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Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food. They contain the right balance of nutrients with distilled water. You gain enormous benefits from eating fruits especially if you eat the outer skin and eat them without cooking. They are easy to digest and absorb and do not stress your colon.Fruits contain fiber, which help to cleanse your colon and prevent constipation. Most fruits help provide the body with minerals that help the body reduce acid as it is created. And most important of all, fruits help cleanse the body of mucus slime that accumulates throughout the body.Fruits do not leave any slime residue in the body when eaten except when they have pesticides and preservatives in their outer skin. They do not ferment or putrefy in your colon, as do processed foods, dairy products and meats.Choose your fruits carefully. They should be eaten when they are fully ripe. Do not eat them if they are under ripe or overripe. In the under ripe condition they may be acidic and in the overripe condition the many contain more natural sugar.Fruits, vegetables, and grains contain fructooligosaccharides, FOS. It is this compound that helps to feed the good bacteria in your colon. Without an adequate supply of FOS, good bacteria will dwindle and bad bacteria will flourish.Just Plain FruitsEat fruits throughout the day but especially in the evening. This will help to promote a bowel movement in the morning. These are the fruits you should eat.* Apples* Apricots* Avocados* Bananas* Blueberries* Boysenberries* Cantaloupes* Cherries* Figs and dates* Grapes* Lemons* Papayas* Peaches* Pears* Persimmons* Plums* Prunes* RaspberriesApplesEat 3-4 apples a day to relieve constipation. It does not matter what type of apple you eat, but I like gala or Fuji apples since they are small and crisp.It is best to use fresh organic apples when eating apples as a snack since you will not know what pesticides were used in growing the apples. If apples are not organic, it is better to peel the apple before eating.Using baked apples also helps to clear constipation.Eat one baked apple at night, right before bedtime, and one just upon rising. Do this until you constipation is cleared.In his book, John Heinerman, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, describes how to bake apples:“Cut apples in half and clear out the centers. Add chopped dates to the center. Pour some cranberry juice over the dates and apples. Then sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on the top. You can pour cranberry juice on some of the apples and see if you like the taste after they are cooked. Cook apples for 46-60 min at 375-400 C.”Dried ApplesDried apple slices are also a good source of fiber. However, when the slices are dehydrated most nutrients are lost but fiber is retained. Sulfur dioxide is typically used to dry apple slices and this can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions in some people. I do not recommend using dried apple slices in place of fresh organic apples.Just Apples and Mineral WaterJust after waking, eat two unpeeled apples, chew well, and then drink 8 oz of water that has two drops of Alkalife. Or, you can use any other mineral additive or supplement you use.This combination of apples and activated mineral water will stimulate your colon to become less sluggish and to move fecal matter out of the rectum.I find Alkalife on e-Bay. This product cost $29.00 on the Internet, but I have bought it for $17.00 on e-Bay.Using fruits to relieve or clear constipation is a powerful natural remedy. Eat fruits every day and between meals and you will relieve your constipation.Look for other articles that will tell about other fruits to relieve constipation.
About the Author
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.com or at http://www.constipation-remedies.for--you.info
Foods you should be eating to help relieve hemorrhoids
A high fiber diet obtained from raw fruits and vegetables is what you need to eat for eliminating and for preventing constipation. When you don't have constipation, you won't have hemorrhoids.
The amount of fiber you should be eating is 25 35 grams per day. Most people only eat about 8-12 grams per day.
If you have not been eating a lot of fiber, you need to add fiber slowly to your diet, especially if you add it by using bran. Increase your use of bran or other bran cereals over a couple of weeks.
If you add fiber to your diet with fruits and vegetables, you can add them freely without much problem. However, since your stomach will not be use to it, you may experience more gas for a week or two. You can compensate for this by taking digestive enzymes to help you digest the extra produce.
The following list of juices and fruits are good for helping cure or relieve Hemorrhoids.
Juices
Juices are good for hemorrhoids but especially dark berry juices mixed with equal parts of apple juice. The dark berry juices to use are,
Cherries, blackberries, blueberries
These berries contain "anthocyanins" and "proanthocyanidins" which reduce hemorrhoidal pain and Swelling by toning and strengthening the hemorrhoid veins. Drink at least one glass of this juice mixture each day.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are one of the best foods you can eat. It has a good source of vitamins and minerals. It has a high beta-carotene level and has anti-clogging properties.
Red and Black Currant Berries
Currants are high in Vitamin C, rutin, and minerals. This makes their juice valuable in clearing hemorrhoids. The also have a small amount of the fatty acid GLA, which produce prostaglandin that control body pain.
This juice is also good for cleansing the liver and blood. Good liver function is necessary for maintaining a healthy colon, rectum and anus.
Drink 1-2 glasses a day of red or black currant berries.
Pomegranate Juice
Although pomegranate juice may be hard to find, it is quite useful in reducing hemorrhoids, because of its strong astringency. Saturate a cotton ball with pomegranate juice and push it slightly into your rectum.
If you have pinworms, the tannins in pomegranate juice will help you get rid of them. You can also drink the juice. During the summer I have on occasion found pomegranate juice at a farmers market. It is slightly tart but it is easy to drink. However, it's hard to drink more than a glass full without getting a stomach upset.
Oranges and bananas
Eat 2-3 oranges and 2 bananas a day. Oranges provide vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and fiber. Bananas provide minerals that help to strengthen tissue and have plenty of fiber. Bananas can also be steamed to give more relief and even eliminate hemorrhoids. Steam two not quite ripe bananas with their peel until they are soft. Eat two in the morning and two in the evening.
Papaya
Papaya is an excellent fruit to eat. It has good mineral content, fiber, and has enzymes to digest protein.
These are the fruits and juices to use to for relieving hemorrhoids. Adding more vegetables to your eating habits is also important to get more fiber. These fruits, juices, and vegetables will help you keep regular and provide pain and inflammation relief for your hemorrhoid symptoms.
Copyright © 2005 Rudy Silva
About Rudy: Rudy Silva has a Physics degree from the University of San Jose California and is a Natural Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called "Natural-Remedies-ThatWork.com" and he has written an ebook called "How to Relieve Your Constipation with 77 Natural Remedies." You can get more information on this ebook and more hemorrhoid remedies at http://www.hemorrhoid-remedies.for--you.info
The Fruits Of Summer News Canada
Peaches, plums and nectarines are a rite of summer - and a must for healthy summer skin
NC-Its a sure sign of summer: mounds of sweet, juicy peaches; plump, flavorful plums; and aromatic nectarines that seem to arrive with the warm days of late spring and leave with the first cool autumn breezes.
