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Fruit juice counts in your daily fruit intake

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled their recommendations for Americans with the new USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines. The new guidelines recommend half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables at every meal and snack.

Fruits and vegetables can help people get essential nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium and calcium, of which the USDA says we're not getting enough. The good news is that a variety of foods can help satisfy those fruit servings: fresh fruit, dried fruits, canned fruits and 100 percent fruit juice.

Here are some ways fruit juice contributes to a healthy diet:

* It may help maintain a healthy digestive system. Fiber-rich juices such as prune juice have long been accepted as an effective digestive aid, largely because of its gentle laxative effect.

* They contribute to the daily fruit requirement. Drinking 100 percent fruit juice was a primary contributor to the percentage of total fruit intake, according to a recently published study by The Medscape Journal of Medicine. The study showed fewer than 1 in 10 American adults and adolescents met their calorie-specific fruit recommendation.

* Juice can enhance nutrient density of diets without affecting the calorie density. Drinking 100 hundred percent fruit juice often provides a more concentrated source of vitamins and minerals. The appropriate consumption of fruit juice is associated with a more nutritious diet overall.

* If you're watching your sugar intake, try mixing 100 percent fruit juice with water to reduce the sugar and calories per serving. Also look on product labels for reduced calorie (light) juices, the absence of high fructose corn syrup and no sugar added.

-- ARA

Tip of the Week: Eat a tomato

Tomato season is at its height right now, and they are a good source of vitamin A, potassium and fiber. There are just 32 calories per cup, and they come in a variety of colors: red, orange, yellow, purple and green. Red tomatoes have lycopene, the pigment that gives them their color, which research suggests can reduce your risk of prostate cancer or heart disease.

-- EatRight.org

Easy recipe: Homemade Mayonnaise

<ul>

<li>

2 egg yolks</li>

<li>

1 whole egg</li>

<li>

1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard</li>

<li>

Pinch of salt</li>

<li>

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste</li>

<li>

1&#8260;4 cup fresh lemon juice</li>

<li>

2 cups corn or other vegetable oil, or best quality</li>

<li>

Olive oil</li>

</ul>

Combine egg yolks, whole egg, mustard, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and half of the lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 1 minute.

With the motor running, dribble in the oil in a slow steady stream. When all the oil is in, shut motor off, and scrape down sides of bowl with a spatula.

Taste mayonnaise, and correct seasoning if necessary. If you are using vegetable oil, you will probably need the remaining lemon juice. Scrape mayonnaise into a storage container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. Mayonnaise will keep safely in the refrigerator for at least five days. Let it return to room temperature before stirring. Makes 3 cups.

Did You Know?

To better destroy bacteria and avoid cold spots, rotate or stir food halfway through cooking it in a microwave. - FoodSafety.gov

Food Quiz

A Peach Melba sundae consists of vanilla ice cream served with peaches and Melba sauce. What is Melba sauce?

A. Strawberry sauce

B. Dark chocolate sauce

C. Raspberry sauce

D. Mint sauce

-- funtrivia.com

Answer is at bottom of column

Wise to the Word: Naan

[NAHN] An East Indian, white-flour flat bread that is lightly leavened by a natural yeast starter developed from airborne yeasts. Naan is traditionally baked in a tandoor oven. A flattened round of dough is placed on a cloth puff that is used to slap the bread directly onto the side of the special high-heat oven. In less than 60 seconds, the bread puffs slightly, browns on the side touching the oven wall and takes on a light smoky flavor. The bread is speared with a skewer and removed from the oven wall to be served hot.

-- epicurious.com

Number to Know

150: One Cheddar Bay Biscuit is 150 calories.

- calorieking.com

The Dish On &#8230;

"Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm" by Whitney Miller

Known by TV viewers as the Mississippi belle whose demure demeanor belied nerves of steel and true culinary skill, America watched Whitney Miller crush the competition and become the first winner of "MasterChef" Season 1. Now Whitney's long-awaited dream of writing her first cookbook has come true as she shares her favorite recipes and entertaining secrets in "Modern Hospitality." Whitney offers a fresh take on classic dishes passed down throughout generations of Southern women. In addition to providing more than 75 original recipes that showcase regional ingredients and authentic flavors, Whitney also shares her stories of family, tradition and suggestions for effortless entertaining.

From the Beer Nut's Blog: Vineyard brewpub get off the island

If you can&#39;t make it to Martha&#39;s Vineyard this summer don&#39;t fret, because the Offshore Ale Company is bringing a little bit of the island to liquor stores.

Offshore Ale Company is a popular brewpub in Oaks Bluffs, and now its bottled beers are starting to pop up more and more on store shelves.

Currently, there are four Offshore Ale beers available in bottles: Offshore Amber Ale, Offshore India Pale Ale, East Chop Lighthouse Ale and Menemesha Creek Pale Ale.

The Offshore Amber Ale is the brewpub&#39;s flagship beer. It is available in 12-ounce bottles.

To read more from the Beer Nut, visit http://blogs.townonline.com/beernut/.

Food Quiz Answer

C. Raspberry sauce

GateHouse News Service