Americans eat more tomatoes and tomato products than any other fruit or vegetable.  There is some ironic humor to this because at one time the American colonists refused to eat them because they thought they were poisonous!  We now know how delicious and healthy they really are and are grown in more backyard gardens than any other food.

For general health, tomatoes are a great source of vitamins A, C, and K; and potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and calcium.  These help in building stronger bones, regulate blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system.

A 1999 study from the Harvard School of Health found that lycopene, a common nutrient in tomatoes, was a significant inhibitor to cancer, heart disease, and the aging process.  Tomato sauce is one of the best lycopene sources.  Ingestion of tomatoes produced a 35 percent reduction in prostate cancer in men and had a significant effect on inhibiting cancers already present.  The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry posted a study that noted 13 different ketchups studied, of those organic ketchups had a higher concentration of lycopene, therefore they are more effective at fighting cancer.

Another antioxidant, Zea-xanthin, helps in inhibiting the macular degeneration by filtering harmful ultra-violet rays.

There are over 7500 different varieties of tomatoes that range in color from white to orange to purple to green and are grown in every part of the world. They are used to make even more thousands of sauces, salads, soups, condiments, and additives and dishes.

The tomato would win the best supporting actor/actress in the many dishes that they help to embellish.  They also support us in our health in so many ways.  They also need support though, when growing them in your garden be sure to stake them or place a tomato cage around them for the vines to grow up to reap the best crop.

One caveat:  tomatoes are a night shade, which means they are more commonly associated with adverse reactions.  (see WHFoods: Tomatoes)

Some curious names that the tomato has had are:  it's Aztec name, xitomatl, meant 'plump thing with a navel' and it's French name, pomme d'amour, meant 'love apple'.

"No man is an island" is a famous saying that most people know.  It is so true that
we all need support through life.  The people you surround yourself with determines how well you succeed in life.  Why?  Because they are the ones who are feeding your mind on a daily basis, either in a positive way or a negative one. So it's important to choose your support circle wisely.

There are many different types of support systems:  family, friends, religious affiliations, and community are some.  One support system people don't often think about is their healers.  They are of primary importance because they hold your health in their hands.  Doctors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, yoga therapists, and a varied array of other modalities and specialties are all included in that group.

Many people are surprised when I mention my healing support system, as if doing yoga would be enough.  Doing yoga is a huge part of my healing program that helps to keep me flexible, fit, and strong.  I learned long ago that there was no way that I could learn all of the wonderful therapeutic methods available out there or administer them to myself.  So over the years I have met many wonderful, educated, and optimistic  people that have helped me to keep my body in alignment, my muscles relaxed, and taught me positive ways to look at life.

Of all of the wonderful people that have helped me along the way my three regular core healers that I wish to thank for being my support are:

Bill Roche who is an Alexander Technique therapist (billycorno@aol.com, 410-465-5715), I have seen him every week for the last two years and still cannot explain how it works.  It is as if his hands can talk to muscles and they just unwind.  It simply amazes me how much better, taller, and more relaxed I feel after a session with Bill.

Maria Petrucci is my chiropractor (mpetrucci.dc@hotmail.com, 240-394-2037).  She doesn't just move the bones back into place she changes the muscles so that they don't pull the bones out of alignment any longer.  Her knowledge, patience, and willingness to always learn more are inspiring to me.

Bette Hoover is my massage therapist (dancinrainbow@msn.com, 410-531-610).  She has created a sanctuary close enough to Columbia to be convenient, yet far enough away that it makes you feel like you have left all of your cares behind.  She is an RN, has taught at the Baltimore School of Massage, and knows just how to get all of the kinks out of the muscles so that you feel like a wonderful bowl of melted butter after her session.

So don't try to go it alone through life.  Creating support systems to help you to find balance in all areas of your life is one of the best things that you can do for yourself to live a life that you love for a long, long time to come.

How Our Social Network Helps Us Thrive