Here it is – August already.   The summer months have been packed in these parts with warm, sometimes hot, temperatures, plenty of outdoor activities, festivals, family and friend outings and visitors.

Janet and I have been on the go, too, traveling around in the CherryFlex Express – better known to us as “the bus.”  We have participated in several parades, been on hand for canoe and bike races, queen events and agricultural gatherings.  And we are not done yet.

While passing out CherryFlex ProSports Shot pouches at a National Cherry Festival bike ride, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the news about super fruit benefits is spreading.

During our missionary work on behalf of the fruit industry, many of the riders were already aware of the muscle and joint soreness relief that cherries can provide.  They were already making cherry products a regular part of their training regimen.

And though that was welcome news to our gang, in a way I’m not surprised.

The industry’s official website – choosecherries - is focused on promoting the healthful benefits of tart cherry consumption.  Cherry juice, juice concentrate and our tasty pouches filled with tart cherry paste (Cherry Flex ProSports Shots) are among the tart cherry-based products linked to providing antioxidant health benefits.  There’s even a Red Recovery Routine page provided by the Cherry Marketing Institute to help athletes improve their performance with a smart mix of foods.  Further, a Power Team comprised of a decathlon gold medalist, nationally recognized sports dietitian, and ultra-marathoner, has been formed to add credibility and updates to the use of tart cherries in training routines.

At last, tart cherries are gaining some richly deserved recognition.  The truth is that this Super Fruit has among the highest level of antioxidants, anthocyanins, and phytonutrients, providing the nutrition required by active people.

Don’t be left out.  Visit our website or call toll free 1 877.591.3101 for your cherry fix!

Gels really are not new, in fact, they have been around for awhile.

We use it in our hair.

We use it in our food.

We use it in our tool chests.

And sometimes to promote a ‘performance best….’

There’s just something that smacks of a comfortable ritual when tearing off the tab of a cute CherryFlex ProSports Shot pouch, and havin’ a go at the yummy cherry gel paste inside.  Aside from the fact it’s a superb way of consuming 5 grams of antioxidants found in tart cherry paste, perhaps the ritual aspect of the process harkens to the kid in all of us?

Some might remember when the coming of spring meant the appearance of Lick-a-Maid packets at the corner grocery store.  It came in small envelopes that were easy for school kids to smuggle into the classroom.  It was like Kool-Aid, but you just poured the crystals into your mouth.  Grape, cherry, lime, lemon, orange.  The telltale colored tongues of users were easy targets for classroom disciplinarians.  But those powder packets were as much a coming of spring as playing a pick-up game of baseball in the neighborhood sandlot.

Yep, Bobby Sue, those were the days.

Now there’s ProSports Shots.  They’re actually fun and easy to take.  They taste great and they are good for you.

And not unlike the Lick-a-Maid packets of the 50’s, there’s just something about those cute CherryFlex pouches, the tear away tab, and consuming the invigorating taste of tart cherry paste that’s habit-forming.

So join the fun…or as one of our growing legion of ProSports Shot users says:  “Firing one back!!!”

It’s official – the winner of the FruitFast “Name the Bus” contest and recipient of a brand new Apple iPad is Ronald Cosby of Ohio.

The winning bus name is The CherryFlex Express.

Chosen from over 300 entries over the past month, Ron was notified of his selection this morning by company owner, Steve deTar.

“I was so excited when he called with the news,” said Ron.  “I got off the phone and immediately called my wife and said, ‘You will never believe this…but we WON!’”

A CherryFlex softgel customer for four years, Ron and his wife, Maria, saw the contest announcement on the FruitFast website and quickly submitted their suggestion of The CherryFlex Express.

“We were delighted to have the winner turn out to be a long-time, satisfied customer of ours,” said Steve.  “Seventeen FruitFast staffers reviewed the submitted names – and there were some great ones – but The CherryFlex Express was the clear leader by a two-to-one margin when the votes were tallied.

A 55 year-old native of southern Ohio, Ron says he is hooked on CherryFlex.

“I won’t stop taking CherryFlex.  I climb, stoop and crawl as part of my job and at age 55, I am getting around just fine,” explained Ron, who originally heard from friends that cherries were helpful for maintaining healthy joints.

