Juicing is hot like the vibrant fashion colors for summer -- lemon, raspberry, orange, lime and tomato. Making delicious fruit and veggie juices is great for your energy, immune system, and workout.  But did you know the juices can also improve the color of your skin?

Many people wonder if they should use a self-tanning cream or slather on copious amounts of sunscreen so they can get a little color in the summer. There's another option you may never have heard about that can give your skin a healthy golden tan the safest way possible.

New research suggests that eating vegetables gives your skin a healthy golden tan color. A study led by Dr. Ian Stephen at the University of Nottingham revealed that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables gives you more of a healthy golden glow than the sun, according to the journal Evolution & Human Behavior.

Instead of heading for the sun, which can irreversibly damage your skin, you can get your tan on by munching on or juicing up vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes. These can do double duty, depending on the ingredients you choose. In my newest book, "The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies," I share recipes for veggie combinations that soothe headaches, cleanse the liver, boost endorphins and help heal stomach ulcers, among other ailments. To think you can get all that and a beautiful tanned appearance!

"Our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective" than getting a suntan, Dr. Stephen says.

Most people just don't eat enough brightly colored vegetables and fruit to make a difference in their skin tone or their overall health. But people can juice a wide variety of produce in a short time. It's easy to drink two servings in one 12-ounce glass. Have two glasses of freshly made veggie and fruit juice a day, and you've sipped four servings.  That will make a difference in how you look.

Dr. Stephen and his team found that people who eat more portions of fruits and vegetables per day have an attractive golden skin color thanks to substances called carotenoids. These antioxidants help soak up toxins and damaging compounds produced by the stresses of everyday living, poor food choices, and environmental toxins, and are especially prevalent when the body is combating disease.

"We found that, given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin color," Dr. Stephen said.

The study is especially important for single people, because individuals in search of a mate favor those who appear healthy, he says.

"This is something we share with many other species," adds Professor David Perrett, director of Perception Lab, where the study was conducted. "For example, the bright yellow beaks and feathers of many birds can be thought of as adverts showing how healthy a male bird is. What's more, females of these species prefer to mate with brighter, more colorful males."

So, rather than going to a tanning salon before suiting up for summer, why not head to the farmer's market and load up on beautiful veggies and fruit?  Not only will your skin improve ? your body will thank you as well.

About Cherie Calbom, MS, CN

Cherie Calbom, MS, CN is the author of 21 books, including her newest, "The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies," and best-sellers "Juicing for Life," with 2 million copies sold. Known as "The Juice Lady" for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has practiced as a clinical nutritionist at St. Luke Medical Center, Bellevue, Wash., and as a celebrity nutritionist for George Foreman and Richard Simmons. For more information, go to www.juiceladyinfo.com.

Team will treat Quad Cities residents to a free game at Modern Woodmen Park Monday, April 29

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 23, 2013) - In recognition and support of the entire Quad Cities community during the challenging flood along the Mississippi River, the Quad Cities River Bandits will host "Beat the Flood Day", by opening Modern Woodmen Park Monday, April 29, for a free baseball game, when the River Bandits hosts the Great Lakes Loons at 11 a.m.

The flood protection at the ballpark will allow the River Bandits to keep their entire six-game home stand at Modern Woodmen Park, beginning Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. On Monday, when the team is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start, the River Bandits will open the doors of Modern Woodmen Park at 9:30 a.m., and admission is free for all in attendance.

"The Quad Cities community goes through so much to 'Beat the Flood' and the outstanding work by the City of Davenport is the reason the River Bandits can still play baseball at Modern Woodmen Park, so we want to show our appreciation by treating everyone to a free game," said team owner Dave Heller. "As an organization deeply committed to this community, the River Bandits' 'Beat the Flood Day' recognizes and rewards the people of the Quad Cities for their courageous efforts and their unsinkable spirit."

Modern Woodmen Park is flood-protected by walls put in place by the City of Davenport. Fans should check www.riverbandits.com for updates about accessing the ballpark. Parking is available in the Florian Keen parking lot north of the ballpark, which is accessible via Western Avenue.

"With the flood protection of Modern Woodmen Park, the Quad Cities community has ensured baseball will continue, and we are so grateful to be able to play," said River Bandits General Manager Harold Craw. "With 'Beat the Flood Day' on Monday, the River Bandits will share baseball for free with the community that has made it possible."

