"Palette" CleanserSummer Feature: Apricot - it is the color of energy, vitality and health!
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Color has a profound effect on our mood – and even our physiology. Color evokes powerful memories and can affect anxiety levels, pulse and blood flow. Calming blues. Cheery yellows. Renewing greens. Fiery reds (which can signify passion or danger, depending upon the circumstance). From time immemorial, art, textiles, interior design and fashion lines have always drawn from the amazing array of colors provided by nature. And nature provides a glorious abundance of foods in every color of the rainbow. In fact, one of the very basic mantras for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is: “Eat the Rainbow.”
Our tongue-in-cheek take on a “palette” cleanser explores a beautiful ingredient that is also a powerful color. In this issue – Apricot! The fruit is rooted (pardon the pun) in ancient civilizations. Delicious fresh or dried. Delectable as a snack or as an ingredient. Apricots are remarkably versatile – a sweet foil to savory chicken in a tagine preparation, an artful addition in a pork roulade, the star of a dessert tart or simply a spectacular sorbet.
And the color! Apricot – it is the color of energy, vitality and health! (Who doesn’t need more of those things?!) Its vibrant cheerfulness is made contemplatively complex by its depth. The psychology of color may not be as ancient as the apricot groves in Turkey – but the visceral human response to color certainly is.
Take a moment to consider how the color apricot makes you feel. Walk through the gallery in your mind. Check your closet. (Perhaps you will find a scarf of a certain hue that harkens back to an early 70’s song… If so, wear it without irony. Apricot is, after all, a beautiful color!) Is your garden in bloom? Pansies, roses, peonies all come in amazing shades of our spotlighted shade.
Apricot - the visual appeal is inextricably connected to culinary pleasures, possibilities and power. In other words, the external informs the internal. And speaking of internal, apricots offer health benefits aplenty! |
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1. Very nutritious and low in calories: Healthy, low-fat, fiber-rich, guilt-free!
2. High in antioxidants: A great source of many antioxidants, including beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. Also high in a group of polyphenol antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to protect against illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease.
3. May promote eye health: Vitamins A and E are essential for eye health. Other important apricot carotenoids include lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in the lenses and retinas of your eyes. They protect against oxidative stress.
4. May increase skin health: Vitamins C and E, both found in this fruit, may aid your skin. Vitamin C protects against UV damage and environmental pollutants by neutralizing free radicals and it also helps build collagen, which gives your skin strength and elasticity.
5. May boost “gut” health: Apricots are high in soluble fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Additionally, fiber slows the movement of food through your digestive tract and feeds your beneficial gut bacteria. This is linked to a lower risk of obesity.
6. High in potassium: A mineral that also serves as an electrolyte, which is responsible for sending nerve signals, regulating muscle contractions and fluid balance. Potassium-rich foods may help prevent high blood pressure and reduce risk of stroke. |
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