What are some of the healiest fruits we can eat? Super foods for your health!

What are some of the healiest fruits we can eat?

Super foods for your health!
Apples 1 medium apple (80 calories, 0 g fat): An apples 3 g of fiber help you meet your fiber goal of 20 g to 30 g daily. High-fiber diets can lower heart disease risk

Apricots 3 apricots (51 calories, 0 g fat): A good source of beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A by the body), providing the equivalent of 35% of the RDA for vitamin A

Bananas 1 medium (105 calories, 0 g fat): Bananas are a great source of potassium, which plays a key role in heart health and muscle function. Plus each one has 2 g of fiber.

Blackberries 1 cup (74 calories, 0 g fat): This fruit boasts a whopping 10 g of fiber in a single cup .

Blueberries 1 cup (81 calories, 0 g fat): Blueberries help prevent and treat bladder infections by making it hard for bacteria to stick to urinary tract walls.

Cantaloupe half of a medium cantaloupe (90 calories, 0 g fat): Cantaloupes are an excellent source of vitamins A, B3, B6, C, and folate. The vitamin A has been known to help prevent lung damage in smokers and helps promote weighloss for those trying to loss weight.

Cherries 1 cup (84 calories, 1 g fat): A good source of perillyl alcohol, which helps prevent cancer in animals. Heart-protective anthocyanins give cherries their color.

Grapefruits 1/2 fruit (39 calories, 0 g fat): A good source of vitamin C and a compound called naringenin, which helps suppress tumors in animals;
Guava 1 medium (51 Calories .6 g fat): Guava most known for promoting weight loss. It contains vitamins A and C, minerals, folate, dietary fiber, protein, calcium, and iron.

Kiwi 1 medium (46 calories, 0 g fat): Just one little fruit packs a mean vitamin-C punch (74 mg) and an impressive 2.8 g fiber.
Mangoes 1 mango (135 calories, 1 g fat): A single mango has enough beta-carotene to cover your RDA for vitamin A while racking up 57 mg of vitamin C.

Oranges 1 orange (61 calories, 0 g fat): One orange provides an impressive 50 mg to 70 mg of vitamin C, 40 mcg of folic acid and 52 mg of calcium.

Papaya– 1 cup, cubed (55 calories, 0 g fat): Loaded with vitamin C , a healthy dose of fiber (2.5 g) and a sprinkling of beta-carotene and calcium.

Purple grapes 1 small (113 calories, 0.9 g fat):Offer three heart-guarding compounds: flavonoids, anthocyanins and resveratrol (green grapes are not rich in them).

Prune 1/3 cup, stewed (87 calories, 0 g fat): Prunes famed laxative effect is no mystery: There are 5 g of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) in just 1/3 cup.

Raspberries 1 cup (60 calories, 0 g fat): Teeming with 8 g of fiber per cup, they also boast vitamin C, ellagic acid and anthocyanins.

Strawberries 1 cup, sliced (50 calories, 0 g fat): Strawberries have high levels of ellagic acid and anthocyanins, and are rich in vitamin C (95 mg per cup) and fiber (3.8 g per cup).

Watermelon 1 wedge (92 calories 0 f fat): Watermelons are high in lycopene , which is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent some forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Watermelon is also high in vitamin C, A, and potassium.

Mold & Allergies

What is Mold?
Mold, also known as fungus, is a family of organisms that are found throughout nature. Unlike plants, mold need food and water sources in order to thrive. This food source is often in the form of a carbohydrate material, such as wood or cellulose.

Mold can be very dangerous. It can cause illness, allergies, and even death.


Which Molds are Known to Cause Allergies?
There are thousands of types of mold, however, only a few of these are currently available for allergy testing. The following are the most likely causes of allergic disease based on the types of mold spores collected in the air:
Alternaria. A common outdoor mold; allergy to this mold can be associated with severe asthma.
Cladosporium. The most common airborne outdoor mold.
Aspergillus. A common indoor and outdoor mold; also associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
Penicillium. A common indoor mold; allergy to which is not associated with antibiotic allergy.
Helminthosporum. More commonly found in warmer climates.
Epicoccum. Found in grassland and agricultural areas.
Fusarium. Commonly found on rotting plants.
Aureobasidium. Common outdoor mold, commonly found on paper, lumber, and painted surfaces.
Phoma. An outdoor mold, especially common during wet periods.
Smuts. Found in areas of agriculture.
Rhizopus and Mucor. Commonly found on decaying leaves and damp indoor areas. Airborne forms of these molds are less common.
Yeasts. Commonly found in the air during wet periods in agricultural areas. Allergic disease to Candida albicans is controversial, despite some people having positive allergy testing to this type of mold.

