Goddesses Don't Buy Green Bananas is a heart felt compilation of extraordinary photos of some extraordinary women. The Goddesses that are photographed in this book are real women; they are wives, mothers, daughters and friends. Lesley Daley, the author and photographer, published her book after her thirty five year old husband was diagnosed with cancer. Lesley says that those who have faced this life threatening disease have inspired her to do this project.

Last week I did a post about Courtney Nicole and her battle with leukemia. Courtney's mom gives updates on her daughter daily and I'm happy to say that she tells us she is getting stronger everyday. Of course they are not out of the woods yet at day +26 after her bone marrow transplant -- but things are definitely turning around for the better. I mention Courtney because she is featured in the book as The Goddess of Spunk and Cheerleading.

This book is a tribute to all women who's lives have been touched by cancer.

In a curiosity about Dole Food owner David H. Murdock's quest to help people live better longer, I visited the Dole Food website. When you first arrive you will be greeted by the slogan The Dawn of the Nutrition Age. When it comes to food and nutrition, this is a comprehensive resource of internet destination. In the Healthy Recipes area, you can find 30 Minute Meals, BBQ & Grilling, Fruit Salads, Fun Kid Snacks, Holiday Entertaining, Less than 5 Ingredients meals, Main Dish Salads, Pizzas, Quick Breads and Tastes Like Chicken. There is a Glossary, Conversion Table, The Benefits of Getting Steamed, Healthy Snacks, and Put the Squeeze on Added Calories. The Art of the Meal included instructions on how to create simple works of art with food.

Dole Nutrition News is a bi-monthly online newsletter featuring information and news on diet, fitness, nutrition and natural beauty available free to interested readers.

My little boys love candy -- and sometimes I think they eat healthy food only to earn sweets. Their constant badgering about candy has led to a recent ban on artificially-sweetened stuff in our house. If it's not in the house, they can't have it. No arguments. That's it. Fortunately, they also love fruit. So what we lack in candy we now make up for with fruit -- apples and bananas and grapes and peaches and strawberries are favorites. And just today at lunch, three-year-old Danny cleared his plate of strawberries and then proclaimed, "I love strawberries!" And I love that Danny loves strawberries -- especially in light of the news that hit papers today.

It seems that candy lovers are more likely than salt lovers to eat fruit. A study published in the journal Appetite found that people who eat candy, cakes, and other sweet snacks eat more fruit than people who prefer salty snacks like chips and nuts. Maybe that's the reason for my boys' equal affection for both candy and fruit -- and their indifference about salty treats. Apparently, the craving for something sweet is satisfied by both candy and fruit -- which is hopeful for kids whose parents might now steer them in the direction of the more healthy option. And for dieters who might incorporate more fruits into their menus in an effort to cut calories. And for anyone really who is concerned that a diet rich in candy, cookies, and cakes might contribute to illness and disease while fruits and vegetables encourage healthful living.

An apple a day.

Fruit smoothies, loaded with cancer prevention nutrients, are a popular and good-for-you drink anytime of the year -- but as the weather warms, they make an especially cool treat. When it comes to fruit smoothies, the possibilities are only limited by your kitchen creativity. Almost always, a fruit smoothie will be high in fiber, and low in fat -- another cancer prevention benefit. Basically, you will need three ingredients: fresh fruit; yogurt or a frozen juice concentrate; and ice cubes. Vanilla and honey are optional, but do add a yummy taste to a smoothie. Depending on how many smoothies you want to make at one time, the ratio of ingredients is: one cup fresh fruit; one cup yogurt; one banana; half-a-tray of ice cubes. The ratio can be changed depending on how thick or thin you prefer your smoothie shake. If you have eliminated dairy from your diet, or are a vegetarian, you can use fruit juice -- like apple, orange or cranberry juice. Again, there are no hard and fast rules to the ingredients, or combination of ingredients, to a smoothie. If it sounds good,  then add it, and give it a try.

Here is the basic recipe we use:

• One banana.
• One cup fruit -- blueberries, or strawberries, peaches or mangos.
• One cup yogurt or frozen fruit concentrate.
• Ice cubes.
• A dash of honey, sometimes vanilla extract, and usually fresh ground flaxseed.
  

You can add water or fruit juice for a thinner texture, but we like a milkshake thickness to our smoothies. Put all the ingredients into a heavy-duty blender or electric smoothie maker. Blend. That's it. A terrific treat -- and cancer prevention good for you. What is your favorite smoothie recipe?