Perhaps its just a coincidence that these same peaches, plums and nectarines - long considered a delicious source of nutrition like most fruits and vegetables - are also important sources of antioxidants, essential for maintaining healthy skin. When the sun begins to shine, these fruits begin to work their magic.
A recent study conducted by the University of California - Davis found that these three summer stone fruits are rich in phenolic compounds which act as antioxidants, and include ascorbic acid Vitamin C, carotenoids orange or red colored substances found in many fruits and provitamin A/beta-carotene.
Heres how antioxidants work to protect the skin. Photoaging - skin cha
Best Recipes: Hot Buttered Rum Fruit Donna Monday
Enjoying a mug of hot buttered rum is one of those long-standing holiday traditions. It recalls scenes of sitting by a fireplace watching the fire crackle red and blue as the snowflakes gently fall outside.
Maybe this is why hot buttered rum recipes are so popular around holiday time. It’s a nice drink to have with friends and family.
While serving traditional hot buttered rum is always a welcome idea, you might consider doing something a bit different this year. How about making your guests a nice little side dish of Hot Buttered Rum Fruit
Fruit goes well with any meal and the rum and apple cider give it a spicy twist. I think you’ll be pleased with the reactions you’ll get when they taste this delicious holiday fruit dish.
Hot Buttered Rum Fruit 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained 1 15-1/4 oz can peach halves, drained and halved 1 15 oz can pear halves, drained and halved ¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ cup apple cider or juice 2 tablespoons margarine or butter ¼ cup rum
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Arrange fruit in an ungreased 12x8-inch baking dish.
In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg and apple cider; mix well. Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened, stirring frequently.
Stir in margarine; cook until melted. Remove from heat; stir in rum. Pour over fruit.
Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Makes 10 half-cup servings.
About The Author
Copyright 2004 Donna Monday Got a brownie craving Satisfy it here http://www.best-brownie-recipes.com
"Fruit Baskets" the most Unique Incredible Edible Gift Of All ! Anna Teoli
Fruity Fresh Fruit Baskets Or Fruit gift baskets is the oldest traditional gift which still today is considered unique and one of the most overwhelming edible gifts of all .
Fruit baskets usually contain organic seasonal fruit combinations and are very often mixed with flowers , wines, gourmet foods ,NUTS and chocolates .
In Ancient times fruit gift baskets were given to kings on special events to show appreciation ,worthiness,and generosity .
The kings would then gather up with they siblings accompanied by wine and enjoy natures ultimate gift and celebrate.
Fruit baskets usually contain the freshest form of fruit , fruits must be carefully chosen in its peak of ripeness ,fruit baskets are usually accompanied by gourmet cheeses , wines ,flowers,and are neatly placed in wicker baskets and decorated accordingly .
There are 1000s of luscious fruit baskets online to choose from ,they are increasingly gaining popularity because they suit any occasion, romance ,business ,holidays,young ,old,weddings..its a safe bet
That is why today the fruit basket still remains the king of all gifts.
About The Author
Anna Teoli
Feel free to use this article on your website, but please give us credit by placing the following link on your page: http://www.buy-giftbaskets-online.com/fruit%20baskets.htm
Email : Buygift@buy-giftbaskets-online.com
Big Daddys Fruit Freezer News Canada
NC—Real men eat this yogurt! Its a truly fabulous frozen dessert or snack. So fast and easy that even your favourite I-hate-to-cook guy will like to make it, and so good that hell want to make it every day. Makes one delicious man-size portion.
Ingredients and Preparation
3/4 cup 175 mL or 175 g container vanilla yogurt
1 cup 250 mL raspberries, blueberries or strawberries, frozen
1/2 very ripe banana, peeled and frozen
Cut banana and large strawberries if used into small pieces. Mix fruit with yogurt. Using a food processor or powerful hand blender, quick puree starting with a rapid on/off technique. Dont puree it too long and dig in before it melts!
Heres what you get from a serving one recipe of our Big Daddys Fruit Freezer based on Health Canadas Recommended Daily Intake RDIs for nutrients.
Nutrient % RDI Nutrient % RDI
Vitamin C 188 % Vitamin B6 27 %
Vitamin B12 49 % Magnesium 25 %
Riboflavin 40 % Zinc 20 %
Calcium 32 %/353 mg Folacin 19 %
Phosphorus 27 % Pantothenic Acid 17 %
Per Serving
Energy 373 kcal, Carbohydrate 82 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 3 g
- News Canada
About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.
Fun & Fruity Recipes Deborah Shelton
Sometimes the easiest way to get children to eat healthy is to let them have a hand in making their own snacks…and add whipped cream on top. Here are two fruity recipes that are fun and easy to make, and even more fun to eat.
Miniature Fruit Pizzas 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough 8 ounces softened cream cheese 1 cup confectioners sugar Assorted fresh fruit, cut into bite size pieces, such as bananas, kiwis, oranges, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, etc.
Directions: Cut sugar cookie dough into 1-inch slices and place on ungreased cookie sheet or pizza pan. Bake as directed, or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool.
Combine cream cheese and confectioners sugar; mix well. Spread over cooled cookies. Decorate with assorted fruit. Yummy!
Strawberry Angels 1 angel food cake 6 large strawberries 1 carton whipped topping
Directions: First, cut the cake into serving-size pieces. Slice the strawberries and layer on top of the cake. Then spoon whipped topping on top of the strawberries. Serve and enjoy!
About The Author
Deborah Shelton edits The Five Minute Parent email newsletter. For your free subscription, send a blank email to mailto:Five_Minute_Parent-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit http://www.fiveminuteparent.com deborah@fiveminuteparent.com
How to Effectively Juice a Fruit Paul Hood
Choosing the right tool for your juicing needs is crucial to maximizing the healthy benefits of your fruits. Like any other task, making a juice requires the use of appropriate device and techniques. It is without a doubt that juices enhance the body’s overall performance and it is very essential for us to have an adequate supply of it.
There are different types of juicers that have different levels of performance and choosing which one is the best is very important. Of course you’d want a juicer that delivers all the natural juice goodness and flavor you demand. More so, it also would be wise to have a juicer that that can handle any fruit, vegetable, leafy green, herb, or grass that you could ever want to juice. Versatility is a very vital issue that has to be considered in choosing the right equipment.
