As promised here is the "Fruit Flash", the periodic specials email from Fruition Gifts. To celebrate Valentine's Day you've got several sweet selections to choose from (2 are featured here). As February is National Heart Month, we've also highlighted a heart-healthy fruit & goody box.

Any gift can be decorated for Valentine's Day, so if you see something in the Fruitful or Theme sections of the website you want to send, just let us know and we'll decorate those too! (Call Roy at 800- 481-FRUIT (3784) or send us an email after placing an internet order.

Check out the discount code below to save 15 % on orders placed between now and February 13th. Also take a look at the recipes included after the coupon. Enjoy!!! Thanks for reading! Look for the Nutrition Month Fruit Connection in early to mid-March. Please stay in touch. Let us know how we can best serve you!

Fruitfully yours,

Fruit Connection and Fruit Flash readers save! Use code Heart to save 15% on your gifts through February 13th. (Yep, you can even use it on non- Valentine's Gifts. This is one way to reward our dedicated readers, so enjoy shopping with your discount!)
Note: You can go ahead and order now. If your card has a Valentine's message we will ship your gift Monday February 11 or Tuesday February 12th depending on the delivery destination.

If you like this idea, there is also a recipe for "Apple- Raspberry Valentine Crisp" on the Washington Apple Commission's website. (www.bestapples.com) Seems a little more labor-intensive but true bakers out there may want to give it a try!

Servings: 8 Nutrition Information: Protein: 2g; Fat: 8g; Carbohydrate: 51g; Fiber 6g; Sodium: 103mg; Cholesterol: 19mg; Calories: 269.
If using cranberries here, add two tablespoons more brown sugar to apple-berry mixture, since cranberries are especially tart.

Ingredients: 5 Golden Delicious or Rome Beauty apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, blueberries, cranberries or raspberries 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/3 cup unsifted all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup quick rolled oats

Method: 1) Heat oven to 375° F. Lightly grease a 1 1/2- to 2- quart baking dish. In large bowl, combine apples, berries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; toss to blend. Place apple-berry mixture in prepared dish.
2) In medium-sized bowl, combine flour, salt, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly; stir in oats. Sprinkle mixture over apples and bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is crisp and golden.

I went looking on the American Heart Association's website for heart-healthy recipes. They have a link to "Delicious Decisions" where they feature recipes from various AHA cookbooks. A great resource!

They have a recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake-YUM!!