next few weeks Fruit Fast will be offering some tried and true recipes that incorporate our dried fruit and Liquid Fruit Supplements. Click on our recipe site and indulge in our “picks” of tasty delights to make your holiday meals and entertainment a little more guilt-free. Start a new holiday tradition – enjoy the food but feel good knowing you won’t be paying for it later!

Did you know that FruitFast products use 100% North American fruit?

Every fruit ingredient, from our popular line of fruit softgels to our fruit bars to our juice concentrates, dried fruits and pure, potent liquids are North American grown and manufactured.

So, what’s the big deal you ask?

It means we jump through hoops, spend more time, effort and money on premium ingredients to ensure that every step and process used receives the appropriate company, state and federal oversight.  It’s our guarantee to you that we are dedicated to meeting a certain standard of wholesomeness and safety in everything we sell.

All too recently, there have been disturbing reports of melamine-tainted milk products from China, contaminated toothpaste, and toxic metals found in imported wines.  Although the food industry in the US is far from perfect, we do have self-imposed standards plus government controls and safeguards in place to help avoid potentially dangerous products from entering the marketplace and food chain.

Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast has a 60-year history of providing top-of-the-line products that are produced from superior North American grown fruits.  We choose only the best at the start of our processes to ensure a high quality end product – every time.