Lauren ran the Los Angeles Marathon in 2009.

Lauren is a self-described “20-something Southern California girl who dabbles in running.” Although her Twitter bio describes her as a “marathon runner on hiatus,” she’s an active runner who is looking to add training for a triathlon to her list of challenges.

When Lauren told us that she includes tart cherry juice as a part of her workout routine and has seen great results, we wanted to learn more. Below is a Q & A we recently did with Lauren by email.

FruitFast: First, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Torrance, CA with my boyfriend and our dog Maja.  She’s a German Shepherd Mix and a great running buddy.  I graduated from Cal Lutheran University in 2007 with a double major in Marketing Communications and Business Administration and now I work for an internet company that handles international shipping and I’ve been there for about 3 years.

FruitFast: When did you first become involved in running?

I played soccer my whole life and used to hate running.  I really started to get into running when a friend of mine mentioned she was going to train for a half marathon.  I thought to myself “if she can do it, then I can definitely do it too” and started running later that day.  The running bug bit me and I ended up running my first full marathon 6 months later in March.

FruitFast: How long is your typical run?

My typical run depends on my training schedule but I usually run about 25-30 miles a week and the daily runs range from 4-10 miles with a long run on the weekend.

FruitFast: Have you entered organized races? If so, what distances?

I have run 5 half marathons and 3 full marathons since September of 2009 and I would like to start training for a triathlon this year.

FruitFast: How did you first become aware of the restorative power of cherries?

I first became aware of cherries when a friend of mine suggested them.  I suffered from compartment syndrome in my leg and I was looking for a natural way to help alleviate some of the symptoms and swelling.  She had been using cherry juice for awhile so I decided to add it to my regiment and it was amazing.

FruitFast: Have you always used cherry juice, or have you tried other methods? (dried cherries, fruit bars, softgels, etc).

I also add dried cherries to my oatmeal but other than that no.

FruitFast: Tell us a little bit about how cherry juice and similar products have helped you.

Cherry juice has really helped me to alleviate some of the pain associated with compartment syndrome.  It also helps my legs recover a lot faster from runs than they used to.  In addition to those benefits (as if they weren’t enough) I also see a difference from the melatonin found in cherries with my sleep patterns.  I was taking a melatonin pill when I had trouble sleeping but since I started drinking cherry juice I stopped using them.

FruitFast: Describe your routine for using cherry products.

My cherry routine is usually a glass of cherry juice in the morning mixed with orange juice and soda water.  Sometimes I make smoothies with a frozen berry blend that has cherries in it, cherry juice and other fruit.  I also add tart cherries to my oatmeal and trail mix.

FruitFast: Do you/have you recommended cherry products to friends/family with similar interests?

I would highly recommend adding cherry products into your routine if you are doing any sort of physical activity but I think it benefits everyone.  I think there isn’t one person who couldn’t benefit from the antioxidants in cherries and nutrients.

FruitFast: And finally… when you’re talking to someone about why you use cherry products, how do you describe their benefits?

I usually just mention their recovery benefits and tell them my experience with how much easier my body recovers.  It’s such an easy thing to add in to your routine and the benefits are incredible.

Catch up with Lauren on Twitter at @liloruns or check out her blog at http://www.liloruns.com/.

Read more testimonials and learn more about tart cherry juice and the power of cherries on the FruitFast website.

With the deadline now passed, and recipes turned in and tabulated, now the hard work really begins:  Choosing the winners in FruitFast’s  Berry Cherry Challenge!

Here are the 12 Semi-Finalists:

Entrées:

Roxanne Chan
Jill Drury
Naylet La Rochelle
Mary Shivers
Amie Valpone
Kristel Wiesner

Desserts:

Danielle D’Ambrosio
Margee Berry
Joni Hilton
Sunya Hobson
Alida Nattress
Mary Shivers

Debbie Colaianni and her panel of judges reviewed all kinds of dishes and desserts, narrowing the field for the final round entries.  From here, Debbie and her team will actually be making these dishes – precisely following the recipes – and then a second panel of judges will score and taste the entries and ultimately select the winners!

We want to thank all of the entrants who took the time and made the effort to submit an original culinary delight using FruitFast products in either the Entrée or Dessert categories, or both. There was an abundance of FruitFast ingredients used from cherry juice, Mixed Berry, Pomegranate, CherryFlex Liquids, and plenty of our premium dried fruits.  We are pleased to report that in the short one-month timeframe we had far more entries than we ever expected from no fewer that 23 different states. And from both men and women, too.

Best of all, when this process is complete, FruitFast will have lots of wonderful recipes to share with all our customers and friends – so we all end up being winners.

Stayed tuned to find out who the talented culinary stand-outs are as we will be announcing them on April 30 – right here on our blog and on Facebook.