Bestjuicer.com lists the three types of juicers as follows:
The Masticating machine operates at a slower speed. It chews the fibers and breaks up the cells of vegetables and fruits. This gives you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and trace minerals. It also is more versatile because in addition to extracting juices, the unit homogenizes making baby foods, sauces, nut butters, banana ice creams and fruit sorbets. An optional grain mill attachment is available for grinding grains into flour.
The Centrifugal machine first grinds the fruit and vegetables then pushes them through the strainer by spinning at a very high rpm similar to your washing machine on the spin cycle. This method usually yields a little more volume of juice
The Triturating twin gear machine, which turns at a slower rpm, has a two step process. The first step crushes the fruits and vegetables, while the second step wrings or presses the juice. This process gives you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and trace minerals. These juicers also have magnetic and bio-ceramic technology that slows down the oxidation process, which is good if you want to make and store your juice.
It should be taken into consideration though when choosing your juicer the oxidation levels being churned out by each machine. A good choice would be the one the produce the smallest amount of oxidation and those that make the highest nutrient juice.
About The Author
Ariel Velasco goes by the author alias of Paul Hood. This author is into books and writing. Reading is an essential part of his life and this has lent a considerable influence in his writing. Well traveled and would always want to travel more. He loves learning more about people and their ways. Took up a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology to further this fascination and had a fulfilling educational experience having been exposed to a wide spectrum of people. Always ready for new opportunities to learn and have a great deal of interest in different fields of expertise.
For comments and question about the article you may contact the Author through The Online Home Medical Webmaster at 888 311 0666 or visit http://www.onlinehomemedicalsupply.com
joel@onlinehomemedicalsupply.com
Are Fruits Making You FAT Dr Jeff Banas
I want to make this perfectly clear, fruits are health and they are good for you. They are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Fruits have also been shown to fight against cancer. However, when we are talking about weight loss we need to take a closer look at fruits.
It is pretty obvious to everyone that when you want to lose weight you watch your sugar intact, right Well, there is a reason why fruits are called, “nature’s candy”. In fact, you need realize that a glass of orange juice is just about the same as a glass of soda.
Fruits are loaded with sugar, fructose to be exact. This why athletes use them during endurance for energy, and why people suffering from hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, use them to raise there blood sugar when needed.
That is where one of the problems is. Fruits are carbohydrates. Never eat a carbohydrate by itself. This is basically all sugar. When you eat a carbohydrate by itself there is a sudden increase in sugar in the body. This causes the body to release insulin. However, the body releases too much insulin because it thinks more sugar is coming. The insulin basically grabs the sugar/carbohydrate and stores it to fat for use at some other time. Since your body released too much insulin there is not enough sugar to support the brain function. That is why you feel tired or sluggish. So you’re fatter and dumber. So, if you are going to eat a carbohydrate, eat some protein with it, it will slow the release of the sugar.
That glass of orange juice in the morning, the banana and apple for snakes, and the fruit salad for lunch, might actually be what is stopping you from losing the weight.
About The Author
Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician practicing in Mesa, AZ. If you would like to contact Dr. Banas, he can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com drjeffbanas@yahoo.com
Citric Fruits - A Healthy Food Dr. John Roberts
New studies suggested once again that citric fruits including oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits help fight cancer, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Studies both at Texas A&M University and Kanazawa Medical University in Japan showed that compounds in citric fruits can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Researchers at Texas A&M University found that freeze-dried grapefruit, similar to the whole grapefruit, can reduce the incidence of early colon cancer lesions in animals. The Japanese researchers found anti-colon cancer properties in nobiletin - a compound found in tangerines.
Grapefruit can also reduce the risk of cancer caused by smoking. A study on the cancer prevention was done by the researchers at the University of Hawaii. The researchers found that drinking 6 ounces of grapefruit juice a day reduces the activity of a liver enzyme that is thought to activate toxic chemicals in the smoke.
On another front, scientists from the USDA and a Canadian company isolated a compound - polymethoxylated flavones PMFs - from orange and tangerine peels that can actually lower cholesterol in animals. They found that use of food containing 1% PMFs can lower cholesterol by 32 to 40%.
Grapefruits also promote weight loss. Researchers at Scripps Clinic in San Diego found that grapefruit may trigger weight loss by lowering insulin levels, an excess of which is linked to weight gain. Effect of grapefruits on weight loss was confirmed in humans. An early study by the same researchers confirmed that eating grapefruit or drinking juice with meal can help the obese lose weight.
Even the interaction of grapefruit juice with drugs, a bad trait for grapefruit, has been explored. Researchers at Texas A&M Citrus Center studied the interaction between grapefruit compounds and drugs in hopes that this interaction can be taken advantage of to increase bioavailability of drugs in humans.
These studies were presented in the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting being held in Pennsylvania during Aug. 22 through 26.
About The Author
John Roberts is a freelance writer for http://www.foodconsumer.com. This article was originally published at http://foodconsumer.com/forum/viewtopic.phpp=1241 kontact@foodconsumer.com
Cherries - The Supercharged Fruit Tony Anderson
The little red fruit that has been enjoyed by countless millions offers more than great taste.
Are cherries truly fruit for a healthy you Recent studies have revealed that cherries offer an assortment of health benefits including the ability to offer natural relief from joint pain caused from gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.
So what makes the tasty red fruit so beneficial The wonder of the cherry is the anthocyanins. According to research from Michigan State University tart cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which inhibit the enzymes Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and prevent inflammation in the body. These compounds have similar activity as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. Further investigations revealed that daily consumption of tart cherries has the potential to reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation. Many consumers are choosing to drink cherry juice, eat cherries or consume tart cherry pills to starve off the pain of gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.
Linda L. Patterson is a living testimony of the soothing affects of cherries on her joint pain. “I enjoy crocheting and lately my hands have been so painful, I couldn’t crochet for more than about 30 minutes.”, says Patterson. In an attempt to find relief from her pain, she located Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules, a supplement made from red tart cherries. “Within the first week of taking the tart cherry capsules my hands felt so much better.”, says Ms. Patterson. “I am now able to crochet without the pain in my hands.”
In addition to the health benefits offered by cherries, many people are just eating the fruit for the taste. John Simms, a life-long resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, eats cherries for the convenience and taste. “As a short-haul truck driver, my diet isn’t the best, I would eat fast food every day. A year ago, my wife bought some dried cherries and I began eating them to keep my weight down. Now I eat a handful of cherries instead of eating fast food.”
Not only are cherries a great way to maintain a healthy body they are a natural product. According to Andrew LaPointe, Director of Marketing for Traverse Bay Farms, www.traversebayfarms.com “many of our customers are looking to eat healthier and fruit products fit this trend. It’s certainly better than fast food.” Traverse Bay Farms sells Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules and cherry juice concentrate.
