Review: FruitaBu Organic Smooshed Fruit

I LOVE fruit roll-ups. They were a rare treat while I was growing up, so I completely enjoyed every sweet, juicy bite. With all of the sugar, artificial color, and articial flavors though, regular fruit roll-ups are no longer in my cupboards.

After a major sweet craving, I gave in and tried FruitaBu's Organic Smooshed Fruit Rolls. It was the best purchase I made all month! The apple was good, but the strawberry was my favorite. They were both sweet and fruity, but not overly sweet.

The fruit rolls also come in grape. They have no added sugars...just good ole organic fruit (puree and juice from concentrate). No artificial colors or flavors, and I had the same fun rolling them out as I did when I was a kid. Just beware if you're allergic to soy - they do contain soy lecithin.

If you want something a little classier than rolls, the smooshed fruit also comes in flats.

Getting Down and Dirty

I know it's the middle of winter, and most of us have already seen our share of snow and ice. I've enjoyed being toasty-warm inside, snuggled up with a blanket and a good book. But I've started dreaming about warmer weather. Winter is fun for awhile, but Spring and Summer are my favorite. I love working in my vegetable garden and watching the fruit ripen. I love taking the dogs for a walk toward the muscadine and wild blackberry plants and having the sweet smell of honeysuckles permeate the air.

My absolute favorite part is walking barefoot. Walking barefoot in the lush grass at a local park, feeling a bounce in each step from the thick softness tickling my feet. Walking barefoot along the beach as I sink into the hot sand, where just below the surface it's cool and refreshing. Walking barefoot through the veggie garden as the loose dirt topples over my feet.

Yes, I like to get down and dirty. And now there are studies and professionals saying it's a good thing to do!

Picture from eHow.com

I recently began getting adjustments from a chiropractor, and he showed me a small machine that is supposed to mimic Earth's magnetic energy. Supposedly, when we walk barefoot outside, we absorb this energy. Unfortunately, shoes, concrete, and other barriers prevent us from absorbing the healthy magnetic energy that our ancestors so readily received. When I looked this up on the Internet, I found beliefs and opinions but no solid studies that verified what the chiropractor said. But anyways, he wanted to sell me one of those machines. Why would I want a machine when I can have the real thing?? It's one more excuse to walk barefoot outside!

Next, according to Natural News, "excessive cleanliness is actually impairing children's natural healing function and putting them at an increased risk for disease." Germ exposure is beneficial to young children because it helps them build immunities. Keeping kids indoors (out of the dirt) and coated with hand sanitizer is doing more harm than good. Yes, you want to protect your children...but there must be a balance. Natural News goes on to point out that "Children who grow up on farms and are exposed to all sorts of bugs, worms and natural elements have demonstrably less allergies and autoimmune problems than urban children who spend most of their time indoors."

Note of caution: Beware of when and where you go barefoot. Watch out for nails, ant hills, thistles, or other things that may hurt you. Also be wary if you have an open cut or sore on your foot that bacteria can enter.