Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Or: Out of sight, out of mind? I think I like this one best, at least when it comes to snack time for my kids.

Our house was once stocked with sugary treats. It wasn't odd for us to have a bowl of M&Ms in our cupboard, Oreo cookies and fruit chews in the pantry, and a whole host of other not-so-healthy go-to items. Now we have none of it. And while my little boys occasionally search for their old demons, they mostly have adjusted well. They don't crave sweet things any more now that they're gone; they actually rarely mention them. Now I admit they do stake out houses that allow for sweet things when they get the chance but at home, they are content with an apple, a bowl of strawberries, homemade popcorn with just one tiny drop of oil and no butter.

I'm eager to introduce my boys to new healthy snacks so our routine doesn't grow stale. Here are seven ideas I like. You might like them too.

The most healthy thing that I have added to my daily menu to fight cancer right now is this simple drink that helps give me energy and gives me antioxidants and vitamins. It helps boost the immune system. It detoxifies and cleanses the body. It gives a quota of daily veggies. It has a high alkalinity that helps balance acid PH levels in the body. It is simple and it tastes good too.

Vicki's Twice Daily Wheat Grass Cocktail
4 ounces of organic tangerine juice
4 ounces of organic carrot juice
1 organic banana
1 8 grams packet of Organic Wheat Grass (I prefer Amazing Grass brand)

Mix together well in a blender until smooth and pour into a large glass.

You can find Wheat Grass in your local health food store.

I'm not a fan of juice and have never been one to offer it to my little boys. There's just too much sugar swirling around in the beverage to make it an appealing choice for me.

Despite its sugar content, however, there are certain health benefits one might gain from drinking juice -- especially a specific type of apple juice.

Think about this:

Next time you're in the market for apple juice, try the cloudy, unclarified variety. Recent research indicates it has four times the concentration of anti-cancer polyphenols as the clear juice most people drink.

Source: Family Circle, April 2007

Time to test your smarts -- about sleep, sun, food, and alcohol.

Just read the following questions, pick an option and then scroll down to determine if you really know what's best for your health.

• Is it healthier to sleep an extra hour or force yourself out of bed in the morning to exercise?

• Is it healthier to spend 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen or two hours in the sun wearing SPF 30?

• Is it better to have a second glass of wine at dinner or a sinful dessert?

The results may not be immediate but a recent study indicates that purple grape juice has long-term health benefits and can help combat major illnesses, like heart disease and cancer.

A study at Glasgow University measured levels of antioxidants -- thought to have a protective effect against cancer -- in a range of popular juice drinks. Purple concord grape juice came out on top, with the highest levels and range of antioxidants. Incidentally, this juice has the same level of these compounds as Beaujolais red wine.

It's recommended that we add a glass of grape juice to our daily diet and count it as one of our five daily fruits and vegetables.

Researchers caution, though, that studying antioxidants in the lab is different than studying their effect in the body.

"The problem is that we don't know what happens when they enter the body and are dissolved," one researcher says. "Obviously, eating a lot of fruit and vegetables has been shown to be good for your health, but it is not known for sure which compounds are responsible for this effect."

Still, it's not a bad idea to down that glass of juice every day -- unless, of course, you are worried about sugar content like me.

Writer Richard Morris of www.breadandmoney.com coins the word nutritainment in a recent article about foods that are hyped to magically make us healthy -- foods that can cancel out cancer and wipe out heart disease. Nutritainment is nutritional news delivered in entertainment-like fashion, designed to urge consumers to buy into the latest, greatest super foods. Yet making small changes in diet -- what most consumers will do -- to incorporate these so-called powerful products is unlikely to do much good, Morris says. And he offers some thoughts on why the media continues to force this news down our throats and why we continue falling for their tactics.

Morris says human nature and marketplace economics motivate those engaged in nutritional sciences to strive for media attention and exposure. As a result, bits and pieces of nutritional studies make their way to medical journals and then land in media's lap through press releases. Some will even ghostwrite nutrition articles to promote products. These articles end up in the hands of the media and spread like wildfire to the public, in as-is format. Consumers may be left with the notion that these bits and pieces are important, relevant, non-biased research -- when this is not the case.

Morris says knowledgeable health experts who have the time to accurately report on important nutrition news are scarce. And when they do have time to share words of wisdom that really do matter, the packaging of the news is often technical and not so sensational. A headline that reads, Pomegranate juice packs power to prevent cancer will bury a scientific -- yet more accurate -- headline. Catchy headlines grab readers, and readers buy products. But headlines can be misleading -- and pomegranate juice alone is not likely to have many health benefits.