Ron said he was looking forward to meeting company owner Bob Underwood and seeing the bus he named in person – but Mother Nature changed those plans.  The CherryFlex Express was scheduled to pull into Ron’s hometown to make the surprise presentation this afternoon.  But tornadoes and damaging winds swept across Ohio overnight and the Underwoods won’t be able to stop on this trip.

“The CherryFlex Express weathered the storm just fine and thankfully, so did we,” said Bob from the road.  “We are hoping Ron and Maria will join us this summer at the National Cherry Festival as our guests.”

Memorable road icons?  Who can forget Oscar Mayer’s traveling Weinermobile, Greyhound’s scenic cruisers or the brown/gold delivery fleet of UPS?

And now there’s a new entry to this parade of recognizable roadies.  Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast cherry-covered motor coach….

The CherryFlex.com motor coach, which at this point is nameless, is on its “shake down cruise” around the central U.S. with owners Bob and Janet Underwood.

Leaving its homeport of Traverse City, Michigan, the cherry-red bus – with Bob at the wheel – followed Interstate 55 and 57, stopping at Flying J Truck Stops on their journey to New Orleans.  Needless to say, the bus gets plenty of stares and double-takes wherever it goes.

After three days in “The Big Easy” to attend the National Animal Supplement Council Annual Convention representing FruitFast’s CherryFlex for Dogs softgels, the Underwoods headed north – destination Branson, Missouri.

“We are having fun meeting new people, talking about CherryFlex and our new ProSport Shots while handing out information and samples,” said Bob from the road.  “If you see us as we crisscross the country, honk, wave or stop and say Hello!”

And be sure to enter the “Name the Bus” contest on Facebook during May.  You could win a brand new Apple iPad from FruitFast !

The Bus - Before, During & After

Hundreds of chiropractic doctors received an EXTRA Strength dose of red tart cherries at their annual convention in Traverse City this weekend.

FruitFast employees, Mary and Ken, chat with chiropractors about the health benefits of CherryFlex.

“CherryFlex ProSport Shots are the talk of the convention,” said one attendee at the Michigan Association of Chiropractors event that attracted 1,100 participants from around the state.

The CherryFlex ProSport Shots made their debut at the semi-annual convention and interest was keen in the innovative tart cherry gel created by FruitFast.

“Chiropractors are all about wellness and healthy living,” said Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast owner Steve deTar.  “Many doctors stopped at our booth to discuss the process we use to develop the ProSport Shots and review the clinical studies currently underway on CherryFlex products that are credited with maintaining joint health and speeding relief of muscle soreness.”

Not surprisingly, all who tried the ProSport Shots loved the tart fruity taste.

Anxious to get relief from sore muscles?  Give CherryFlex ProSport Shots a try here or call toll free 1.877.591.3101.

Our newest CherryFlex product – ProSport Shots – has customers, like Charles M. from Santa Monica, California asking for more!

“WOW!  I just received my order of CherryFlex,” he emailed. “The flavor takes me back to my childhood – growing up in my father’s orchards in upstate New York.  I loved the “Pie Cherries” because they were tart and would eat them right off the tree. Thank you.  It’s really hard not to eat the entire 20 shots at one time…”

We agree. The taste of ProSport Shots is robust, tingly and tart.  The texture resembles a thick, rich jam.  And the smell is super fruity.  The best reactions are from those who are using the ProSport Shots to ease muscle fatigue with positive results!

It’s great to receive your feedback on this innovative tart cherry gel.  Read the latest about CherryFlex ProSport Shots, CherryFlex Softgels and our other fine products on our website or call me toll free 1-877-591-3101.

CherryFlex ProSport Shots customers are telling us how much they like the taste and new pouch delivery system.  But the true test is how they feel.

Upper Michigan resident, Jeanne V. from Rumely, describes her experience after taking the ProSport Shots for muscle soreness.  “CherryFlex ProSport has helped me to comfortably enjoy physical activities such as walking, skiing, and biking without heavy usage of over-the-counter medication.”

Time after time, FruitFast has been the first to introduce new technology and innovative products since 1963.  We were the first to offer tart cherry juice to our farm market customers for its health benefits.  In the late 90s, we were the first to offer products using tart cherry powder – something that had not been tried before on a commercial level.  That innovation lead to the eventual development, several years later, of CherryFlex® and our line of fruit softgels.  Not long after, we introduced the first Liquid Fruit Supplement – our thick, condensed fruit liquids that are popular for cooking and mixing, as well as straight from the bottle.  We entered the pet world next when we unveiled CherryFlex for Dogs, a specially-formulated, beef-flavored cherry softgel.  All along the way, we have continued to innovate with input from scientific research and by listening to our valued customers.

