“C” is for Cold Turkey

In the 1970s, as a fan of Sesame Street, Cookie Monster was my hero. There was not a better role model on the face of the planet to illustrate the process of getting your mom to make a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. You just had to roll your eyes around a few times in a googly manner, lower your voice and begin grumbling amiably ME WANT COOKIE. If your mom were like mine, she would smile that: oh how cute, smile and, if she had time, start looking for the mixing bowl.
Last week Cookie Monster started rehab. With growing education about America’s obesity problem, the folks at Sesame Street introduced fruits and vegetables to Cookie Monster. Now, rightly, he calls Fruits and Veggies anytime foods and cookies sometimes foods. It is too bad he went as long as he did without anyone recognizing the warning signs. A blue, toothless monster with hints of scurvy, wandering eyes and wild outbursts — what else could it be but diet related? This week FruitGuys will be sending a box of fruit to Cookie Monster to help him with his transition. chiefbanana@fruitguys.com

Vitamin C: the glue that holds your body together.

By Deb Herlax, FruitGuys Nutritionist. deb@aboutworkfit.com
Vitamin C is the glue that keeps your cells healthy and thriving. Unfortunately, vitamin C is very unstable, and special care must be taken to ensure that you get the correct amount. The Governments RDA for vitamin C is 60 mg/day. Most nutrition researchers agree that it is a very low amount. Researchers such as Dr. Linus Pauling have advocated upwards of a thousand milligrams daily just for essential daily health — and much more if you were sick or had a disease.
Your body needs different levels of vitamin C throughout the day. If your day is particularly stressful, your body’s need for vitamin C will increase. Here are a few daily occurrences that will increase your body’s requirement for vitamin C: Housecleaning (Inhaling chemicals will breakdown your vitamin C levels). Drinking alcohol, smoking, and — one of the most surprising hits — walking in and out of an air-conditioned room or car will also deplete levels. Some of the best fruit choices for vitamin C are kiwis, strawberries, all citrus fruits (including squeezing lemon juice in your water) & cantaloupe. To keep your cell glue functioning as it should, consume at least two vitamin C-rich fruits daily.
*It is suggested that you check with your doctor before starting any new nutritional program.