What Measures Can Be Used to Decrease Indoor Mold Levels?
Prevent outdoor molds from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning equipped with allergen-grade air filters
1. Control indoor moisture with the use of dehumidifiers
2. Fix water leaks in bathrooms, kitchens and basements
3. Ensure adequate ventilation of moist areas
4. Clean (or replace) contaminated surfaces with diluted a chlorine bleach solution (one part household bleach in nine parts water), while using proper protective gear (mask and goggles)
5. Utilize HEPA filters on vacuums or as a stand-alone air filter
6. Limit indoor houseplants, and ensure those that are present are free of mold on leaves and in potting soil

Much of this information was found at weather.com and about.com

5 Ways to Handle Stress

5 Ways to Handle Stress

Remember Things Usually Work Out In the End
If you cannot do anything about it do not stress it. Psalms 55:22 says Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

In other words PUSH which means pray until something happens.
Things may not go exactly as you planned but keep a positive attitude, a can do attitude and you will prevail!

Do the Hardest Thing on Your List First
If you have several troublesome things on your mind tackle the toughest one first. You will be tempted to do the easy things first but this will just extend and intensify the stress you are already feeling. Go ahead: Fry the Big Fish First. You will be glad you did.

Be Honest & Take Responsibility When Something is Your Fault
Stress and work is a huge problem for many people. So much to do so little time. So much on your mind. It’s difficult to tell your boss: I forgot to do that or I did not mail that check out yet. But you will avoid future stress by telling the truth now. Admit, I made a mistake. I’m Sorry! The truth will always set you free.

Exercise
When everything is going wrong or you are having a bad day, try to squeeze in a workout. Going for a jog, walk, swim, or bike ride are all excellent ways to make you feel better. Exercise is an excellent stress reliever.

Talk It Out
Sometimes the best medicine to relieve stress is to just talk about it. Talk to your spouse or Invite a friend for coffee. You could both vent to each other.

I hope this helps you feel better in some way today.
Until Next Time,
Erica

Your Home Provides Comfort & Shelter

"Your home consists of two primary systems that work together to provide comfort and shelter. Your home's heating and cooling system maintains comfortable indoor temperatures. Your home's envelope helps hold in comfortable indoor temperatures and provides shelter from exterior elements. The home envelope is the combination of materials that surround the interior space you live in including walls, floors, ceiling, roof, windows, and doors. The quality and integrity of your home's envelope greatly affects the comfort and cost to operate your home.

How can improving my home's envelope save money and energy?
The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. These costs can be reduced by up to 20% by combining the right amount and type of insulation, using effective air sealing techniques, and installing windows that are appropriate for your climate.
What are the benefits of an energy efficient envelope?
Reduced drafts and even room temperatures (no cold or hot rooms).
Reduced noise transmission into your home.
Savings on heating and cooling bills.
Moisture control in your home leading to longer life of your home's building materials and reduced incidence of mold and mildew."

I found this information on weather.com. I thought it was useful information and wanted to share it with everyone that visits our site.

Let us know if we can be of service to you.
Erica

We were able to show off Dunngannon Plantation in a fun and exciting way this past weekend. Elizabeth Group Real Estate and Erica Schaffer hosted an open house/customer appreciation party that included oysters, homemade chili, salmon dip, a bon fire, and fishing...all on one of our featured listings in Ravenel SC....The kids had a great time enjoying the tidal creek and the adults had their fill of fresh oysters and a relaxing marsh view. Thanks to all who came out to enjoy the beautiful day!!

Daylight Savings Time

Hello Everyone! Just a quick reminder when you get home from Trick or Treating or the Halloween Costume Party on Saturday Night remember to fall back one hour or you'll show up early for Church on Sunday.

Be Safe!

Sincerely,

Erica Schaffer

5 Ways to improve your homes value

Just wanted to share a few tips on ways to improve your homes value.

5 Ways To Improve Your Home's Value
1. Focus On Curb Appeal!First impressions say everything about a home. Clean up the front lawn, plant a couple of shrubs and add some potted flowers to the front steps.
2. Make Your Kitchen Great!Update the look with new cabinet door handles, new lighting fixtures, and replace your kitchen faucet.
3. Step Up Your Storage!Unclutter your closets and install closet organizers to help them look bigger. Also, donate your old-style clothes.
4. Look Underfoot!New carpet can quickly update a home and make it look cleaner, but be sure to choose a neutral color.
5. Call Erica Schaffer and The Elizabeth Group Real Estate Team. We would love to show you our "Media Matters Package". Our one of a kind package includes: top of the line photographs for every listing with high resolution cameras, your listing will be added to our online database which reaches over 30 different websites including Google and Yahoo Real Estate.com We have the experience and knowledge to help you get your home ready to sell quickly and for top dollar. If you or someone you know would like a free, no-obligation consultation, call me today! The Elizabeth Group would love to share our Media Matters Package with you.


-- Respectfully Yours,
Erica SchafferThe Elizabeth Group, LLC.
"Where Media Matters"
843.834.1910 Cell
843.406-6898 Office
866.622.9474 Toll Free Fax
E-Mail: erica@elizabethgroup.net www.elizabethgroup.net