About The Author
Tony Anderson is a freelance writer. admin@youronlinebusiness.com
Captain Bligh’s Bloody Breadfruit – Discover Jamaica’s Blue MountainsRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.comTo read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/Jamaica/Bligh/Bloody.htmlMy American Airline flight landed on Port Royal pirate wreckage at the Kingston International Airport, Jamaica. Port Royal was once the richest and wickedest sin ports in the Americas, home for notorious Captain Morgan's "Jolly Roger" and his nefarious 17th Century entrepreneurial fleet, flying the flag for fortune and infamy, sold to the highest bidder.Kingston, the Caribbean's largest city, is now over a million plus, but back then it offered Black Beard, Morgan. and other souless seafarers the perfect port, protected by a spit of land, with Port Royal at the tip — where the airport now sits. Like Gomorrah, Port Royal was destroyed, but not by fire, but swamped by an underwater earthquake, triggering landslides into the sea, creating one of the world's most lucrative marine parks. Continually, Spanish doubloons, gold, and bullion are salvaged from the site — even today.DISCOVER THE BLUESRising from Kingston foothills the uneven Blue Mountains pierce low misty clouds in the distance. The 'Blue' range runs virtually the entire 145-mile length of Jamaica at varying altitudes, but at 7,200 feet, they are at their most majestic just out of Kingston, and the Caribbean's second highest mountains, after the Dominican Republic..After an impromptu airport shower provided by the tropical humidity, I learned my bags didn't arrive with the flight, so I put myself up at the Indies Hotel, a quaint East Indian inn in the heart of the Kingston financial district. At night, the area is the home of roving reggae rave parties, and the beat of the island resonates through the hotel garden walls. The next morning my bags are waiting for me in the hotel lobby.EXPLORING JAMAICAThe decrepit train station in Kingston doesn't move any bananas or sugarcane along it's rusted skeleton anymore, but it is the only spot in the city large enough to accommodate the dragon-breathing, polluting buses that patches Jamaica's faltering transportation infrastructure together. Screaming above the hubbub, I locate a bus heading in my general direction. I cram in, bags tossed on top, and from a rag tag kid, I buy a plastic bag of "sky-juice," reminiscent of Gator Aid/Kool-aid. I sit back, sucking the warm slush through a straw. The driver grinds a couple of teeth off the gears, the bus lurches forward, setting out in the general direction of Captain Bligh's Bloody Breadfruit.The road into the Blues is serpentine, craggy along the coast, rising significantly out of Kingston, dropping back on the other side for a coast into Morant Bay, famous for a slave revolt so long ago. Near Morant Bay I am ejected out of the sweaty ganga bus at a triangular cross roads. I await anything that moves in the direction further into the Blues. After an hour's wait in the sun at the shabby, barricaded gas station serving as a bus depot, I decide to take anything, anywhere. Eventually a ride shows up—an ad hoc Jamaican cab driver, who asks in proverbially Jamaican patois, "Hey mon. I de taxi mon; ned a liff, mon? Where to mon? Pay in dollars mon? J's no gud, mon. J's shit, mon."We agree on a U.S. dollar amount, equivalent to, I don't know how many J's, or Jamaican dollars.The crumpled car rattles over ancient roads and over 18th Century British Army Corps of Engineer built bridges, through the humid banana belt leading into the mountains.In the 1600s the British occupied most of Jamaica, carving banana and sugar plantations out of the rich Blue Mountain foothills. The agrarian tradition continues today, with the eastern end of Jamaica producing some of the island's most lucrative cash crops, including Captain Bligh's Bloody Breadfruit, and the world's most expensive and smoothest coffee—Blue Mountain, at about US$25 a pound. Recently the Japanese bought up most of the future coffee crop, paying a premium price. Suddenly, all the area farmers are in the coffee plantation business, planting crops on marginal, easily eroded soil.After crossing a jungle river, a body-double of a "Bridge Over The River Kwai," I arrive in the small community of Bath. Bath was a favorite community of the British colonialists over two centuries ago. It is still the gateway to the cool Blue Mountains, and still the sleepy home for a few hundred Jamaicans; granddads lazily bicycle in loopy circles in the middle of the street in the middle of any given day. The only open thriving business in town is a juice joint on the corner of the only paved street, and it was serving a brisk trade in sky-juice. spiked rum, and today's gossip. After bailing out of the cab, sweat pouring off my forehead, I stumble into the juice joint, tanking up on sky-juice, water coconuts, and a shot of rum. In the open-air bar I ask a friendly face pedaling slowly by, imploring the direction of the Bath Fountain Hotel, the only real accommodations in the area. At the time, I didn't know how close I was to Captain Bligh's Bloody Breadfruit.The Jamaican bicyclist stopped, pointed up a graveled road spiraling north of the juice joint. Nothing less that a four-wheel boulevard. "About a mile, mon," grins the gap-toothed kid. Soon all the kids in the neighborhood seemed to be peering through the juice joint door. "My brother Joe has a motorcycle, mon." Joe is volunteered into the pickup and delivery business. He shows up just in time on a sputtering 100 cc Honda, hair threaded with dreadlocks, smiling, a spliff permanently stuck between bad teeth. I jump on the back of the Honda, luggage tearing my arms out of their sockets.THE MAROONSBath Fountain Hotel rises majestically, with the Blue Mountains serving as an encompassing backdrop sentinel. Built as a hospital by the British in 1749, the stone hotel is now owned by the people of Jamaica. Revitalized after Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, the hotel perches above the Bath River, more like a stream, like a moldy relic from a bygone era.In 1609 the Maroons, slaves of Ethiopian extraction, and other British slaves in the banana trade, escaped their tyrannical masters, marauded, hiding out in the rugged Cockscomb area of the Blues, an area that today is largely unexplored, and just getting mapped, and where the Maroons still do not welcome whites into certain regions. The Spanish word for runaways is Cimaroons, and in the Carib shortened to Maroons. For over a hundred years the Maroons and the British waged battles back and forth in the Blue Mountains, but eventually the Maroons drove the British out of the mountains and into the foothills.The British built the Bath Fountain Hotel as a hospital, not because of the battles, but because of the mineralized hot water that poured from the mountains. Clinically speaking, the hotel waters are claimed to be the most radioactive and healthful in the world, second only to Lourdes, France. The Maroons first discovered the healing waters, but the British developed the hospital with twenty clean, but spartan hospital rooms, and the 16 beautifully restored tiled baths in the basement.After checking into the hotel, paying with a wad of colorful J's, I relaxed on the restaurant terrace with a real jungle punch drink. I ask about the mineral baths. It takes about two hours to slowly fill the three-foot, by six-foot, by three-foot deep baths. The 105-degree water flows out of the mountains in the original British plumbing system that is slated for upgrading. The bath waters are tempered with cooler stream or spring water. I reserve a bath for the next morning. Why I need a reservation for the baths is incomprehensible, I am the only person in the entire US$15 a night hotel.Soothing BathsTo read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/Jamaica/Bligh/Bloody.htmlKriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
About the Author
Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.
