Colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables do more than delight the eye and decorate our plates. They keep us feeling light and energized. Numerous studies have shown that they protect our bodies from all kinds of disease by maintaining systemic alkalinity, reducing inflammation, supporting detoxification, providing needed fiber and strengthening immunity. However, the main problem in our busy lives is finding ways to get enough of them. For good health, 1½ to 2 cups of fruit a day and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables are recommended. If you want maximum benefits, aim for two pieces of fruit and 5 cups of vegetables. Since including more fruit isn't as difficult as getting more vegetables, last week we gave you some ideas on how to include more vegetables in your life - like making them the centerpiece rather than a side-dish in your meals; becoming inspired by the superior taste of fresh and organic vegetables; becoming more imaginative in creating salads; and making your own vegetable sna…

Have you been to a local farmer's market lately? By being outside in the fresh air, surrounded by nature's colorful bounty and the good people who spend their lives tending farms and growing nutritious produce, you already feel healthier and inspired to include more delicious fruits and vegetables in your diet. Using your recently purchased produce to make lunch when you get home is a reminder of how much tastier (and healthier) fresh fruits and vegetables are. Health exists along a continuum, from near-death all the way to bursting-with-energy optimal health. Including more fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets is a major way to keep moving along that continuum towards greater vitality, strength, endurance, mental clarity and optimistic mood. Still, getting in fresh produce each day and adhering to a plant-based diet can feel like a hurdle. Including more fruit isn't hard - just remember to buy it and keep it where it's visible and handy. Fruit is the original…