We are not at all surprised that this new product is scoring well on all fronts.  CherryFlex ProSport Shots come in a convenient, go-anywhere pouch filled with tart cherry gel.  Perfect for all ages and all activity levels.

It ranks right up there with all our quality Super Fruit products –  we invite you to try it and then let us know what you think.

Oftentimes my curiosity gets the best of me and, because of this, I’ve come across the new healthy Granola from Brownwoodacres.com.

I’ve always been curious about the diets of healthy people for some reason.  Why do they eat what they eat, what kind of metabolism do they have, how often do they work out, etc.

The owner of Brownwood Acres and FruitFast has been no exception for me.  Steve deTar is the only member of our staff (or neighborhood) that I would be at all hesitant to compare vital signs with.  He’s trim, always active and in better shape than most health practitioners.

So what does he eat?  I think a better question is what doesn’t he eat.  Always the traveler, Steve is constantly sharing his food and menu stories from around the globe.  All the while, he’s continuously stressing the importance of moderation.  The other constant I’ve found in his diet is a hearty and healthy Granola made by Nature’s Hand.  In fact, he’s now distributing 7 different flavors through the Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast website.  He also adds dried cherries and a bit of cherry juice concentrate to this classic morning energy meal.

Take a look at some of the advantages of this delicious and nutritious granola

• 7 flavors to choose from
• Sun-ripened fruits added
• All natural ingredients
• No preservatives
• Vegetarian / vegan friendly

Click below for more information on any of these 7 different honey sweetened granola options:

Raisin Hazelnut Granola
Cranberry Apricot Granola
Coconut Cashew Granola
Wild Blueberry Granola
Cinnamon Apple Granola
Vanilla Almond Granola
Maple Pecan Granola

On top of that, at the time of this posting the cost of this nutritious Granola is only $4.95 per 1 pound bag (regular price $5.95).  It’s even more economical than others packed in smaller 12 oz sizes.  By adding a package to your existing heart healthy Pomegranate juice concentrate or Pomegranate gelcap order, your shipping fee would hardly change at all.

So the next time you’re ordering FruitFast’s fruit juice concentrates or just exploring our complete line of healthy fruit softgel capsules and fruit supplement bars simply tack on a bag of healthy Granola.

Like mine, your curiosity and taste buds will be pleasantly surprised!

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!

There is renewed interest these days in knowing where our food comes from. More and more people want to be assured that what they consume is fresh and safe to eat.  It’s the trend behind the “Buy Local” campaign that’s sweeping the country.

The Underwoods watch the harvesting of cranberries

It’s the reason why Janet and I took a road trip this past week to visit a Cranberry Bog and see for ourselves where our FruitFast cranberries are grown for our newest fruit product:  Great Lakes Cranberry Softgels.

Our trek took us east across the fingers of the Michigan mitt to the flat farming country near Cheboygan.  We were greeted by Michigan Cranberry Company owners, Wally and Sally Huggett, who open their farm just two days a year so the public can see this unique method of harvesting fruit.

If you think cranberries grow on trees or underwater in wetlands, you’re about to learn something new.

Cranberries grow on low vines and when ripe for picking, unlike tart cherry farmers, there’s no tree shaker to get the job done.  Instead, ripe cranberries are loosened by a special piece of equipment with tynes  mounted on a tractor that rakes the berries from the vines; the field is flooded with water and the cranberries float to the surface.  Much like a cow wrangler herding livestock, workers round-up the berries, encircling them with an inflated hose, and from there they are sucked up into dump trucks and taken to the receiving facility for sorting and grading.  At the end of this process, the cranberries are shipped to processing centers for juicing, canning and freezing.

It’s a beautiful sight to see these bogs brimming with a sea of rosy red cranberries against a backdrop of Fall’s brilliant foliage.  Better yet was the chance to meet another farming family working hard to bring fresh produce to the marketplace.  America farmers are the best!

FruitFast is pleased to purchase fruit from the Huggetts – the state’s largest producer of cranberries and we’re prouder still to know firsthand that we bring our customers choice, locally-grown fruit to ensure top quality fruit supplements.

Take a minute to find out more about the health benefits of cranberries.
It’s a good day when you learn something new – and discover the power of fruit.