Smoothie popularity continues to grow nationwide as a commercially-made beverage that’s a healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks.  But they can just as easily be created right in your own kitchen.

When I think of smoothies, several thoughts come to mind;
• A healthy drink
• Easy to make
• Inexpensive

Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast supplies our delicious and nutritious Fruit Juice Concentrates and popular Liquid Fruit Supplements to smoothie outlets, health clubs, restaurants and natural food stores.  So if you have a favorite eatery, gym or grocery store that you wish would carry the FruitFast line to improve their smoothies, tell them about www.brownwoodacres.com.  Or let us know and we will contact them for you.  Just call us toll free at 1.877.591.3101.

There really isn’t anything tricky or complicated when it comes to creating your own smoothie right at home.  I recommend starting with your favorite ingredients – which we know will include our FruitFast concentrates and liquids – and ones you typically have on hand.

Start with the fruit, water, milk or juice, ice cubes and then get creative!  For an extra healthy treat, flaxseed, wheat germ or whey powder can be added for a boost.  Low fat yogurt adds nutrition with fewer calories or the reverse can be the goal when you add nuts, ice cream or chocolate syrup.  Then you have dessert in a glass.

FruitFast’s gourmet cook, Debbie Colaianni, can get you started with a recipe for a Pomegranate and Mixed Berry Smoothie that’s on the FruitFast Recipe Blog.

And yes, do share your favorite smoothie recipes with us.

The impact parents have on their children extends beyond behavior, education and social attitudes.  It’s important for youngsters at an early age to develop a positive attitude towards food and, as we all know, parents have the greatest influence on their children.

Demonstrating healthy eating habits and choices, as well as including family members in food preparation and meal planning are important ways to lead young people on a path towards a positive relationship with food.

Most adults diet at some point in life.  It’s important to portray these personal challenges with weight and food issues in a positive and healthy manner around children.
Examine your own attitudes about food and body image;
Do you ever complain about your weight in front of children?
Do you ever use food as a reward?
Or use food (or lack thereof) as a punishment?

Thoughts to consider:
-    Limit fast food visits
-    Encourage exercise and talk about how important our bodies are and how we care for them
-    Be mindful of your own attitudes towards food; especially when in front of children
-    Serve breakfast to the family daily
-    Eat dinner as a family
-    Offer healthy foods and snacks
-    Have conversations about media/cultural attitudes towards food and body image

Parents have tremendous influence on kids, so setting the right example is important.

Worried about the cold, winter season affecting your health? Close your eyes and relax.

A new study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University suggests that not getting enough sleep directly affects the immune system, making people more prone to colds.

Sheldon Cohen, psychology professor at Carnegie Mellon University says, “People who slept less than seven hours were about three times more likely to get a cold than people who slept eight hours or more a night.”

Over 150 people were in the study. After two weeks of monitoring their sleep, they were quarantined for six days and given a cold-virus through nose drops. Eighty-eight percent of people became infected with the virus but only 43 percent actually got sick, showing signs of infection, such as a stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat.

So add “sleep” to your list of to-do’s this week…and think of it as an investment in your health!

It’s that time again when we reflect on the past year and how we can make the New Year even better. Many of us start off with a New Year’s Resolution, but how many of us actually keep them?

Research group Harris Interactive says not many: 66 percent of adults make resolutions, but only 17 percent keep the resolution. More women than men make resolutions, but more men say they keep the resolutions.

For many, our resolutions are usually focused on self-improvement. Leading a healthier lifestyle, losing weight, quitting smoking and reconnecting with our spouse tend to be common resolutions. This year, many people may have financial resolutions on their minds, such as saving more money, paying off debt, selling their home, or working on their retirement.

So how are you doing so far? If you’re really determined to keep your resolution, consider sharing it with a friend or family member. Many feel it can be a way to be held accountable, stay motivated and follow through.

Share your New Year’s Resolutions here… you may find others working towards the same personal goal!

It seems like every commentator in the country has a take on our current economy, or is pointing the finger at someone. But from where I sit, our current problem is not unlike re-starting a stubborn farm engine at harvest time.

The pressure is on and, until you get that engine going again, nothing happens: every thing and every one just kind of stops.

We don’t have to accept a lingering sluggish economy. The main problem is frozen credit markets – and to a lesser extent – our debt, inflation, housing and consumption.

So what we’re planning in 2009 is some good old-fashioned growth!

That’s right, growth comes from small business like ours doing things like hiring, increasing productivity, taking risks—-and innovating! Do that, and improved commerce will follow and take care of itself, along with improvement of other growth factors.

In March we’ll be unveiling a new website and shopping cart, so look for plenty of additions and improvements. We’ll be sharing exciting news of double blind research using the proprietary FruitFast technology and we’ll introduce several inventive health-promoting products.

Making all of this possible, of course, are customers like yourself.

We recognize that and it is in this spirit that we extend to you best wishes for a healthful New Year and a kinder 2009!