You+Me= A perfect PEAR

Pears are lovely. Crunchy, juicy, snuggly and tasty. They freeze well, shred well, blend well and travel in your purse well and can be made into all kinds of fashionable snacks and appetizers. They are eaten largely by dairy and meat-eaters alike with things like ham, cheese, on tiny crackers and slivered onto fantastic vegan salads. Pears are smothered in butter and cinnamon, sauteed in frying pans and baked with holiday roasts. They are mashed into purees for tiny baby eating, given to college students as snacks on plane rides and picked fresh off trees in pear tree states.

What's not to like about a pear?

RAW PEARS! Crunchy and scrumptious! YES! Photo by: www.sugoodsweets.com

While they are often eaten softly boiled and skinned, RAW PEARS make for a delicious and nutritious treat anytime of day! Reasons why we should all be slamming on some raw pears right now: Ahem...Number 1 - Pears can be paired with just about anything!

Pears in all their colorful glory! Photo by:www.ridgeroadgardencenter.com

When it comes to whole foods eating (or proper food-combining as some call it) pears are best eaten with other sub-acidic fruits but can also be combined with acid fruits as well. What are sub-acid and acid fruits, you ask? Check the list below!

Fruits for food-combing:

Sub-Acidic: Peach, Pear, Plum, Raspberry, Grape, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Lychee, Mango, Apple, Loquat, Nectarine, Apricot or Cherimoya. Or Acid fruits like: Cranberry, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Tangerine, or Tomato. 

Pears are among the most easily digested foods and are usually okay to eat even for those on low-allergy diet plans. This is often why they recommend pears as one of the first solid foods to introduce to a baby's diet. 

RAW WHOLE PEARS! Easy. Photo by: www.beyondkimchee.com

Reason #2 - Pears are easy to eat. Back in the early days of yonder I believe humans ate whole fruits and vegetables. That's what so curious about this shift back to whole foods eating. It's in our nature. Before the days of TV dinners and microwaves...we ate RAW WHOLE FOODS.

So how does whole foods eating apply when it comes to pears?...well...it means that you can eat the WHOLE THING. Yup. That's right, everything but the stem just about, I will gobble down (seeds too!). Now that's just me, doesn't have to be you...all I'm saying is that pears actually require no utensils, no prep, no fuss. Just yummy, easy, juicy deliciousness.

Pears for everyone! Photo by: www.thekitchn.com 

As a matter of fact, studies show that eating pear skin is actually MORE HEALTHY than eating pear flesh! It's not too often that we are recommended to eat the skin of our fruits and vegetables, however, especially when it comes to pears, we may want to think twice before skinning. This is because the skin holds between 3-4 times MORE of what's called phenolic phytonutrients than the pear flesh. These phenolic phytonutrients are where we get our anti-inflammatory flavonoids, antioxidants and potentially anti-cancer phytonutrients (like cinnamic acids) from!


Here's another fact to blow you over...Pears can help increase insulin sensitivity, therefore they can help decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes in men and women! Whoa! Check me out! This is due to certain flavonoids found in the pear skin (flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanins to be specific) and among all fruits and vegetables analyzed for their flavonoid content...the apples and PEARS combination is among the most consistent in their ability to decrease our risk for Type 2 diabetes.

RAW Sliced Pears with little bit of cinnamon, lemon juice and raisins to top! Sweet and satisfying.
Photo by: healthninja.wordpress.com

The intake of pears has been associated with a decreased risk of many chronic inflammatory dis-eases which include heart dis-ease and Type 2 diabetes, which are a results of excessive oxidative stress in the body. Pears are great because they even decrease the risk of all kinds of cancer! The fiber in the pears binds together with the secondary bile in the digestive track (excess amounts of secondary bile can cause a whole host of intestinal problems), decreases the amount of acid concentration and keeps things moving along regular.

Pears have been noted to decrease the risk of gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and esophageal cancer. 

Fresh Vanilla Pear Juice with ice cubes (I'll take it sans vodka), hehe. Photo by: www.two-tarts.com

Not fond of the texture? PEAR JUICE is a great, simple way to include pears in your diet (and those of your kids)! No excuse! :-) Just be sure to get (or make) your pear juice with pulp, non-pasteurized and organic where possible. (When the pulp is removed the antioxidant benefits drops about 40%)

Reason #3 - Pears have lots of fiber! Vitamin C and Vitamin K. For those who are not so keen on Metamucil and other strange and nebulous fiber drink powders...pears provide about 22% of our daily fiber intake. Pears are an easy way to increase your fiber intake.
NOTE: About half of the fiber found in pears is in the skin, so to get the optimal fiber intake, include those skins in your consumption!