Copyright 2005 Jane OelkeWe know we need to eat a minimum of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables everyday. Actually now, to prevent cancer, 8 to 13 servings per day are recommended. A serving is one cup of raw fruits or vegetables, or ½ cup cooked. At a recent lecture I asked a lunch audience to raise their hand if they had at least one fruit or vegetable already that day. No one in that group raised their hand. This is not uncommon. Our processed and convenience foods contain very few fruits and vegetables. To prevent chronic diseases, fruits and especially vegetables are very important. Vegetables especially have the antioxidants, minerals, and phytochemicals in the correct combination that help keep the blood sugar in balance, create better energy in the body, and along with fruits build up the immune system. Each color found in fruits and vegetables focus on building the immune system in its own way. It is important to get a variety of colors, so that you will get a full range of phytochemicals (beneficial plant chemicals) in your daily diet. Research is finding that eating whole fruits and vegetables gives you many more nutrients than you could possible add to a vitamin and mineral supplement. There are over 12,000 phytochemicals, and I have yet to see a supplement, unless it has whole fruits and vegetables in it, have all of the 180 different vitamins or minerals that are required by our body to function daily. The different colors in fruits and vegetables help our immune system react to different stresses in our daily life. So look at the different colors in your diet. See if they include each of the colors listed below. This is one way to know that you are getting the full benefit of nutrients possible in your diet.Green Foods – broccoli, kale, leaf and romaine lettuce, spinach, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Green foods are especially good for the circulatory system. They contain many minerals and B-complex vitamins. Some phytochemicals found in green foods are sulforaphane and indoles that are very powerful anti-cancer compounds. Researchers have tried to use these as isolated phytochemicals but find that they only work while in the whole food form. Red Foods – tomatoes, watermelon, red cabbage. Red foods contain many phytochemicals that reduce free radical damage. The phytochemical called lycopene is especially helpful to prevent prostate problems, and reduce the effects of sun damage on the skin. Lycopene is the phytochemical that make the red foods get their red color. Orange Foods – carrots, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe. The orange foods have the carotenoids the help prevent cancer by repairing the DNA. As our mothers told us, carrots, and other orange foods, are especially good for our eyes, and help with night vision. The deep orange foods help our bodies get the vitamin A we need, without getting excess that can lead to osteoporosis. Green/Yellow Foods – yellow corn, green peas, collard greens, avocado and honeydew melon. This combination of green and yellow foods contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that help reduce the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. These foods are also helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Orange /Yellow Foods – oranges, pineapple, tangerines, peaches, papaya, nectarines These foods that are orange and yellow in color are high in antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, and help to improve the health of the mucus membranes and connective tissue. They help prevent heart disease by improving circulation and preventing inflammation. White/Green Foods – onions, garlic, celery, pears, chives White and green combination foods contain a variety of phytochemicals. Garlic and onions contain allicin, the anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal phytochemical, and they can act as a poor man’s antibiotic. Add garlic and onions in your meals to reduce the effects of potential toxicity of high fat meats. Celery has many minerals, especially organic sodium, that keeps the fluid in the joints healthy. Red/Blue/Purple Foods – red apples, beets, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, prunes, concord grapes, blackberries. These dark colored red/blue/purple foods are very rich in powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that protect again heart disease by improving circulation and preventing blood clots. They have many anti-aging phytochemicals that keep the blood circulating reducing the effects of the Standard American Diet rich in trans fats and processed foods.When you make a salad make sure you have a variety of different colors. Strive to get at least 5 colors on your plate. Use fruits to balance the rest of the colors needed. This way you will get closer to the 8 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables required, and you will get the variety of nutrients you need daily.
About the Author
Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is a Traditional Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in southwest Michigan. She is the author of “Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia” and “Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder.” She is a professional speaker on natural health topics. She can be contacted at DoctorOelke@aol.com or through her website at http://www.NaturalChoicesForYou.com
God has called each one of us to bear fruit. Fruit is very specific in that it tastes best at the right time. If you eat fruit like grapes to early, it will be sour and hard, eat it to late and it is overripe and terrible.So bearing fruit at the right time in the spiritual realm is important. We must be able to discern the times and know what the Holy Spirit is saying for now.Seasons come and go over every nation, city, church, business and individual. It is your responsibility to know what is the time on the spiritual clock of Jesus for a specific time.Today we will look at Joseph and see how he could discern the times and influence nations.People hated Joseph and often did him in for instance his brothers, Pothifar’s wife, and the butler.God viewed him differently.Genesis 39vers 2: The Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man. ( Even though he was a slave) All he did prospered in his hand. vers 5: The Lord blessed the Egyptians house because Joseph was in it. vers 21: The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy. (Even though he was in prison) vers 23: whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. This super natural blessing combined with the hard work Col. 3:22-25 and patience that Joseph had resulted in him being blessed at all times.He resisted temptation many times. Jas. 4:7; 2 Tim 2:22He maintained his supernatural blessing it did not matter where he was, in prison, as a slave or wherever.He could really discern the times.. 1 Cor 4:1-2, Math 16:3. It resulted in blessing for those surrounding him Do we have the same result on our places of work?Genesis 41Pharaoh the evil Egyptian king understood that his dreams has spiritual meaning and insisted on a revelation he understood that this was a critical time in the history of Egypt. So we if we are in positions of authority should be in tune.Joseph was able to interpret what was happening in the spiritual realm. Due to the obedience of the pharaoh it resulted in blessing for Egypt. God wants to bless nations He wants to create an opportunity for his servants to be blessed even if they are in prison. Egypt was blessed but Joseph was mightily blessed. Joseph always gave God the glory.(verse16 and 28)I believe we are in a very specific time in our city. We need to be more in tune with God than ever before to experience the maximum of this time in God. Our ancestors will look back at this time and as a city we will give answer to them and to God about what we did with this time.Our city has been blessed by much growth in the last couple of years. We have prayed for transformation and are seeing it happen right before our eyes. We as a city could miss the opportunities that are coming our way. You might think, “well I am not a city councilor or a manager of a major company” all I can say was neither was Joseph. People of EastCoast have some backbone, trust God for a super natural blessing of wisdom and discernment. In your place of work or in this city God wants to bless you with the “fruit in season”. This will have a profound effect on yourself and many around you. Enjoy the sweet grapes of blessing, by hearing what the Spirit is saying.
