Capsicums otherwise known as Peppers.

 Did you know that these are actually botanically a fruit?  They are related to the tomato.  Did you also know a red capsicum or pepper is a green one left on the plant 7 to 10 days longer?  This is why red ones are more expensive, they take longer to [...]]]> Healthy Thought

Capsicums otherwise known as Peppers.

 Did you know that these are actually botanically a fruit?  They are related to the tomato.  Did you also know a red capsicum or pepper is a green one left on the plant 7 to 10 days longer?  This is why red ones are more expensive, they take longer to ripen!

 Capsicums can be eaten raw, stir fried, barbequed or even stuffed with meat or rice.  They are also a great source of vitamin C.

Wealthy Thought

 How to Retire in Just Eight Years in 4 simple steps (in Australia)

•  Buy one property every year – well researched and well located, near schools, transport etc
• After 8 years harvest the accumulated equity – property doubles in value about every 8 years
• Reduce your tax by purchasing new or near new properties – depreciate an appreciating asset
• NEVER, never sell!  That would be chopping down your money orchard

That’s it!

I have worked for a bank and a real estate agent and didn’t understand how property investing worked until I found The Investors Club. 

For more info go to www.tic.com.au and mention my name Arlene Dowdell.

Do you know the difference between good debt and bad debt?  This is very important.

Bad debt is what we buy  ‘toys’ with, cars, boats, jet skis, expensive jewellery etc – non appreciating liabilities.

Good debt is what we use to purchase appreciating assets, like property.  Things that go up in [...]]]> Going to talk about your financial health today.

Do you know the difference between good debt and bad debt?  This is very important.

Bad debt is what we buy  ‘toys’ with, cars, boats, jet skis, expensive jewellery etc – non appreciating liabilities.

Good debt is what we use to purchase appreciating assets, like property.  Things that go up in value, not down.

You want to be collecting assets so that later you can buy toys.  If you do it the other way around, you are destined to be broke.     (unless you have a      h u g e income)

If you haven’t read Rich Dad, Poor Dad now is a good time.

Yours in wisdom, Arlene

Anyway as it is school holidays, it is a time some parents love and other parents dislike.  Some parents [...]]]> It is winter and school holidays here on the Gold Coast, Australia.  Our winter may get as cool as 8c degrees!  I love living here, walking on the beach in the middle of winter – its fantastic.

Anyway as it is school holidays, it is a time some parents love and other parents dislike.  Some parents love the lack of routine for a couple of weeks others don’t, especially if they are working.

It is a great time to get the kids into the kitchen and helping, though.  Even the youngest can put things away or in the bin.  The older ones can mix or mash or even peel, they love to be involved.  You may even find they will eat more of things they have helped to prepare.  It’s a great time to try different fruit & vegies with them, maybe with yoghurt or hommus.  Set the right example now and they will thank you for it when they are old enough to appreciate it.

The big picture is – if you don’t have your health, you really don’t have anything.  No point being the richest person in the intensive care ward!  It only takes a few simple steps to be healthy – eat well, drink plenty of water and exercise (and of course quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption).  Not too hard at all!

These are my thoughts.  Happy holidays!

It is winter and school holidays here on the Gold Coast, Australia.  Our winter may get as cool as 8c degrees!  I love living here, walking on the beach in the middle of winter – its fantastic.

Anyway as it is school holidays, it is a time some parents love and other parents dislike.  Some parents love the lack of routine for a couple of weeks others don’t, especially if they are working.

It is a great time to get the kids into the kitchen and helping, though.  Even the youngest can put things away or in the bin.  The older ones can mix or mash or even peel, they love to be involved.  You may even find they will eat more of things they have helped to prepare.  It’s a great time to try different fruit & vegies with them, maybe with yoghurt or hommus.  Set the right example now and they will thank you for it when they are old enough to appreciate it.

The big picture is – if you don’t have your health, you really don’t have anything.  No point being the richest person in the intensive care ward!  It only takes a few simple steps to be healthy – eat well, drink plenty of water and exercise (and of course quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption).  Not too hard at all!

These are my thoughts.  Happy holidays!

I know we are all trying to get fit and be active so here are some tips on fitness nutrition to help you:

Eat Regularly – graze Eat [...]]]> It’s been a long time between blogs, busy times here at the moment. We are in the middle of two public holiday weekends so this week is a little quieter.

I know we are all trying to get fit and be active so here are some tips on fitness nutrition to help you:

Eat Regularly – graze
Eat every three hours or so to boost your metabolism and control your appetite

Focus on proteins
Women should have one serving of protein every few hours, men should get two. A serving equals the size of the palm of your hand or 90 to 115 gms, this will help control your appetite and blood sugar levels which help you maintain lean muscle

Only have starchy carbs after you exercise
Up to 2 to 3 hours after then back to fruit, vegies & nuts to help with weight loss and gaining lean muscle

Include Fruit & Vegies with each meal
Aim for 8 to 10 servings a day, 2 servings with each meal – easy!

Have healthy fats
A balanced intake includes healthy fats like flaxseeds & flax oil, fish & fish oil, hemp & hemp oil, olive oil, canola oil and walnuts. One tablespoon of oil or two tablespoons of seeds is enough; this will help balance your health and hormones.

