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.

Here is a charming way to spend a summer afternoon. As part of Wyevale Garden Centres commitment to raising money for Breast Cancer Care, the garden center will be hosting the Strawberry Tea Fortnight. The tea is timed to take place during the Wimbledon tennis tournament. If you live in Britain, and would like to attend or host a Strawberry Tea, Breast Cancer Care will provide you with a packet of information containing recipes, fundraising tips, stickers and more to make your tea a success.

But what if you live half-way around the world and think an afternoon tea shared with friends, family, co-workers or classmates to raise money for breast cancer is a very lovely idea? The Breast Cancer Care offers some ideas to help you get started planning a Strawberry Tea of your own.

• Plan an afternoon tea party with strawberry cakes and tea.
• Get together after work to enjoy strawberries and cream and a glass of champagne.
• Throw a Wimbledon-themed party in the garden for your friends and family.
• Get your friends together for a picnic and fun tennis tournament.
  

Not into tennis but love tea? Create a theme of your own built around an event that is normally celebrated by family, friends and co-workers. In the United States, tea time is not a mainstream activity, but I think we could all use a little more time to stop and enjoy the company of the people in our lives -- and an afternoon tea seems a splendid way to do it.

Nigella Lawson has created a gorgeous recipe for lavender-tinted and lavender flavored cupcakes -- aptly named Lavender Trust Cupcakes -- that Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care has generously published online. The recipe uses lavender sugar. Lavender sugar can be purchased at specialty shops, or you can make lavender sugar simply by placing a few sprigs of fresh lavender into a jar of sugar for a few days.

According to the recipe introduction, lavender has been used as a flavor in Provencal cuisine for many years, and has recently begun to come back into fashion as an ingredient in the UK in both savory and sweet dishes. To get a copy of the recipe for Nigella Lawson's Lavender Trust Cupcakes, go here.

The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care was founded by Beth Wagstaff and journalist Ruth Picardie, both breast cancer survivors. The Lavender Trust provides support for younger women living with breast cancer. Lawson supports the breast cancer charity in a number of ways, including the design launch of a limited edition set of lavender measuring cups as part of her Living Kitchen line of products.