Superfruit Salads With California Dried Plums (NAPSA)—It is always a great For a video of this recipe, as well as other recipes featuring time to renew your commitment to healthy eating by introducing more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Many people wait until summer to get in shape for bathing suit season, but Gold Medalist and World Champion swimmer Natalie Coughlin stays fit and healthy year-round with a challenging workout regimen and a healthy diet that includes California Dried Plums. “California Dried Plums are a nutrient powerhouse that help to promote good bone, heart and digestive health. They also support the immune system,” says Coughlin. A study led by Bernard P. Halloran, Ph.D., senior re- search scientist at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, suggests that dried plums might even be effective in repairing boneloss. California Dried Plums are a superfruit rich in antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins, so Coughlin always keeps a bag handy for snacking on the go. As an avid cook, she knowsthat adding California Dried Plumsto one of her favorite recipes, a salad of mixed greens, goat cheese and pecans, is an easy and delicious way to take advantage of the health benefits of dried plums in herdiet. “I love to cook with dried plums because they are a healthy way to add flavor and key nutrients to both sweet and savory dishes,” says Coughlin. Want to give your favorite recipes a healthy California Dried Plum makeover? Mix them into low-fat cream cheese to spread on your breakfast bagel, make moist, reduced-fat meatballs with dried plum pure, or try a whole grain salad with California Dried Plums. California Dried Plums, visit www.californiadriedplums.org. Dried Plums May Be Effective In Repairing Bone Loss “As we age, weall lose bone, and \ Tender lettuce leaves, sweet, nutrient-rich California Dried Plums anda tangy, citrusy vinai- grette, make this salad sure to be a hit with family and friends. Mesclun Salad with Dried Plums, Goat Cheese and Pecans Prep time: 10 minutes Makes 4 servings 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon mincedshallot Salt and black pepper 8 cups mesclunlettuce % cup (about 4% ounces) quartered California Pitted Dried Plums % cup crumbled goat cheese % cup candied pecans over half of all people age 50 and older develop osteoporosis, a disease where the bone becomes weak and easily fractures,” explains Bernard P. Halloran, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and adjunct professor of medicine at the University of California, San Fran- cisco. In a study led by Dr. Halloran, a diet supplemented with powdered dried plum restored bone lost by mice during the course of normal aging. “What we've doneis not just prevent the loss of bone with aging, we’ve actually put bone back. Whatever is in dried plum may prove to be an effective therapy for osteoporosis.” The study was funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Dried Plum Board. (J. Nutr. 140; 1781-1787, 2010.) To make vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk togetheroil, vinegar and shallot; season with salt and pepper. In a large mixing bowl, toss lettuce with enough vinaigrette to coat lightly. Divide among 4 salad plates; sprinkle each salad with 3 tablespoons dried plums, 2 tablespoons goat cheese and 2 tablespoons pecans. Nutrition Information Per Serving: 281 calories; 7 mg cholesterol; 19 g total fat; 4 g sat fat; 6 g monofat; 1 g poly fat; 0 g trans fat; 134 mg sodium; 27 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 5 g fiber; 528 mg potassium Michael Muller for Stocklandmartel.com World Champion swimmerand Cali- fornia Dried Plum Board spokesper- son Natalie Coughlin staysfit and healthy with a challenging workout regimen and a nutritious diet.