About the Author
Pastor Hannes is the senior pastor for Eastcoast Christian Centre, a Church in Port Elizabeth. Feel free to redistribute this article, but please include this About section with an active link to our website.
Interview with Elisa Morgan, President of MOPS International and Author of NAKED FRUITBy Lisa M. HendeyAs a busy wife responsible for the care and nurturing of so many lives outside my own, it's nice to be reminded that it's "God's job" to hand the "fruit production" in my life - to bestow upon me the fruit of the Spirit. Most days I'm just busy ensuring that four sets of teeth get brushed after every meal - the thought of being loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and exercising self control can be daunting. Thank goodness for encouraging authors like Elisa Morgan, who not only inspire the heart, but also offer the tools to keep me aiming at and running towards my spiritual goals. NAKED FRUIT: GETTING HONEST ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Revell, August 2004, hardcover, 168 pages) gives moms the tools they need to open their hearts and souls to accepting the Spirit's gift, and equips them to grow in their relationship with God and with those whose lives they touch. Author and MOPS International President Elisa Morgan's concept that the "Naked Fruit" of a relationship with God is simply becoming (as best we can) like Jesus is as refreshingly satisfying as the first bite into a luscious orange on a hot summer afternoon! The book's brief, yet insightful chapters end in thought provoking (but manageable) "Fruit for Thought" exercised designed to help busy mothers see a clear path to growing more fruitful in their own circles of relation. Although the book is aimed at mothers, any Christian looking to honestly make the world a better place and wanting to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control will doubtless benefit from the experience of reading, savoring and digesting NAKED FRUIT.LH: I am pleased to share the following Book Spotlight interview with Elisa Morgan, president of MOPS International and author of the new book NAKED FRUIT: GETTING HONEST ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. Elisa, could you start off by telling our readers about your background with MOPS and your own family?EM: MOPS International began in 1973 with a group of women in a Denver, Colorado suburb. I was hired as the first president in 1989. For the last fifteen plus years, it has been my pleasure and honor to lead this ministry to moms in a unique and challenging season of life. Initially, I felt very ill-equipped to lead this organization but after much soul-searching I realized that God wasn't asking me to be a perfect mother, but rather to lead as a "Mother Inferior", one mom helping another.When I began at MOPS, my children were three and five. Today my family includes my husband of twenty-five years, Evan, my eighteen-year-old son, Ethan, my twenty-year-old daughter, Eva, and her new baby, Marcus - all living with us at home right now!LH: NAKED FRUIT is such a refreshing book, especially for busy mothers who may be struggling with their vocation to motherhood. What message do you hope that readers will take away from the experience of reading this book?EM: That the fruit of the Spirit is attainable through God's help. And that if we really want to grow a life that matters, these characteristics should be our goal. One more thing: early motherhood is a very humbling and challenging season. God can grow fruit even in days that are filled with frustrations...i.e.: compost is necessary for fruit production!LH: In NAKED FRUIT, you emphasize the importance of the concept of stripping away the idea that Christianity is simply "being nice". What do you mean by this and how do so many moms fall into the trap?EM: We tend to think that the fruit of the Spirit is all about putting a sweet smile on our faces and being nice, nice, nice all the time, even when we don't feel like smiling or being nice. It's a misconception of Christianity. The fruit of the Spirit is really about being like Jesus. Jesus was always fruit-filled in his interactions with others but he wasn't always "nice". He was loving to the prostitute but told her clearly to stop sinning. He was loving to the Pharisees but told them not to make faith harder than God says it is. He was peaceful but expressed this quality by napping in the bottom of a boat in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee while his disciples freaked out. Jesus was always loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled but he didn't always look "nice" according to the definitions of his culture.LH: What can I do as a mom to "make a difference" in the lives of my own children and other loved ones?EM: Focus on the big picture: are you and your children growing to look more like Jesus each day, each month, each year? Again, it's not about being nice but rather about possessing the characteristics of his personality in your own unique personality. Joy will look different in you than in your child. That's okay. But are you still growing joy?LH: Elisa Morgan, thank you so much for your time and for this wonderful book, NAKED FRUIT. Are there any additional thoughts or comments you'd like to share with our readers?EM: One other thing - Another reason we shy away from fruit production in our lives is that we believe that the responsibility for growing love, joy etc. is all up to us. We know we can't produce these qualities in and of ourselves. We've tried. And failed. And so we figure - forget it. The fruit of the Spirit is up to God to produce in us. Our job is to cooperate with him by connecting ourselves to him in a relationship with Jesus Christ. God's job is to grow the fruit.For more information or to order NAKED FRUIT: GETTING HONEST ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800718739/digitalcropper-20 Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.digitalcropper.com, http://www.christincoloring.com, and http://www.catholicmom.com and an avid reader.
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.digitalcropper.com, http://www.christincoloring.com, and http://www.catholicmom.com and an avid reader.