The River Bandits are scheduled for 7 p.m. home games Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 30. Sunday's game has a 2 p.m. start time, and Monday's is at 11 a.m. Gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch each day. Further information is available by calling 563-324-3000 or at www.riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te'o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities' CW, and the River Cities' Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits began the season with a great start, and they sit in second place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Meanwhile, the team's ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines Pushed to October 31, 2013

PEORIA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois businesses and individuals who file monthly, quarterly or annual returns and have been impacted by the flooding will have until Oct. 31 to file tax returns that were due on or after April 19. The extended deadline will provide much-needed relief for individuals and local businesses trying to file their returns or payments on time while recovering from the flood.

"Families and businesses across Illinois need time to focus on rebuilding their businesses, homes and lives," Governor Quinn said. "Once families have recovered, they can pull together the necessary paperwork to file and pay their taxes."

Taxpayers who opt to mail their deferred returns and payments should write Flood - April 2013 on the outside of the envelope in red ink and on the top of each page of the tax filing, so the account can be updated and handled appropriately. Filers using My Tax Illinois or WebFile will be provided instructions when they file their returns so that no late fees or penalties will be billed to their accounts.  For questions, the Illinois Department of Revenue has set up a mailbox dedicated to the flood issue: REV.FloodApr2013@illinois.gov.

"While we encourage individuals and businesses to bring their tax filings up to date as soon as their lives return to normal, we hope this deferred payment option is helpful to Illinois families and businesses," Revenue Director Brian Hamer said.

The tax relief will help individuals and local businesses, such as hardware stores struggling to meet customer needs while cleaning up after the flood; they will be able to focus on their customers and will have extra time to file and pay the sales taxes they collect. Individuals and businesses who normally file quarterly returns won't have the pressure to file those returns or payments while trying to recover from the flood. Distributors driving through flooded streets to get motor fuel to gas stations will have extra time to pay the taxes they owe.

Since Thursday, Governor Quinn has surveyed damage on the ground and from the air and met with local officials in some of the hardest hit communities, including Elmhurst, Des Plaines, River Forest, Bellwood, Riverside, Moline, Quincy, Bartonville, North Aurora, Marseilles, Ottawa, North Utica, Morris and Meredosia.

Personnel from FEMA, IEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management agencies will begin assessing damage to homes and businesses in Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties on April 29. The teams will move to other affected counties as floodwaters recede so they are able to accurately assess the damage. Governor Quinn has declared a total of 44 counties state disaster areas.

Counties included in the state disaster declaration are Adams, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from flooding. It came after assessments by emergency officials and the governor, and begins the process of securing federal relief.

As of today, the state has fulfilled more than 140 requests for assistance from counties including:

Department of Transportation

• More than 240 IDOT personnel and 160 trucks and equipment have been deployed to deliver sandbags, plastic, pumps, hoses, trucks and drivers to communities and assist with debris removal.
• Conducting flyovers of flooded areas for situational awareness.
• Providing guidance to communities on pumping equipment needs.

Department of Corrections

• Nearly 570 offenders have filled and placed sandbags in several communities, logging more than 5,700 hours.
• More than 1,140 offenders at IDOC correctional facilities have worked around the clock to fill more than 140,000 sandbags since April 19.

Department of Natural Resources

• DNR boats and conservation police officers have assisted with home and medical evacuations, transportation, river rescues, missing person searches and other flood-related responses.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency

• Provided 40 StarCom radios to the Algonquin Police Department for emergency communications.
• Deployed liaison teams to coordinate response efforts along the Mississippi River.
• Coordinating requests for assistance from affected counties with state resources.

Illinois National Guard

• UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and two crew members assisted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with overflight of the Des Plaines and Little Calumet Rivers to survey integrity of flood control systems and infrastructure.

Illinois State Police

• Continue to assist motorists and local public safety agencies with flood-related issues.

Department of Public Health

• Provided information on tetanus shots to local public health departments, hospitals and medical offices.
• Arranged for the delivery of seven port-a-potties to support workers at two sandbagging sites.
• Monitoring situations at nursing homes and long-term care facilities affected by flooding.

Department of Central Management Services

• Procured sandbags, plastic and work gloves to support local sandbagging operations.

Governor Quinn activated the State Incident Response Center on Thursday to coordinate the deployment of state personnel and assets to assist local governments in the affected areas. The state's flood response is coordinated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.