SO many pears to pair with! Photo by: pears.usapears.org

There are over 3000 varieties of pears enjoyed world-wide. China produces approximately three-quarters of the pears consumed world-wide, roughly 15.5 million of the 21 million tons eaten. In the US Washington is the largest pear-producing state with California and Oregon to follow.

Slice em', Dice em', Crunch em', Munch em'! Photo by: www.cookinglight.com

Pear-eating Ideas: 

Pear Ginger Tea

Pear Arugala Salad

Pear Cranberry Spinach Walnut Salad
Honey Roasted Pear Salad 
Apple Pear Salad 
Iced Pear Protein Smoothie (note* I suggest to use green superfoods powder instead of whey)

Pear and Arugala Salad. Spectacular! Photo by: 86lemons.com

Tips on selecting pears: 

When buying pears, you want to check the "neck." If it is firm but gives a little the pear is ripe, if it is squishy that pear is likely over-ripe and should probably be best used for baking or making pear-sauce. The skin should be smooth and free of bruises, however speckles and spots are welcomed as this indicates a more intense flavored pear. After picking a perfect ripe one, keep in the fridge up to 2-3 days for best results.

Speckles welcome! Photo by: uncooking101.com

If your pears are hard, place them in a brown paper bag to induce ripening, but no plastic bags! Pears need oxygen so paper is best. Also, note that they tend to absorb whatever is around them, so keep them away from strong smelling foods while storing.

Honey Roasted Pear Salad with spinach, cranberries, red onion and chopped hazelnuts. Ooooh... Photo by: http://danazia.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/fat-is-friend/

Sooo...next time you're out grab a few pears for your basket! You will be pleasantly pleased that you did. :-)

Su-pear! Du-pear!

Live. Love. Well. 
~h

Peachy keen...you know what I mean.

Aren't they such majestic beauties! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org 

Smooches! Love, Peaches.

Delish! Peaches engage many of the senses and make for a wondrous treat ANY time of the day. They are easy to travel with, can be sliced, juiced, mashed or munched, have a soft, supple skin and delicate juicy-ness that even young babes can appreciate. Peaches rarely leave you unsatisfied and yet somehow begging for more. They make a bit of a mess, not too much; just enough to let your sweet sticky fingers gently remind you they were there.

Heart-healthy, skin-smoothing sweet, sticky snack! Photo by: examiner.com 

Peaches have a beautiful coloring ranging from light yellow to deep rouge and range similarly in taste according to the ripeness. They are best eaten when the darker swirling colors are present (the mixture of red and orange and yellow).

Sliced peaches perfect for a tantalizing mid-day snack! Photo by: nyccityeats.com

Filled to the brim with Vitamin A, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Niacin, and so much more, peaches can be enjoyed year-round and are very easy to can or freeze. They make great companions in smoothies, teas, juice recipes, on salads, in homemade popsicles and even make a delightful summer soup. (If you haven't had peach soup throw you inhibitions to the wind! You will surely be rewarded. I certainly was.)

Tasty, Peachy, Juicy! Photo by: theimprovkitchen.blogspot.com 

Tried peach juice yet? No? Do it. A frothy full-bodied juice that is as refreshing and light as summer salad and a soft kiss, it will leave you wanting just a bit more. And why not? At only 46 calories per peach you can be certain this is a "Weight Watchers" approved treat we can all indulge in!

Peaches come in all sizes, shapes and colors! Just like you and me! Photo by: marigoldmom.com

Let's talk about some of the health benefits! Peach juice can act as a natural laxative to help flush toxins out of the kidneys and bladder to help prevent kidney stones! Peaches are a great source of water and fiber and allow you to get fantastic nutrients, feel "full" longer all with a wonderfully succulent taste and aroma.

Peach Tea Smoothie! Oh my Gawd! Yes. Photo by: eatsimpleloveyoga.com 

Got a bad cough? Have a peach. Peaches are known for their ability to soothe a dry cough, you can even make the juice into a warm soothing tea. Those with rheumatic pains and abdominal colic are also recommended to incorporate peaches into their diets.

Healthy food-combining approved meal: Peaches and Raspberries! Yummo! Photo by: theskinnyonlowcal.org

Peaches help ease digestion and inflammation. They protect nerve cells and if eaten early in the morning can help regulate intestinal infections and maintain alkalinization of the blood due to their low acidity. Regular consumption of peaches can help prevent the onset of many types of cancers and aid in weight loss. Peaches are good for the skin to help regenerate tissue cells; you can even rub peach juice into your skin for that soft peachy glow!