There are also issues with advertising and editorial content, according to Morris, who compares overall good nutrition to car maintenance. "Just like changing the air freshener in your car won't prevent a breakdown if the car desperately needs a tune-up, adding one item of magical food to your diet won't protect you from a breakdown either," he says and shares that a complete dietary makeover is what's necessary for good health -- that and stress reduction, physical activity, emotional balance, and life fulfillment. A quick dose of pomegranate juice may not do the trick. But a steady, consistent dose of these items will.

One day, look for these enhanced food products to appear on supermarket shelves, because more and more, consumers are demanding that the food they buy offer health benefits beyond what has been traditionally offered, and scientists are discovering ways to make that happen. Recently, University of Maryland researchers created, and patented the process, of transforming wheat, corn and rice flours into antioxidant powerhouses in the newest offering of functional foods. They have also devised a means of developing a flour based on fruit seeds that were discarded in the making of fruit juice.

The researchers assure that the process of enhancing flours is environmentally friendly -- which is another concern of many consumers. We want to be eat for good health, but we also want to be good to the earth. Antioxidants are known to offer cancer prevention benefits and are naturally found in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and berries. Using antioxidant-enriched flours will be one more way to incorporate antioxidants into our daily diet.

This finding, along with the news of mandarin orange juice liver cancer prevention benefit, will be presented during the four-day conference Functional Foods and Health, at the 232nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Drinking eight ounces of mandarin orange juice a day might have the ability to decrease the risk of developing liver cancer, according to researchers in Japan.

Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine researchers conducted a small one-year study involving participants with chronic viral hepatitis and found that none of those who drank mandarin orange juice developed liver cancer. In the group that did not drink mandarin orange juice, a small number of participants did go on to develop liver cancer. In the same study, researchers indicated that drinking mandarin orange juice might also have a positive health protective effect for atherosclerosis and insulin resistance.

Interestingly, Japanese researchers followed this inquiry after noticing that residents of a Japanese town noted for its high consumption of mandarin oranges suffered lower rates of liver disease, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

These findings, along with several others showing the health benefits of functional foods, will be presented during a four-day conference Functional Foods and Health, at the 232nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Research studies are indicating that the powerhouse antioxidants in pomegranate juice can slow the progress of prostate cancer; that pomegranate seed oil aids in the destruction of breast cancer cells, and topically-applied pomegranate extract might provide skin cancer prevention.

For the pomegranate challenged, California Pomegranates provides a simple three-step no-mess tutorial for getting to the seeds of this otherwise intimidating and mysteriously exotic ruby-red fruit. The organization also features tips on selecting the perfect pomegranate and pomegranate recipes to serve at any meal including appetizers, salads and soups, main dishes, preserves, dips and sauces, desserts and beverages.

One of our personal favorites is Pomegranate Guacamole.

2 large avocados
1/2 large grated onion
2 finely chopped garlic cloves
2 fresh seeded serrano chilies
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
1 freshly squeezed lime
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon pomegranate juice
3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds

Mix onion, garlic, chilies and coriander leaves. Mash peeled and pitted avocados, adding the pomegranate juice as you mash. Combine this with the onion, garlic, chilies and coriander leaves. To keep the mixture chunky, do not over mix and gently fold in pomegranate seeds. As a side note, I add freshly chopped cilantro and have substituted serrano chilies with roasted green chiles.

Pomegranates are available from September through January, although the juice is available year-round, and many of the recipes provided by California Pomegranates call for pomegranate juice.

In 2003, at the American Association for Cancer Research Second Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, studies were presented that found pomegranate fruit extract a novel agent for skin cancer prevention. Researchers say if further studies confirm preliminary findings, skin care products such as creams, patches, and sunscreens containing pomegranate may be developed to protect the skin against cancer.

"The incidence of skin cancer is rising faster than any other solid tumor in the United States. It is critical that we develop novel approaches to both primary and secondary prevention of what appears to be becoming an epidemic," stated Dr. David Alberts, M.D., of the University of Arizona. "We are pleased to see numerous studies exploring the therapeutic value of topically-applied natural ingredients that people can begin incorporating into everyday life."

While research of pomegranate extract is ongoing, and the bath and beauty skin care products featured in this post do not claim to reduce skin cancer risk, they do all contain pomegranate extract. Pampering yourself with these delightful bath and body products is simply a treat -- and if research does prove that pomegranate extract provides topical health benefit, all the better. Indulge yourself, you deserve it.

St Helena Olive Oil Co. Pomegranate Soap

Made with olive oil and the fruit of the pomegranate, which gives St Helena Olive Oil Co. Pomegranate Soap its rich pink color and refreshing scent, according to the product description, pomegranate is known for its soothing properties for sensitive skin. View product details here.

Noveya All-Natural Pomegranate Soap

Noveya makes its All-Natural Pomegranate Soap from a special formula of pomegranate extract, pomegranate juice, pomegranate leaves, pomegranate peel, essential oil of patchouli, essential oil of lavender, vanilla extract, organic goat's milk, and pure wildflower honey all enhanced by red clay from the Negev to hydrate and enrich the skin with nutrients. View product details here.


Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Collection

Archipelago Botanicals has developed a line of pomegranate bath and beauty products. According to the company webpage, ancient Greeks touted its medicinal benefits, while modern beauty editors point out that the fruit is loaded with powerful antioxidants. Two of the products they offer are:

Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Triple Milled Soap made with a blend of pomegranate, white tea, cranberry, and chamomile extracts in a 100 percent vegetable base. View product details here.

Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Body Polish is formulated with ground pomegranate and cranberry seeds to gently exfoliate and detoxify. View product details here.

Aqua Dessa Honey Pomegranate Facial Cleansing Foam

Created to be mild foaming facial cleanser, Aqua Dessa Honey Pomegranate Facial Cleansing Foam is made with honey, pomegranate and antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, black currant, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and blueberry to hydrate and nourish the skin. View product details here.

Bella Lucce Pomegranate Polishing Crème

Made with pomegranate extract, the polishing cream exfoliates with tiny microderm abrasion crystals in a product designed to meet the same high quality standards you might experience with pricey microderm abrasion treatments at a spa. In fact, Bella Lucce's bath and body products are featured in luxe spas, salons and natural wellness centers in 38 states and nine countries -- from Los Angeles to Dubai. View product details here.

Yesterday, we featured Antioxidant supplements: cancer prevention fairy tale or fact? posting on an opinion piece Dr. Lisa Melton wrote concluding that something is lost in the extraction process of antioxidants into supplement form that prevents antioxidant supplements from offering much in the way of health value. That antioxidant-rich foods offer a health benefit is not in question, and continuing research indicates that what you choose to eat can give your body a boost to better health.

While the researchers sort out the antioxidant supplement debate, and before your next trip to the grocery store, UPI issued a press release today announcing the results of a newly published study that ranks the concentrated antioxidant value per serving of 1,113 foods and beverages.

Topping the list? Per serving -- one cup of blackberries, eight-ounce serving of Welch's 100 percent Grape Juice, one cup of Ocean Mist artichoke hearts, one-ounce of walnuts and one cup of strawberries. Interesting to note, according to the researchers from the University of Oslo, Norway, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Minnesota, the top five outranked the traditionally considered powerhouses of antioxidant foods and beverages including blueberries, red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea. Stiil powerhouse antioxidant foods in their own right -- just did not make the top five in this study.

On Monday, the sale of a Japanese brand of aloe juice was banned by the Department of Health after it was determined that it contains high levels of benzene -- seven times more than the World Health Organization recommends for maximum levels in water. Benzene is a colorless and flammable liquid with a sweet smell and was once used as an additive in gasoline. It is carcinogenic -- and has been cause for concern worldwide. So samples of the drink, produced by the Japansese cosmetics brand DHC, will be sent to the Bureau of Food and Drug Analysis for further investigation due to such concerns. In the meantime, the sale of this aloe juice, sold in convenience stores and through mail-order, will be suspended.

According to previous research, pomegranate juice shrank prostate cancer cells in lab dishes and in mice. Researchers found that prostate tumors shrank in mice infected with human prostate tumors, who were given pomegranate juice to drink. New research indicates that pomegranate juice has such a significant effect in slowing the growth of prostate tumors that older men, aged 65 and above, might actually outlive prostate cancer, rather than dying from it.

In order for pomegranate juice to offer protective benefit in slowing down prostate tumor growth, men need to drink an eight-ounce glass of the juice daily. The results of this study are so encouraging it leads researchers to believe that drinking pomegranate juice might be a viable alternative to other therapies such as hormone treatment or chemotherapy. If you are an older man diagnosed with prostate cancer, the results of this study are certainly worth discussing with your physician.

New Zealand health authorities are investigating what they feel to be extravagant health claims by companies trying to sell goji juice as a cure for cancer. In New Zealand, that kind of health claim is illegal. That kind of health claim is illegal in the United States as well.

There might be a single magical berry that can cure cancer, but without rigorous scientific study, who can say for sure? Certainly not the manufacturers of goji juice, or those who seek to profit from the sale of goji juice. Not without scientific proof.

I am inclined to believe it is healthy for you, and does provide antioxidants that do have cancer prevention value, because it is a berry. Most berries have been shown to offer cancer prevention in supplying the body with vital nutrients essential to good health. But that is far cry from believing goji juice is a cure for cancer.

Common sense would keep us from buying into flamboyant claims that can give someone diagnosed with cancer false hope. A cancer diagnosis can create intense levels of fear and sometimes, a willingness to set aside normal and sensible judgment. Most of the nutritional experts are suggesting that given the current price of a goji juice drink, similar berries, fruits and vegetables might be more cost effective in getting the same antioxidant and nutrition value.

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.