Based solely on personal observation, I believe one of the reasons most of us do not eat the recommended daily required servings of fruits and vegetables is because what we do choose to eat -- the way we prepare it and the way we serve it -- is boring. Traditionally, the standards fit into a narrow category. With an interest in expanding the menu selection, I went on a search for recipes. Something new to try.

The Raw Foods -- or Living Foods -- diet is considered by some to be a celebrity food fad, with Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson and Robin Williams as celebrities reported to have adopted the diet. Other followers are strict adherents to eating only raw and unprocessed organic foods that would be acceptable to vegans. But you do not have to be a vegan, or a raw-foodist who chooses to stick to a diet consisting only of raw foods, to benefit from raw food recipes.

If you are looking for new recipes -- a new way of choosing and preparing fruits and vegetables -- finding the people and places whose focus is primarily on raw foods seems a likely direction to follow. One of the online resources I found, Living and Raw Foods -- the largest community on the internet dedicated to educating the world about the power of living and raw foods -- offers a healthy selection of recipes for Appetizers and Finger Foods; Entrees and Side Dishes; Crackers Breads and Cereals; Cookies and Treats and Desserts.

The group states on the homepage they are not out to convert anyone, simply to educate. They offer creative ways to prepare dishes, side dishes and treats that pack more nutrition into your diet, like mashed potatoes that use cauliflower or Sea Veggie Pizza.

Fast food and junk food snacks are not good for health. Smoking is not good for health. Little sleep and non-existent periods of relaxation are not good for health. Lack of exercise and weight gain from stress eating are not good for health. But according to researchers, women who work long hours are prone to some or all these habits, and that is not a good thing for their health. Smoking, damage to the immune system due to unrelenting levels of stress, lack of exercise and weight gain all increase cancer risks.

Leeds University conducted a study that showed women typically respond to the stress of working long hours by engaging in negative habits that are detrimental to their immediate and long-term health. According to researchers, the reaction to stress can manifest in choosing unhealthy high fat and high sugar snacks before choosing healthier food.

The study compared how men and women respond to stress, and if there was a difference. Some experts stated that men are less likely to be affected by working long hours because they are not expected to multi-task when they get home from work in the same way women are expected to do. Researchers said most women agree to their take on the matter.

Knowing that some women alleviate stress in unhealthy ways, gives women an opportunity to step back and assess how they might choose better strategies for dealing with stress -- or in minimizing some of the causes of stress in their life. Aside from these research findings, I think both men and women in modern society are under enormous daily stress and we all need to step back and evaluate how much of our health we are willing to compromise.

Oh hello! Here's a little study that I am certain many parents are going to shake their collective heads at when it comes to the published results. First, this study is based on a questionnaire so I am not at all convinced there are hereditary genes at work -- simply because the researchers did not do an under-the-microscope study to find out if there are genes, and identify which ones, affecting our food preferences.

From my understanding, I believe genetics are a primary determining factor in what we do and do not inherit. I could be wrong. In the meantime, I am standing by my initial concept of genes in the role of heredity. Back to food preferences.

Stumped for creative ways to get more daily servings of nutrition-rich cancer prevention fruits and vegetables into your diet? In a hurry? On the go? Just don't have time. Here are some suggestions in time-saving quick tips for eating healthy. 

• Try a fruit smoothie for breakfast.
• Top breakfast cereal with flax seed and fresh fruit.
• Roll your sandwich filling in a cabbage leaf instead of using bread.

When you bake those skinless boneless organic chicken breasts for dinner, bake a few extra. Slice the extra chicken breasts and refrigerate. For a quick lunch salad, add a small serving of sliced chicken pieces to a bowl of fresh organic baby spinach leaves and a handful of walnut halves, sprinkle with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. It takes me less than three minutes to make this salad.

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.