Happy to be here sliced and cored peachy keens! Photo by: inspireandindulge.wordpress.com

Peaches are rich in iron, so very good for those with anemia. Peaches can help treat high blood pressure and facilitate cardiac health due to the potassium found in them. Peaches are helpful in lowering cholesterol in blood and preventing cardiac diseases.

Peachy Mint Puree, perfect for your tiny sweet someone somewhere.
Photo by: theartofcomfortbaking.blogspot.com

Peaches contain Vitamin A,  B1, and B2 which help to strengthen the immune system, balance the nervous system and maintain magnesium levels in the body. Peaches are HIGH IN ENERGY and are great for pregnant women and those wishing to regulate their weight!

Fresh Home-canned Peaches! Makes for easy livin'! Photo by: piccantedolce.blogspot.com

So what do we know about peaches? Peaches even have their own color...Peach. How many other fruits can top that? To follow the suggestions of food combining for maximum digestion...peaches are best eaten with other like fruits: apricots, plums, nectarines, mango, pear, apple, cherries, grapes and other berries.

Fresh, tasty and nutritious! Go get some today! Photo by: statesymbol.usa.org

With health benefits for the whole family, peaches certainly fit the bill when it comes to SIMPLE EATING. That's the motto around here. So many reasons to eat so many peaches!
Moral of the story? Try adding peaches to your diet today! Your whole body will thank you for it!

Live. Love. Well.
~h

The key to longevity

Simple small changes CAN have a big impact! Photo by: newdirectionsconsulting.com

When you embark on a new mission or journey it's easiest to stick with it in the "newness" of the change. The first couple of days or even weeks tend to be the easiest as you are revved up on momentum and excitement. Sticking with the change can often be the most trying.

A life of abundance is available to us all!
Photo by: vafoodbanks.org

I, myself, have been transitioning to raw veganism for some time and consider it a very personal journey.

Where are you on this continuum? Having patience with yourself is the best thing you can do.
Photo by: www.mycvandme.co.uk 

But not to F.E.A.R.! There are a myriad of ways to go about "transitioning." We are all in a period of change and movement in our lives in other areas, and it's totally okay to be a bit transitory in nature when it comes to our food choices and lifestyle habits.

Homemade Cashew milk..YUMM!
Photo by: creativebioscience.com

I first started by eliminating all dairy products from my diet. I didn't really eat much dairy any way and so removing, cow's milk, eggs, cheese and yoghurt was the first step. For a while I still ate yoghurt sparingly and some eggs as I didn't feel the need to remove them from my diet just yet. Most of the time I only ate yoghurt in smoothies anyway and so I just replaced those with fresh juice/fruit only smoothies occasionally incorporating a coconut or nut milk of sorts. Also, I was very surprised to find out how many OTHER ways I could get calcium into my diet!

Biggest thing I have learned: *When it comes to life changes and challenges, you really have to go at your own pace.*

Lunch: toast, balck beans, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, mashed avocado, delish!
Photo by: goodveg.squidoo.com

Next I moved to removing chicken from my diet (I had eliminated beef a few years prior after researching how tough digestion is of most cooked beef products for the body and had stopped eating pork at a very young age as I always seemed to get sick after eating it (pork chops, hot dogs...). So I simply ate fish instead for a while and began experimenting with alternative "protein" sources.

Black beans, salsa, bean spread, avocado, collard greens!
Photo by: melomeals.blogspot.com

I started making vegan chili (3-bean chili ect...), veggie burgers with sweet potatoes and chickpeas, eating black bean hummus, edamame and so on. I realized after researching that many of the main stream forms of protein that we have been led to believe are absolute and MUST be included in our diets (ie cooked animal meats) are often also some of the most difficult for our bodies to break down.

Beans and lentils! Kidney beans, garbanzo beans, white, black, pinto beans, lentils, edamame and the list goes on!
Photo by: abcnews.go.com

Isn't the whole point of eating to fuel our body machines? Well, of course! If you don't eat (common argument), then you will eventually die! The truth is that without nutrients and water, our cells cannot repair, rebuild and rejuvenate. If our cells cannot rebuild as they are destroyed by the natural processes of living our bodies could simply not sustain life for very long.

The inside of your body and the path to digestion. Cool! 

Long story short, I started researching more about the digestion process in the body and how to best maximize the absorption of nutrients in the body. I am still researching and learning more about myself and my body each and every day!

Love yourself wherever you are on your path! Photo by: womenshealthency.com 

This journey for me has been so exciting! Difficult at times (family opinions, availability, discipline, support, time management and straight laziness have been barriers)...but life is such a beautiful journey and I am learning to love myself and give love to others everyday!

Have patience with yourself and you will always be in good company!

Live. Love. Life.
~h