At some stage of our spiritual development, we’ve got to realize that the laws of life are often paradoxical. With such and understanding it is much easier to handle all seeming failures, which are mainly caused by our addiction to linear thinking. One of the greatest paradoxes of life is that people don’t become happy by pursuing happiness. Of course, some people do not pursue happiness at all – they lost their illusions long time ago, and their main goal is to get by, or, perhaps, to gain a small advantage over others. They are doing what is natural for a natural person, so there is no reason to condemn them. But how about those idealists who believe that life is governed by spiritual principles, the ones that people can know and apply for their benefit? Is it worthwhile for them to strive and to pray, asking God to make them happy? My personal experience, and experience of some people I know proves that the answer to this question is NO. Every time someone set his (her) mind to pursue happiness, he (she) is doomed for a disappointment. Have you ever heard phrases like that: "Let someone come to my life and make me happy", or "I will be truly happy when I’ll get this thing" ? The basic problem of the most seekers of happiness is that they look for it outside of themselves, but happiness just doesn’t belong to the world of things, or even human relationships. Truly, when we get what we want, or meet "the right" person, we experience fulfillment – but only for a short time. Unhappiness is a state of mind, and unless we deal with it at its root, it will eventually poison our prosperity and even our "ideal" relationships. There is also another category of people, who believe that happiness comes from an inside, from our intimate relationships with God, and they do their best to cultivate those relationships through prayer, meditation and religious observances. They are closer to the truth, but still don’t comprehend it, and still don’t happy. Why? Because when people say "I need nothing but God to make me happy", they continue to remain self-centered and blind to what He wants to do in their life. I guess, most of us have been acquainted with unhappy religious zealots, and wondered why God’s promise of an abundant life does not work for them. So, what is the solution? I am deeply convinced that we become happy not because we seek to be happy, but when we strive to be fruitful, when we do our best to find out and to fulfill our life’s mission. Happiness is a by-product of fruitfulness. Jesus knew that He came from God, and was going back to God. He was fully aware of the fact that God sent Him with a specific mission. Do we know that all these truths apply to us as well? "I choose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit" (John 15:16). This call is not something forced upon us from an outside by an arbitrary God. Our call consists of all that is the most natural and most essential for us. We cannot separate ourselves from our appointment without violating of ourselves. The cost of disobedience to our life’s mission is a life of an inner division and turmoil. "I am the wine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit… If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered, and they gather them and throw them into the fire" (John 15:5-6). Jesus spoke of an inner fire of guilt, stress, dissatisfaction and tension that burns within minds of those who don’t come to the consciousness of their unity with God, and, therefore, remain unfruitful. However, to those who are obedient to their call, He gave a wonderful promise: "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done to you" (John 15:7). All things are added to those who seek the Kingdom of God above all else.All desires will be granted to those who put God’s desires first in their life.But how can we be sure of that? There is only one way, and it is our personal experience. It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the central thought of this article. What really important is whether you are willing to try and prove it for yourself. All the intellectual reasoning in the world cannot substitute one practical application of an idea.
About the Author
Andrei Yashurin is a non-denominational minister, author, translator and an Internet publisher from Russia. His ministry in 2 languages reaches more than 3,000 people every month. He can be contacted at: yashurin.geo@yahoo.comhttp://www.your-time-now.com
There are those who claim to be "Real Christians" because they claim to speak in tongues, heal people, or have some other supposed gift. Then there are those who put on the air of being a "Super Christian" because of their following; such as some of the television evangelists. But neither of these is what real Christianity - being a true follower of Christ and His teachings - is all about. The apostle Paul tells us in no uncertain terms how to identify a real Christian. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25) A true Christian is one who "walks in the Spirit" and has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in their lives.So, what exactly is each element of the fruit of the Spirit? Notice first that the word fruit in Galatians 5:22 is singular - not plural. We are not talking about "fruits" of which you may pick and choose the ones you want to have. They obviously come as a group. You can't have "one without the others", so to speak. You can't have love without joy, peace, and patience. And you can't have peace without kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. You either have them all, or you have none.LoveGod is love! His love caused Him to create us and all the universe. It caused Him to provide for us a Savior in the person of Jesus Christ. Love has provided for us God's Word so we may know how to live a Christian life. But love is also a part of us, if we are a Christian.God's love for us is unconditional and undeserved. Therefore, if we are to have in us Love, it will also be unconditional and unmerited upon those whom we show Christian love. We will not only have love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; but we will also love our brothers and sisters in Christ. It will be a pure love not dependant upon the favor of the persons whom we love. They will not have to earn it, it will simply be there.We will love those outside of Christ - the sinner. We must be compassionate with those who do not know Christ and strive to win them for the Lord. To love them is to bring them to Christ.And we will love even our enemies - or those we perceive to be our enemies. This is perhaps the true test of Christian love. To give to those who have hurt us in some manner, regardless of how severe that hurt, true Christian love and compassion. To want what is best for them, to pray for them, and to forgive them for their transgressions.JoyChristian joy is not the excitement we feel when we purchase a new car or accomplish some difficult task. It is not the rush we get when a perceived danger is past. And it is not the happiness we feel as we plan an interesting and exciting vacation.Joy comes from God. It is that quiet sense of well-being we have as we lay our heads down on the pillow at night knowing that God will watch over us. It is that sense of belonging when we consider that we are a child of God - we are His child. To know that we have a Father who loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us, joy is that realization. And finally joy is a taste of Heaven, but only a taste. Heaven will be full of joy. All the thoughts and feelings of joy we can have here on earth will be multiplied thousands and thousands of time in Heaven.Peace I don't know about you, but after I came to know what the Word of God had to say about the future of those who do not accept Christ, I had a lot of fear in my life. It took me several weeks to muster the courage to take that first step for Christ. But after I had taken that step and was buried in the watery grave of baptism, I had for the first time true peace.Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)I think the song writer says it very well; "There's a quiet understanding." It is the understanding that God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit are there for us. Our Heavenly Father to watch over us, His Son to intercede for us, and the Holy Spirit to guide us. With this "quiet understanding," we can truly have peace in our lives.LongsufferingLongsuffering (or patience) is also the mark of a true Christian. In my job as an administrator in public education, there are many trials I must endure. I have colleagues who say, "I can't believe the patience you have. How do you do it?" Actually it is not me that does it, but rather the guidance of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible. We are called upon to exhibit patience in many ways. When sharing Christ with a non-believer many times patience is required. They will try to twist what you say to mean something else. Or, in most cases, they will just not allow you to penetrate the wall of indifference they have erected around themselves. Be patient. Keep trying to reach them for Christ. Your efforts will pay off.Kindness"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Colossians 3:12,13) Kindness shown to a brother or sister in Christ and those outside of Christ is perhaps the most beautiful part of being a Christian. As an elder in my local congregation, I have the good fortune to be able to go out into the community on the Lord's Day and serve communion to the folks that are home-bound or in nursing homes. To be able to share Christ with these lovely people and to show kindness to them by visiting with them and holding their hand is a true blessing for me. They always ask for prayer and are so appreciative of the kindness we are able to show them. GoodnessWe are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20) while we are on this earth. As such, it is our desire to do goodness as we see the need. To do good deeds - to help others in need, to serve the local congregation, to help a neighbor, visit the sick, etc. - is to do the work of Christ. And we should not keep our goodness to ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus said, "Do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Spread the goodness around. You may be surprised when you do something good to help someone whom you think (and perhaps they really do) hate you. Goodness and kindness has a way of softening even the hardest heart.FaithfulnessHow could we even begin to think about being a true Christian and not be faithful. I know there are those who sit in church every Sunday morning thinking that being there is all they must do to show their faithfulness. They are deceived! Let us not be deceived. Faithfulness is much more than occupying a seat in a pew on Sunday morning.For sure, faithfulness is "being there" to worship God; not only on Sunday morning, but as often as we can. Faithfulness is also being faithful in our giving to further the Lord's kingdom in our communities and around the world. It is being faithful to meet around the Lord's Table each and every Lord's Day as did the early church. It is being faithful to study the Word of God daily, and to pray each day. It is being there to help those in need and to share Christ with those who have not made Him their Lord and Savior.But still, faithfulness is more. In John 14:15 Jesus said it all concerning faithfulness, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Faithfulness is loving Christ. Loving Christ is keeping His commandments. Keeping His commandments is following His word to the best of our abilities - to the BEST of our abilities! GentlenessIt always amazes me how someone who claims Christ as the Lord of their life can be so cold and matter of fact in dealing with others. Some people have a way of being brutally truthful and thinking that it is a virtue. "I tell it just the way it is!" I had someone tell me that one day. I gently responded, "You tell it the way you think it is, but that does not make it true." Being gentle in our words to others is very important if we are to let the Spirit bear fruit in our lives.Cutting words, no matter how truthful, is not of God. Gentleness is caring about others' feelings. Don't lie. But don't be cold, hard, and brutal either.Self-controlSelf-control is not merely keeping our tongue under control. It is making wise choices about our lives. It is avoiding the pit-falls of smoking, drinking, and riotous living. It is being disciplined enough to be faithful and using our talents for God. It is keeping our personal finances under control. It is rearing our children to be Christians and to love God. The fruit of the Spirit is what being a Christian is all about. We have just touched on these. Study them and have them in your life.
