Happy National Fruit at Work Day!

Happy National Fruit at Work Day!

Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com

On the first Tuesday in October, National Fruit at Work Day encourages some fruitiness to get you through the day. Not only is fruit tasty, but it’s good for you, too.

It might surprise you what constitutes a fruit, too. For example, an avocado qualifies as a fruit, not a vegetable. Combine this superfood with some peppers and tomatoes (also fruit) and the nutritional bonuses will keep adding up.

Another surprising fruit is the eggplant. This purple fruit falls into the berry categories. Bring on the Parmesan. The tomato also falls under the berry family.

Joining the drupe family along with raspberries, the olive gives us added options for exploring the day.

The observance takes place during a time of year when many stone fruits come into season. Apples, pears, and more are ripe and delicious. Beyond the traditional fruits, squash also qualifies for this holiday. Their fall flavors blend well with other foods in season.

Don’t limit yourself to the traditional idea of fruit during this occasion. Since many of the fruits we think of as vegetables are in season, it’s an excellent time to enjoy them.

Benefits

Fruit offers many advantages over other snacking choices we make every day.

  • All-natural – Fruit comes in the packages they were grown in. Each piece has no added calories, fillers or artificial flavorings.
  • High fiber – Natural fiber found in fruit
  • Energy source – While we love our coffee, fruit also adds a natural boost of energy.
  • Improves memory – Fruits high in antioxidants, vitamin k, folate, and monounsaturated fats improve brain function.

HOW TO OBSERVE #FruitAtWorkDay

It’s simple. Pack some fruit and bring it to work. Snack on it throughout the day. Enjoy it for lunch. Share it with co-workers. Be sure to pack some for the kids and spouse, too. Try out new recipes with exotic fruits or bring out the old favorites.

Either way, get fruity. Show your enthusiasm for fruit.

Use #FruitAtWorkDay to share your fruitiest adventures on social media.

NATIONAL FRUIT AT WORK DAY HISTORY

The Fruit Guys founded National Fruit At Work Day in 2000 to promote the benefits of eating fruit at work. They urge eating fruit at work all year long, but especially on Fruit at Work Day. Some people even dress up like fruit, act fruity, or even wear fruit to show their excitement for the day.

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Hepatitis A virus a common visitor to area

Hepatitis A is a fairly common and highly contagious virus that infects the liver. It can hit you hard — or you may not know you’ve had it.

“It’s declined greatly in the United States because of immunization,” says Jason Brackins, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic’s physician’s assistant. Yet he has seen three or four cases of it so far this year.

It’s spread orally and via fecal material. If someone working with food does not wash his hands after going to the bathroom, the virus can spread via contaminated food. Touching, sexual contact, contaminated water and injectable drugs also spread Hepatitis A. It does not spread through the air.

Symptoms include sudden nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abdominal pain. “It hits you like a stomach virus,” Jason says. The sneaky virus, however, takes 15 to 50 days before the symptoms appear – in fact, no symptoms may appear – but it’s contagious well before the symptoms show. Most cases are over in one to two weeks, but fever, jaundice and an enlarged liver are indications of more serious cases that may take longer to get over.

Humans are the only known carrier. The potential for the Hepatitis A virus to spread is greatest where lots of people spend time close together: in day care centers (think dirty diapers), prisons and the military. Homeless communities also fall victim to it because they lack washing facilities.

A big event, for example where Port-A-Potties are used and hand washing isn’t always easy, is another cause for concern, Jason says. And one food worker who does not wash hands thoroughly and does not wear gloves to handle food can contaminate lots of people.

You can treat the symptoms but not Hepatitis A itself, he says.“You try to ride it out.”

“The key to protection is … hand washing,” he says. Also, immunizations are available. They are recommended for health care workers and for those in the food industry, as well as for family members of Hepatitis A patients and a few other categories.

Sevier County Health Department has done much to vaccinate against Hepatitis A locally, says Deborah Murph, the Clinic’s executive director. A majority of the 174 people who attended the Clinic’s health fair in June opted to be vaccinated by Health Department staff after learning about Hepatitis A. “We are grateful the Health Department provided the vaccine during the health fair,” Deborah said.