A Warm Wish March Newsletter, Gift Giving Tips, Gift of the Month, Specials & Deals
Welcome to A Warm Wish
I don’t know about you, but I love Spring! I know, I live
in Vegas, it’s not like it gets that cold, but none the less, I can’t wait to
shed my coat, and tip my face to the sun. That bright vivid spring green color
is one of my favorites, and the palette of colors from spring flowers is always
overwhelming. It also makes me start thinking lighter and healthier. I start
craving dried fruits and berries instead of those warm comfort foods of winter.
That kind of healthy eating inspired our Healthy Happy Gourmet Gifts, featured
below. We fill them with delicious and nutritious foods and our article below
will fill you in on some of the great health benefits from these foods that you
might have been unaware of! And while we are speaking of healthy foods, we take
a moment this month to give you the healthier side of chocolate! All things in
moderation of course, but we provide some reasons to feel good rather than
guilty when you indulge in a small bit of the heaven that is chocolate!
Here’s to a wonderful Spring!
Robin Renken
Spring is in the Air!
Spring is in the Air! The Vernal Equinox falls on Thursday
March 20th this year, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the date when night and
day are nearly the same length and the Sun crosses the equator moving northward.
It is a season of new growth! Bright green leaves spread eagerly toward the sun
and blossoms are in abundance! It is only natural that we would want to
celebrate this beautiful season! Eggs and seeds have been used to celebrate the
season from ancient times. Eggs are colored and dyed as a way of celebrating new
life. In the Ukraine (pysanky) are covered with magical symbols for protection,
fertility, wisdom, strength and other qualities and are given as gifts. Seeds
likewise hold the potential of new plant life. In ancient Italy in the spring,
women planted gardens of Adonis and in modern Sicily women plant seeds of grain
in baskets and pots, when they sprout, the stalks are tied with red ribbons and
placed on graves on Good Friday, as a symbol of the triumph of life over death.
For many of us, Spring Festivals are exciting as the weather warms and we are
able to get back outside into the sunshine! Strolls or picnics in the park, a
chance to be outside and breath some fresh air is bound to put all of us in a
good mood! So here’s to a beautiful spring, and the time to stop and smell the
flowers.
Gifting 101 - Chocolate
The Good Things about chocolate!
Let’s take a moment to talk about
how CHOCOLATE can be part of a healthy diet! Chocolate is a good source of
magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. It also contains Polyphenols (an antioxidant
also found in red wine and tea) that have been associated with a decreased risk
of coronary disease. An average chocolate bar contains about the same amount of
antioxidants as a 5 ounce glass of red wine. Dark chocolate contains more
antioxidants than milk chocolate, and can help lower blood pressure and improve
insulin resistance according to a join study between the University of L’Aquila
in Italy and Tufts University in Boston. Mind you, the findings do not suggest
that people with high blood pressure consume dark chocolate in lieu of taking
their medication, but that the flavonoids in dark chocolate may have a positive
effect on blood pressure and insulin resistance.
The chocolate choice! Research has shown that Stearic acid, the main saturated
fat found in milk chocolate is unique and doe not raise cholesterol levels the
same way that other types of saturated fats do. In fact, eating a 1.4 ounce
chocolate bar INSTEAD of a carbohydrate-rich snack has been shown to increase
good cholesterol levels!
Chocolate and tooth decay. The protein, calcium and phosphate content of milk
chocolate may actually protect tooth enamel and its natural occurring fat
content means that chocolate clears the mouth faster than other candy, reducing
the amount of time its sugars remain in contact with the tooth surfaces!
Of course as with all good things moderation is the key. Chocolate can be part
of a healthy life style when portion sizes are kept small and you select dark
chocolate whenever possible!
information from 7 Myths and Facts about Chocolate, Melting the Myths for Good
by Leanne Beattie, Health and Fitness Writer SPARKPeople
March Gift Medley of the Month
Healthy Happy Gourmet! At A Warm Wish we LOVE good food
and we love foods that are good for you. This month we feature our Healthy Happy
Gourmet Series! These gifts are great for individuals or groups and are filled
with healthy and delicious snacks. Including... All Natural Chukar Cherry berry
pistachio Mix. With no preservatives, no sulfites, and no artificial flavors or
colors, Dried berries are Nature’s low fat, high energy foods. Dried berries are
high in antioxidants, minerals and fibers and pistachios are cholesterol free
and high in copper, magnesium and B vitamins. Green Teas are filled with strong
antioxidants, specifically from a compound called EGCG which may block cell
damage, while strengthening the immune system. Almonds are nutritionally dense
and an excellent source of Vitamin E and magnesium and are a good source of
fiber. They also offer hearth healthy monounsaturated fat, protein, potassium,
calcium, phosphorus and iron. They are finding that a handful of almonds a day
may lower LDL or “Bad” cholesterol and may help to enhance weight loss by
satisfying the appetite and preventing overeating. Our Alaskan smoked salmon in
high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids which fight heart disease by reducing blood pressure
and triglycerides. They help to reduce heart attacks and strokes, decrease pain
and inflammation from arthritis, asthma and colitis and help with depression and
bipolar disease. Our Multigrain flatbread is all natural and made with pure
olive oil and no preservatives. They are a good source of fiber and Iron. And
for a sweet treat, we finish off with Banana chips. Bananas have long been known
as nature’s perfect fruit. They are easily digested and contain natural sugars
(sucrose, fructose and glucose) which are released quickly into the bloodstream
giving instant energy. The banana also contains a high-grade protein which
includes 3 of the essential amino acids. They contain vitamin B6 which helps to
regulate blood glucose levels which can affect mood. They are high in iron, high
in potassium, which can help to beat blood pressure and research has shown it
can assist in learning by making students more alert! And all the contents of
these gifts are Trans Fat Free, so dive into this delicious and good for you
gift!
Available in 3 sizes at $54.95, $69.95 and $99.95.
Vendor Spotlight
We have exceptional Vendors, with incredible products that we will be featuring monthly. We love getting to know our vendors, and the ideals behind their business and products are important to us, so we will be sharing them with you! This month our featured vendor is Chukar Cherries, the Pacific Northwest’s leading producer of gourmet cherry and berry treats.
Chukar Cherries was founded by Pam Montgomery on her family’s cherry orchard
over
19 years ago. Located in Washington State, Chukar Cherries produces a wide array
of pure food gifts that exemplify the regional bounty and natural flavors of the
Pacific Northwest. All products are 100% Natural and Kosher KOF-K certified. Our
favorite is the Berry and Pistachio Mix. This great and beautiful energy mix is
made up of Dried Bing Cherries, Dried Cranberries sweetened with cane sugar,
Roasted Pistachios
What is a Chukar? Originally from Asia, the Chukar Partridge favors the arid
climate of the inland Northwest. An aerial speedster, this game bird’s notable
red beak and legs make it the perfect symbol for Chukar Cherries.
We end our vendor spotlight with my favorite quote from Chukar Cherries that
truly sums up their products. “We select ingredients for flavor, texture, and
well-being. What is well-being? How you feel after you eat it, how it fuels our
bodies and soothes our spirit. Utilizing only pure ingredients without additives
is basic and a good foundation. “
A Warm Wish featured Websites
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Specials and Deals
March Calendar
