Tropical trees native to India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka which need total sun, high humidity, and at least 70 inches of annual rain produce a mild-tasting fruit(1) with a length of about 3-6 inches(2) and a star-shaped cross section. Star fruit trees are planted at least 20 feet apart, grow speedily, and produce fruit at an age of four to five years. Northern India grows them up to 4,000 feet in elevation. Malaysia is the biggest producer. Diseases and insects mean that the US doesn't import the whole fruits. Instead, the country gets its share from "Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, California, Texas, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Hawaii."(1) The whole fruit, waxy skin and all, is edible(2).
   "Starfruit contains an extremely low number of calories but it is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and B vitamins, as well as phosphorus, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and potassium." A high number of antioxidants are also present (especially in the peel). These and flavonoids are part of anti-inflammatory properties which are useful for skin disorders like psoriasis and dermatitis. Good numbers of sodium and potassium electrolytes are good for circulatory and blood pressure health. Insoluble dietary fiber is good for helping control blood pressure and cholesterol and the "fruit can help to optimize your metabolism by ensuring that necessary enzymatic and hormonal processes take place throughout the body." Other properties include supporting respiratory and hair health(2).
   Note: star fruit does have very high amounts of oxalic acid, normally ok in moderate amounts with good kidney function. Allergies are uncommon but "may result in digestive upset, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting." There are numbers of drug interactions(2).

Sources:
1. Wikipedia contributors. "Carambola." Simple English Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 30 Apr 2017. Web 30 Mar 2020. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carambola.
2. Staughton, John. "11 Best Benefits Of Star Fruit (Carambola)." Organic Facts: Let's Get Healthy Together, Organic Information Services Pvt Ltd. 29 January 2020. Web 30 March 2020. https://www.organicfacts.net/star-fruit-carambola.html.

Image from: postivehealthwellness.com (Source #1)

   Yes, my household is rather well-known for the itch to travel. :))) I was going to write on another subject yet that fizzled out so I got directed pretty quickly to a subject rather close to home. Yes again, pun intended. Getting away from home and regular commute has a few, possibly surprising benefits. MAJOR NOTE: Travel isn't necessarily to another country. It can be rather close to home - just to places you normally don't go(1).
   Travel isn't purely stress-free of course: getting from point to point, obtaining necessaries, and arranging itineraries all get adrenaline pulsing. [I attest that helping Mom navigate big-city traffic and lane changes as copilot is rather tense!] Finding new, different stressors to cope with away from one's sphere of residence means stress hormones don't fire in the same old patterns. Those different stressors help reinforce that stress is universal, cope with more routine stressors, and generally edify understanding about life. Besides creative problem-solving, travel and attending experiences also inspire other forms of creativity. Authors and artists tend to get creative boosts in particular from new experiences on trips(1).
   Plenty of walking and hiking are great for health - including going from airport terminal to terminal, etc. Yet, spending the entire trip pigging out on foods which really don't serve one's health doesn't help things so much(1). So many migrants to developed countries end up suffering from reduced gut health with all the processed foods they adopt(2). [My family takes nutrient-dense meal replacements along instead of free yet processed motel breakfasts.] There can be plenty of better [and non-GMO/organic] restaurants or other ways to get in good fruits and veggies(1). [I like different veggie dishes quite a bit better than boring meat and potatoes - ever had veggie curry, crisped spinach, or bunless burgers atop mixed-green salads?]
   Finally, the gut needs new experiences: whenever at different locales, you introduce "your body to a whole new set of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and yeast), adding biological diversity to the ecosystem in your gut." However, good probiotics/digestive enzymes are important for coping with unfamiliar stressors and eating unfamiliar foods. Granted, unhealthy diet is the most disastrous microbiome factor to migrants to developed countries and others. Western diets typically are rather low in gut microbe diversity(2). [Besides high in sabotaging chemicals!]

Personal Product Favorites:
Nutrient-dense meals on the go
Probiotics/enzymes

​Sources:
1. Reed, Karen. "8 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good for Your Health." Positive Health Wellness, Positive Health Wellness. 22 February 2017. Web 16 March 2020. https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/fitness/8-reasons-traveling-good-health/.
2. "Why You Need a Gut Microbiome Getaway." Isagenix Health, Isagenix Worldwide, Inc. 8 May 2019. Web 16 March 2020. https://www.isagenixhealth.net/why-you-need-a-gut-microbiome-getaway/.