On your mark, get set, GO… whip up a Culinary Sensation!

FruitFast’s Berry Cherry Challenge is underway now through April 5, 2011.   It’s your chance to show off your cooking and baking talents and creativity in this first ever recipe contest to win $250 in cash OR a brand new KitchenAid Tilt Head Mixer.

www.speckmanphotography.com

FruitFast staffers/ cooks will judge the entries in the two categories – Entrées and Desserts.  In our first round of judging, we’ll rank the entries based on their originality, ease of preparation and creative use of the FruitFast product(s).  Those receiving the highest marks will move to the second phase of judging where we will be looking for originality, ease of preparation, taste and creative use of fruit.

Submissions may also be accompanied with photos or videos, but these are not necessary and contestants must be 18 or older.  You can find all the answers to your questions by reading the Berry Cherry Challenge rules here.  Or you may email your questions to me, debbie@fruitfast.com.

It’s simple to enter:  fill out the entry form and email as an attachment to my email address, or print and mail or fax your favorite Entrée or Dessert recipe before the deadline at midnight on April 5^th.

We’ll be featuring the winners and their creations on our website, blog and on Facebook, along with other FruitFast recipes you share.

So don’t delay!  Participate today by sending in your favorite recipes.

We would like to introduce you to gourmet chef, turned blogger at momgateway.blogspot.com. Her name is Ann and she’s a busy mom, scientist, and supporter of our FruitFast products as she’s all about healthy eating and recipes that are simple but delicious.

Ann is very familiar with the value of Super Fruits – dark skinned fruits known for their antioxidant values – and the importance of eating them daily.  So we were delighted when she offered to create not one, but two, custom recipes using our FruitFast Liquids!

Our thick-textured, totally fruit Liquids – both the CherryFlex and the Mixed Berry varieties – can be found in Ann’s recipe for Cherry Coconut Cream Gelee, a tempting fruit sushi dessert that is tasty and distinctive in appearance, and the entrée Roasted Lamb with Mixed Berry Sauce.

And here’s another benefit:  Momgateway is also offering readers a giveaway of our products!  Visit her blogsite, signup for the drawing before March 28, and you could win three FruitFast products of your choice.

Our thanks to Ann, and her culinary talents, and for featuring our products on her blog with a focus on healthy foods and healthy recipes.

A 2009 survey shows that Americans are connecting the dots when it comes to recognizing the link between food they consume and their overall health.  Here at FruitFast, it’s the basis of our business!

Conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), survey findings indicated that 89 percent of respondents agree certain foods have benefits beyond basic nutrition.  And this is a significant increase from just two years ago, says the IFIC.

The Health Consumer Trending Survey found Americans making the connection that they are what they eat.  Elizabeth Rahavi, RD and associate director of wellness at IFIC, said “Consumers’ awareness of many food and health relationships has reached an all-time high.”

According to the survey, the top functional foods named by consumers are: 1) fruits and vegetables; 2) fish, fish oil, seafood; 3) dairy (including milk and yogurt); 4) meat and poultry; and 5) herbs/spices, among others. But beyond consumer interest in individual foods, research shows people are increasingly associating nutrients with specific health benefits for:

• bone and heart health
• antioxidants for protection against free radicals
• healthy immune systems
• omega 3 fatty acids for cognitive health 1

But as you might expect, saying and doing are two different things.  Maintaining a healthy diet – that includes plenty of fruits, antioxidants, beneficial oils and phytonutrients – is the key.

We invite you to browse our website and research the natural goodness that can always be found in FruitFast products.

1   www.foodinsight.org/

Straightforward.  My elementary schoolteacher called it a compound word and Webster’s defines it as “simple, clear-cut, uncomplicated, easy and basic.”

This time of year brings with it personal promises of ways to improve our lives and associations.  And there’s no harm in reminding ourselves that there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Top 10 lists for a brighter year ahead traditionally advocate a variety of lifestyle changes.  Take www.about.com and their advice to fit in fitness, stop smoking and drinking, spend more time with family and friends and simplify life.  AARP.org takes a similar slant at enhancing our existence:  Get out and party, laugh a lot, take naps, dance, get regular exercise, make whoopee and enjoy the great outdoors.

My approach can be summed up in the word “straightforward.”   To me it means forging ahead with dreams and vision, and setting clear-cut goals for this company.  Simplify whenever possible to keep life less complicated.

As FruitFast greets a new year, we’ll continue taking pure USA-grown fruits and developing down-to-earth products for notable health benefits.  We look forward to offering our customers innovative supplements and food products backed by top-flight scientific research.

In 2010, you can bet FruitFast will once again be straightforward in delivering the power of fruit for healthier living.

Happy New Year!