About the Author
Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute. Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.orgPermission to use is granted if attributed to author and his website.
There is almost no occasion, event or holiday gift that can’t be properly addressed by sending some kind of fruit basket. From humble beginnings as a device fruit growers used to expand their business beyond supermarkets, fruit baskets have become one of the most popular categories of gifts in the country. No longer is this merely a device for fruit growers to send out more of their freshly grown produce at retail prices. Nowadays, many of the items advertised, sold and shipped as fruit baskets contain hardly any fruit at all. Fruit baskets have matured -- come of age, as they say -- and it’s possible to satisfy a gift giving need by ordering a fruit basket from any of literally thousands of suppliers across the country. You’ll find that many of the local retail stores in town have some form of fruit basket deal to ship their wares, if not all year round, then certainly at appropriate holiday times. For at least two major gift-giving holidays, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, fruit baskets surpassed flowers as the gift of choice on a national basis several years ago and have kept on growing ever since.Built around themes for the holidays, fruit baskets can contain any type, and almost any amount of high quality merchandise designed to make the receiver very happy upon arrival. Christmas baskets specializing in winter fruits -- especially popular in the colder, Eastern states -- have been stuffing Santa’s bag for many years. Valentine’s Day brings chocolate-dipped goodies, especially cherries and strawberries, which really say “I Love You” to that special person in your life. Baby baskets send the freshest of fruits for the new parents along with a few bottles of a healthy brand of baby food and other appropriate gifts for the newborn. For Mother’s Day, children delight in sending a choice selection of gourmet items to the woman who gave them life. And there’s no better way to say ”I Love You, Dad” on Father’s Day than by sending a basket brimming with Dad’s favorite items and a few new ones as well. Even giant corporations have gotten accustomed to sending out appropriately stuffed fruit baskets to their highly valued clients and special employees, instead of more traditional fare. Fruit baskets containing all sorts of items have become the easiest and most personal way people can give something to one another that is almost always appreciated. In addition to being one of the easiest and most satisfying experiences, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’s ever returned a fruit basket for any reason whatsoever.
About the Author
Fruit Baskets Info provides detailed information about gourmet fruit gift baskets, edible, dried and fresh fruit baskets, fruit baskets delivery, and more. Fruit Baskets Info is the sister site of Picnic Baskets Web.
Summer is here so it’s time to freshen up that wardrobe and make your fashion statement for the season.If you’ve had a look around the stores or boutiques you’ll notice some of the pretties clothes and accessories are displaying fruit. Very upbeat and refreshing after the winter blah.Well placed appliqués, amusing details, juicy colors make these articles of clothing girlish and flirty. The perfect look for weekends and casual days. We’ve got cherry print dresses, pineapple topped shirts, melon and kiwi print pants and host of other deliciously flavorable garments. If your wardrobe doesn’t consist of a lot of fruit why not added some fruit jewelry, Lemons, grapes, cherries – what ever your favorite you’ll be in style.Some of our favorite designer fashion fruit picks this month are:A cotton graphic T from J Crews selling for $28.00Satin cropped fruited pants from D&G seliing for $365.00 available at Neiman Marcus storesA Silk cherry print skirt by Beth Bowley selling for $170.00A cotton cherry print dress by Moschino Jeanna selling for $430 at SloanLeather shoes with faux wood heal from Faryl-robin selling for $89.00Rhinestone and Lucite lemon necklace from Alexis Bittar selling for $212Straw hat with glass fruit charms from Hat Attack selling for $88 at Big DropCanvas cherry wallet with strap from Louis Vuitton selling for $300Yes my picks are designer picks and a little bit on the pricey side, but you will find similar garments for affordable pricing at your local shops. You’ll find affordable blouses, t tops, pants, skirts, and dresses that fit this seasons look. Affordable costume jewelry in the fruity theme can be found online at several different stores including us at Estate Jewelry International. The fruity jewelry dating from the 1950s is a wonderful new addition for this seasonThis season is a season of nostalgia because the last time we saw fruity patterns so popular was back in the 1950s. Fruity in moderation is the key to wearing these prints. Here’s a good rule of thumb – if it looks good on a 5 or 6 year old then it’s not for a grown women. If you're in your 20s-30s you can choose one item that is a big and bold fruit to make your outfit standout. Don’t get carried away. One will make a statement.If your in your 40s fruity sweetness can quickly sour. Avoid big and bold, rather opting for mini fruit motifs. Small delicate non overpowering fruit is the key here.If your 50+ then no more than a hint of fruit is for you. How about a cherry tote bag or a pineapple brooch pinned to your blouse, or some strawberries on your flip flops. Remember light is much tastier!This season has a wonderful mix of cuts and styles, from tunics to fitted blouses, to convertible halter dresses. There are choices for all ages, shapes, and sizes. You’ll find fruity prints from head to toe, so enjoy and wear what feels right and looks good. Remember to you can always accessorize with fruity jewelry, belts, and shoes. Make your fashion statement!
About the Author
Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry,and wedding help. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/
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