World record-breaking decathlon Olympic champion Bruce Jenner, who earned the title "World Greatest Athlete" for his victory at the 1976 games in Montreal, led a contingent of world-class athletes recently to promote the message of healthier lifestyles.

Sponsored by Jamieson Industries of Canada to introduce their all-natural "Slim Down" supplement (www2.jamiesonvitamins.com) to the U.S. market, "Slim Down America" concluded a national tour with a program in Beverly Hills featuring Jenner, Gold Medalist Mitch Gaylord, Volleyball Champion Holly McPeak and Olympic swimming medalist Amanda Beard.

Admits Jenner, "I’ve seen a trend toward a more sedentary lifestyle over the past 27 years since I competed in the games. Today, we’re facing a sedentary life problem that is resulting in serious health problems for young and old alike. We want to encourage the nearly 80% of North Americans who are overweight today to commit to a lifestyle change, not just a weight loss program."

That lifestyle change includes eating "the right foods to stay healthy" says Jenner. FRUITS, VEGETABLES and other fresh foods are part of the mix of "good foods" that Jenner and the other athletes say keep them trim and energetic despite busy schedules, travel and family responsibilities. Notes Mitch Gaylord, who vaulted to a Silver Medal in 1984, "With three kids now, I’ve recognized the benefit of eating little meals more frequently." Adds Holly McPeak, "Part of the secret of eating right is being prepared so you won’t reach for junk or fast foods. I try to carry FRUITS of every kind as well as NUTS and other healthy snacks in my bag so I’m not tempted to eat things that aren’t healthy for me!"

Using a little ingenuity never hurts to get kids to eat their VEGETABLES, laughs Jenner, now the father of six: "My kids just won’t eat BROCCOLI, so I told them to pretend they’re dinosaurs and the BROCCOLI stalks are the tops of trees they’re devouring."

While reaching for FRUIT juice rather than a soda, or an APPLE rather than POTATO chips is important, the Olympic winners emphasize that exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements round out eating a balanced diet daily.

"Start slow and make gradual changes" says Jenner. "Try my 80/20 theory of eating – 80% of the time focusing on good foods like meats, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, grains, and treating yourself to that dish of Haagen-Daz only 20% of the time so you won’t feel deprived."

RED DELICIOUS and YELLOW DELICIOUS APPLES from Washington State are among this week’s best FRUIT values.

California’s new STRAWBERRY crop is underway, although prices this early in the season remain at premium levels. Imported RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES are also in steady supply, with prices in the premium range as well.

Best values in Chilean Summer FRUITS this week include PEACHES and NECTARINES. Store them in a paper bag for a day to ripen more quickly.

SEEDLESS GREEN, RED and BLACK GRAPES from Chile are also in peak supply at very reasonable prices.

BANANAS are an excellent value this week. Slices sautéed in butter with PINEAPPLE chunks and ORANGE segments are a great garnish for roasted pork. Hawaiian PINEAPPLE continues to be very reasonably priced.

MELON prices continue to decrease as the volume of winter production speeds up. CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW MELON are both great choices for appetizers, served with a squeeze of fresh LIME juice.

CITRUS FRUIT continues to be plentiful in a variety of choices, ranging from California NAVEL ORANGES and LEMONS to RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT from Texas growers, WHITE GRAPEFRUIT from Florida, California MINNEOLA TANGELOS and Florida HONEY TANGERINES. Try a combination of all of them in a vitamin-C packed salad tossed in a honey-poppy seed LIME dressing.

Even though holiday baking season is over, check out the selection of NUTS in the produce department. PECANS, HAZELNUTS, MACADAMIA NUTS and PISTACHIO NUTS all make great coatings for seafood when finely chopped as well as tasty toppings to salads.

TOMATOES are holding steady at premium prices, with volume light.

PAPAYAS from Hawaii are a good value this week. Serve them with sliced STRAWBERRIES and shredded toasted COCONUT.

PEARS are a delicious high-fiber addition to your diet. D’ANJOU and BOSC varieties continue in peak supply from Northwestern suppliers.

KIWIFRUIT are in steady supply at moderate prices.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is plentiful and one of this week’s best VEGETABLE values, with GREEN CABBAGE and SPINACH also outstanding salad values. Salad fixings in plentiful supply include CUCUMBERS, CARROTS, CELERY, GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES and JICAMA

RED BELL PEPPERS, a bit sweeter in flavor than the GREEN variety, are an excellent value this week.

ASPARAGUS from off-shore sources remains at premium price levels. Try it steamed and served with a LEMONY hollandaise sauce.

Several stir-fry ingredients are in steady supply, including BOK CHOY, CHINESE SNOW PEAS, fresh BEAN SPROUTS and DAIKON RADISH.

ITALIAN RED ONIONS are moderately priced. These are delicious for using raw on salads, either chopped or in rings. SWEET BROWN ONIONS, a key ingredient for soups, continue in plentiful supply at economical prices.

BROCCOLI continues to be plentiful at economical prices. Steam or microwave just until tender, then toss with light virgin olive oil and roasted GARLIC.

RUSSET POTATOES are at peak supply at moderate prices, with WHITE ROSE POTATOES also an excellent value by the pre-packaged bag. Looking for an alternative to POTATOES as a side dish? Try baked YUCCA ROOT, BEETS or TURNIPS, seasoned with a little butter and your favorite HERB.

Production is steady on ANAHEIM, PASILLA and JALAPENO CHILES from Mexico. Use a variety in your favorite salsa recipe or stuff with cheese mixture, coat with batter and fry as an appetizer.

MUSHROOMS are in plentiful supply, with WHITE MUSHROOMS among the best values.

Winter is the perfect time to start a windowsill HERB garden. Look for potted MINT, DILL, ROSEMARY, THYME, BASIL, CHIVES and PARSLEY.

ORCHIDS, DAISIES, LILIES, ROSES and CARNATIONS are all in steady supply for colorful cut bouquets. In potted blooming plants, look for good values on exotic Caribbean LILIES, BEGONIAS, TULIPS and HYACINTHS.

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