Keep drinks simple
Tea (especially green tea) and water are ideal for promoting hydration. No sugar, calories or chemicals that diet drinks have

Eat Unprocessed Foods
You will usually find, the closer a food is to its natural state, the better it is for you. Avoid canned or packaged foods, unless it’s in its own package called peel or skin

Be Organised – Plan Ahead
It’s easy to eat healthily of you do some preparation and have healthy food ready to eat

Variety is the Spice of Life
Don’t limit your food intake by choosing bland, plain foods. Keep your eyes open for new and interesting ideas with healthy food – be brave, experiment

You don’t have to be Perfect
Aim for 9 out of 10 healthy meals; don’t worry if you go astray occasionally. If you are eating healthily most of the time, it won’t hurt

You only get one body so it is worth looking after, these hints should help you look better, feel better and perform at your best, even if it is just a walk around the block. Half an hour a day, you can do it.

  That’s the healthy part and the wealthy part is short and sweet:

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

You can take control of your financial future with our help. Ten years is all it takes to be Financially Free.

Regards Arlene
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

People who actually understand the concept of service, of making [...]]]> Just had a couple of thoughts over the last week or so.  We laid to rest an acquaintance last week who had been involved in the hospitality industry for over 40 years.  I couldn’t help but think “they just don’t make ‘em like that any more’. 

People who actually understand the concept of service, of making everyone they come into contact with feel special.  It seems to be a lost art and not something taught at hospitality schools.  It’s all very well knowing the mechanics of how to serve food but what about great service?

Hundreds of people attended his funeral so it shows how many people’s lives he had touched and thought him special enough to make the effort to go and say goodbye.

I think along with manners and respect we have lost some important  values that cost absolutely nothing.

I realise this has nothing to do with eating healthily or taking control of your financial future but I just wanted to share my thoughts.  (Although we do pride ourselves on ‘good old fashioned service at Fruit & Vegies on the Move!)

Hi

Hope all you coffee drinkers are enjoying your yummy Marrakech Coffee.  Let us know if you would like to receive it on a regular basis and we can make sure we always have some ready for you.  We would hate [...]]]>

Hi

Hope all you coffee drinkers are enjoying your yummy Marrakech Coffee.  Let us know if you would like to receive it on a regular basis and we can make sure we always have some ready for you.  We would hate you to run out!

Remember to keep it airtight and cool to maintain the freshness.

Also what a great idea for a Christmas present – our beautiful coffee and a plunger, especially for those ‘hard to buy for’ people.

Haven’t the mangoes been beautiful?  Hopefully the trays will be available next week, we will let you know.  They also make a great Christmas present!

At this time of the year it is easy to get into some bad eating habits so to get your 2 and 5 each day try:

1. Banana on your cereal for breakfast
2. Fruit with morning and afternoon tea
3. Salad Sandwich for lunch
4. Stir fry with onion, carrot, mushroom, capsicum, broccoli, zucchini and even sweet potato

Even if you only have 3 out of the 4, you should still get your 2 and 5.

Only four weeks to Christmas!

Regards Arlene, Barry and Team

Hi, I’m Arlene and I’d like to share how I moved from just “wanting a home based business” to successfully working from home and then on to bigger things!

Back in 1998 I had all these ideas about starting a home based business, however they were just [...]]]>  

Hi, I’m Arlene and I’d like to share how I moved from just “wanting a home based business” to successfully working from home and then on to bigger things!

Back in 1998 I had all these ideas about starting a home based business, however they were just that, ideas – and no action took place. 

I dreamt of having my own cash cow business but didn’t know anything about residual income or how to achieve financial freedom.

I was busy being a Mum and like many others I used to shop for groceries at my local Coles or Woolworths store.

Even though the fruit and vegetables at both Coles and Woolworths were OK, my kids preferred something that was fresher and more inviting.

I had discovered this fact when we visited a local farmers market, bought some fresh fruit and vegetables and was told by the kids that it was delicious and tasted great.

In the past I had tried a variety of organic products in order to entice the children to eat more fruit. Sure there is something to be said about the health benefits of eating organic fruit and vegetables. However we found that whilst organic products are well accepted, it was difficult to locate a reliable supplier able to provide consistent supply at reasonable prices.

The farmers market concept of buying farm fresh produce at wholesale prices seemed attractive, particularly when I was assured it could be home delivered, literally right to my door.

Unfortunately we found the quality of the home delivered fruit and vegetables were not consistent and the service proved unreliable.

So after talking to my husband Barry, we decided it made sense to establish our own business as we both liked the home delivery concept. We conducted considerable research and testing enabling us to locate reliable sources of fresh fruit and vegetables.

So we commenced trading in 1999 and based our business ethic on a number of extremely important criteria:

• The farm fresh quality of the product had to be assured.

• Our product offer had to be supported with a money back guarantee.

• Our prices had to be competitive and represent excellent value for money.

• Our delivery system had to be both free of charge and reliable.

• The ordering process must be simple, easy and straightforward.

Above all, it was our firm belief that we could do a better job of home delivering farm fresh fruit and vegetables by dedicating ourselves to achieving excellence in everything we did – without comprising quality in any way.

So with these thoughts in mind we commenced operations and began servicing the local Gold Coast area.

Today the business has outgrown (pardon the pun) its home base and we have developed a model we will ultimately license into other locations.

See me at www.fruitvegies.com.au/